September 2012 Grocery Challenge

Make-it-3

Oh but I did get a 60p voucher in the Brand Match so that will come off next shop. I rarely get these as I tend not to buy branded stuff.

In fact the only thing I bought was Dettol cleaner as it was on offer and cheaper than MrS's. Is this the kind of stuff they watch for on the Elite thread? I'd love to be more savvy to glitches but its very time consuming to keep up with all the relevant MSE threads.

digging

I'm in. I do one big monthly shop for 2 of us...then get bits and pieces as and when throughout the rest of the month.

May £242.16
June £227.88
July £237.12 - this is when I realised we spend far too much!
August £192.45
September £100.13 so far (Just need a few cleaning products then fresh veg, milk and bread as the month goes on). Before this shop, I checked the cupboards to see what we have/need and made a list. (note- I don't need to buy paxo stuffing for a long time until I usa up the 4 jumbo boxes I have :rotfl:)

Aiming for under £150 this month. I'm also doing the downshift challenge which is working wonders. Usually do £170 in my first shop of the month before another £50/60 on all the bits and pieces the rest of the month.

October aiming for £125
November aiming for £100 (a miracle will probably be needed here!:A)

she_who_can_not_cook

MoonJelly wrote: »

Do you have to? I froze some milk last week and yes, I found the carton "swollen" but after desfrosting it went back to normal. Mind you, they were cartons not plastic bottles.

Also I found the secret to staying within the budget is shopping online so I'm not tempted to overbuy... So it is £33.16 at Tesco online + £3.50 for delivery charges. It might seem a tad much but I haven't got a car.

i am the opposite i only freeze the plastic 4 pinters and they do expand ... just the cup out is enough
ps i don't drive either and as you said it stops you over spending

she_who_can_not_cook

craigywv wrote: »

just a quick note my local B&M store yesterday had all there gardening small things secateurs, metal trowels windchimes down to 10p each i got loads also potting trays so asked man in shop and he said ALL the B&M stores are doing it this week to free room for christmas stock maybe worth a look folks.

i know where i am going tomorrow ta

craigywv

she_who_can_not_cook wrote: »

i know where i am going tomorrow ta

:)i hope you get some stuff and its not a wasted journey just passing on info storeman gave me:)

Allypops

Now up to £235/350 :eek:

Still spending too much on things like Innocent smoothies, treats, "extra" shops and the hot weather has resulted in a few extra ice creams (naughty but nice)!

Anyway, that leaves £115 until the 24th so must do better!

Baileys_Babe

Friends visited yesterday a brought a few KG's of tomatoes, 10 good sized courgettes and a couple of apples all home grown Which I will incorporate into our meals over the next few days, most of the courgettes I will probably grate & freeze ready to be added to bolognese etc.

This weekend I turned the last of the potatoes in the sack into mash as they were past there best, this is now frozen in portions I also added the sad veg that was hanging around the veg bolognese. I frozen the left overs from last nights and tonight dinner and each 1 will serve us a "free" meal.

Children are getting through the fruit very quickly (even by their standards) and we have used 10 pints of milk since Friday evening :eek:

liz-paul

OH got a load of apples from his mums garden and e even peeled, cored, chopped and stewed them :eek: Had a lovely apple crumble last night and will freeze the rest as 2 or 3 portions.

Also had a roast chicken last night and I'm going to make stock from the carcass. This is only my second time making stock and I'm wondering if it is good value? I made a lamb stock 2 weeks ago and it needed ages on the hob - just wondered if I used a lot of electric...?

Tesco shop coming today which will bring my total spending to around £280/£450. Seems quite high for this time in the month but I guess we'll see as the month progresses....

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

liz-paul wrote: »

Also had a roast chicken last night and I'm going to make stock from the carcass. This is only my second time making stock and I'm wondering if it is good value? I made a lamb stock 2 weeks ago and it needed ages on the hob - just wondered if I used a lot of electric...?

It only needs a low simmer so with a pan lid on it'll probably be on the lowest hob setting. We don't simmer chicken stock for long and get a good flavour - I know others recommend boiling for hours on the hob. Personally I think this is overkill!

jumblejack

Baileys_Babe wrote: »

Friends visited yesterday a brought a few KG's of tomatoes, 10 good sized courgettes and a couple of apples all home grown Which I will incorporate into our meals over the next few days, most of the courgettes I will probably grate & freeze ready to be added to bolognese etc.

This weekend I turned the last of the potatoes in the sack into mash as they were past there best, this is now frozen in portions I also added the sad veg that was hanging around the veg bolognese. I frozen the left overs from last nights and tonight dinner and each 1 will serve us a "free" meal.

Children are getting through the fruit very quickly (even by their standards) and we have used 10 pints of milk since Friday evening :eek:

Great tips regarding the courgettes!

I will store that one away in my noggin for future reference:T

Thanks for the B&M heads up Craig too! I might nip down today just in case ours are doing it too.

I'm making cordials again today. My kitchen looked like there had been a murder last night when I was vigorously destemming my elderberries. This wasn't helped by my hysterical screaming when I discovered that the tickling sensation on my chest, then my neck, then my chin was in actual fact, not stray hairs from my ponytail but was A BIG SPIDER!:eek:

The berries are now being strained ready for making a syrup later today:

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