June 2012 Grocery Challenge

fozziebeartoo

recurrent-ostrich wrote: »

Thanks. I've had a look, but it doesn't really seem any cheaper than buying at the supermarket? :undecided I'm presuming that i'm missing the point somewhere! :rotfl:

Not cheaper but about the same as good quality SM stuff with free P&P and good offers and far superior in taste.

Cheapest doesnt have to be the only aim, unless thats what suits you and your circumstances best......its all about whats best for you.

For me, I try and save money on some things, so I can spend the bit I save on things that matter more to me.

But lots of others on this thread love their "spot the mince" recipes, where you pad out small amounts with other things.

Loads of great tips on this thread, however you decide to approach your budget :T

My money saving is more about recirculating what money I have (thats where the Second Purse thread is really useful) rather than just spending less......although I am pleased when I DO spend less.....

If I ever do!! :rotfl:

The benefit of better quality meat (in my opinion) is less waste, no water padding it out, superior taste, less fat and it certainly seems more filling/satisfying

recurrent-ostrich

Well, starting as I mean to go on. Had a rummage through the chest freezer in the shed and found a block of frozen raspberries from the garden -last years I think....or possibly the year before! Anyway, have just made 4lbs of jam.

System

fozziebeartoo wrote: »

Not cheaper but about the same as good quality SM stuff with free P&P and good offers and far superior in taste.

Cheapest doesnt have to be the only aim, unless thats what suits you and your circumstances best......its all about whats best for you.

For me, I try and save money on some things, so I can spend the bit I save on things that matter more to me.

But lots of others on this thread love their "spot the mince" recipes, where you pad out small amounts with other things.

Loads of great tips on this thread, however you decide to approach your budget :T

My money saving is more about recirculating what money I have (thats where the Second Purse thread is really useful) rather than just spending less......although I am pleased when I DO spend less.....

If I ever do!! :rotfl:

The benefit of better quality meat (in my opinion) is less waste, no water padding it out, superior taste, less fat and it certainly seems more filling/satisfying

Agree with this
I discovered Donald Russell meat through the 2nd purse thread. The mince is really meaty, no fat or gristle, I made superb shepherd's pie with it. Also their sausages are lovely, and the mini lamb burgers - yum! You could pop over to that thread, jakes-mum always seems to have codes; or I could refer you if you want to pm me. Now I'm on their mailing list i seem to get email offers every week
HTH
Rx

fozziebeartoo

I made a 1/2 portion of Flos muffin recipe:-

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=52675003&postcount=1031

I added frozen blueberries and ended up with 8 large muffins with just 1 oz of sugar and 1 oz of fat AND they taste fabulous!! Highly recommended!!

Thank you Florenceem :beer:

recurrent-ostrich

Can anyone linky me in to the 2nd purse thread please. The only ones I can find are from 2011.

cleggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3745005

there you go!

katiegirl

Hello, I'm new to this forum and I came looking for some inspiration to reduce our food bill.

There's myself and my daughter (8), we're moving house soon so rent has gone up, also tax credits have recently gone down, and we're saving for a big trip next year. We're not extravagant in our lifestyle but the food bill is definitely one place where we could reduce costs.

I'm only about a quarter of a way through the thread so far but will definitely be joining in next month.

I've budgeted £60 + what was in my purse for now till next Wednesday (pay day!). So far I've spent £10 on new Brownie leggings for dd, £20.15 on petrol, £15.30 on food and £1.79 on a road atlas.

I went to Aldi for the food and I've just compared prices with Asda on mysupermarket.com and I saved £4.06! Very pleased with that, the fruit, veg and eggs were where the difference was, other baking ingredients and garlic bread would have been about the same.

I've now got £19.46 left in my purse! I've got our meals covered I think (maybe need some more milk), so this is mostly for treats - ice-cream in the park after school tomorrow for dd and her friend, and possibly lunch out for me on Thursday. Might even have some leftover next Wednesday.

DebtFree2012

Hi peeps :wave:

I will be joining in from the end of this week if you don't mind.

I have £150 until 25th July for 2 adults, 2 kids (5 and 2). This is breakfast (porridge during week), lunches (all packed lunch daily bar w/e when it's a see what we have lunch) and evening meals ( 1 night a week is fish fingers - rest is HM from scratch).

I work full time as does DH and 5yo is at school, 2yo at child minders. 2yo still in nappies so they and wipes come out of the grocery budget. As do any take aways therefore I predict none :rotfl:

Milk comes out of this budget and is £10 a week (we drink loads) as I like to support local businesses where possible and i think this is worthy as the dairy farmers are struggling.

I shop at Aldi and a local farm shop plus get my meat separately/cheaper. Fingers crossed I stick within budget. I love doing it and looking forward to leading me to a simpler lifestyle. I also grow my own veg and salad which is just starting to come to fruition so fingers crossed that works too :_

:T Lovely to be along for the ride x :T

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Thanks for the info Rosy I hope to run down my freezer then I can look at getting a nice order and be referred

Welcome katiegirl, for me I found meal planning helpful (the day I didn't last week we ended up ordering pizza!), batch cooking esp in the slow cooker and freezing portions and although may not be an issue for you, but portion control otherwise my OH would eat a whole slow cooker full of mince! Also cooking just what you need or have plans for leftovers. Like now I might cook two portions of potatoes one for tonight and another say for frittata the next night. Before I'd cook too many and they'd sit in the fridge for a week and then end up...dare I say...in the compost one of my favourite is roast chicken, there's only two of us, so roast dinner, a curry, another chicken dish, chicken stock and probably enough for another "spot the chicken" dish or sandwiches.

Also keep a record of what you're spending and when. Sometimes it's the little treats that add up. Also with the grocery challenge people include different things, so whether it's just food, or including clothes, treats/takeaways is up to you. I include food, household/cleaning stuff and toiletries. I have a separate budget for "entertainment" which includes eating/going out, takeaways etc. this has turned into a long old post, hope some of it makes sense.

As for me, went to Mr S and spent £6.90. Bought some ready made meatballs as they were on offer. Though the time I'd bout the mince it would be a similar price. Got the cream, bananas and digestives for the banoffee pie which I've made the base for. Just got to last until Friday (payday and new month) and shouldn't need anything else. I'll declare my official June total then.

elizabunny

Just playing catch up as usual. NSD today -I hope.
Have just invested in a new eas*yo yoghurt maker. You can buy sachets in lots of different varieties to make up some lovely yoghurt full of all the 'good' culture. I have also read on the internet that you can make yoghurt in it using UHT milk, which looks interesting. I will be experimenting with this over the next few days, but have just made up 1 sachet which equals 1kg yoghurt of Greek style with Cranberry and it is gorgeous, cost around £2. Here is a link if any of you are interested in further details
http://www.easiyo.com/ukoutlets.php
I am going to be using this alot I think.

I have updated my siggy. Think I will run out of budget well before the end of the year and then it will be all overspends :eek: but I will continue to do my best.

Home cooked Gammon for Tea tonight with Cauli and Potatoes and guess what Yoghurt for after:):)