My months shopping list

Chumana

black-saturn wrote:

I've had a few people on other threads again asking me how do I possibly feed 3 people on £45 a month so I thought I would give you my shopping list. I had this lot delivered from Tesco today and I will go back there twice a week in the next month to stock up on fruit, vegetables, bread and milk.

2 Tesco Diced Chicken - £3.78
1kg Tesco Mixed vegetables - 0.79
2kg Tesco crinklecut oven chips - £1.14
390g Aunt Bessie's Dumplings - £1.35
10 Tesco Value Choc ices - 0.39
1ltr Dairyland Rum and Raisin ice cream - £1.99
Tesco fresh cream profeiterole dessert - £1.99
4 Tesco Value Beef Mince - £2.52
4 Fresh pork steak portions - £6.94
4 Tesco Value Mild cheese - £4.02
1 Tesco Value thick sliced white bread - 0.24
4 Tesco value choc and vanilla swiss rolls - 0.60
2kg Value onions - 0.88
4 Baking potatos - 0.88
Tin marrowfat processed peas - 0.16
Tin value processed peas - 0.16
1kg easy cook brown rice - 0.88
Tesco value gravy granules - 0.38
2 value sweet and sour sauce - 0.58
Sticky Barbecue marinade - 0.91
3kg automatic washing powder - 1.49
Value washing up liquid - 0.13
12 pack value toilet tissue - 1.14
1 bag value dog food - 1.49

Total - 34.83
Delivery - 3.99

Any nice replies will be thanked any nasty ones will be reported to abuse

Hi there, sorry to see you've had some bad comments already in the thread and I really don't wish to add to those but I'm struggling to comprehend how the small amount of food you have on your list will stretch to feed three people for a month.

I've highlighted the main meat portions above which would make 10 meals, plus maybe the odd leftover. Now I suppose you could always make meals with the cheese but I don't see any other staples such as pasta, eggs, pulses etc to be able to create meals from (unless you already have those, although I note in one of your replies that you don't keep a storecupboard) and what do you eat for breakfast and lunch? And also notice there aren't any drinks listed, tea, coffee, fruit juice, squash etc?

I really don't mean to sound critical but just trying to figure out how you manage to do this on so little and hope to be able to pick up some tips

emg

It's a shame though that more people don't post their menu planners - not as a 'who can do it cheapest' competition but just as a 'this is how we manage on this budget and what we choose to spend on'. I think I would find it really interesting and it would help me make decisions about my own spending.

livinginhope

pandas66 wrote:

Its not just a case of cheap and cheerful all the time. Nutrition is key with young children and this also needs highlighting and developing.

Couldn't agree more with you panda,children need good nutrition in order to grow healthy,they NEED fresh fruit and veg and lots of calcium rich food,if they don't get it when young I'm sure their health will suffer in the future.Also noticed there's no oily fish in the weeks plan,this is something we have at least twice a week.
BS keep posting your planners,they as said will not be to everyones taste,but with some jigery pokery they can be adapted to each families needs and budgets.Just one question,why do you buy diced chicken? it's more expensive that way.

pandas66

emg wrote:

It's a shame though that more people don't post their menu planners - not as a 'who can do it cheapest' competition but just as a 'this is how we manage on this budget and what we choose to spend on'. I think I would find it really interesting and it would help me make decisions about my own spending.

I have come on the boards with a list of ingredients and asked for suggestions, or rooted around for new and cheaper meal ideas. As pointed out by other posters there is a distinct lack in certain areas, B_S does well with her budget but its not the be all and end all by any means, lots needs to be added even in small quantities it adds in to the amount she claims she has worked it too.
If items have been left out by accident then it needs adding in for a true budget amount but to leave things out deliberatly means its a massage of a budget.
No offence is meant here.

tru

Chumana, I think the meat is packs, not portions. So the pork is actually 4 packs, not 4 steaks. B_S does say somewhere in a previous post, but I'm too tired to look for it now, I'm falling asleep over the keyboard

Night all :wave:

liney

To make this a £45 shop you have just over 6 quid to spend during your 8 return visits. This 6 quid must leave you left over fruit and veg to start you off for next month or you will have even less money to spend.

I am not saying you don't do a good job on your budget, but this £45 does seem more than a little misleading. Perhaps you are spending more as the children are away from school, but if people are trying to 'follow' the '3 people for a month on 45 quid diet' they might lose a few pounds. )

As a by the way, Yorkshire puds are easy and cheap to make. We have them with stews and casseroles, and would be cheaper than buying the dumplins. Just a thought.

Churchmouse

troo wrote:

Chumana, I think the meat is packs, not portions. So the pork is actually 4 packs, not 4 steaks. B_S does say somewhere in a previous post, but I'm too tired to look for it now, I'm falling asleep over the keyboard

Night all :wave:

Yep it's post #30!

Night night troo!

Chumana

troo wrote:

Chumana, I think the meat is packs, not portions. So the pork is actually 4 packs, not 4 steaks. B_S does say somewhere in a previous post, but I'm too tired to look for it now, I'm falling asleep over the keyboard

Night all :wave:

Yup, 10 packs of meat making 10days worth of meals for her family, assuming each pack is sufficient size to feed them all

flufff

I get through 4 pints and a loaf most or every day.This and pet food is my biggest expenditure.Ive tried making lists and living frugally but always something we forget or fancy.
Ive 4 kids and partner at weekends.
I buy my fruit from sunday market we get huge bags at end for £1..2lbs grapes,10 navel oranges,15 apples etc.
I dont mind value brands such as bread,tinned tomatoes,toilet roll,washing powder.If theres an offer i'll use I'll buy it.
I try to use vouchers when I can to cut down cost.I do a small shop every other day and look for discounted meat etc or r&rs to freeze.
I'd have a total hissy fit now if I had to do a big shop and pay in full think it would give me heart failure!
If I stop being able to do the above I'll shop online to get bonus points with codes.
I know others may not have time I have and it is a chore going so much but i couldnt do a budget planner like Black Saturn does so admire her for that and not exploiting system like I do to stretch my money.I'm not greedy just with 4 kids money doesnt go far least in holidays.We have breakfast and dinner,very rarely lunch or a pud but kids do have treats.I need to work on lunch thing but at moment they sleep in.So having brunch tomorro...r&rd bacon!

flufff

10 meals?we dont eat meat everyday.We like pasta in tomatoe sauce with mozzarella,omelettes and cauliflour cheese.
Why does she need meat everyday?
I'm sure most of us have a chippy or takeout once a month that must be allowed.