June 2012 Grocery Challenge

Samantha22

Hi everyone,;)

Well, June has not ended yet, and I've come in £41.58 over budget, so far. I have added up how much I have spent on meat this month, and am shocked to discover that it is £72.54. That is way too much so need to think about going to the market for my meat, in July. I buy good quality meat from Ocado. Inasmuch as it is very tasty, it's still too expensive. I dislike New Zealand lamb, and only buy Welsh lamb, which does cost that little bit extra. Still, have enough food in the cupboards, fridge & freezer, to see me to the end of the month. Extra spends should only really be fresh milk.:j

How much do you all spend on fresh meat in a month? I seriously need to cut back.

I shall sort out a meal-plan for the month of July, now. Hopefully, it will work out a little cheaper.

Good Luck to you all with your targets,:A

Regards,
Sam22:rotfl:

dizzyditzy

Hi
Another NSD for me:j This is a great improvement as I drive through T's car park to get to school and right past Morri$on$ and always nipped in to look for whoopsies:o:o Tonight we've had 2 lid! gammon steaks (84p) between us, hm garlic wedges (free pots from a mse'r:A) and lo veg from yesterday.
JumbleJack that herby bread looks great I'm going to make some. Roast chicken dinner tomorrow (lo from yesterday). Hope everyone has had a good day.

PennyGrabber

Another nsd for me today. That's two in a row. May end up spending tomorrow, but hopefully not.

Dinner tonight was fish pie for the children, which I made yest in my major cook-fest. I'm having lo pie later, although I've had pudding with the children already!! (Just wasn't hungry enough for the pie now - I shall have it when they're in bad and I can relax. I usually eat with them.)

Dinner tomorrow will either be chilli or garlic and herb potato bake, then the opposite on Weds. Thursday, dd has asked for cottage pie. That's great, as it'll use up a tiny space in the freezer, and some of my cheapo spuds. I'll make enough of that so I can have los on the Friday; children at their dad's this weekend... Then, I shall have freezer roulette/useup meals over the weekend.

My list for my weekly shop this weekend coming is short. So far, dishwasher tabs if on offer (I have two weeks' worth left), fruit and veg, and some princess ham I promised dd we'd get. Will do this between ald! and a$da, as the ham is in a$da. Will also be buying a bike this weekend, so that I can cycle to the shops instead of drive, thus saving even more money, and ensuring I can't buy too much!

Hope all ok.

PG x

sneakyspender

NSD here. Have made chocolate brownies for after school snacks, at the same time have baked last few sad spuds to have with dh for lunch tommorow with salad,also used oven to cook sausages for tea and a tomarto/aubergine side dish. So no need to cook tommorow (bbq fajitas for tea. :)

PennyGrabber

New recipe - Bethany's biscuits

So named, as my dd 'invented' them at school during DT!

Ingredients:
50g butter
25g sugar
1 heaped tbspn syrup
100g oats
some chunks of choc/choc chips
extra syrup/butter to bind

Method
1) Cream butter and sugar
2) Mix in the syrup
3) Stir in the oats and choc. Mix in more syrup/butter to make it into a ball
4) Use a spoon to dollop onto greased tray
5) Bake for 12-15 mins at 180, check and bake for a bit more if nec.


I love this recipe, as you don't need eggs! Tasted a bit like a cross between a flapjack and a biscuit.

I'm going to make some tonight, and see if I can change the ingredients list to a more accurate measure! (Bless, though, she's only 7!)

PG x

jumblejack

Piccies please PG:T
They sound fab. It's lovely when they get into cooking from an early age! The next frugal generation need to be nurtured well.

I've just got in from a little walk with my folks' dog (I'm dog sitting) and I managed to haul an entire heaving carrier bag full of elderflowers! I now know a good door to look for more elderberries for cordials and jams when my little supply runs out.

I am hoping to try elderflower champagne and elderflower fritters this evening:T

Let's hope it all works out well....

jasmin10

Kitchenbunny wrote: »

I've had a look at July and it looks like my budget for next month is going to be the same - £200.

Dont forget June was a 5 wk month too, so fingers x'd, more savings to be had for July :j

Samantha22 wrote: »

How much do you all spend on fresh meat in a month? I seriously need to cut back.

Sneaky Spender : - whats your receipe for the chocolate brownies.
We dont by much meat at all as it is so expensive - it would take most of our budget. We tend to have a chicken, 2 packs of mince and perhaps a tub of diced turkey.

PennyGrabber

jumblejack wrote: »

Piccies please PG:T
They sound fab. It's lovely when they get into cooking from an early age! The next frugal generation need to be nurtured well.

Will do piccies once I've baked them!

She's very ms - I was going to pick up two packs of ham at the weekend, one of her choice and one of ds' choice, and she put hers back, saying that she didn't want to waste my money. I said we'd use one pack this week, and one next, and she said well, we'll buy it next week then!! Bless!

Good luck with your elderflower stuff! Busy evening ahead of you then...

My new word of the day, which you win the prize for today, is FRUGALFAIRY!! You are today's frugalfairy, having foraged a bagful of stuff!

Coxy11

Evening everyone,

Went to visit friends in the north west for the weekend, so have been catching up on the thread today. Hugs to all those in need of one.

I didn't spend anything from the GC this weekend, so 3 NSDs

Paid my 2nd purse on Thursday and a small spend in MrC today means I am slightly over my budget with 3 days to go From now on in its damage limitation. Well done to all those who have come in under on on target :T Hopefully in July this will be me

I am planning a baking session tomorrow morning as I've not got any gardening clients and it's DS2s sports day in the afternoon. So far am planning JJs herby cheese bread (just cut some chives from the garden in preparation) and some twinks. Might also have a go at some pizza bases to freeze - depends on time as I also need to go to the bank and the sorting office :mad:

Dinner tonight was DR pork sausages, hm wedges, steamed carrots and steamed cabbage. Clean plates all round.

Sorry for the long post Off to update sig.

System

Had a little spend in Asd@ today, total now up to £133 which I'm pleased with, I thought it would be much more however if I add eating out and snacks that takes it to £196 which doesn't include cash spends, so I can't afford to be complacent. I think next month I'll pay for everything using the debit card so I have a clearer picture. I'll have to bow out of the thread cos it's too much work keeping up properly but I'll be keeping track of my spends.
Thanks for the friendly thread and all the good advice, I wish you all well
Cheers
Rx