March 2007 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

madhouseof4 wrote:

Hi! Just wanted to say good luck with the bread making. I find it works out cheaper in the long run and is much, much tastier than shop bought bread. We all fight over a loaf straight out of the machine, hubby & I take a crust each and ds1 has a the next slice. We have also started to make home made pizza as the dough can be made in the machine, as well as naan bread etc! :drool:

Thanks! Yes I'm sure it will be cheaper in the end, and I love the way the smell fills the house. I'm stocking up on several different kinds of flour but hoping to find some on bogof tomorrow. I'm also going to ask at Morrisons to see if they have any yeast to give away! I'm going to try naan as all my kids love that.

redspot24 wrote:

I'm uncertain whether I'm in or not this month...
Feb went pear-shaped as bf is now ex-bf, so haven't like keeping tabs on spending so much plus meal planning went a bit awry.

Sorry to hear you're going through a rough patch, and good for you that you are planning to get back into planning and budgetting.

ShirleyPark_2

Just got back for the first big shop of the month. We did a months worth of meal plans and bought all the storecupboard and freezer stuff we need, just the fresh stuff to top up on over the month. Total was 51.58, but that included some cleaning and toiletries (probably about £12).

Hopefully the remaining amount should see us comfortably to the end of the month.

EagerLearner

Hi Redpot - sorry to hear that, must be a weird time for you and will take a while for you to get on your feet, grocery challenge is prob the last thing on your mind. Take it easy and focus on the stuff you have going on, then when it settles down you can look at the spend again. Chin up, hope you are ok x

lindsaygalaxy

Hi
I would like to join the challenge this month. I keep meaning to but have been a bit slack. Unfortunatly on saunday i had a fairly big car crash and its made me think about a few things so im tryign to get back on track with things.

My budget or groceries, toiletries and all my tots nappies etc is £300 for the month. That seems quite a lot but its th first month, this is what my DMP is set at and i am going to try reduce it from here.

lil_me

Lindsay sorry to hear about the accident, hope you're all ok, good luck with the challenge. Doing the right thing making realistic target at first, then if you keep receipts and a list of what is thrown away/wasted, can be bought elsewhere cheaper etc can reduce from there.

redspot24 ((hugs)) sorry to hear things haven't worked out.

nodwah

Been lurking for a long time but now it's time for action.. I'm setting a target for £300 so that's not too ambitious.
Just spent £49.99 at Lidl ! how was that possible!!! but frezzer is full of bread and milk so that's something.
Must now make sure OH sticks to it with none of his trips to buy booze and biscuits

catznine

Staying away from the supermarkets but still hope to stay within £200 this month. Payday falls on 21st so 1 week in. Lots in the freezer and store cupboard. Spend so far £121.58

aah

Just getting to grips with this idea, and I need to work out how much we spend on food and groceries each month.

But this month we're eating up the freezer and trying not to spend too much so I think I'll add up this month's receipts and set that total as a stretching target for us next month.

Hugs to redpot over the ex bf, that's hard; and Lynsey (did I get that right, apols if I didnt) over the accident.

I'm recovering from an accident too, broke my back, so plenty of time off work to save dosh and plan....

Plum_Pie

I did a quick shop last night - mostly veg.

I also weighed most of the food in my cupboards and fridge and wrote down how many portions there were of everything in an attempt to meal plan for the month. It was quite a revelation - there was alot more than I thought! I think as I'm trying to lose weight I should do more weighing of raw ingredients when I cook as I have realised I must be eating far more than I think I am :eek:

mikeD

lil_me wrote:

(this is for 2 adults, 2 kids (all meals inc packed lunches) 2 dogs and a dragon :rotfl: everything from food, cleaning, toiletries etc)

Please Lil can I borrow your dragon next time we have a barbie? 'Twill save on charcoal and firelighters. :beer:

I keep seeing references to "Slow Cookers". Can you please tell me what these are and what the cost might be and for what they should be used? I assume it must be for stews etc.

We've had a cookers all our married life and they've never moved at all. :rotfl: