Grocery Challenge - February 2012

Suffolk_lass

carolinerunner wrote: »

btw does anyone know if M@kro do cheap Sheba? Can't find anywhere less than 50p for the square foil packs and it's mostly the only thing my cats will (reliably) eat. Cheap cat food isn't a bargain if most of it gets left and the little darlings both have dodgy digestion so can't let them starve, plump tho they are...;)

If you can buy a few in bulk Amaz*n have 48 pouches for £4 free delivery - which works out as 33.3p per sachet HTH:)

Sorry! Note to self - read to the end before replying when 24 hours out of date!!

TheThriftyScrumpers

Hi
DS (2 yrs 8 months) and I are having an at home today which involves lots of snuggling, reading and sorting toys. I have found the much loved Norman Price toy (from Fireman Sam) and the dustpan brush, both of which have been MIA for most of the week. Still no sign of the Mr Ben DVD or the two missing library books but hey, you can't have it all

Easy tea's tonight. Ds and Dd have lo sausages, mash and veg (has to be quick on fri because of swimming lessons) and Dh and I have whoopsie curry night - two chicken madras and rice and chana masala all scooped up for £1.84. I think I also have some reduced naan bread In outside freezer so it will be a feast!

Two sponge cakes made this week for snacks with my gorgeous little helper who is a dab hand now at adding the eggs and mixing.

I hope you all stay safe in the icy/snowy weather. Xx

Suffolk_lass

kittycatface wrote: »

First official grocery challenge shop at aldi today. Even armed with the £5 voucher from last week's daily mirror my share of the spending came in at £24.80. It will last over a week I hope. Too many treats though, I am addicted to crisps and nuts: £4 just on four bags of them! Any ideas for crunchy and flavoursome snack replacements (apart from carrots ) thanks

I pick up a pack of onion bagels when they are reduced and cut them in half (like 2 doughnuts) then each into 8 bits (you could try angled pieces to make them longer) - so each bagel makes 16. Then put them on a baking tray and slow low temperature cook until they are dried out and turning brown (in my oven this is 250F (not C!) for 30-40 mins). Then I let them cool and use instead of crisps for dipping in things like Houmus. They freeze really well in this state and I chuck some flaked salt in the bag to give them a bit of the salt I seem to crave in snacks!

You did not ask for healthy snacks but when I'm being healthy I cut celery into 4" (10cm) lengths and fill the groove with low-fat cheese spread like Dairyl** or chuckling cow.

For me, a bit of preparation time stops me just mindlessly sitting and eating them all - not that much as I'm still too fat!!

NickJW

Urrgh. Forgot my lunch today so £3 spent at Mr S.

Also bought a £15 M+S voucher for £7 from LivingSocial. Never used them before, but if I get it I will be able to get £15 worth of M+S food for just £7! Not updating that to my signature until I spend it though

raphanius

NickJW wrote: »

Also bought a £15 M+S voucher for £7 from LivingSocial. Never used them before, but if I get it I will be able to get £15 worth of M+S food for just £7! Not updating that to my signature until I spend it though

i've got one too but don't know whether to blow it in feb (i've already done my marks shop this month with a conditional spend voucher) or be good and save it til march.

NickJW

raphanius wrote: »

i've got one too but don't know whether to blow it in feb (i've already done my marks shop this month with a conditional spend voucher) or be good and save it til march.

The good thing is that it's valid until Feb 2013, so I'm just going to wait until I need my next meat top up shop

meg72

NickJW wrote: »

The good thing is that it's valid until Feb 2013, so I'm just going to wait until I need my next meat top up shop

Bought one too,didnt realise it was valid for so long.In that case think I am going to save it and see what bargains I can get on Xmas Eve.

123budget

PennyGrabber wrote: »

Thank you! I can't wait to try it - I have this week's meals planned, but have had a hankering for a kfc for a while now. Am trying really hard not to eat out unless it's an 'occasion', eg friend's birthday etc, so I didn't want to go to kfc, but I'm going to give it a try next week and see how it measures up! Thanks again.

Forgot to say:- most recipes in the book are for one portion!! and you will need to dip/baste with egg before coating with spices/flour

elsiepac

Hi all

That's a fantastic deal about LivingSocial... debating whether to go for it or not... not 100% convinced it would be worth my while as I'm not much of a meat eater, and I tend to get carried away in M&S at all the lovely food, so I try and avoid it! :rotfl:

My Week 2 starts today, but won't need to buy anything just yet - will probably do the shop on Saturday or Sunday as still have Week 1 stuff to cook which is taking up room on my fridge shelf and drawer and freezer shelf (that's all my cold storage as at parents until about September).

Week 1 I spent £11.89 / £14, so £2.11 left. I do need to get some honey to make my honeyed carrot soup tonight - I had a little left in the cupboard but on checking this morning, turns out it expired in April 2010 so will buy some more tonight on the way. That will make 4 portions so 3 lunches in there too.

Week 2 budget is £15. Don't think I'll spend all that but will be looking at everything tonight.

LC

Oh and as I think I'll have a bit extra I will look at food for the birds as well, may take out of "pocket money" rather than grocery though.

123budget

Whoops -did shop yesterday without a shopping list - but was quite good as didn't go mad. BUT haven't done a meal plan either - just got in from work and thinking what to do for tea - bad move on my part - must be more organised. I will have to rummage in freezer to see what can be microwaved/defrosted to use.

Was also v.naughty and went into next for a top for a party tomorrow and came out with top, ankle boots, and a new top for dd:o