March 2011 Grocery Challenge

123budget

tootoo wrote: »

Hello all,
I really want to cut down on the amount of crisps and chocolate we buy (Mainly for hubbies packed lunch everyday). I'm quite good at baking but don't have lots of time, can anyone recommend some easy cakes/biscuits? And any ideas for packed lunches other than sandwiches or pasta salads?!
Tootoo

Hiya, as far as packed lunches go, vary plain sandwiches with, wraps, pitta bread bagels etc. although this can still get boring. Also make mini pasties/sausage rolls/ mini quiches in bulk and freeze. make batches of scones and vary taste ie. fruit scones, cheese scones, cheese and courgette scones. rock cakes and someone on here made some easy jam buns - have a look at page 1 of this post and scroll down there are some lovely ideas.
Hope this helps:)

M0neysav3r

tootoo wrote: »

Hello all,
I've been lurking for sometime and tried to join a while ago. I fell off the wagon when my little girl arrived and really need to get back on!
I shall be joining the april gc. I'm starting my meal plan and think I shall aim for £200 per month - does this seem realistic? Its for 2 adults and a toddler (I won't include any nappies etc) and a fussy cat.
I really want to cut down on the amount of crisps and chocolate we buy (Mainly for hubbies packed lunch everyday). I'm quite good at baking but don't have lots of time, can anyone recommend some easy cakes/biscuits? And any ideas for packed lunches other than sandwiches or pasta salads?!
I cook from scratch and on the days I work I have something prepared or ready home made from the freezer, but I still feel I could plan better to cut costs. I think I'll have to have a look at some new recipes for some inspiration too!
Sorry for the ramble, hope its ok to join?
Tootoo

Hi

I'm relatively new too, this month being my first on the GC
Our family consists of 2 adults, 1 child and 3 pets and our budget is also £200. I should hopefully come in on budget or maybe slightly over but I have found it a reasonable limit.
I have cooked everything from scratch this month or had a home made meal from the freezer, i've stuck to my weekly meal planning changing days her and there.
We've also been making our own bread and this has saved us loads as we go through 4 loaves a week... that in itself is at least £5 a week :eek: (or used to be )
For dh's lunches he has the usual sandwich or pasta but he has also been taking a chunk of bread to work with a little pot of butter, a chunk of cheese and some salad bits for a mini picnic and he has enjoyed that.
I haven't brought any biscuits or cakes this month but have made my own. All the recipe are from page one but I have made - Rock Cakes (a firm favourite from my boys and so easy!) Jam Cakes - We all love these but i found them too big so i've made more today using a cake tray and paper cases so they're smaller for ds, out of the recipe given I made 24 mini jam cakes.
Millies Cookies - OMG devine!! But i used a value chocolate bar just whizzed it in the food processor
Ginger biscuits and raisin biscuits - made today not tried them yet
and a Pineapple cake - currently in the oven but not sure if its going to work very well

Best of luck for April - Let us know how you get on

Missus_Aka

Attention everyone who is using te$co dtd vouchers

Terms and conditions have changed you can only have a dtd voucher of up to £20 now no matter how great the difference between your shops, if you havent printed out your dtd vouchers they are automatically changing them to £20 no matter what they were before or how long ago you received it in your email inbox

update
all vouchers already issued at over £20 have now been made redeemable at full value so print them now!!!! £20 limit will start tomorrow noon

sistercas

sorry havent read the thread today just wanted to say my job is safe :j:j:j:j:j:j
so relieved , but desperately sorry for the girl who got the bad news today

i can relax again :T think we might even have a take away to celebrate :j

goodgirl80

Don't know the background - but that's great news for you!!



* changed my mind about the pasta bake!

scotsaver

sistercas wrote: »

sorry havent read the thread today just wanted to say my job is safe :j:j:j:j:j:j
so relieved , but desperately sorry for the girl who got the bad news today

i can relax again :T think we might even have a take away to celebrate :j

sistercas - :beer: that's fantastic news.

helen_jelly

Sistercas - fantastic news - congrats and enjoy that takeaway x

WillgetOrganised

Hi everyone :wave:

I have been a daily lurker and have occasionally posted under another user name. I really want to take more of an active part in this forum and officially join in with the Grocery Challenge so I thought a good start would be to say hello .

I am a working mum to two lovely girls and shall shortly be marrying the love of my life. The downside is that I owe far too much money and am therefore looking to make savings wherever possible in order to pay my debts back as quickly as I can. I am on a DMP which at the moment is due to last rather a long time.... The current economic climate doesn't help matters of course with the high cost of fuel and groceries.....

I love this site and it has helped me greatly over the last two years - my favourite forums being this one and Debt Free Wannabee (I haven't really ventured anywhere else!).

Anyway, I won't waffle.... I hope that I can join in next months grocery challenge and I look forward to getting to know some of you over the coming months.....

WGO x

meanmarie

Went to Aldi to buy some of their offer wool....will my wool addiction ever stop or even slow down??

Spent €38.29 on food in Aldi and butcher's so think that the only things I may need for rest of month is some fruit and veg...total spend now at €166.80 so will stay out of shops, only way not to spend!

Marie

FluffyBunnykins

Hi All

Had a few small spends on milk etc over the last week. Only 7 days to go and £7.57 left in my budget, thinking now I could finally do it. Fingers crossed

All the best