May 2011 Grocery Challenge

Brassic

Well, I did my weekly shop today - in A*di for the first time. It was definitely cheaper - but there are certain things I won't be buying again :O Like the box of wine And the banoffee pie which tasted of really strongly of almond, and yet had no almond listed in the ingredients. A good lesson, I should have made it myself!

Not to worry, I will definitely keep using them on a weekly basis, but just drop by Mr T's on the way back too. :cool:

I haven't had the online statement updated yet, but I think I've spent about £320 of my £500. Shouldn't have to shop until next weekend, so fingers crossed I should stay in budget :j

Brassic

Winged_one

Evening all, I haven't totted up my spends yet, but I had one large (extremely large) SM shop yesterday, and had to get a couple of bits when getting the papers this morning (like extra carrots and mushrooms as I had underestimated our needs on both, and some sausages to have for quick meals). I was at my gran's 95th birthday party last night, and my sisters had very kindly prevented Dad from throwing out the turkey carcass, as "Wings would use that for stock!". So it came the 320 km with them, and I got a large extra bag going home. I rolled my eyes getting it, and Mum (who had been away so not aware until it was done) was laughing. But at the same time, they didn't strip it very well so I got a whole carton of meat from the bones and loads of stock was made this morning (I have 2 pots with 1.5 pts in each in freezer, a 250ml carton too, and made dinner tonight as well - turkey and mushrooms in a (white sauce made using stock not milk) sauce, sorry I always forget the proper name of it, with rice.).

I also made the promised lasagne - took the mince from freezer last night, and made the meat sauce this afternoon and cheese sauce after dinner. It's in the oven set to be done just when we get home tomorrow night, with leftovers for au pair after her language classes, and a couple of portions for freezer too.

Hopefully, I won't need to buy much next week though, as I think I got most supermarket things for a few weeks now and should, hopefully manage with the local shop, butcher and F&V shop. Maybe the fishmonger. I really hope so as I will be WAY over for May otherwise.
The plan for the week is
Lasagne
Out to my aunt for pizza and chips (only planned this afternoon)
Lamb chops, cauliflower, mash (from Tuesday)
Macaroni cheese or burgers and oven chips
Probably the other from Thurs instead of a takeaway

Off now to sort out the clean washing (despite the rain showers yesterday, the 2 loads I did yesterday and another today are all dry). Clean the kitchen, and hit the hay.

Have a great week all.

katholicos

Hippeechiq, just noticed you wrote you and DD having a bad time, so sorry to read this, will keep you in my prayers. Take care xx

dibblersan

farmers-marketeer wrote: »

£54.15 of £140 on May 15th so doing okay now shopping to keep spending down 4 meals from a £2.99 free range rare breed Berkshire knuckle ex of Ocado absolutely delicious so far. If anyone would like 250 grams Tesco's finest loose tea bought in error leave me a message first come first served bought in error living alone i will never use it.



GC April £133.38 /£160 May £54.15 /£140 :T

oh oh

me please.

if you pm me paypal details or i'll send you a cheque towards postage and tea.

EDIT:

lovely person, thank you.

quintwins

morning all, today is another nsd for me i'm hoping to get to fri without any spends, making roast beef for tea, which will then be casarole tomorrow and stew on wed

i worked out i have 10months dishwasher tablets and a years worth of washing liquid, porridge and pasta

nessie216

JIL wrote: »

Hi
Hope you dont mind me replying, you can use wood from apple trees for the piggies to gnaw on but as long as you supply lots of hay they should be able to keep their teeth in trim. Its not the front teeth that cause the problems its the back ones and they need to continually chew to keep them down. Hope this is helpful.

Sistercas - i was going to say the same as JIL - great minds think alike!

Any fruit wood as long as it hasn't been sprayed with pesticide/chemical or has a disease i would give to my guineas - don't waste your money on the chew toys you can get from the pet shops!

I used to have a guinea that had problems with her back teeth - but the vet said it could be due to her old age, even after some dentistry the teeth trapped her tongue so she could barely eat or drink - i ended up feeding her with a seringe but we lost her

Totally off the MSE subject - does any of your guineas sing?

Elmo1985

£10.28 in Tescos today

skilly

Morning all, I checked my cupboards last night and found 10 tins of tomatoes out of date feb ,so today I have made 2 lasagnes and I am thinking about making some tomato and basil soup can anyone think of any other recipes ?. Thanks

cutiepieabf

calleyw wrote: »

I have loads in the freezer and for some reason my mum has 3 packs of reduced pork mince of mine in her freezer. Might make some pork and apple burgers with them.

Need to get some fruit, eggs and frozen wedges/chips (yeah I know)and some salad items. That should be ok for the week.

pork and apple burgers sound GOOD!!! i wouldnt worry about the frozen wedges/chips (especially when they cost about 69p a bag in L!dl!!) i have to get some freezer food like this in as otherwise OH wont cook dinner if he gets in from work before me, and it is nice to have something easy once in a while. OH likes cooking and he is good at curry and shepherds pie and lasagne but doesnt like doing accompanying chips from scratch. However, i have half a sack of spuds that need attention before they go green and start sprouting, so i may make up a few batches of chips, blanch and freeze them, and also make a few potato bakes/cheese and potato pies. all he has to do then is stick it in the oven. and even the chips can then just go on a tray and bake.

Well, my month started with good intentions but due to other expenses it has kind of gone to pot.... i took out my £100 budget and put it in a separate purse, but i have had to use the money for other things. so i am trying now to just use whatever i have in the house. DS is down for packed lunches every day in school now to reduce that cost, which just means we will be getting through more bread than usual.... any ideas for good kids lunches?

thanks all.xx

espresso21

I don't know if this is of use to anyone but the daily express is running a promotion where you get a voucher in the paper for something free every day this week. Today it's a chicken and stuffing pie. I think the paper costs 45 p and the pie £1.35 so if you really want a pie it's a good bargain.