August 2011 Grocery Challenge

kahunababy

Afternoon all, I have dipped in and out of this challenge over the months but Sep always feels like a new year to me so I am back in and determined to stick with it this time. Can I be put down for £250 please. Sorry don't know how to make it bigger.

Someone was asking about school lunches, I also have 2 school kids who are easily bored. I make a point of them only having a sandwich once a week. Other days I send in soup (in a flask), BBQ Chicken drumsticks, Deli bags (crackers, salami, cheese cubes) Bagels, wraps, pasta salads. I have a book somewhere with loads of ideas so I will dig it out if you would like.

Dug out my slow cooker today and have hunters chicken in it as I type. Not had it before but it smells delish! I have also been doing the second purse for a couple of months now and I don't know why I have never done it before. I love 'shopping' from my own store. Only problem is finding somewhere to put it all. Off to MrT's later to grab some more of the BOGOF washing powder. That will prob end up under a bed hahaha.

Hope you all have a good weekend x

losingpatience

Afternoon all

Well I had to admit defeat and pop into Mr A's today. Was really trying to go to payday without another trip to a supermarket but with no milk, bread, butter, sandwich fillngs or food for the guinea pigs in the house I couldn't avoid it.

Bought a loaf of bread, lettuce, 2 pints milk, kale, spinach, pack of peppers, cucumber, butter and cheese so did just buy what I had to at least. Spent £9.43.

I noticed that Mr A is cheaper on alot of the things but I just can't stand shopping there, there's always staff leaving their cart things in the middle of the isles and the isles are narrower then other stores so you can't get moved. I found the whole thing rather stressful and could feel my anxiety coming on so think I'll have to stick to the more expensive stores but look out for offers.

New total now stands at £215.41

Lulabelle06

had a little splurge today. but justified it as a reasonable amount was for an order I have for a gluten free cake. Fingers crossed it turns out well enough to warrant paying me for! I have been lucky this weekend as the boyfriend took me out for a meal last night and at his parents tonight and mine tomorrow so just lunches to cater for. in total spent 8.22 but that did include flowers for the in laws so not too bad. Been really trying to think of cheap meal ideas which proves very difficult with fussy boyfriend. got tons of reduced salmon in freezer so thinking puff pastry spinach and salmon tartlets. but any ideas greatly received!! x

Living_proof

Good evening all. I have just updated my signature and am 12p over budget, or so I thought as I totted up my receipts. And then I suddenly remembered that I took back a mop head to Asda as I had bought the wrong one last week, and they refunded my money to my debit card. This means I am in effect £2 something UNDER budget!

So shopping-wise it has been a good month. On to September and I will again put myself down for £70.00 but I do have quite a few vouchers to spend and a full fridge and freezers. I could go a lot lower than the budget, but I am saving that for whatever hard times might be ahead. I enjoy shopping, planning, researching prices, etc. and normally get some really good deals. Today I had a slightly bad taste in my mouth after noticing that the reduced price Listerine I bought in Asda at 2 for £5 was only priced at £1.99 each in Semichem. I am losing my touch.

I know it is harder for all of you guys with young families and their food likes and dislikes. I was fortunate on the whole with my own in that they would always wolf down any type of roast with veg. and yorkshire puddings, etc. and this was in fact the most economical way of feeding them. But only if you have the time to cook it and the OH to wash up all the greasy bits that won't go in the dishwasher!

I noticed in Asda today that there was nothing worth having in the whoopsied section. The reductions were paltry and I wouldn't look at any of the items unless they are at least reduced by half. I have stopped buying any branded items which I think are overpriced or only buy in bulk when they are at a reasonable price. I try not to waste anything at all and I think I will now always be like this, even if the good times roll again.

The wine is in a separate budget!

helen_jelly

[QUOTE=kahunababy;46429689
Someone was asking about school lunches, I also have 2 school kids who are easily bored. I make a point of them only having a sandwich once a week. Other days I send in soup (in a flask), BBQ Chicken drumsticks, Deli bags (crackers, salami, cheese cubes) Bagels, wraps, pasta salads. I have a book somewhere with loads of ideas so I will dig it out if you would like.


[/QUOTE]

I'd love to know the name of the book if poss please. I'm always stuck for bloomin ideas and my DD is quite hard work when it comes to trying to find food she'll eat [very faddy!!!]

Well I'm over budget this month. But we have enough baked beans to last through the winter and washing powder too!!

Can my total for September be £275 again please MrsM

Off to catch up now

Helen x

emmad5689

Well a NSD today and am hoping to keep it that way til September!! I am going to set my budget at £420 for September, putting it up a bit to account for some of the extra am going to be paying for school dinners £37.05 for september so am trying to drop my actual groceries a little. Find it quite difficult trying to find meals me and oh will both eat and ideas to stop 4 year old being bored.

kahunababy

helen_jelly wrote: »

I'd love to know the name of the book if poss please. I'm always stuck for bloomin ideas and my DD is quite hard work when it comes to trying to find food she'll eat [very faddy!!!]

The book is called Lunch Boxes by Jennifer Joyce.I am not really sure where I got it (poss a car boot sale?) but there is lots of really good ideas. I have a deal with my two that for every 'new food' they try, they get to choose a meal they like. For example, my eldest (6) chose to try a chicken tikka and mango chutney wrap (which he loved) and that evening we had chilli and rice as it is his fav. I am amazed at the things my kids eat now through a bit of trial an error and me insisting they must always try what's on offer! HTH

69chick

Am doing quite well on the budget but its not a normal month as we have all been away on our holidays so spending is different to normal.

am hoping for some tips as I am trying to eat vegetarian as much as possible and am wanting to try to cook vegi for the whole family on occasion, (I will still cook them meat in the main) would love some ideas from anyone for vegi meals that I could try (I don't like quorn or soya protein in place of meat, would rather just add more veg iykwim)

Need to catch up on lots of posts that I have missed since being away, hope everyone is doing well..not long now till the end of the month :T

cattysmum

Mr Ts today spent £6.47 but got £4.30 back for a DTD Maryland cookies wyet soere buy one get 2 free but all three went through at £1.15 so £4.30 back thanks Mr T so spend today was £2.17 Im not sleepy yet so will go and total all August up and declare my spend and decide how much to go for next month. I think I have done quite well, as before August I didn't have a clue what I was even spending per month, I will make a couple of changes for September I will NOT include petrol in my budget or alcohol, (I included a large spend on the wine offers in tescos) and will have a go at using a "second purse" for bulk purchases. I have also started meal planning which I have never done before and I must say I am quite enjoying being organised OH is very impressed when he asks what he should do for dinner and I show him my little meal planner and tell him everything he needs is in cupboards/fridge. So off to tally up!!!

Ok so total for August is £427.40 overspent by £77.40

Payday on Tuesday

TheThriftyScrumpers

Hiya
Just had a quick add up and have £65 to last until Wednesday. This should be fine so long as I don't mess up on my SM shop. Called in to Mr T's at 9pm on Fri and got lots of reduced bread at 7p a loaf :j

I have also been baking. Twinks, sponge cake and plum cake which DD said was nice except for the plums :rotfl: DH snaffled it up.

DH is moaning that cupboards and freezer are too full. Must do an inventory so I can meal plan from what I already have.

Honey & sunflower loaf in BM for tomorrow and leg of lamb defrosting for a roast with cabbage, carrots and kale.

Night x