February 2011 Grocery Challenge

cat_smith

Grr. Day 1 and I've fallen off the GC wagon. Doing a dinner party tomorrow night so I need cheese. Had it on my shopping list for tomorrow with Mr T. Out walking the dog and just 'poppped in' to the Deli in the village. £9 later. The cheese will be great, but its definitely not GC stuff.

OK. That's in the past. Have done a menu plan for the next week, and DRussell delivery has arrived which was out of last month's budget so shouldn't need more than basics.

Off to try the coq au vin from the recipe list.

LittleMissHappy_2

I have had my big food shop delivered today and it came to £125-ish (signature is updated) which is a bit :eek::eek::eek: I got all loo rolls, cleaning stuff etc etc so I 'should' just need some fresh stuff for the rest of the month. I only just came in under budget last month and had used up stores so lets hope I can still come under this month x

hex2

Pleae put Hex2 down for £450 for February

Thanks everyone for the thread and the support.

I was reading the Grocer at work today and I notice they are predicting a big increase in the cost of fruit juice. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=21548

Maybe time to stock up on value orange for pack lunches.

BlimusOreilly

Could you put me down for £180 this month please? That's for two adults and two children.

NickJW

Ilona wrote: »

Sorry, I didn't mean to have a go at you, it's just that most sandwich fillers are far too expensive, and at least you know what you are eating when you make your own. Try the chick peas, and add whatever greenery you have, maybe garlic, herbs etc, and bind it together with a little oil. I love toasted sesame seed oil for this, gives it a nutty flavour.
Ilona

Oh no - no offence taken!
I'm very good at cooking the vast majority of my meals from scratch for dinners, so I don't know why I insist on eating a lot of processed carp for lunches. I use the time thing as an excuse, but I really should get some discipline - more for health reasons, rather than financial really. You've given me some inspiration to get my 'ooomph' back!

Hippeechiq

NickJW wrote: »

Thanks Hippeechiq.
I very nearly paid off all of it, but had to pay off extra for my gas and electricity, renew my TV license, and order in another batch of contact lenses online this month. It all comes at once doesn't it! :mad:
Oh well - looking on the positive side, it would never have happened if I hadn't have been doing this challenge, and at least it will be gone by next month!

YW - credit where it's due and it's great if you feel this challenge has made it possible. You're not wrong about everything coming at once either!

Can I pick someones or even everyones brains please?

I'd like to try this recipe out SPICY HONEY BRUSHED CHICKEN THIGHS but I would be using bone-in thighs.

After browning in the frying pan, I would like to cook them in the oven, as there's not enough marinade to cook in the frying pan and there's no way I'm grilling chicken with the bone in.

So I'm wondering how long would you suggest roasting them in the oven for, and at what temp? Thank you

scotsaver

kippers wrote: »

Morning all

I'm sorry i haven't read through yesterdays posts yet, but i will do later.

I didn't post yesterday as it was a bit of a nightmare day....my dd1 was off school with tummy ache feeling sick, but she was ok later, my DH spent most of the day in A&E as he was sorting cables under his desk and then tried to stand up thinking he was out from under his desk and banged his head and split it open:eek::eek:he had to have it 'glued'...also my toilet blocked!...i decided to do a trial with toilet paper this month and as Andrex was on offer, i decided to compare it to the tesco value rolls we usually use....obviously it's thicker as it blocked our toilet...i used caustic soda and lots of boiling hot water and eventually managed to unblock it....also my dd2 decided to go round her friends house straight after school without telling me, so i was ringing all her friends houses to find out where she was...she did get told off....what a day!

So after the day...we did have a chinese:(but that comes out of a different budget.

Anyway, today is a new day and it WILL be a good one. Tonight i am making a chicken pie (left over chicken from Sunday) and i have some carrots and swede in the fridge and i'll roast some parsnips and potatoes. If i get to my allotment i'll also pick some curley kale.

I need to update my signature as i bought some bits and bobs at the weekend...where does time go?

Have a good day.

kippers - Hope your OH is ok and you are having a better day today.;)

I popped to L!dl to get some Bananas and ended up with lots more.:o Will update total tomorrow as I'm running against the clock to get dinner sorted. Have a good evening everyone.;)

lizziebabe

PennyGrabber wrote: »

When I was last in a@da, I got some whoopsied parsley. Should've been £1.17 for 100g, and I paid 15p! Just finished cutting it up and freezing it. I LOVE parsley sauce! It was enough for 4 bags, so I'm really chuffed with that.

NSD today, although really tempted to go to sains. Haven't been there for about 3 weeks now! Managed not to though, which means my declaration for jan is still intact.

Something is going on in my house which hasn't happened in years. I only have one toilet roll left in the cupboard! Look at me living on the edge! I've been waiting til the Feb budget comes into force to get some, along with a few other bits. Sounds sad, but I'm really quite proud of myself, as I'm very much a stockpiling hoarder!

PG x

Phew - taking me ages to read thru this new thread.

However, just had to reply to this on PG - :eek: only 1 loo roll left!

I, like you am a hoarder, especially of loo rolls. :rotfl:

I don't have PS etc near me - can anyone let me know where the cheapest good loo rolls can be found. Near me I can get to Mr M, Mr T, Sains. Lidl and Asda are a bit further away so tend to save them for a big journey. I usuually get them in Bookers, in bulk. Thanks Lx

PS - the meat that I defrosted yesterday is lamb. Made parsnip and apple soup for lunch today to use up aging parsnips and used 4 eating apples which were going over. Added veg stock, cumin, curry powder, dried herbs and a little sugar. Yummy - but now still full so will not need so much supper. Still have 2 more lunch portions left, so will freeze. Had porridge for breakfast today, filled me up until 3pm!!!

fallen_angel09

Hi everyone, well done on your low grovery spends!

I am wanting to join to try and get my food bill down each month, however I do have a fair bit of food left in my freezer and cupboards so would it be cheating to use that, because it would look like i spent little?

I do buy reduced meat whenever I see it and freeze....

blissfullydebtfreewannabe

Hi,
I'm putting myself down for £80 this month, for my side of all food and household shopping and for one cat. I went slightly over last month but that was buying lots of bargain wine on offer too. Oopsie! At least I've still got lots left for this month! Wishing everyone lots of luck in finding bargains.