June 2012 Grocery Challenge

PennyGrabber

TheThriftyScrumpers wrote: »

Plan for the month - do a new list of all the food I have already and use it up!

That's always my plan too, but I seem to end up each month with more stock at the end than at the beginning!! That's not how that's supposed to work!

Kitchenbunny wrote: »

PennyGrabber - hope you enjoyed your concert!

I had an absolute blast thanks! Ended up spending a LOT of money though, so having to be super frugal for the rest of the month now... Still, I'm 35 and it was my first concert, so I think that's ok!!

savesummore wrote: »

Just having to hand over to OH as he cooks not me :rotfl:

HM Bagettes:

Makes 2

Take 350g strong white bread flour
1Tbls of caster sugar
1 Tsp salt
1 1/2 Tsp instant yeast
225ml warm water

Mix ingredients in bowl, then knead for 10 mins on a flat surface, cover and leave to rise until doubled. Then knock back the dough to deflate and roll out into an approx 20cm x 30 cm rectangle. Cut rectangle in half and then starting at the short end roll up tightly into sausage shape. Roll sauasge shape backwards and forwards with the palms of your hands until its the required bagette length, repeat for the other half
Put on floured baking tray and leave to rise until doubled in diameter
Once doubled either slash from end to end with sharpe knife OR slash diagonally at approx 4cm intervals- make sure slashes are very deep.
Pre heat oven 170 brush loaves with beaten egg and then bake for 30-40 mins until golden brown

Wow thats complicated!!

HTH

Thanks for that! I look forward to trying this recipe out - then pricing it to see if it's cheaper than partbaked!

NSD today, and NCD too (no car day). We went out for a walk to the sweetie shop, then a mooch around the garden centre. Didn't spend anything, just had a wander as an excuse to get out of the house for a bit. Up to £7.80 for the month so far, so that's fine. I'm working more on getting my daily rate up to £4, which seems to be really motivating me at the moment - whatever works eh?!

MrsCD

NickJW wrote: »

PS: Whilst everyone I know checks FB on their phones, I can't stay away from checking this thread - I can think of worse addictions I guess.

Same here Can't stand FB though

MunniMuncha wrote: »

edit: did anyone watch The Apprentice final last night? Those people do not really live in the real world - I was screaming at the tv everytime they mentioned that nobody meal plans, and shops around for food prices - Oh yes they do Lord Sugar and your side kicks - IN THE REAL WORLD WHERE WE HAVE TO WATCH THE PENNIES THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DO - sorry, rant over

I quite agree That prog is IMO the reason we have so many bad shop assistants! The attitude starts at the top.

JJ - glad you had a good time and your back is behaving a bit better.

sistercas - take care of yourself.

I've been to work today. It was quite a good but very busy day. We had LOTS of families in today so good fun talking to children and the SUN came out this afternoon :T
2 NSDs in a row :T

Just had my dinner of LO Sunday dinner, and pudding of red raspberries, white ice cream and blueberries!!!

rising_from_the_ashes

sistercas wrote: »

I have noticed how c0stcos prices have shot up over the last few months . its a real struggle these days to get value for money

Very true .... on another thread earlier we were talking about pay rises (last one for us was March 09) & cost increases etc and I worked out that fuel now costs me £68 / month more since my last pay increase (and I don't do a hugely high mileage) .... just where is all this extra money supposed to come from is what I'd like the Gment to answer!

Pennygrabber wow! Can't believe that was your 1st concert - glad you enjoyed it!:D

(((hugs))) to all under the weather / need cheering up.

Had a disaster this morning - took my only just opened big jar of Douwe Ed*berts coffee (just about my only remaining treat!) and ... the lid mustn't quite have been on and ........ coffee everywhere (floor, in the oven, hob, worktops etc). Got the mini-vac out & hoovered it up (what a waste:mad::mad:) and it fell out as the grains were too small - hoovered again .... by this time, my milk had boiled over & the crumpets were burnt:eek: Day hasn't got much better since!:o

Will be hunting the cupboards as sure I've got an empty big Ken*co jar with a screw top lid somewhere!

