May 2012 Grocery Challenge

Flat_Eric

Does anyone use a whiteboard to plan their meals? I've been looking at them on Ama%on and whilst I like the look of them and the idea, I am not sure exactly how practical they are ? I have seen a few different designs - one is completely blank, the other has space to plan a month's meals with a space to write in the date and the other one has mon - sun along the top with squares to write in a months meals. I'm just not sure they would suit the purpose and it would be no good for referring back which you could do if you used a diary or calendar.

I haven't set my may budget yet. will ponder this and be back...

tessie_bear

happy saturday....we used to have a whiteboard at our last house...it was blank and very useful when we both worked....used to use it for appointments and stuff the kids were doing....im off to lidl in a bit and maybe a cheeky look in hn
going to do fajitas for tea...need to get the wraps out of the freezer...made a jelly with massive peach halves in....hope it has set

got reduced choc pastries for breakfast so now off to enjoy those
take care tess

p-pincher

Hi everyone

New budget starting today, going for £210.00 (will keep my siggy updated). Back on slimming world with a vengence so not sure how doable £210.00 will have to wait and see. Might need to up it next month as I plough through tonnes of fruit and veg.

My poor freezer is looking rather sad but i'm doing my best to empty it out so i can give it a defrost, Ive also got a ocado order coming, mostly meat, store cupboard and veg as they sent me another £20.00 off another £60.00 spend voucher. Also planning a trip to tesco this afternoon to stock up on there offers. Already been through mysupermarket to see whats on offer.

Ive also started using our local Heron for my frozen veg, its so much cheaper than anywhere else round here, usually on pop in to get dh's Ainsley Harriots cup a soup for work but actually looked in the freezer this week and the veg seemed really good value so will nip in there after work on Monday. Will update my siggy later with the damage from this afternoon.

Flat_Eric

p-pincher wrote: »

Hi everyone

New budget starting today, going for £210.00 (will keep my siggy updated). Back on slimming world with a vengence so not sure how doable £210.00 will have to wait and see. Might need to up it next month as I plough through tonnes of fruit and veg.

My poor freezer is looking rather sad but i'm doing my best to empty it out so i can give it a defrost, Ive also got a ocado order coming, mostly meat, store cupboard and veg as they sent me another £20.00 off another £60.00 spend voucher. Also planning a trip to tesco this afternoon to stock up on there offers. Already been through mysupermarket to see whats on offer.

Ive also started using our local Heron for my frozen veg, its so much cheaper than anywhere else round here, usually on pop in to get dh's Ainsley Harriots cup a soup for work but actually looked in the freezer this week and the veg seemed really good value so will nip in there after work on Monday. Will update my siggy later with the damage from this afternoon.

I'm trying to do slimming world as well. I am not doing very well at the moment and I agree, it is hard to do when trying to rein in the grocery budget. Do you visit the slimming world thread on here ?

lula_moneybaggins

Having completely smashed my £120 April budget (I'm blaming the takeaways and some very persuasive friends) I must stick to my £120 budget for May (it's only me I'm feeding, for crying out loud!) and banning takeaways. There, I've said it. Keep me honest, please!

Florenceem

Pixie_Fairydust wrote: »

I've just started looking for one too! Am keeping my eye on freecycle!



Did you make the bread? It sounds yummy.

To do today:

Meal plan for the week
Start my online shop at A$da
Clean out fridge
Put my 'cheats chicken/quorn pie' ingredients in the SC
Have a go with my bread maker - bought in Oct and not used yet (I'm a bit scared, i've never owned one before )
Try to have a NSD (taking DD to a large Mr T for an eye test so may be tempted.......:eek:)

Have a good Saturday, grey grey and more grey here!

Pixie

I didn't make that bread - Mr F found it in the freezer - who knows what lurks in there!

Florenceem

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Does anyone use a whiteboard to plan their meals? I've been looking at them on Ama%on and whilst I like the look of them and the idea, I am not sure exactly how practical they are ? I have seen a few different designs - one is completely blank, the other has space to plan a month's meals with a space to write in the date and the other one has mon - sun along the top with squares to write in a months meals. I'm just not sure they would suit the purpose and it would be no good for referring back which you could do if you used a diary or calendar.

I haven't set my may budget yet. will ponder this and be back...

My Son has a blackboard in his kitchen - might be from Ike. - DGS writes the week's meals on there. I just write the meal plan in my diary - can then look back and see what I had and when.

WelshWoofer

Well, I've split the shopping between Aldi, B&M and the greengrocers - £13, £14 and £4 respectively - so a total of £31. That did include toiletries and some stuff to unblock the shower and some extra bits for the freezer so not too bad. I spent more than I'd hoped for but next week should be a smaller shop to compensate.

jumblejack

lula_moneybaggins wrote: »

I have been slightly awol and neglectful and greedy this month, and have only just plucked up the courage to look at my total spend :mad:

Frankly, I smashed my £120 budget...spent £190.54!!! :eek: Admittedly, £73.85 of that was on takeaways/eating out. Must. Try. Harder. So for May, I'm sticking to my £120 budget (it's only me I'm feeding, for crying out loud!) and banning takeaways. There, I've said it. Keep me honest, please! See you on the May board!

:eek:

Good on you for not getting disheartened!

You have seen where your weaknesses are so can now resolve not to succumb to them.

Here is a suggestion:

As you are just cooking for one, make things that you can portion and freeze for quick meals. Soup, lasagne, shepherds pie, crumbles, etc can all be frozen successfully!
It is also less rewarding when cooking for one as your efforts go unrecognised. How about uploading a picture occasionally of your efforts to get a bit of appreciation from folk who understand your thrifty labours? It will help to motivate you quite a bit.

You CAN do it. Your budget is on a par with mine so you can most definitely do amazingly well this month if you keep posting and reading on these threads to keep you on track!

Another idea is to update your signature after every spend. It keeps you informed of your exact spending throughout the month so you are less inclined to spontaneously spend

All the best:)

FlacosFloozie

Need to get back on track so aiming for £190 for the two of us again this month. I must say no to alcohol, chocolate and junk.... unless they're on extremely good offers :rotfl: