January 2012 Grocery Challenge

tigerfeet2006

meg72 wrote: »

Am sitting here really deep in thought. I posted a reply to Recovering regardingthe Chickenpie and said what my Mum would have done.

I visited my Mum in hospital today, another fall,not bad this time, she fell out of bed but thankfully didnt break anything this time.

We were there at tea time and got up to leave but the Carer asked us to stay and see if we could get her to eat anything as they were getting rather concerned.

She started off with cheese pie,mashed potato and Brocoli , looked really nice but she refused to eat it unless we could get some gravy.My SIL went to explain andcame backwith two packs of butter. She mashed this into the potato but Mum had only a couple of spoonfuls and said it was horrible. The carer then brought a Strawberry Whip with Cream. Mom had a taste and said it was too sweet. They then brought ham sandwiches and crisps Mum said the Ham was tough and only ate half a crisp. Then they brought a beautiful Strawberry Gateux but she only ate a few spoons
before asking for Custard. My daughter was quite distraught and wanted to goto the vending machine to get her some but I told her I thought whatever we did was not going to suit her Nan today.

Sorry for the ramble,just feel so so sad, very grateful to the hospital for trying so hard, and bloody glad I am not responsible for their budget.

Oh and apart from travelling costs today was a no spend.I took a pork chop out of the freezer before I went but didnt feel like eating when I got back so it will do for tommorow.

Sorry to hear about your Mum Meg, hope that she can be persuaded to eat soon so she gets better quickly.

plzhelpmesave!

Hi All,

Like so many others, i will be trying (again!) to regin in and cut down grocery spending. I shop at aldi, farmfoods, tesco and local asian shops but still seem to be spending well over £100 pw for 3 kids and 2 adults.

Have started a spending diary from today, and will be listing grocery and non-food spend separately. DH and I are both trying to lose weight so will be eating more veg and protein and less carbs from now so need to look for cheap and cheerful meals!! Might also look at doing some separate quick, healthy and cheap carb meals for kids, e.g. pasta & veg etc.

We are quite well stocked up so will use what I can from the freezer and cupboards first.

Will aim for £75 per week so £300 for January

Thanks :-)

tigerfeet2006

helen_jelly wrote: »

Hi

Budgets done to here

Spiggle - I asked Zippy to include your post at the start of the thread but unfortunately Zippy has been a bit busy and hasn't had time to check it out yet so I'll ask again for the next thread :j Your posts as always are inspiring and spot on - I have asked people to check it out on my opst on the front page :j

Helen x

:T hear! hear! Helen :T Absolutley positivley agree.

kj*daisy

Nothing so far in January, which is a good thing because I have just totted up Decembers spend which was £536!!!! Haven't done the challenge for a while - so need to get back onto the straight and narrow.

meg72

[QUOTE=aberdeensaver;4978906

1. I was very tempted to go an buy frozen yorkshire puds yesterday (which would have resulted in me picking up lots more than just yorkshire puds) but today with my roast beef I hand made them. WOW... I am NEVER EVER EVER buying frozen again, even the OH commented on how good they were.
.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

E x[/QUOTE]

Yes its amazing that first good result,sets you up forever

JIL

DebtFree2012 wrote: »

What a fabulous idea!!!! I shall definitely be using this - Thank you!!!! Ou of interest, what pastry do you use? Thanks again :T

I just buy fresh ready rolled puff pastry from Aldi. Its 99p and I get 6 lids out of it. (i used the lid as a template) Unless I find it cheaper elsewhere of course.
It is then in a good size for me, If my husband is having a pie, i can get a pastry slice out put it on a baking sheet and top with roasted veg, or mushrooms or tomatoes add cheese on top and bake with the pie.
Also leaving the pastry lid off means the steak and kidney can be used as a stew portion with added veg and a couple of dumplings or the chicken and mushroom mixed with pasta.

tigerfeet2006

aberdeensaver wrote: »

Just an update, been reading everyones updates today and some marvellous advice from everyone. As a newbie to the GC I have been working really hard to get into the mindset and make small changes. So I can report two big changes:

1. I was very tempted to go an buy frozen yorkshire puds yesterday (which would have resulted in me picking up lots more than just yorkshire puds) but today with my roast beef I hand made them. WOW... I am NEVER EVER EVER buying frozen again, even the OH commented on how good they were.
2. Rather than being a bit lazy after dinner, I sat and cut up the left over meat and poured all the remaining juices from the meat so I can make a second meal from it tomorrow!

So small very small steps but I am beaming from ear to ear at the small achievements we are making.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

E x

:j Yaaay!! Well done!! :beer: Baby steps is how you start and you gradually change behaviours and mindsets and you will get there slowly but surely and it sticks better, rather than rushing into it.

tigerfeet2006

sistercas wrote: »

spiggle nice one :T I couldnt cope with an annual budget i would starve for 4 months of the year :rotfl:i do a monthly budget and break that down to a weekly budget as i shop weekly

trying to eat up all the festive leftovers , having cold meats and pickles for tea

had some double cream that went out of date yesterday and made it into butter :j 1st time ive ever done it and its yummy ( ive frozen the buttermilk , i hope its ok to do that) for when i make scones

Can I ask how you did this please?

tigerfeet2006

PennyGrabber wrote: »

Question time...

I was just cleaning my kitchen, and I came across my pressure cooker, which is a permanent fixture on top of my stove. However, I never use it! (I have used it once since buying!!!)

I want to start experimenting with it, but have no idea what to cook! I want something easy, cheap, not too bad for you, tasty, quick to prepare, pref one pot!! I know that's a lot to ask, but if you don't ask, you don't get! PLEASE, give me some inspiration!

PG x

Would this thread be of any use to you?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4747

arrowlili

i'd love to do this. i've no real idea of what i spend on groceries (way too much i think) so i'll put myself down for £400 in January. the end of this month should be a real eye opener :eek: