January 2013 Grocery Challenge

rowsew

I think I'd like to put myself back into the challenge this month, as I haven't done it (formally) for about a year. 2 grown ups, 2 children, so this month £150. Have meal planned all the way up to Jan 12th and have all the supplies in already, just need to top up the cow intermittently.

Hollygym

Hi. I've read the grocery challenge over the last couple of years, but have decided to join in this year. I have 5 others in my family, and with 4 growing children my food bill just seems to be getting bigger. I want to watch and try and reduce it and make a dint in our outgoing expenditure. I'm looking forward to the challenge! I'm hoping to get January off to a good start as I spend tonnes in the sm for christmas and hope to last most of January eating it - only fruit and veg, milk and bread to get fresh. Here goes...

closemead

Please put me down for £250 for Jan.

there are seven of us 2 aduls, 5 kids, 2 cats and 2 dogs

Mamjak

nicolula87 wrote: »

Well it took til day 3 of the GC month to spend, and it was only a small one. OH picked up passata and garlic for curry for tea (turkey of course) and it came to £1.38.

However the recipe only called for a small amount of passata, any ideas for what to do with the rest of the carton? Is it better to buy jars even though they are more expensive? Appreciate any ideas, thanks!

You could make up pizza dough (dead easy, doesnt need many ingredients, google Jamie Oliver for recipe) and then spread passata over, sprinkle on herbs and cheese, voila!!! good supper for friday night!
Definitely cheaper to get carton, about 1/4 of price of jar in te$co.

MrsCD

nicolula87 wrote: »

However the recipe only called for a small amount of passata, any ideas for what to do with the rest of the carton? Is it better to buy jars even though they are more expensive? Appreciate any ideas, thanks!

You can freeze passata to use another day - use ice cube trays so you can use as much or as little as you need.

MummyEm wrote: »

I have leftover mulled wine, any ideas on how to use it would be very welcome!

You can also freeze wine, but as mulled wine has spices in it, I'm not sure what you would add it to. Usually it's things like mince based or steak based casseroles. Alternately, you could make a posh jelly with gelatine and fruit.

Mamjak

MummyEm wrote: »

I have leftover mulled wine, any ideas on how to use it would be very welcome!

You can strain and keep in sealed container for a while or turn it into a syrup for pouring over icecream or maybe add to trifle or fruit cake recipes.

CRANKY40

nicolula87 wrote: »

However the recipe only called for a small amount of passata, any ideas for what to do with the rest of the carton? Is it better to buy jars even though they are more expensive? Appreciate any ideas, thanks!

WelshWoofer wrote: »

I'd pop it into a plastic container and freeze it - have done this before and its ok when thawed.

I'd freeze it in an ice cube tray first, then move the cubes to a container. That way next time you make the same recipe you can just liberate a couple of cubes instead of defrosting the whole lump and ending up with same problem all over again.

I'm not sure if I've reached a new high or a new low today. I have lots in as I didn't want to take Grumpy the house elf (my 8 year old) to Asda during these holidays as it will be packed and horrible. My neighbour's husband was sent for bread today so he bought me a loaf too. They wouldn't take any money for the bread as while he was out I showed his wife how to fix the 2 1/2 day old ipad that their grandaughter had forgotten the passcode to. Bartering is alive and well round here it seems :rotfl:

barksavingmad

:wave:

I Would like to join please as a follower of many years. This is it, the pressure is on, the spreadsheets are ready and I'm focussed. Baby steps for me. I have a full freezer, but I'm setting £300 until 31st January in the hope that I can do much less.

There is 2 adults 2 teenagers, a 2 year old and a springer! After this month I should be more aware of what I can set in February. Goes off to play with spreadsheet I'm now addicted to!!!

Last night I went to Lidl to buy and try their nappies and wipes. PLEASE let them be great as they are sooooo cheap!

I'm also going to set myself 15 NSDs which should be easier once I'm back to work on 8th January!

Looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on with this months challenge :grouphug:

Annie_99

Hi Guys,
How do the spreadsheets you all talk about work? Also how do I do the bit at the bottom of the page to say what ive spent eg, jan GC 1.20/300?

craigywv

Annie_99 wrote: »

Hi Guys,
How do the spreadsheets you all talk about work? Also how do I do the bit at the bottom of the page to say what ive spent eg, jan GC 1.20/300?

hi annie go to top of page where it says january grocery challenge u will see a box saying user cp press it then look for edit signature ,press it and that will let you type in your details sorry i cant be more technical but i am awful on computers xxx:D