October 2012 Grocery Challenge

dumpling

Just popped on to update my signature! Spent nearly £25 at Tesco's this morning on bits and pieces but included 5 big bags of sweets for the trick or treaters and 2 advent calendars. Also got ingredients for DD who is cooking a chicken thai curry in school tomorrow so at least I don't have to make tea lol.:D

Pearla*Merle

A big shop last night in Tescko, am going to call it £50 as Mr Merle decided to get some serving spoons in their cutlery promo, and bought some xmas pressies in there as well. Quite chuffed that I've got another 2 month supply of Rice Dream at only £1 a carton (saved £3.12 on that). Snuck in some cider and beer and other odds and ends (tissues, soap, more herbs for my Restock The Spice Rack mission). Came away with at least two weeks worth of meals though as well, so think we did ok in the end. Well, not really as my list when I walked in there was: Soap, Drinks, Chicken burgers, haha! Oh well, Mr Merle has just been paid and best to fill up the freezer & such now while we're in the black.

In case anyone's interested - we've found out that Tescko do an amazing Dr Pepper-type drink called Dr Fizz. Really very tasty* and currently on at 4 for £2 right now! *(though not as awesometastic as Sainsbobs Dr Pop, which is sadly no more.. unless you like the sugar-free version, alas we do not!).

Oh, Mr Merle probably also spent around £10 on bits that he sneaked in the door over the past several days (mostly cartons of custard and cakes - really must get him onto making his own cakes if this is what he wants to spend the winter eating!)

Billie-jo

minicooper272 wrote: »

:eek: I'm getting closer and closer to my budget, . . . .

Also very close to the budget and its only the 18th! I was so good last month as well. Have just been shopping and our total amount is now at £196.05 Will no way make it to the end of the month with just £43.95 left so am concentrating more now on keeping the overspend as low as possible. Thankfully we are in the position where more money is available so it wont actually cause us hardship BUT I would rather put ££ in our bank than in the shops.

Good luck to everyone who is attempting to stop smoking, never done it myself thankfully but I know how difficult it can be to stop. Its something my daughter can not get to grips with at all but my son has gone about 3 months so far which I am pleased about.

mummybearx

Adding in £26.71 to my total, bringing me to £141.19 so far. Cupboards and fridge/freezer are brimming, but still I buy more food!!

Went to drop mail off at my dad's house, he lives almost next door to Aldi. Bought 3 of their super 6 veg, carrots, onions, parsnips plus another few things (not much though). Then nipped to MrT's, got a whole pineapple for 10p. No idea what I'm going to do with it. Also got two bags of organic carrots for 10p each, not that I need them after spending 39p on Aldi ones lol

Literally cannot stop buying bargains even if I don't need them

GreenFairy

I soak almost all my own beans - especially chickpeas. I find the taste and texture much nicer. I tend to soak and cook a big pot once a week of one kind, then bag and freeze in portions or stick in the fridge if I'll use them all that week.
Got some tortilla chips and sour cream today to go with multibean chilli for the gang tomorrow night - €3.08 altogether, sig updated.

mummygems

I grabbed a few bargains last night at work (Indian Meal for one £4.00 down to 20p!! this will do me on a wednesday lunchtime when I have to work Wednesday night).

I have £30 for the rest of the month which isnt as bad as it sounds as we get paid next Thursday (25th) but I am hoping to not do another shop until Monday (29th) and then do 4 weekly shops until the following payday. I only need milk, bread, eggs, yoghurts, fruit and top up of milk and bread next week so fingers crossed I might actually be under budget. I did reduce my budget by £50 this month so am hoping to reduce it by £50 again as I am not going to do a big shop just to see how that works for us.

Am going to draw out most of the budget in cash and leave some in the bank for those times when DH goes to the shop for that little thing that ive missed!

I have been making cakes today for a friends little girl and realised I didnt have any vanilla essence for the buttercream so instead used up some dregs of the kids chocolate and melted it to make chocolate buttercream instead lol.

Am going to do a fridge/freezer and cupboard inventory when I get back from the school run (after homework) and then I am going to plan mmy next 4 weeks worth of meals and the weekly shops based on that meal plan! Should be fun!

katholicos

20.21 spent in aldee

[Deleted User]

£1.65 on fresh bread in Bu&&ens this morning

tattycath

Please can I have some suggestions for a reasonable budget for a family of 5 for a month to include groceries and cleaning products, toiletries etc.
Thanks x
As it stands I think we probably spend about £400 ish :eek: + takeaways.

she_who_can_not_cook

liz-paul wrote: »

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?

Even my fussy kids eat this!

i batch cook my pulses in the crockpot and then portion and freeze i have never worked it out but for me it is easier