October 2010 Grocery Challenge

sofababe

£3.12 in A$da on things I didn't need but couldn't resist:rotfl:

2 lots of whoopsied cream cakes for our dessert, Extra Special cheese scones for lunches 25% off, and a reduced to clear biryani sauce mix.

Winchelsea

Have been very good so far this month - bought my first food of the month yesterday, also some cat food as it was on offer, but only spent about £8 in total. Have been living out of cupboards/fridge until now, and at last have got really down to Mother Hubbard level. And, have managed just the same to knock up some tasty and nourishing meals.

Had an unexpected expense last week - the fridge (bought 1992) conked out, so had to shell out for a new one. I had enough in savings, so not a disaster. But, blimey, they're so keen on flogging the extended service plan! Some bumf came with the fridge itself, then something by post, then two phone calls. I told the bloke this morning that, in my long experience, fridges rarely break down, and if there was going to be a problem it would most likely be soon - and that's not a problem as it comes with a free 1 yr guarantee included. (I hope I'm right!)

Also, I bought some euros - I'm off to Provence on Thursday for 5 nights. Am determined to be frugal, and my budget is 20 euros a day maximum, but really mean to try to live on less if I can. We'll see. I do mean to have a few treats as well, the odd coffee etc (hope it's warm enough to sit outside cafes!)

This is the holiday that my family talked me into - DH and I have always had an autumn holiday, so as he seems to have settled in the nursing home and is in good hands, I've shaken off my guilt feelings and am going for it!

cw18

Winchelsea wrote: »

This is the holiday that my family talked me into - DH and I have always had an autumn holiday, so as he seems to have settled in the nursing home and is in good hands, I've shaken off my guilt feelings and am going for it!

Good for them - and you..... it's important you take care of yourself as well, and I'm sure it'll bring back some happy memories


Oh! And I'm with you on the fridge and guarantees as well. I always seem to get a letter from the manufacturers of my larger kitchen appliances (I always register them, so that in the event of a breakdown in the first year there's no debate as to when I purchased them) telling me the warranty is about to expire - and offering me the chance to 'gain peace of mind' by extending it for another year at some high price.

sharronej

XSpender wrote: »

NSD for me today:j

Must get milk tomorrow and I have cancelled this weeks organic veg box which will save almost £20. I am trying to get through to the weekend buying only milk and then just bread and fruit at the weekend. to last through to the following weekend.

I have added up what we have spent on food/toiletries/dog food and cleaning over the last 2 months and the amount is :eek: and compared to what we were spending earlier in the year when I was doing the GC every month it is :eek::eek:. I really need to get back in to the swing of this challenge and stick at it every month because it really works for me

I know exactly what you mean, it's a fantastic forum and the challenge really does work but sometimes I just don't have the energy left to bother about how much I've spent Of course a couple of months later I really do care when the bank balance gets dangerously low :eek:

jen6200

Well its almost half way through the month and am still within budget - just!!
But the cupboards and freezer are fully stocked so apart from milk and fruit n veg to buy fresh might just do it.
This is a great challenge

elf06

Hi all - sorry I've not been about much so if I have missed anything important, any poorlies or anyone in need of hugs then I'm sorry

I've been plugging away with my challenge but not popping on everyday as things have been a bit hectic here! I have also been trying to concentrate on my NSD challenge as I think this may help and work well alongside this one. I did a small shop last week for £5.11, bought my hair dye (on offer) on Monday for £5 and did a big(ish) shop last night for £32.84 bringing my total so far up to £48.51. Not too bad for this stage in the month but hoping to stay on target

Winged_one

Well, last night's planned dinner will be tonight. I had to work late so DH raided the freezer and got out a bag of pork pieces (had chopped up a couple of chops to both save space and have a fast dinner solution on hand) and fried those with a jar of curry sauce and boiled some rice. It was lukewarm when I got in (far too late for sanity) but it was food!!

MUST remember to get milk on the way home though....

Hippeechiq

cw18 wrote: »

Then B'n'M for a tin of organic chickpeas (29p)

That's a very good price for any can of chickpeas, let alone organic. What/Where is this B'n'M store everyone speaks of? I'm guessing it's up North?........mind you, when you live at the bottom of Dorset everywhere is "up North" :rotfl:

Winchelsea wrote: »

Also, I bought some euros - I'm off to Provence on Thursday for 5 nights. Am determined to be frugal, and my budget is 20 euros a day maximum, but really mean to try to live on less if I can. We'll see. I do mean to have a few treats as well, the odd coffee etc (hope it's warm enough to sit outside cafes!)

This is the holiday that my family talked me into - DH and I have always had an autumn holiday, so as he seems to have settled in the nursing home and is in good hands, I've shaken off my guilt feelings and am going for it!

Good for you hun - you've had a bit of a time of it (to put it mildly) this past year or so (from reading your posts), so I hope you thoroughly enjoy what must be a much needed and well deserved break

Am making the lovely Weezls divine Onion Tart in a bit for our tea - I'm salivating at the thought of it, and its only 9:47am, lol. I may have a wander up to £idls later to get 4 Red Peppers @ 29p each, to have for a new Stuffed Pepper recipe I've found - have never done them before.

It's on my menu planner for the weekend after this one, but at 29p each, I think I'll swap the weeks around. I want to eat them Saturday, and would rather get them a little later in the week, but today may be the last day they're at this price, so I can't risk it.

So it may be a spend day later on if I feel up for a 1½ mile walk

Have a frugal day all

cw18

Hippeechiq wrote: »

That's a very good price for any can of chickpeas, let alone organic. What/Where is this B'n'M store everyone speaks of? I'm guessing it's up North?........mind you, when you live at the bottom of Dorset everywhere is "up North" :rotfl:

Actually B '&' M Bargains (use the 'n' to stop search engines finding it). They're a chain of discount stores - not sure how far 'darn sarf' they extend, but I believe (from posts on here) they go up to Scotland

I'd had a tin of non-organic ones in my cupboards (for more years than I care to mention having checked the bbe date on it), which finally got used in a Chilli earlier this month when I couldn't find any Kidney Beans in my cupboards (since found a tin lurking behind my gravy granules ). Having had a portion for tea on Saturday I discovered I quite liked the texture, so as I knew I'd seen these in B'n'M a few weeks back I nipped in to see if there were any left.....

Not quite sure what I'll use them for mind, as searches turn up load of curries - and I don't "do" curry (even the smell makes me gag)

sharronej

Winchelsea wrote: »

This is the holiday that my family talked me into - DH and I have always had an autumn holiday, so as he seems to have settled in the nursing home and is in good hands, I've shaken off my guilt feelings and am going for it!

Absolutely, go for it! And instead of feeling guilty about DH consider how relieved your family will be that you are going to have a relax (reading between the lines) for a change! I hope you have a ball and enjoy your coffee's in the sun.