May 2012 Grocery Challenge

jo101_2

Hi

I would like to join this month please. I have joined many times in the past but never seem to make it to the end of the month keeping on top of it!

I have been shopping today for this week and I have some stuff in the freezer to use up too.
My family consists of myself and dh and 3 children, 9,7 and 3and I shop in Aldi.
My budget for this month is going to be £270 from today until the 27th May. Today I spent £32.

Jo

PennyGrabber

Hi and welcome back Jo101!

The key is to log on here everyday, and read through other people's comments. It really does help. Plus, use what you have in the house before you buy more!! Says me, what do I know?!?!?!

The amazing people on here will give you tips galore, and they're a great bunch of people - friends who you don't see. They're awesome.

Good luck in May!

PG x

nimbo

well first spend of the month 32.89 so far...

but i did treat myself to some nw coffee suga, and tea pots as they were half price....

Florenceem

PennyGrabber wrote: »

Wow Flo - you're almost up to your total April spend already! My aim is to beat you this month. That sounds bad when I write it like that, but you're such an inspiration, that if I can spend less than you for one month, I will feel very proud of myself iyswim! I'm hoping to do May for £40 or less, but I am starting with such stocks that it's a ridiculous challenge, esp if you look at my April epic failure. And I know we don't fail on here, but that really can be counted as a fail! No amount of excuses and reasons will explain that away...

I have a few questions. I will sound stupid, but never mind. When is blackberry season? And when is sloe season? How much fat do I need for a pastry topper for a 6" pie? And, specifically for Florenceem, how do you do the garlic wedges you show us? Look lush, and would be a change from normal wedges.

TIA!

DD ate at a friend's today. They had McD. I don't mind them having that every now and then as a treat, but I had planned that in for Friday as we have zero time for dinner, so now I have to rethink that. DS had sausage casserole from the freezer, and I had his leftovers, then some ood bits and bobs. Cheap day! Tomorrow, the children are at their dad's for dinner (unless the baby starts coming), so I won't have to feed them then, and I'm at college, so I may have something like cheese toastie or soup for my dinner. Then Weds, ex is feeding ds, but I need to feed dd, she wants noodles (the 11p ones!). I'll have something, not sure what yet. Thursday I'm eating out with a friend, somewhere cheap, planned ages ago as it's dd's opening night at the theatre so it's a celebration. I will feed dd and ds beforehand, will make something nice, but not sure what yet. Possibly turkey bolognese. That's always nice for a change. Then Fri is crazy night, and the weekend I may be feeding my mum too as she's coming to watch dd in the theatre. TBH, I'll be glad when this week is over, in terms of the organisational side of it! Will do a real meal plan for next week, and will post it up at the weekend. Obviously, will be planned from what is in store... I'm keeping hold of that £40 for as long as I can!

PG x

Garlic wedges are just potato wedges tossed in garlic granules. Scrub potatoes/ cut in to wedges - dry in tea towel then toss in +1tbsp rapeseed oil. Sprinkle on garlic granules and toss to coat - cook on baking sheet - 30 - 40 minutes - depends on your oven - 200c.

Florenceem

We will all have months where bigger spends are necessary. I had not bought toilet rolls since September! :eek: Let's see lots of folk spend less than me this month.
I won't be spending tomorrow - Mr F found HM sausage pie in the freezer for dinner plus we have veggies to go with it.

Florenceem

I made a batch of Almond Cakes while the oven was on this evening - the recipe makes 12. I worked out the cost for these 12 Almond cakes to approx - 48p without costing in the almonds. I have no idea what they cost - I had some in the cupboard - blanched them in hot water and sliced in half - must cost only pennies if you get a bag for Julian Gra.... or somewhere similar.



The recipe is one I used to make years ago - they freeze well. Original recipe is from - I think - Woman's Realm magazine - paper is falling apart so I must get the details on my computer! :eek:

These Almond cakes are delicious!

JIL

Florenceem........You are teasing now,



They look lovely. You could put the recipe on here and then it will be on your computer.......please :j

I cant sleep too much caffeine in the evening, i think.

jarvo28

hi it was a nsd for me yesterday hopefull for another one today . so far so good .

jedi82

PennyGrabber wrote: »

I have a few questions. I will sound stupid, but never mind. When is blackberry season? And when is sloe season?

PG x

Hi PG, blakberry season is Aug/Sep time. Sloes are winter and you are supposed to pick them after the first frost (although someone did one tell me that you could pick them and freeze them but haven't tried this). HTH

Jedi x

ps love that your kids worked out the value of their shopping and got the money out! Well done :T

fozziebeartoo

Pinch and a punch to all you GCers :rotfl:

Today is my 1st day for May GC - I WAS plannning on buying fresh fruit and white spirit (not to be combined ) but looking at the rain out there, I think this will be a NSD and I will stay indoors!

Yesterdays Spag Bol fed DGS and me and produced 2 portions of Bol sauce for the freezer.

Breakfast will be granola and greek yog.

Lunch will probably be a HM cheese and bacon slice or HM chicken curry and rice pasty, made at the weekend from YS stuff out of the freezer and LO's and frozen because I thought I had enough to make 2 or 3 but ended up with 4 cheese and bacon and 8 chicken curry :T

Tea is planned to be HM potato wedges (because they look so nice in Florenceems pix ) and YS chicken kievs from the freezer - cheap and easy.

Looking forward to Mays Challenge and all the tips from you experienced budgeters :j