August 2010 Grocery Challenge

WelshWoofer

I still haven't bought anything since Friday foodwise and I'm hoping to last through until Saturday with the exception of milk.

I even went blackberry picking yesterday and stewed some up with a few wrinkly apples and found an out of date packet of custard in the cupboard - yummy!

I need to write a meal plan and shopping list for the weekend and next week's food - it has to be cheap and cheerful but fairly healthy - the challenge is on!

Winky,_The_House_Elf

Feeling good as yesterday was another NSP.

I took some of the HM soup and a HM crusty loaf to my Mum & Aunty (Who is looking after her) for lunch, and you would have thought I was Delia Smith!

We didn't have the planned Roast on Sunday (Ended up picking up an ebay bargain, a fabulous solid beech cotbed, from 20 miles away for the bump... but that belongs on another thread!) so last night we had steak, with roast pots, creamed caulliflower, and cabbage, which I had previously prepped and frozen, thanks to inspiration on this thread. I loved it- no fuss, wonderful meal without all the hassle of peeling, chopping and pans to wash up! I had put the roasties in a tinfoil tray to freeze so I just took them out to defrost, then popped straight in the oven! Will definately cook double for my next roast and freeze.

Wish me some luck for today- I need to get milk so I must go shopping!


Edited to add: ooh rachelmk reminded me that my DH brought half a bag of blackberries back this morning from walking the dogs! I love it he's getting on board! he said "Thats at least £1 worth!" at 6.30am in the rain, I think he deserves a medal!

brodie1_2

MindaJ wrote: »

4 days in and my grocery money is still intact! And if I even think about spending all I have to do is open the freezer and look at the years supply of food I have in there. I'm feeling optimistic.

Had some yummy home grown snow peas for lunch yesterday. Until then I hadn't known they were supposed to be so crispy, ready to explode with the slightest bit of pressure. It's amazing what supermarkets have gotten us used to, isn't it? There's nothing like having food off the vine and onto the plate within 5 minutes. I also had a big bowl of strawberries, again, picked and eaten straight away. I'm a strawberry snob, my family has always grown them so when I see people sighing over the "lovely fresh strawberries" they buy I have to try not to laugh. They're tasteless. I'll stick to my real fresh strawberries, even if I can only get them for a couple of months a year!

Hi,
I know what u mean about strawberries. DH grew up on a fruit farm so we only have English apples and strawberries. The difference is phenominal.
Made a marzipan and cherry cake yesterday and it was lovely. The marzipan was grated so just a lovely almond and cherry flavour. It was also so cheap to make.
Menu planning, at last I am doing this (instead od trying to keep it all in my head). When its all written down it really does help you realise what you have and what you need. Its suprising how little you then need to buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brodie1:T

couteaux

Belatedly joining this month's challenge - I'm aiming for £200 this month, but hoping I can bring it a bit under. I've got our menu plan for the next 2 weeks, fully stocked freezer and cupboards and really shouldn't need much apart from milk, bread, fresh fruit & veg. I've given myself a separate purse for food shopping and taken out £50 so I can ensure I don't go mad each week. (hopefully!)

Have so far spent £5.66 this week with just one shopping trip.

The menu plan is a huge help, really making me keep an eye on what I have in stock and using bits up

Only possible spanner in the works are the 2 weeks off we're having at the end of Aug. Lots of picnics for days out will save the day (I hope!)

NickJW

I'm a bit annoyed today for a few reasons:

1: The reduced apple dessert I got from Sainsb**ys was DISGUSTING! I feel that was a waste of money (even though it was a small amount of money) and should have just baked my own stuff (macaroons are my favourite at the moment!). Lesson learnt I guess...
2. I got the days I was supposed to cook this week wrong. My flatmate is apparently cooking Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I'm cooking Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I'll still stick to my 2 set meals (Mushroom Soup and BBQ chicken) on Thurs and Fri, but I like to 'plan' things and when things change I don't like it.
3. I woke up late this morning and forgot my bagels for lunch in the fridge! :mad: I therefore had to have a spend day and bought a small baguette (45p) and egg mayo sandwich filler (75p) from Sainsb**ys near work = £1.20 in total. I guess I would have spent more money if I bought a ready made baguette but I was planning on having NSD's all week.

Anyway - added this to signature and I hope others are having a better time of it than me.

SherlockFan85

Good Morning,

Had a £2.45 spend in Mr T yesterday for a lemon, grated parmesan, double cream and a roll. Made sausage carbonara from a Jamie Oliver recipe from his website and it sure was yum!

Am disgusted with myself today, as not only have i not brought any packed lunch with me (despite there being loads in the cupboards) but as i felt ill this morning and stupidly commuted to London from Kent on an empty stomach, i felt the need to go to McDs and have pancakes and sausage!! :eek: This is so not MSE style, but you know when it's just one of those mornings...

So far then another £2.89 today, and probably another £2 on lunch, and i need milk and bread today! Will update total fully tomorrow.

Total = 63.89/250
NSDs = 2/15

Herbyme

Can identify with those who are frustrated today

We are Newbie Grocery challengers this month, agreed with my DH £150 a week which is not exactly frugal but would be an improvement on July - as I was away working he was 'looking after' the cash which is meant to last till Friday and now I'm back he says he has no idea how much he's spent and how much he has left. He even took the kids out for lunch yesterday, claims it was as cheap as not - yes, if your idea of not going out is going to M&* and buying a luxury takeaway lunch - I can see that works eg for a long train journey when you've been away and can't take home made meal, but when you're at home?! What am I going to do with him? He says yes to budgeting and then does the opposite:eek:

SherlockFan85

Argh...i'm rubbish at this! Forgot the 74p spend on liver sausage yesterday. My OH and i were bored so went to Mr A to "browse" nothing in particular (i know...just being unkind to ourselves) and ended up with just the sausage. OH in the car said "could you please hold my meat while i'm driving"!! Tee hee.

Total = 66.63/250
Total NSDs = 2/15

365days

I too am being pretty pants at this grocery lark. Another £10.91 spent in Sains today. I blame DS! Dis get reduced vegemite for 70p instead of marmite for £2 odd though so was trying!

Want2Bdebtfree_3

brodie1 wrote: »

Hi,
I know what u mean about strawberries. DH grew up on a fruit farm so we only have English apples and strawberries. The difference is phenominal.
Made a marzipan and cherry cake yesterday and it was lovely. The marzipan was grated so just a lovely almond and cherry flavour. It was also so cheap to make.
Menu planning, at last I am doing this (instead od trying to keep it all in my head). When its all written down it really does help you realise what you have and what you need. Its suprising how little you then need to buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brodie1:T

On the strawberry quote line... I have been grwoing them in a huge pot started last year survived winter and more this year... they are delicious picked straight from the plant and eaten.. .All home grown produce is nicer though. I am loving french beans at the moment picked young and tender, same for spring onions and lettuce. My friend gave me kale and carrot seeds yesterday so they will be going in to flower bed to supplement the grocery challenge in the winter.

On downside just popped to coop to get aloaf of bread and ended up buying 2 mags and a reduced tub of coleslaw... £7.50 later NOT GOOD was mean to be NSD.... and mucked my budget up ... Not happy with myself.