Samantha22

sistercas wrote: »

JJ glad your back is a little better enjoy your day

Hex c0stco isnt too bad around 79p i think but you have to buy a case load but its worth it if you can sell some to family and friends

I have noticed how c0stcos prices have shot up over the last few months . its a real struggle these days to get value for money

having a chicken stirfry for tea using LO chicken from yesterdays roast and lots of veg

NSD today as my back is still painful so wont be going out

hope those having parties today have a great day and the weather stays dry

Hello.
I have been wondering about Costco. Is it only available for business people, or can ordinary people shop there? I so need to be able to get some cheap groceries from now on.

Thanking you for taking of your time to read this message,
Sam22 x

rising_from_the_ashes

Sam re Cost*co - others may have different opinions but, to me, it really depends on whether you can club together for membership with a friend / relative & how big your family is.

We get discounted membership through work but, for me, I'd still struggle to justify the cost and, if I stock up when stuff is on offer elsewhere, I easily match / beat the prices.

Also, some of the sizes of products mean you have to be a reasonable sized family or have someone to split with them.

Saying that .... their meat is great!

sistercas

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Very true .... on another thread earlier we were talking about pay rises (last one for us was March 09) & cost increases etc and I worked out that fuel now costs me £68 / month more since my last pay increase (and I don't do a hugely high mileage) .... just where is all this extra money supposed to come from is what I'd like the Gment to answer!

!

yep everything has gone up horrifically but wages havent infact wages have done down for some. how does the government expect us to keep afloat :mad:

Samantha22 wrote: »

Hello.
I have been wondering about Costco. Is it only available for business people, or can ordinary people shop there? I so need to be able to get some cheap groceries from now on.

Thanking you for taking of your time to read this message,
Sam22 x

you do have to be self employed or be in certain occupations THIS link may help, if you scroll to the bottom an click the further details button
there is also an annual membership so you have to use it enough to recoup that HTH

bossymoo

Hi just a quick report, nsd here. Will have to spend soon though as running low on the kiddies milks and the nappy stash and the fridge are looking a bit sparse... Wish my lettuce seeds would sprout!

Need to see what I have in tomorrow then I can plan a biggie.

Coxy11

Hello peeps!

Just on to update my spends. DH went to Sainsbobs on Saturday for a couple of bits and ended up spending over £17 on stuff for one meal (asparagus x 2 plus hollandaise sauce for £4.50 :eek:). I wouldn't mind but only me and him eat it, the children won't entertain it at all. Lovely but such a luxury addition to a bbq!

Talking of luxury additions, I got a bottle of champers in Sainsbobs for £10 as it's our anniversary this week

We went to Hyde Park yesterday with my sister and her family for the Sainsbobs Family Festival. No quite what we had envisaged. Some good performances from choirs and the strictly finalists from this year's show, but for £13 a ticket....more of an opportunity for their 'sponsors' to give out marketing information imho.

In laws for dinner tonight and DH cooked Nigella$ one pot sage and onion chicken/sausages - lovely. MIL made two puddings - double lovely!

DR and AF orders coming this week, which need to be reflected in my sig so off to do that now.

Hope all the poorlies are on the mend and enjoy the extra BH folks!

jumblejack

Hope you have a great anniversary coxy!

Speaking of anniversaries, has anybody got a good deal in canvas photo prints?

I'd like to have one done as a golden wedding anniversary for my folks. I'm arranging a holiday at a later date but would like to give them something other than the cake and champers on the day.

So far I think Tesco are the cheapest although Lidl do a composite golden anniversary themed one too.

Can anyone suggest anywhere?

Cheers.

JJ

Suffolk_lass

That's it, we have capitulated and after the evening out at the hog roast/barn dance in a marquee in the middle of a field we were so cold we have turned the range back on. I know it's June but the forecast is miserable all week and if the weather isn't playing the game, why should we? Sod the expense! :eek:
Have a good BH everyone
SL