February 2011 Grocery Challenge

CRANKY40

sistercas wrote: »

I have made DH a small xmassy cake today for his birthday at the end of the month and i have overcooked it somewhat i think if i feed it a plentiful amount of brandy it might ressurect it

The year I thought I'd put too much brandy in the Christmas cake was the year that people were begging to take chunks of it home, so I'd say you have a fair chance

gdyr1945

Well, thanks to this board and all the wonderful help and ideas here, I have NEVER been so in control of our finances. It is a wonderful feeling. :j I can't believe the difference it makes to have lists of all the food in freezer and cupboards. To plan menus and shopping instead to just grapping anything that caught my eye (my previous 'system'):rotfl:
Not that we will end up with oodles of money in the bank as one of my few talents is spending:eek:.
All the money I am not wasting is going on holidays as these are very important to us. How I wish I had found these boards years ago; we could have gone round the world several times with the money that used to just 'drift' out every month when we were working and had a MUCH better income. Can you hear me screaming in frustration at my stupidity?

Another topic: does anyone use the 'cash back sites'? How do you feel about the companies that offer a large payment (£20-£40) for taking a free month (you must remember to cancel) trial. I haven't tried these yet as feel a bit guilty as I have no intention of continuing after the original period. On the other hand why not if they offer?

hugs and kissess to all that need them.

guccigoo

helen_jelly wrote: »

Evening everyone

Just wanted to say that I probably won't be on here much for the rest of the month as sadly my Dad passed away last night. He had been very ill in hospital but it has still come as a huge shock. I'm determined to keep a rough eye on what is being spent but to be honest I'm really not bothered if we spend too much this month. I hope you all keep on track with your NSD's and your budgets and remember

We don't fail, we look, we learn and we move on

Helen x

helen so sorry for your loss, your in my thoughts and prayers, ((hugs))

MRSMCAWBER

Good evening all

Helen -so sorry for your loss,,,

Well I nipped to do a "top up shop" earlier -which turned into a bit more "in my defence" they shouldn't have had nets of 12 ruby grapefruits for 99c (so i have 2 ) - I do eat quite a few mind... ooh oooh and I was getting panic striken as I was down to my last 6 activia intensley creamy yogs -which really isn't a good thing (so now Im back up to 30 :rotfl:) -WELL -there are worse things I could be addicted to anyhoo along with everything else Im now up to €60 so far this month -but Im on day11 and have 9nsds under my belt :jand I can't get a pea in either freezer or the cupboards -or the fridges

I also got the tinned lentils etc I needed to make another vat of SW 12 speed soup - or "trumpy soup" as its known in this house .... but it is scrummy and now hubby has taken to it too :T -although I think that is in part down to "if ya can't beat em join em" going on :rotfl:

Cranky -I have allsorts of recipes if you run short....

I made "OX Burgers" for dinner again tonight -we love them -I had salad with mine and I did hubby some hm wedges too .... there are 2 raw ones in the fridge that hubby will no doubt have for lunch tomorrow .... I have to say that my appetite is shrinking at an amazing rate :j-I can now only manage a 100g potato when I do jackets :eek: - its great but it does make it much slower to work my way through my stocks (not buying more would help ) I have decided that I have a pasta obsession going on too -I now own 23 varieties but still hang my nose over any more I see when I shop ???? ..
anyway -enough waffle from me... I will get off and update the list again..
Have a good evening all....

fedupandskint

£4.84 spent in Mr T on bits and bobs today

Shopping list made for tomorrow to get some things for mum's birthday meal. Already have most things but just need some more butter for cake making and scones. Thought I needed more than what I do need as already have most things stocked away and can use the pork shoulder joint solidly frozen atm in the freezer.

Next week will be aiming for a few more meat free meals and try the lentil and cheese loaf alongside a few things out of the freezer and then next weekend I might finally get around to making a fish pie out of the fish mix in the freezer thats been in there for months!

Better go and update the total

PS also wanted to pass on my condolences to Helen - I truly understand how you feel regarding this and I wish you comfort at this time

Missus_Aka

Just been reading through the thread, Helen am sorry to hear about your unexpected loss and my thoughts are with you

Have had another NSD for me today, i will not have one tomorrow as i know at least i will need some cheese and saffron powder. But will double check and write very small shopping list for tomorrow so i dont spend on things i dont need.

PennyGrabber

NSD 3 for me this month. This is a big deal for me, as I'm always tempted to pop in, with a result of spending waaaaay too much on stuff i didn't need!

The children had ham, egg, beans and waffles for dinner today - needed something quick and easy as we went to the hairdresser after school and got home after the time I normally put dinner on the table! I didn't really fancy that (although I managed to eat their leftovers!), and by the time i'd put them in bed and got back downstairs, I wasn't really hungry, so I had a packet of walkers cheese and onion crisps. Free meal, as I helped out with the school disco yest, and was given the crisps as a thankyou! I NEVER buy myself walkers!!

I don't know what the weekend will hold in store for us re:GC - I'm sure we'll end up shopping at least once.

Helen - may God give you the strength to get through this difficult time. XX

PG x

CupOfChai

Good heavens, I'll never be able to catch up with you lot! Can you please put CupOfChai for £70 in Feb, MrsM? It's about what I spent in Jan so want to see how I get on, as this month will be much of a muchness only it's a bit shorter.

So far of that I've spent £18.65, £3.27 of which was on sodding cough medicine! I have a blasted cold which I want rid of ASAP, so am attacking it every which way I can. Unfortunately I'm already halfway down my bottle of medicine after only one day, so I feel rather peeved that I'll probably have to go and get more. It's good stuff though and actually works (I swear), unlike the coloured sugar syrup that some of them are.

Just looked back and saw Helen's post, very sorry for your loss.

mummyjane

Just caught up with all the posts from today.

Helen - so sorry to hear your very sad news

Dh came home early from work today and insisted on coming to the library with us. To cut a long story short we ended up having tea in Morrisons but on the plus side, the kids tea was free and they now have a pack of fruit to take to clubs for snack tomorrow :T
(desperately trying to justify my spend - it was all dh honest )

Hoping to have a NSD tomorrow, I hope you've all had a good day

helen_jelly

Hi Everyone
Just wanted to pop on and say a massive thank you for all your messages, thoughts and prayers - its a real help to see people caring and also, coming onto here and spending some "chill time" reading the posts helps too as it relaxs the mind!!

Thank you everyone

Helen x