September 2010 Grocery Challenge

potz

Haven't checked in for a few days, but doing well so far. Had a splurge on a takeaway last night, but we decided to be sensible and share something rather than totally pigging out! 2 NSDs this week and the freezer and fridge are pretty well stocked so there should be more to follow.

Long_tall_sally wrote: »

Nsd today.

Thanks for the info re tax credits. My two kids are 11 and 9 so still not too sure what the reason is other than its possibly something to do with my son's disability allowance and my carer's allowance that that I get which I have unfortunately earned a little more than I was allowed to for a few weeks over the last 3 years and as I have a feeling that I might get a bit extra on my child tax credit because of the disability allowance, then I suppose it would make sense for then to claw this back. It's so annoying cos I only do overtime at school really ocacsionally when they need extra help for school trips etc and I thought that I had a little leeway in what I could earn each month but it appears that this leeway was even smaller than I thought! So, although I appreciate that it's my own fault, I have basically got to pay back a few months carer's allowance cos I earned about £20 too much in a month. Hence why I am considering whether to just give up the Carer's allowance & work fulltime but a) I would only be about £100 a month better off and b) I know I would be really tired because I am often up several times a night with my son due to his diabetes and I just about cope on lack of sleep now.

Sorry, I have realised that I have been rattling on and also it is not very grocery challenge related. sorry!

It sounds like you are working really hard as it is Long tall Sally. I recently went down to 4 days a week for my health and I feel so much better for it. I would definitely not go back to 5 now. Even though i've taken a pay cut, I feel like my standard of living has got better, and whats more I now have the time to meal plan and cook from scratch so i'm saving money that way. The extra £100 really doesn't sound worth it.

JulieGeorgiana

So I did my food shop... £42.22 which was a split shop with Mr T and Mrs S!!

I did go over because Mr T has Hovis Bread at 75p a loaf and I normally buy Mr T own brand at 74p a loaf!!!

So I bought 8 loaves... which will last 2 weeks (3 if I prey hard enough)

Then I took my cat to the vet (she hurt herself) and they stung me for £45

JulieGeorgiana

potz wrote: »

It sounds like you are working really hard as it is Long tall Sally. I recently went down to 4 days a week for my health and I feel so much better for it. I would definitely not go back to 5 now. Even though i've taken a pay cut, I feel like my standard of living has got better, and whats more I now have the time to meal plan and cook from scratch so i'm saving money that way. The extra £100 really doesn't sound worth it.

I agree with you, since I was made redundant 4 and a half weeks ago my life is much much better! My son and I have a better relationship... I plan better meals, cook better food, budget better, read books and websites (like this one) to help me save more money!

I am more relaxed and so much happier!

I love my arts and crafts, so being home means I can get ahead with cards and gifts too!

I am now looking for a job which might mean less hours, or unpaid school holidays... I don't know if I want to go back to 40 hour weeks with 20 days leave a year!!!

JayJay14

NSD today so pleased. Actually got the £5 chicken and fruit pie deal in M&S but future SIL (DD geting married tomorrow) paid for it. I don't think he was buttering me up - he's just a really nice person. (Then he took us to lunch so he's a doubly nice person)

Won't cook it until Sunday but it will certainly be a rubber one, though the pie isn't going to go as far.

Shysarah

Okies...

I went to Sainsburys today and spent £10.17.
I was impressed actually when I added it all up but horrified that two leeks cost me £1.20!!:eek:

Got some whoopsie dessert pastry, sausages and a whole chicken free range and reduced by £1.21... guess the chicken paid for the leeks..:D

Also got some yummy bagels on offer at 60p for weekend brekkies and some chicken livers... only 99p.

Anyone have any low fat chicken liver pate recipes or other uses for them that are equally delish?

S x

I am still amazed by just how much more aware i am of the price of food now i am doing this. :j

Also got some brambes, bramley apples, courgettes, tomatoes and a cucumber on the way home for no pennies but a few scratches lol:rotfl:

laloopi

Another £18.40 spend for me today - my regular vegetable box and some organic toothpaste for my baby (£3.40 - I must find an alternative!). I can't believe we still haven't done a supermarket shop, though think we might have to soon. Thanks so much to this GC for motivating me. I wasn't sure I'd manage it but the way we're going I think we might even beat our budget!

boultdj

Aother week's shopping in so spent $17.20.

hex2

I am now c£150 of £450 after a rare venture into Mr M today (£75!). Got some lovely baking bits on offer and a good restock of bathroom stuff also on offer as we are on the dregs of everything - most of the sanogen bath/shower stuff is half price if anyone else has tediously sensitive children. I can't believe how expensive Vicks is though.

Still trying hard not to go into shops which works up to a point. The freezer is very empty of meat and I am down to my last three (half price) frozen chickens which is unusual for me. I have been blanching and freezing french beans, runner beans and courgettes and freezing instead of taking them into work to share out like usual. I also need to look into the options for eggs in the freezer before the hens stop in November, I suspect the solution is to make and freeze enough uniced chocolate cake to see DS2 through the winter then our egg consumption is minimal.

claire1234

only a few essential for me today,
cooking oil, toothpaste, mouthwash, hot choc,
£5.70

this thread goes so fast - is there a way of like bookmarking at the last page i was on?

loulou0327

Done the inventory of the store cupboards and freezers, had more than i thought! It's amazing what was lurking at the bottom of the chest freezer.
Meal plan done for the next week and the bits and bobs that i still needed bought.
£9.98 at FF and £12.85 in N**to. Just have to pick up some cereal bars and tinned dog food on Monday.

Dad brought me up another carrier of tomatoes, half a carrier of green beans and 2 carriers of apples and i've put an order in for cucumber onions and garlic from the alotment :T.
I roasted off the tmatoes and have 2 massive lasagne's in the oven 1 turkey & veg and 1 beef & veg and a big tray of marrocan chicken sitting on the side ready to go in after.

Feeling a bit more organised but i have more batch cooking to do tomorrow and lots of peeling and chopping with the apples for the freezer.