October 2012 Grocery Challenge

[Deleted User]

£1.30 spend on a bottle of water and snacks before work tonight - stupidly forgot to take things with me lol

lostcause82

I am starting my first grocery challenge tomorrow, as it's payday for us. I think to start off I am going to stick to what I normally budget but divide it up to help me stick to it. We normally spend £400 on two of us (eeek!) so I am going to reserve £300 for shopping and £100 for alcohol / eating out. I will post officially when November's thread starts as it seems pointless joining the October one now. I am quite looking forward as it means we will have to cook rather than rely on convenience food. Wish me luck!! :eek:

[Deleted User]

tattycath good luck with not smoking. I stopped 12 years ago, i would never smoke again, it really does get better, like someone said, take one day at a time, do not look too far ahead.

lostcause welcome to the GC - good luck, start counting your spends now and the November one should be up soon.

liz-paul

Who uses dried beans and stuff? I soaked my chickpeas last night but they need to be simmered for 1hr 30mins and I'm just wondering if they really end up being cheaper than buying the tins which don't need as much cooking?

In case anyone is interested I am making a stew with them:
Fry chopped chorizo (Can substitute meat/veggie sausages for chorizo) with onion & garlic. Add in whatever veg you have/like (peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn, carrots, whatever). Fry briefly. Add in your chickpeas (tinned or cooked ones) some stock and some passatta. Simmer for a while and add in herbs/spices of your choice. I usually use smoked paprika, tiny bit of chilli & a bit of pepper. You could add curry powder to make it more of a curry. Simmer until the sauce is at your preferred consistency and serve with rice/cous cous/pitta bread/potatoes/veg etc. Even my fussy kids eat this!

MrsCD

HI Liz-Paul - I gave up soaking beans etc. just for that reason. I buy tinned if I need any nowadays. I use broth mix sometimes though, because I can steep it overnight, and it cooks with the veggies - just not as long as 1 1/2 hours!

I did the weekly shop on Tuesday, and spent £78.60 altogether. I went to check my receipt on MrA's price guarantee website, and although I didn't get any money back from the groceries, I did get a £5 voucher off my next spend of £40, for spending more than £40 this time I will be stocking up over the next few weeks , so I would be spending that anyway. It's worth checking out!

becksfaz

I spent £20.26 at SM last night. This included nappies, cheese, 2kg pots (selected seconds 39p!) butter, x2 400g portions beef sizzle steaks (49p each), 4 small lamb chops (49p) and 2 mediterrean burgers (55p) plus loads of other staples like lentils, chick peas, porridge, eggs, milk, bread and a bit of fruit - WAHOO!!!!

tattycath

lostcause82 wrote: »

I am starting my first grocery challenge tomorrow, as it's payday for us. I think to start off I am going to stick to what I normally budget but divide it up to help me stick to it. We normally spend £400 on two of us (eeek!) so I am going to reserve £300 for shopping and £100 for alcohol / eating out. I will post officially when November's thread starts as it seems pointless joining the October one now. I am quite looking forward as it means we will have to cook rather than rely on convenience food. Wish me luck!! :eek:

I get paid tomorrow but I'm going to wait 'til November to join in the grocery challenge-just need to decide on how much to set it for...

Victoria2322

Hello! Can i join please! I have a budget of £200 a month on Food for 2 adults and 2 toddlers. Page 1 is very helpful

minicooper272

:eek: I'm getting closer and closer to my budget, and really don't see myself coming in under £100 this month. Although this is my first month on the challenge, I have been semi-careful with my spending, and I've tried to run the cupboards down. Very concerning- how much have I been spending when I wasn't paying attention?

Total at present is £75.77/100 but I need to go food shopping for the next 2 weeks still.

Make-it-3

Weekly shop at MrS today - £26.68, so hoping to survive at least until the weekend before a top-up.

Total stands at £147.47/£200.