February grocery challenge

tiff

You could always start a thread for March. I'm really pleased with how my Feb challenge went, its going to be a constant thing trying to get my weekly shop within the budget. Even when our debts are paid and we are better off there's no way I want to go back to our old ways of spending over £400 a month on groceries.

pavlovs_dog

a few more things that have come to mind since -

i've noticed that, in the long term, it is probably cheaper to invest in a bread maker and maker your own bread. from one bag of flour (about 44p for asdas own brand, which works well) you can get three loaves of bread. well, i say bread..its more like cake, its the nicest bread you'll proably ever eat in your life!!!! anyhoo, the point is that its little over 10p a loaf. and its hardly a lot of effort - all you have to do is measure out the ingrediants and switch the machine on - it does the rest itself.


also, with these homemade pizza things - for the tomato topping, i normally use tomato puree, or if im feeling extravagent, i mix in some herbs/ garlic to give it a bit more kick.

because its concentrated, it has more flavour, so you use less=money saved

jazzyjustlaw

Fazer6 I want to say a BIG THANK YOU for that I will try what you say. I appreciate your help.

Did someone mention a March grocery challenge good idea.

One more thing fazer6 I know you have given me a comprehensive answer but last time i made soup it was gloopy any tips?

Janeryan

crana999 wrote:

sorry, was only teasing! you made some great points there

(don't get me started on "organic" food )

What about organic??? Is there something I should know as I do spend money mainly on organic fruit/salad/veg as I understood it wasn't sprayed with pesticdes and on organic milk & eggs(cows & chickens fed & treated better) and very ocasionally if it's on reduced organic meat.

Tell me if I am wasting my money!!

crana999

Janeryan wrote:

What about organic??? Is there something I should know as I do spend money mainly on organic fruit/salad/veg as I understood it wasn't sprayed with pesticdes and on organic milk & eggs(cows & chickens fed & treated better) and very ocasionally if it's on reduced organic meat.

Tell me if I am wasting my money!!

"Organic" is a scientific definition that existed way before the concept of "organic food" - it refers to molecules containing carbon, with a couple of exceptions (like carbon dioxide is not considered to be organic).

The overwhelming majority of biological molecules, e.g. all sugars, starches, proteins, fats etc are organic, so using this definition, it's impossible to produce food that *isn't* organic!

(science, it's a sad affliction )

Curry_Queen

I've also been keeping an eye on this thread and putting to good use some of the excellent tips, but having only found this site at the start of this month, I've been going mad on buying up all the offers and shopping just so I can use up the discount codes which has resulted in a huge overspend LOL! :rolleyes:

BUT .... I now have a fully stocked fridge/freezer and store cupboards, as well as around 6 mths supply of shower gels, toilet rolls and coffee!!!! (BOGOF's) so I'm all set to start the new challenge in March


I've also noticed that since I've been cooking more meals from scratch (started before xmas) that my shopping bill has reduced and I can fit far more meat and home-cooked stuff in the freezer than those bulky ready-meal packages! ... plus I now freeze all left-overs instead of chucking them in the bin! I also have a huge fruit bowl packed with all manner of fruits these days, instead of just oranges/apples/bananas, which come in handy for instant healthy desserts or smoothies/yoghurt drinks, as well as snacking between meals


I love this site ... it's a great inspiration

crana999

Curry queen, what fruits do you get? I do find I stick with apples/satsumas/bananas and the odd kiwi..unless there is something reduced on the market.. is there some good reasonably priced fruit im overlooking?

tiff

we always have pears in addition to that list.

halloweenqueen_2

If you have a farmers market you can sometimes get apples etc quite cheaply if they have a glut of them, locally you get a big bag for a £1 and a box for £2.50, as they are always the ones in season you re getting them at their best.

Sallygirl

Hi

A friend told me about this board just recently and I'm definitely hooked!

We're busy saving up for a deposit for a house so we are trying to cut back the costs of living while still leaving a little quality in there. We too are trying to spend as little as possible and empty the cupboards and freezer. Perhaps I can join in with a March challenge. It is always easier to do something with others who understand the problems and pitfalls (and the pleasures of success too!!) rather than going it alone.

Sally