January 2010 Grocery Challenge

helen_jelly

Afternoon everyone

SAVEALOT - only use cash,
write a list and stick to it [offers are only ever good if we need them there and then] and they are a curse if you don't need them but find yourself buying them,
MEAL PLAN - it really really works - jot down what you have and make some meals around that and then only buy what you need to complete these meals, check out the reipes on page 1,
don't take kiddies shopping if you can get away with it - they pile up the trolley,
try shopping with a basket instead of a trolley - if you can't carry it you might not buy it,
don't shop when you are hungry - you pile stuff in the trolley cos your tummy wants it
I guessed at my first total budget and worked on it from that - lots of us have got our budgets wrong at the start cos we have all under-estimated how much we spend and we all like different things so different amounts for different families - it's what suits you that matters, don't judge yourself by other budgets.

Hope that helps and shout again if you need more help

Helen x

ifonlyitwaseasier

BigMummaF wrote: »

Recipe please :drool: & I've already pasted the lamb one into my folder so Thank You for that too..[Apologies meant to make a note of who posted to mention by name but got distracted trying to remember if I've some lamb already in the freezer!][QUOTE]


lol, all i do is grab a few things from the cupboard and mix it up to taste, have amended it and am doing indian style beef kebabs tomorrow,
for chicken i usually get some spices and herbs (whichever i feel like) add to a little olive oil, and maybe some tabasco/soy sauce/ chilli sauce and then mix the meat in, with chook i tend to make cuts into it (esp if on the bone) like you see chef's do (soaks in more and cooks it quicker)

i think my fave version is a little oil, some turmeric, cumin, mild-medium chilli powder, some rosemary and maybe to serve chilli sauce over the top

i usually try to marinade for a couple of hours minimum but over night is best

ragz_2

I'm in for £350
So far spent £70

I've told OH I'm not cooking him a proper dinner until he's eaten some of the cheese and pate mountain in the fridge. he made a huge fuss before xmas about wanting loads of cheeses and he's barely eaten any yet. Unfortunately I won't and neither will the kdis so still got to cook for us though. Have put some food in the freezer to keep until cheese is gone. Got a chicken not sure when to do it as when I do that's 3 consecutive days meals.

mollythewestie

I have just received my first frugal grocery shop and I only spent £47! :eek::D
I have enough toiletries, nappies and laundry/cleaning things to last for the rest of the month. And with the vast amount of meat and fish I have in the fridge and freezer, I should only have to buy milk, bread, fruit and veg for the rest of the month! :j
I think I could have given myself a much smaller budget this month, but at least this gives me some idea of what I spend now (And what I can save if I actually budget and meal plan properly!)

Donk_2

Hi everyone,

My OH proposed at new year, and as we are now looking to save up for the next two and a half years for our wedding we would love to join the GC.

Please put us down for £120 PLEASE

mrs_motivated

oooh like the idea of this - could you put me down for £280 please!

laurasavon

I've got a food full of cupboard from a big delivery Christmas eve but unfortunately they missed a few items off my list so i've had to pop and get a few bits today (including a couple of freezable lunch boxes!) and spent just £14.34 so far so good.

Meal plan for this week -
Monday - Using yesterdays left over Chicken and some reduced (52p!) creme fraiche i'm going to do some pasta, peas, sweetcorm onions and mushrooms
Tuesday - Spag bol, use the remaining mushrooms, some onion, tinned tomatoes etc, if i have room in the freezer will make extra
Wednesday - Hubby goes to football so will have some leftover from Tuesday's spag bol and I always go to my aunties for tea whilst he's out
Thursday - cottage pie, should hopefully still have some left over potatoes
Friday - I have some chops in the freezer so unless i go to the supermarket between now and Friday will get those out

Coxy11

Congratulations to Donk :smileyhea

Just got back from MrT. Took DD and DS2 as DS1 is out with our neighbour. They both took some pocket money to buy sweets with, and both came back with change to put back in their piggy banks. Start teaching 'em young...also meant that my total was less LOL.

Got own brand cream crackers (26p), tin of sliced mushrooms (Princes as no value/own brand available (79p!), and a pint of semi-skimmed (45p). Also had to top up my phone and always use my 'own' money for that so debit carded the lot. £11.50 in total but only £1.50 for the grocery budget. Well pleased that I managed to avoid the two whoopsie fridges and all other 'bargains'.

Really feeling in control this month. Although also feeling slightly 'anal' about the quantities of things we use - loo roll being one of them (if you pardon the pun...).

Fridge looking really bare, although the two freezers are bursting at the seams. Have scampi and chips to look forward to tonight which will clear some space, and slow-cooked a double family portion of spag bol at the weekend, one of which will be tomorrow nights dinner (hence the mushrooms).

School term starts tomorrow, so will need to pay the school dinners later on, and will update total accordingly.

Have a good day everyone.

Coxy
xx

Maisie_M

Hi folks

Absolutely freezing here but took DS to a soft play area as we have been indoors for quite a few days over the festive period and he was going stir crazy. Would have preferred to have gone for a walk but the paths are like glass and rutted where sn ow melted slightly then we had a big freeze again.

Had a NSD yesterday but went into Sainsbugs today and picked up loads of good whoopsies. Spent £16.27 (saved £10.35) due to some of the things I bought such as diced lamb, salmon fillets, samosas and crispbakes (like fishcakes but with chicken) having 50% off. Freezer is almost chocca but still some room for bargins if I see any:p

total spend so far = £37.37 so £112.63 left for the rest of January.

Eltee12

Hi

Please put me down as £425 in January.

couldn't get to our usual bakers-wot-does-cheap-stuff-after-3pm last week, so went to bakers-at-the-end-of-the-road-which-we-don't-normally-frequent. Got a large loaf, 3 rolls and 3 mince pies - came to £5.35:eek::eek::eek: am still recovering from the shock! No wonder its the bakers-at-the-end-of-the-road-which-we-don't-normally-frequent. Won't be going back there in a hurry.