April 2012 Grocery Challenge

cleggie

Morning!
I have taken mince out of the freezer for tonight spag bol and am feeling more 'at ease' with having space in the freezer, fridge and cupboards.

Tonights spag bol will last 2 nights, so i wont have to cook tomorrow night either.

Cheapskate

Morning everyone

helenjelly - please can you put me down for £400 for April? Thanks x

Each month I start off well, but soon stumble and never get back on track, but going to make more effort this month!

My budget is for 4 adults and 2 small children, and includes all food, toiletries, nappies for youngest. What non-food items do people include in their budgets (don't mean toiletries etc, but petrol, haircuts, going out, clothes) or do you have separate budgets for these?

Will have an inspirational read through the thread later this morning, and get my brain (and arris!) into gear.

Good luck with all your challenges.

A xo

mummybearx

Cheapskate wrote: »

What non-food items do people include in their budgets (don't mean toiletries etc, but petrol, haircuts, going out, clothes) or do you have separate budgets for these?

A xo

I include all food and drink, inc takeaways (naughty!), lunch at work, eating out (which we never really do), any toiletries like shampoo, deoderant, and any cleaning products. I also include dog food.

xx

blackandwhitebunny

I've got a few spends to add to March still but think we came in under £200 although the cats spent loads
So far I spent £2.86 yesterday on reduced Loch trout, houmous, milk and bagels. We're on school hols and I'm trying to teach my MIL to YS shop as they're a bit broke, which I'm sure means I'll also pick up bits.
The cats have spent £54 on 10kgs of RC biscuits, with luck this will be nearly all they need to spend this month as they have loads of pouches still left from thier spree on T half price Whisk*rs and their S delivery. they'll still need some litter and some of the expensive stuff for spoilt little girl.
I'm going to aim for £300 this month between us and the kitties but will keep track in my signature.

rachbc

Can I go down for £250 please and thankyou!

Already spent £70 - did well in Aldi then popped into Asda for a couple of bits i couldn't get - lynx, chick peas and baking powder-came out having spent £17 on I don't know what. £3 on easter eggs but the rest was just random purchases - cross with myself!

I was planning on setting a £60 pw budget as I tend to run out at the end of the month doing it monthly but have blown that already- oh well onwards and upwards!

cleggie

Does anyone have any ideas what i can substitute white wine with in a recipe??

I dont want to have to buy a bottle just for 3 tablespoons worth, and i cant stand white wine as a drink!
If it helps, its to go in Garlic and prawn Linguine.

ragz_2

HI all, I am aiming for under £400 again this month, seem to be managing it easily these days after switching to Aldi from Tesco, but I have had a lot of whoopsied meat in the freezer, this has pretty much run out now so I expect my spending to go up a bit now, unless I bag some bargains. I will go back to checking co-op on my way to swimming in the evenings tonight.

Spent £67.75 in Aldi yesterday, a lot more than usual, but I got quite a lot of 'junk' and treats as it's Easter holidays and we will be having picnics.

Cheapskate - I don't include anything else, not even DH's cider as that's his spends. I tried keeping track of all my spending in similar ways, but I never managed a full month, DH never keeps all his receipts so I never really know what he spent... grrrr... lol

Florenceem - Quiche looks gorgeous, I cannot eat shop bought, they are so soggy! I like to make mine with onions, peppers and bacon with a little cheese in the mix and a little on top. Yummy! May have to make one this week...

cleggie wrote: »

Does anyone have any ideas what i can substitute white wine with in a recipe??

I dont want to have to buy a bottle just for 3 tablespoons worth, and i cant stand white wine as a drink!
If it helps, its to go in Garlic and prawn Linguine.

Cider? Sherry? (If you have a pub nearby go in with a jar and buy one measure!)
Or just chicken stock, though it won't have the same effect, the alcohol does 'lift' a sauce in a certain way. Borrow some from a neighbour/friend? You could buy a mini bottle and freeze the rest in ice cube trays for other recipes...

xxlouisexx56

£350 for us for April please x

mummybearx

cleggie wrote: »

Does anyone have any ideas what i can substitute white wine with in a recipe??

I dont want to have to buy a bottle just for 3 tablespoons worth, and i cant stand white wine as a drink!
If it helps, its to go in Garlic and prawn Linguine.

I buy the small bottles of white wine, it's about 200ml? Usually about £1.50 from MrA's. Use what I need for that recipe, then freeze the rest in an ice cube tray to use for other recipes

Or my DH has started drinking what's left lol x

Fredula

Oh no! I've chosen the wrong day to actually physically go shopping (usually done online) with my baby. I've been putting it off for ages because I've been to scared about trolleys and how it all works...and it's the easter holidays so there will be kids everywhere!

And to top it all off, I've lost my list of meals we were meant to be having for this week so I have to make a new one! Bummer.

Hopefully will come in on budget though.