March 2012 Grocery Challenge

Winchelsea

Today I bought coffee, tomatoes and lettuce, and now have only £10.32 to last to the end of the month. Should do it though, as am well stocked up with most things, including cat food. Am likely only to need milk and a bit more veg.

And will be away, staying with friends, for 6 days later in the month. Will entail other spends I'm sure, but not grocery.

Mrs_Addicted_to_Spending

Hi does anyone know how long you can keep chicken stock (made tonight by boiling up chicken carcass from roast dinner) - I was hoping not to use it until Sat - but is that too long in the fridge? I could freeze it but don't have much room in freezer. Thanks

funnysue

Hi, I have been reading the thread everyday but just wanted to update my signature. I have now spent £181.81 of my March total and have just £58.19 to last until the end of March. Compared to what I'd normally spend this doesn't sound a lot but I have bought most items that I need such as meat and store cupboard items so I only have to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, yoghurt and a few other things each week so I think I can manage - anyway it's meant to be a challenge I suppose!

Even this month I have learned a lot about myself and I am definitely the type of shopper who needs to keep away from SMs so thanks for all those members who have persuaded me that I don't need to store masses of goods for Mr T just because they are on special offer!:rotfl:

debbiedeejay

Evening everyone

Spends at Mr M's on Friday £29 -used my monthly Xmas pressie stamps to buy a huge piece of gammon and a couple of jars of anchovies. Plus extra spend at local shop of £2.48.

S
Just about sticking to meal plan for the past couple of weeks,I am fairly flexible,so move meals about or use same ingredients but different meal, so quiet happy at mo.

Did have £14.50 out of entertainment budget as I went to a friends sleepover for a mutual friends 40th(yeah i know am not 12 but we had such a laugh) Did the whole girl thing of pamper sessions,DVDs,games etc but we did buy drinks and a takeaway(usually take in in turns to cook) great fun would do again but so tired as we chatted till 2am!

Anyway off to update signature.

TTFN

Dragoncry

Evening

I always keep up with everything but don't write on here every day. Have been out today with eldest DD to get her some new clothes for holidays after a growth spurt. Stopped off at Mr A's and Ald* as we were lacking a few bits.
This will probably be my only major shop this month as I have to make another freezer list and use what I have . No room to spare in there ! Store cupboard is full too.
Will update my sig and I hope you all have a lovely week in this sunshine

DC xx

Suffolk_lass

Mrs_Addicted_to_Spending wrote: »

Hi does anyone know how long you can keep chicken stock (made tonight by boiling up chicken carcass from roast dinner) - I was hoping not to use it until Sat - but is that too long in the fridge? I could freeze it but don't have much room in freezer. Thanks

You could do the old-fashioned thing and re-boil it every other day - you just need to simmer it for a few minutes after it boils and it will be fine. Once it has cooled put it in a clean container in the fridge and it will go for weeks - the boiling kills any bacteria.
SL

Suffolk_lass

NSD here. I elected to clean the greenhouse and used Jey*s liquid. It worked really well but I can't get rid of the smell (or taste) on my hands. I've tried showering, washing my hands with a smell remover stainless steel pebble (works on garlic) and it's really evident. Yuk - any ideas please?

DS rolled in at 6am and was in something of a drunken state. Gave him my last syndol and a big bottle of water. He is pale but fine this evening. I however, am stiff (from scrubbing the greenhouse), tired (sub-consciously listening for him all night) and grumpy (hormones). On the up side, the extremely chocolatey tart (dessert, not me post-binge:rotfl:) has done the trick and I am no longer craving chocolate and ice cream. Loads to do this week at work and have not planted any seeds yet for the summer veg.

Have a good week everyone
SL

p-pincher

Hi everyone, Doing ok her at the minute. I work on a budget of £7 a day for all 4 of us. I've extended my budget by £35 days as i'm adding another 5 days to this month, reason being that my GC dates change every month as dh payday changes and he either gets paid on the 24th, 25th or 26th depending on weekends. So i've got another 5 days for this month. Long month this time, i've just added it up and its a 36 day month.

This is my 6th month doing the GC and my shopping habits have changed so much. Must have been spending approx £100 a week on all groceries and takeaways but now we stick to £50 (with a few small blips). No takeaways and we eat so much healthier. Im also noticing my bank looks alot healthier, this time of month, about half way through, I'd normally be in my overdraft but taking in to account bills that still need to be paid i've still got approximately £150 left so hopefully i can make an extra few payments this month.

Spent £20.50 in tescos and £4.50 in Sainsbugs. Hoping not to spend much this week, plenty of dinner, lunch and brekkie bits so just the usual suspects (bread, milk and fruit)

Kylieminoag

So many of you recommended Twinks Hobnobs that I could resist no longer.... so Saturday morning I made 54 .... thought I might take some to work tomorrow.

Total count this evening? 8left!!!:eek::eek::eek:

Thank you twinks!:T:T

Mrs_Addicted_to_Spending

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

You could do the old-fashioned thing and re-boil it every other day - you just need to simmer it for a few minutes after it boils and it will be fine. Once it has cooled put it in a clean container in the fridge and it will go for weeks - the boiling kills any bacteria.
SL

That's great thanks very much .

I'm sorry I'm not sure how you can get rid of the Jeyes Liquid smell - have you googled it at all to see if there are any suggestions online?