September 2010 Grocery Challenge

Long_tall_sally

No spend day today for me. Hanging on.....

hex2

Pathetically excited to have found a vaguely local (leics) butchers/abattoir who do big discounts on freezer packs - half lamb (22lbs) £41 for example, I was thinking about ordering one from my veg box people for £65 against village farm shop at £80 but I think I will try this instead. £57 for half a pig (50lb) or £180 for 120lb of forequarter beef. If anyone local wants feedback afterwards then let me know - reluctant to recommend without trying first but the blog I found them from is a well respected foody blog so should be ok, and their reputation for pork pies is excellent.

Does anyone have any suggestions/possible issues around bulk buying like this? I know the beef won't be 28 day hung etc so not comparable with my usual butcher stuff but equally it is half the price and I can't afford to be so fussy any more.

Spiggle

hex2 wrote: »

Pathetically excited to have found a vaguely local (leics) butchers/abattoir who do big discounts on freezer packs - half lamb (22lbs) £41 for example, I was thinking about ordering one from my veg box people for £65 against village farm shop at £80 but I think I will try this instead. £57 for half a pig (50lb) or £180 for 120lb of forequarter beef. If anyone local wants feedback afterwards then let me know - reluctant to recommend without trying first but the blog I found them from is a well respected foody blog so should be ok, and their reputation for pork pies is excellent.

Does anyone have any suggestions/possible issues around bulk buying like this? I know the beef won't be 28 day hung etc so not comparable with my usual butcher stuff but equally it is half the price and I can't afford to be so fussy any more.

Sound fantastic prices hex2. Any chance you could post the link to the blog please?

Thanks,
Spigs

mrs-moneypenny

spent this months budget so if it aint in my cupboards it wont appear on the table;)

made a sponge pudding in the veggie steamer at dinner time, it worked really well so ill be doing that again (not sure why i hadnt thought of doing it before)
did a brocolli cheese bake (broccoli was cheaper than cauli) and it all got eaten.

must start doing propper meal plans

hex2

Spiggle wrote: »

Sound fantastic prices hex2. Any chance you could post the link to the blog please?

Thanks,
Spigs

http://www.localfoodheroes.co.uk/weblog/pivot/entry.php?id=359&w=my_weblog

I used to get better prices in Wales, but it is a fair old drive now.

hedgesparrow

We spent a ridiculous amount on one pat of butter £1.69! It's what our corner shop was selling it for and we didn't have time to go to the supermarket. That's what happens from not planning ahead I guess!

Spiggle

hex2 wrote: »

http://www.localfoodheroes.co.uk/weblog/pivot/entry.php?id=359&w=my_weblog

I used to get better prices in Wales, but it is a fair old drive now.

Thanks hex2, :A

Got back to the original and searched Wales and who pops up on the list? Our local butcher! :T He will do freezer packs it's just we've never gone for it. Maybe I ought to ask him for some bulk prices. Mind you, we only have a four drawer upright under the fridge but it possibly could save us something. I'll check the list more thoroughly later.

Thank you again,
Spigs

mongmoney

hex2 wrote: »

Pathetically excited to have found a vaguely local (leics) butchers/abattoir who do big discounts on freezer packs - half lamb (22lbs) £41 for example, I was thinking about ordering one from my veg box people for £65 against village farm shop at £80 but I think I will try this instead. £57 for half a pig (50lb) or £180 for 120lb of forequarter beef. If anyone local wants feedback afterwards then let me know - reluctant to recommend without trying first but the blog I found them from is a well respected foody blog so should be ok, and their reputation for pork pies is excellent.

Does anyone have any suggestions/possible issues around bulk buying like this? I know the beef won't be 28 day hung etc so not comparable with my usual butcher stuff but equally it is half the price and I can't afford to be so fussy any more.

Hey Hex2, I'm local to Leics, where have you found that does the bulk option? I'm not averse to driving if necessary. With meat being sooooooo expensive, I'm willing to try bulk buying, although got to empty my freezer first.
Thanks,
Mongy
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September grocery challenge £152/£200 NSD's= 6

franby64

Morning all.

It's starting to look a bit bad now for Sept!

I have @£65 left out of which I'm doing an A*da shop on Thurs which I'll limit to about £30 and just try and hold on to the rest ... my C*op vouchers are calling to me!

Other people who get deliveries from A*da have probably already noticed this but they now have 8 hour delivery slots for £2, even at weekends (10-6 and 12-8 I think). I've recently been shopping weekly on Tues or Weds as these were the cheapest days but now I can be more flexible and hopefully get into a 3 shops a month routine which I think will be enough for us.

So, today it's a cupboard and freezer reccy and an 11 day meal-plan designed to empty the place out.
I know I've got quorn (mince and pieces..oh and sausages), tuna, lentils, loads of pasta and a couple of frozen meals (lentil bake, quorn hotpot...we're not actually veggies but I've just decided not to add any 3 for £10 meat to my A*da order - £10 is a lot out of £65 - I will keep an eye out for reduced stuff in the local C*op instead).
We're still getting plenty of spuds from the garden but they do fall apart when I cook them - just have to keep a closer eye on them!

I know this is the challenging end of the month (well, last 1/3:o) for others as well as me so good luck everybody.

scotsaver

Morning everyone - I've gone over Budget and still got 7 days to go but I've slept on it and realised that this Month I've made our Xmas pud and a spare for New Year, Xmas Cake and 6 jars of Mincemeat, I've also made Xmas puds for 3 friends, I've also had to top up the kids School Dinner money which I've not had to do since mid July.

The Girls have also cost me quite a bit in Toiletries this month, as they get older they want more expensive things and they worry about their "spots" etc so you cna imagine the "brands" they want me to buy but I know I can't mention them on here.

So, I'm going to have to tighten belts for this week and have a re-think for next month. I've not lost heart, just going to be more determined as we can't afford for this to beat us.

Anyway, let's cheer up, onwards and upwards - tonight's dinner will be Beef curry using leftovers from last night's dinner.;)

Have a good day everyone.:D