April 2012 Grocery Challenge

S-I_am

debbym wrote: »

Just had everything explode on us this week.
My car is in the garage and may not recover (could just get scrap value for a car we bought last year for £8K:mad:), never mind the bill. OH's car just had its MOT. New boiler. Hole in roof which has to be repaired along with repairs to a wall. and I need a new car because we live in a rural area and I can't manage without (can't even get the kids to school).
Luckily I managed to spend yesterday on the phone and persuade at least some of the people to spread the bill (Nigel the plumber is a superstar - he let us spread it over 3 months:T:T) and we also have savings but this will wipe them out and then some. Never had bills for £20K in one month before:eek::eek::

Boy! What a week, sending Hugs! Really hope things improve ASAP.

Jumble jack - hope your mum is well enough to go home tomorrow. And enjoy the crumble. Crumble has to be my all time favourite desert

A NSD here at least as far as GC is concerned, spent lots in the DIY store - we're completely redesigning our garden. The good bit of it is that staying at home doing the work certainly helps the budget.

I've noticed quite a few of you enjoy granola. Have you ever considered making it? I make it for DH as I can then adapt it to what he likes - nuts no fruit. I use a mix of the cheapest oats, and some dearer larger flakes. I use the cheapest honey and butter I can get and try to buy nuts and coconut when they are on offer. For us this works out a lot cheaper than buyer it, and I know exactly what is in it.

Sending hugs to all those whose need and want one.

Nite, nite
Sx

Becks81

Well blown the budget yet again at Tesco's I even took a list but so many things on my list were not in stock so I compensated as I thought I wouldn't make it up to £40 to qualify for my £5 off, big mistake, £13 over budget in the end.

I didn't get a voucher with this shop so will do my next order online, and if it is not in stock tough.

Thanks to this board I have meal planned for the rest of the week and plan on having a few NSD. Only have £65 to last me until the end of the month but have a cupboard and freezer full so hopefully I can at least stick to something and will come out below budget.

Have updated my signature.

Florenceem

NSD here - at least - GC. I did treat myself to some new kitchen equipment in an outlet shop.
We had barbecue chicken, roast potatoes, cabbage, carrot and broccoli for dinner.



So tired after taking MR F out to get a suit and shoes for his Mum's funeral on Thursday. He had to be taken kicking and screaming!

elizabunny

Just popping in to update my siggy. Had a hectic couple of weeks with birthday, Easter and visitors! Hope everyone is doing ok with the GC:)

Still spending a bit too much -must try harder;).....but everything keeps going up!

debbym

More weezl initiated threads to help
50p til Christmas
and the original and still the best
Old Style vs the USDA head-to-head challenge
Not sure I can do 50p per day until the end of the month (kids don't like pulses esp. my 8 yo who is autistic and has "sensory issues" with food) but after this week got to get as close as possible:)

sallybunny

A little bit late to the party but am I alright to join for the rest of this month? Just had a bit of a shock at the low level of my bank account and need to not spend too much for the next two weeks. Next month I'll be here the whole month to make me stay on track and hopefully bring the grocery budget right down.

So, I've checked the freezer and we've got plenty in there and in stores so in theory it's just fresh bits to buy.

£100 until the 28th but I defifinitely don't want to spend it all!

Yesterday was £13.44 in the grocers (salads, veg and fruit for the week) and £14 in Mr T (included some 1/2 price laundry liquid) and I'll keep track of it in the signature.

Salmon (freezer) with veg and new potatoes for lunch and hm tomato and pasta soup (freezer) with hm bread for tea. And off to the allotment to plant the potatoes (a bit late...), broad beans and salad and hopefully pick up some rhubarb for crumble.

tessie_bear

hi...got plans to use up a few random leftovers today and we got a nice piece of beef out of the freezer for tomorrow....does anyone else plan family meals on what is taking up the most room in the freezer ?
i have made a list of meals for next week and i did some shopping in lidl yesterday...i really like that shop

take care tess

elsiepac

Hi everyone :hello:

Wow, it feels like forever since I was on here! I got back from South Africa on Monday and was straight back to work Tuesday, it's been simply manic so today is the first chance I've had to come back on MSE since getting back! :eek:

Anyway, I had £50 for April, as only 3 weeks of the month for me at home, and so far I've spent £37.05. Much higher than I'd have liked, however I am covered up until the end of this week for fresh stuff and meal plan, so it's not so bad.

For those interested, I had an amazing time in South Africa, and the wedding was gorgeous.

Not sure I'll catch up on this thread as it's already 37 pages!!! but I hope everyone is doing well :A

Take care all

LC x

ModestyB

Welcome home elsiepac, glad you had such an amazing time.

Welcome to the GC Sallybunny, you'll find lots of help on her

Haven't spent on groceries for a few days, trying to empty the freezers.

cleggie

Hi all.
A spend of £6.84 at L!dl this morning, will update my signature now!