December 2009 Grocery Challenge

MadamMim2013

December is never a good month for me, far too many birthdays, nativities, fayres and things to do generally!!
But.. saying that I think I've managed to stay on budget, just!! (with a few days to go till the end of the month)
Merry Christmas to everyone )

Winged_one

I had a larger than expected spend over the weekend, as we had spent €130 and a spend of €150 gave us a €50 voucher for January - so we bought some nice wine for Christmas dinner (which we'd have bought anyway). And we also had a good few things in the trolley for the charity collection at the supermarket entrance.

SunnyGirl

I have had 6 NSD's since last Weds now but have to get milk today. Weekly food shopping tomorrow including a few Christmas things but not many as I have been squirreling things away for a month now.

The snow is still coming down thick & fast here so it'll help with only buying milk as I'll send DH out when he walks the hounds!

rosieben

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

rosie don't look in any big MrT's then as they now stock them

omg, what have I been missing! I shall be into the nearest big store asap in the new year - my ds lives dangerously near one ...

ifonlyitwaseasier

rosieben wrote: »

omg, what have I been missing! I shall be into the nearest big store asap in the new year - my ds lives dangerously near one ...

lol, i find i can resist them a lot of the time, i only like a couple of them so don't buy the big box of 12 anymore

mark55man

:eek::eek: just went round Waitrose with DS doing a quick scoot, coz we are forecast more bad weather and needed some stuff up to Christmas - it was like the bad old days - hadn't really got a list - just wanted to be quick - so did try to be thrifty as I could but still spent £47 for 7 for 3 days so no major damage done, but probably £20 more than I would have done normally.

the worrying part was that it was steaming with people with trolley's full to the brim :eek::eek:

SunnyGirl

Just adding on £10.44 as I went to Tesco today to get the sprouts, melons, satsumas, carrots & some cream. Ooh and cocktail sticks for the kids annual melon boat for starters :rotfl: It was the height of sophistication when they were 5 I'm amazed that it's still asked for! The main shop is tomorrow morning but I don't think it'll be too silly as I have menu planned for throughout the holidays and have lots of leftover meals on there :money::T

Moniker

Hi everyone

Well, although I said I wouldn't be 'officially' taking part in December owing to all that was going on, I have been keeping a note of my spends and did set myself a nominal budget of £350 to include Christmas food and drink. I did my last shop of the month this afternoon and I am just £19.19 over that nominal budget which I am happy with. We are away in Germany (weather permitting) from next Monday so I am not planning to buy another thing - if we ain't got it they can't have it!

I did most of my shop today in Sainsbury's and they had some whole legs of lamb half price - so part of my overspend was on one of these for next month. They were also doing salmon on the fish counter half price - but by the time I heard the announcement I was on my way to the checkout and couldn't face turning back through the crowds even for salmon which I love! Never mind, hopefully some of the rest of you will be able to take advantage of these deals.

Finished all my baking yesterday - have done tomato and orange soup for Christmas starter and made bread rolls which I have popped in the freezer. Did another batch of shortbread and the mince pies also now in the freezer. Have tried very hard not to over-cater as I have in the past, but with a new SIL to feed as well as DD2 and MIL who will be visiting on the day itself I have to remember that boys have big appetites!

Hope you all have a blessed and peaceful Christmas - will be back on 2nd January raring to go for 2010!

love Moniker

becky170

I'd like to declare £118.73 for december. Must try harder next month.....

Happy Christmas everyone!!!

annelouise_2

Gday all,

Have had my 2nd NSD this week but needed pork mince for stuffing and sweet and sour chinese meatballs today.

I had a couple of friends coming over that turned into 8! but managed to eek out the crisps,dips,nuts,veggie sticks and got out some turkey and veg spring rolls and the meatballs were a big hit.I love to cater by running around the fridge and freezer.

Had all the sauces and dips and a few plates to share of prawns and a guacamole dip with nachos.

Made stuffing with the rest of the pork mince for 3 meals so divided it and froze 2 portions for next year.Cauli cheese is in the freezer too as is the turkey.Have definately money saved this xmas as I know the shops are open on Boxing Day even here in the sunny Northern Territory at the back of beyond.So my storecupboard is full,the freezer is full of ziploc bags with9 buns,9 sausage rols,9 danish pastries to pop out and thaw on the side while we are enjoying ourselves probably at the wavepool.

Boxing Day is a chinese theme= special fried rice,chinese sweet and sour meatballs,dim sim,spring rolls and mixed entrees.All in the freezer ready.My guests will bring dessert and we are partying after fireworks on the wharf at a friends and I'll take a plate of pizza pinwheels and dips with veggies.

Have turkey wraps planned for lunch today,fruit salad and pasta pesto for tea.

The fridge is sparkling clean and not over full so all is good in the world.

Merry Moneysaving Christmas everyone.

annelouise