December 2009 Grocery Challenge

rowsew

Evenin' all.

I haven't been in for a while, hope everyone's managing ok, it's been biblical here (in weather terms at least!) for the past few weeks, my garden is a swamp and the chickens are growing webbys! I managed to finalise my November budget at last - came in under by 11p!!!! And also updated my December spends so far. This week's been a blinder, no shopping Sun - Thurs, but I have to get bits for next week, some kind of roasting beast for Christmas day, veggies from the veg man, and put my order in for Christmas veg which has to be paid in advance, so although it's looking quite healthy at the moment, I can feel a big dent arriving soon! On the plus side, having a menu planned for the whole month is really, really useful. We've stuck to it very closely (sometimes we shuffle stuff around a bit on a weekly plan, but not this month), and I know I don't have to worry when the outlaws with their special dietary requirements turn up, because I've already worked out what we're having hoorah, hoorah. It also means that even though we're all really busy with work, school and home stuff, I can still keep on top of the budget, so I'm really pleased. Let's hope it carries on till next year! Have a great weekend everyone. :xmastree:

skintbint_2

poppy-glos wrote: »

Long_tall_sally wrote: »

hi, sausage plait, with puff pastry and the sausagemeat mixed with chopped onion, as a filling for the puff pastry, delicious!

what about mixing with some spices and onion and making spicy meatballs or making it into some form of meatloaf by doing the same thing delicious hot or cold with a bit of pickle

angelatgraceland

Hi All-Well Ive not been in here for a couple of months but Ive been working lots-earning a few extra pennies and generally being frugal. Ive not kept track of my spending bot I know Im more or less on target. Im still referring to the moneysaving recipes Ive printed from these forums and still shop in a way that allows me to be thrifty but come home laden with food!
The other day I got some mangoes in Lidl for about 34p each and made mango chutney-homemade is so much nicer!
I ve also made vegetarian chilli and vegetarian curry using beans and pulses-very very cheap,nutricious and filling. I really do not miss the meat-loads of flavour and bursting with beans!
Im not keen on soya-I dont care for the taste and quorn is ok for a change so I do admit to finding that beans and pulses give the best taste.

2010/2011 should bring lots of new cooking practices into the house as my dd is going to college in September 2010 to do Proffesional Cookery. I had a look around the college and wishes I was doing it to!

Most of my presents have been bought online this year plus a few from Superdrug.
I got dd a camera from Additions direct and the first order over ?£20(I think) gives you £10 off so instead of being £29.99 it was only £19.99 with approx £4 postage on top. Well worth looking for offers like this!
I have loads of rice and pasta in the cupboards so Ive got lots to fall back on-very little storage space but lots of interesting ingredients.
I may make an apple crumble on the weekend from the apples we grew earlier in the year. Almost feels like free food when I do that.
January I will start a new spending diary-same target as this year. Christmas I never spend a lot foodwise-it is after all-only a "couple of days".

angelatgraceland

Heres another one also:
http://www.bestpet.co.uk/search_results.asp
Remember that you can also get prescriptions from this company(and others)-instructions on the site.

elizabunny wrote: »

Thank you so much x_raphael_xx, SunnyGirl & prettypaula for your links and help. I still can't seem to get the price down below around £152 per month yet -but will keep looking.

helen jelly So sorry to be a pain but can you increase my annual total to £1610 and my December month to £200. DH has been saving £1 coins in a pot which I was unaware of and has given me the proceeds towards my Xmas shopping, an extra £50 Yippee. I am thrilled and cooked him his favourite dinner.

yummyhoney

i spent €24 tonight on loo rolls and store cupbard stuff,,but i used my vouchers again,,so cost me nothing,i'm hoping by using the vouchers that i will build up my store cupbard and when the vouchers run out,i'll just need day to day things,,here's hoping eh:rolleyes:

helen_jelly

Morning everyone

You are all doing very well so far, well done
I'm off now to update the front page with new budgets rec'd, thank you GemmaBuckle and also update my signature with £5.80 [couple of bits]
I've seriously avoided food shops as much as poss as we have so much in the cupboards but will need to do a big shop in January.
I also need to get my butt in gear and start wrapping, finishing decorating and doing some ironing, if all else fails the ironing gets hid in a cupboard but as I've joined an ironing challenge I don't think I should do that!!! And the Xmas decs need to go up before the kiddies leave home in protest [busy weekend ahead for me then]

Have fun no shopping everyone

Helen x

Long_tall_sally

Hello. I finally braved the coldness of the garage & the freezer to do another stock check (after having lost my previous list!). A lot of the space was taken up with gluten free bread that I get on prescription for DS plus normal bread. Nethertheless I did find:
1 small chicken
6 turkey breast things x 2
18 meat balls x 2
8 chicken drumsticks
packet of fish medlay for a fish pie
packet of bacon x 4
sausages x 4
500g mince x3
oddds & ends like rice, veg, cheesecake, chocolate roulade.

There are 6 of us half of the week and 4 of us the rest of the time but this should definitely last to xmas & beyond!

plus the beef joint is already defrosting for dinner tomorrow!

highland_fling_2

Hi everyone,

well at last I have caught up on this thread. Great to see everyone has been very busy, baking, cooking and preparing for Christmas. I am trying hard myself to be organised. Hectic week at work so I have not managed to do everything I planned to do this week but hopefully next week will be better.

Have taken pork steaks, ratatouille, and hm soup out of freezer for tomorrows lunch. So only need to make some fresh veg and that will be that sorted. Going out tonight (again) so not cooking.
Well off to make a mini shopping list, will not do Christmas food shop until nearer the time.

All frosty and wintery here, just right for the festive season.

fabforty

Hi everyone,

Feeling very pleased with myself - having completed a no spend week. I haven't bought anything snce last Saturday.
:T:T:T:T:T

The grocery challenge has really made me look at what I buy and what I cook. Todays dinner will be special fried rice made with left over chicken and ham, rice and old vegetables lurking in the bottom of the fridge (mushrooms, an onion, 1 courgette) plus frozen peas and sweetcorn. Out visiting family tomorrow, so no need to cook or shop. I can't believe how much money I have saved this week.

Wishing you all a successful GC weekl

helen_jelly

fabforty wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Feeling very pleased with myself - having completed a no spend week. I haven't bought anything snce last Saturday.
:T:T:T:T:T

The grocery challenge has really made me look at what I buy and what I cook. Todays dinner will be special fried rice made with left over chicken and ham, rice and old vegetables lurking in the bottom of the fridge (mushrooms, an onion, 1 courgette) plus frozen peas and sweetcorn. Out visiting family tomorrow, so no need to cook or shop. I can't believe how much money I have saved this week.

Wishing you all a successful GC weekl

:T:T
:beer:
:j:j
:D

Well done

Helen x