July 2012 Grocery Challenge

Sue14

Wow jumblejack, that's amazing, when I was in our Mr T's earlier they had loads of reduced stuff, but they'd hardly taken anything off, mind you it was still early.

My OH came home with some more 'staff only' bargains yesterday, 4 240g packs of Youngs whole scampi for 50p per pack, he's the only one who eats it but that's him sorted with scampi for a while!

I was going to go to A1d1 and Mr A's, after going to the dental hygienist today, but my car wouldn't start as I've not used it since my sciatica started 4 weeks ago, so I had to walk and decided to just get the milk and coffee we were out of, and leave the other bits until the weekend, as I had to carry it back. Even those 2 bits were a nightmare to carry, as I'm still not fully recovered from my back problem, and my hands were really sore when I got back. In hindsight I should have used 2 bags, but didn't think at the time, I've decided I'm definitely getting a push along trolley when I'm too old to drive, lol!

Anyway, I only spent £2.72 in Mr T's, and luckily I'd taken out the chicken breasts and prepared the veg for our dinner before I went out, so I only had to put it on to cook when I got home. I used the last of the new potatoes (with BB date of 4th June) for the roasties, and they were lovely. Had a bottle of A1d1 wine with the dinner, first time I've had alcohol in at least 4 weeks due to pain and medication, and felt a bit squiffy afterwards, lol!

Bluegreen143

:T well done jumblejack! I never have any luck with YS, partly cos I generally shop online. Plus the only close supermarket is Mr M (everything else is Mr T expresses) - as far as I can see Mr M doesn't do crazy reductions like Mr A and T do - every time I stop by the YS section, all the stuff is like £2 quiche/ready meal/whatever reduced to £1.40 or something, which isn't enough to tempt me cos I'd rather make my own, whereas I would buy it for the freezer if it was only 5p iyswim! Could just be my store or the time I shop though!

No spend day today, had sausages, mustard mash, peas and roasted carrots & parsnips with gravy for dinner

MrsCD

KatyReed+5 wrote: »

A bit not GC related but i'm going to make some jelly with fruit in for the kids puddings and wondered what fruit stops jelly from setting. I have got bananas, strawberries, grapes, blueberries and oranges, hoping they're all ok,
Katy, X

I think someone has already said it, but pineapple and kiwi stop jelly from setting. My Mam uses tinned fruit cocktail in her jelly, and mixes the juice with the melted jelly to make up the right amount.

sonastin wrote: »

So what can we do with them that's not just a bowl of strawberries?

My original thought was jam but 1lb doesn't seem like it would be anywhere near enough for that, and I haven't got a clue where to start or whether I've got the right kit for it. We have a load of rhubarb in the garden which looks ripe for the picking. Do strawbs go with rhubarb?

I need inspiration PLEASE!!!!

You can make jam in the microwave - 1lb is a nice amount to do it with. 1lb strawbs to 1lb sugar and a little lemon juice if you like. Ginger goes well with rhubarb.

smelkel87 wrote: »

Im buying a slow cooker tomorrow as im going in to hospital on sunday to have a baby and my super saver sister really recommends me getting one to save time and effort.
Sorry for blabbing loads!! I'm new to all this but wanted to get in the habit of posting..

Hope everything goes well on Sunday. Let us know what you have.

NSD today :T Coffee morning then spent pm cutting down a huge bush that was almost horizontal, then chopping it up to make mulch to go on the garden.

GreenFairy

jumblejack wrote: »

Just some of my haul.....

Holy moley!!!! :eek:
That's incredible! Am torn between being totally jealous and totally impressed
D'you mind me asking what the grand total for your YS Goldmine was?

adelight

Wow jumblejack that's a lot! I hope you took the foraging approach and left plenty for others

jasmin10

smelkel87 wrote: »

Im not officially 'in' for this month but have been reading this thread for a couple of weeks and have learnt so much from all you guys. I have set my self a budget and i have set up a spreadsheet to record what im spending and its working!! i dont enjoy adding amounts to it so its making me think more about buying stuff. Yesterday and today are both NSD and with my meal planning i should come in under target for the month!! YAY to me!!
My meal planning doesnt seem to working as i planned but to my advantage... i seem to have lo's which go for another day which is good.
Im buying a slow cooker tomorrow as im going in to hospital on sunday to have a baby and my super saver sister really recommends me getting one to save time and effort.
Sorry for blabbing loads!! I'm new to all this but wanted to get in the habit of posting..

Wow, good luck on Sunday. Although I had my dd2 boxing day it only seems like yesterday - still v fresh.

Thinking of you

Possession

What a fantastic pic JJ, wish our Mr T would use that pricing policy, LOL!
I have 3 extra children tonight so HM pizza I think, since I already have the ingredients. Might get some pepperoni if I'm feeling flash.

jumblejack

GreenFairy wrote: »

Holy moley!!!! :eek:
That's incredible! Am torn between being totally jealous and totally impressed
D'you mind me asking what the grand total for your YS Goldmine was?

It was next week's big shop as well so all in all it was £33. That included things like 8 pints of milk, 4 boxes of cereal, loads of soya milk, eggs, full price bananas, plain and self raising flour etc, OHs deodorant, etc.

I'd spent £7 in town too on a big planter (I have included this in my GC as I did with last weeks climbing rose:A) and 48 bags of walkers crisps (16 bags for 99p from B&M as they are dated:j). They will keep the sprigs happy for many weeks!

There was a LOT to go round last night and everyone was really helpful, swapping and sharing so it was actually a pleasant experience!

liz-paul

Impressed with all that reduced stuff! I don't get much YS stuff because I also usually shop online (less temptation for me!) and our Tesco is rubbish at reducing stuff, only giving a few pence off etc. But yesterday the shop was nearly empty so I got to browse the reduced and it was all 50%. Not very MSE though as I bought a load of stuff I would never have bought at full price and that we REALLY didn't need. Cheeky monkey birthday cake anyone? :rotfl:

money_saving_hedgehog

Just updated my signature, and I must say I am very pleased with myself. Total spend this month after 12 days is only £27.67. That includes preparing canapes for my daughters pre prom party. Luckily the Bubbly was provided by Mr T, free of charge from a DTD a couple of weeks ago:j. It takes a lot of time and effort to be this savey but it is deffo worth it.