January 2010 Grocery Challenge

CherryPie

I've not spent anything yet as I'm running down the fridge / freezer / cupboards. Hope to start 2010 off with a few NSD's as going to stay at Mum's for a few days. She still has loads of leftovers from Xmas so I'll prob come back & have full cupboards again!

I'll be MIA for a few days so an early HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone on here, thanks for the inspiration over the last year and here's to a more frugal 2010!!

:beer:

CherryPie XxX

:snow_laug PS. Is there any snow left to fall?? It's been snowing here for 2 whole weeks!!

Toonie

Hello everyone, here is to a happy, healthy and frugal 2010 :beer:

I've been talking with my partner about the Grocery Challenge and what we managed last year. We spent around £1780 for the whole year (though no exact figure as I lost my spreadsheet when my computer died) which I was quite pleased with, but this year we are going to go one step further and include toiletries, cleaning products and alcohol in the budget. With that in mind we are aiming for £1850 as our annual target (thanks Helen). What that means essentially is that we will have a rough aim of £150/month (more in December) but I prefer the annual goal as we buy a lot in bulk from Costco and that normally happens halfway through every second month. At present we have full freezers (got some lovely pieces of meat reduced on Christmas Eve) and we have a fairly well stocked cupboard. We are still dealing with our finance problems so trying to not spend too much extra so I forsee a few storecupboard meals until I'm back to work (5th January) then it will be slowcooker stews again until the weather gets nicer.

helen_jelly

Afternoon everyone

Just a quickie to let you know budgets are all done up to and including Toonie - thank you

Helen x

[Deleted User]

Could you please put me down for £260 for the month

It may well be subject to change as I have never really kept a record of grocery spends before.

Many thanks for setting up and running this challenge :T

Budgeteer

alli_baba2

Hi everyone, haven't done a grocery challenge for ages!!!! Can you please put ALLI_BABA2 down for £250 in January - got a fair amount of mince and chicken in the freezer to keep my bill down a bit.

brokemedic

Hi,

I have been absent for a little while.. Would love to join for Jan so I would like to pledge £125 for Jan. This is to include any uni spends such as coffee, sandwiches etc as well.

Casperthefriendlyghost

CRANKY40 wrote: »

I'm back too, and ready for a New Year. There was a lot of random food buying in October and November after I was widowed, but I did try and take it in hand in December.

I am so sorry, I lost my mom at the end of June 2009, it was very sudden and unexpected. My thoughts are with you.

Cheers
Casper
x x

slscarborough

Am new to this but am currently spending £400 a month for 2 Adults 1 Teen 1 Toddler & 1 baby so to ease myself in gently I am going to start myself with a budget of £300. Does that sound reasonable?

albacookie

First spends of this month's budget - 23.45 in Tesco today.

Ruby_Moon

thriftlady wrote: »

Rachel, Coxy's recipe is an excellent starting point for many variations.

Chop some veg such as carrots, courgettes, squash, peppers, mushrooms, celery, leeks, onions, swede, parsnips, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, green beans.

Chuck in some frozen peas or sweetcorn if you like.

Soften in some frylight or a very little oil or even a splash of water.

Add some garlic and whatever spices you like.

Add passata/tinned tomatoes or tomato puree plus water/stock.

Add some pulses -kidney beans, haricot beans, chickpeas, butter beans, black beans or lentils.

Simmer until all the veg is cooked.

Serve over rice, couscous, barley, bulghar, baked spuds, potato wedges, pasta.

Add a sprinkle of cheese if you like.

Depends on the type of cheese.