January 2013 Grocery Challenge

maximus_leeds

Had to nip to Mr T's to grab a bag of spuds since the internet shop from Mr A didn't bring enough - I really ought to figure out weights of things! I'll struggle to use them all in a few days though - any tips on how to extend the life? And can I peel them and freeze them or best to cook first? Shall add my additional spend to my signature now.
On a slightly unrelated note - what's people's experiences of AF? Someone mentioned it earlier and I've had a look. Really good site but not sure if it's worth the delivery. The naan breads - are they good? x

maximus_leeds

pinkypig wrote: »

Did an AF order as I had a £4 credit to use and they had a great offer on dried noodles (£3.99 for 9kg). Also got 24 packs of 2 naan breads for £2 which will go in the freezer as we all love them. This plus some curry pastes, jam, sauces, stock cubes and a couple of other bits came to £16.20 with postage. I will include this in Jan budget even though it will be used throughout the next few months.

Keen to hear what you think of the items you bought - might have a spend and see (naan breads especially appeal!)

lushlifesaver

With all this talk of AF I'm tempted to do an order for my parents once I've been paid - will look to spend about £20 for them I think and get them plenty of pasta, sauces, naans and other bits that can be frozen as money is especially tight for them

she_who_can_not_cook

jem1980 wrote: »

I never use Iceland, but there is one next to my usual Ald* - is there anything they are especially cheap for to make it worth planning to go there too, next month? Thank you, helpful peeps :-)

i use iceland for reduced and milk and also when they have the half price freezer and most importantly the ohs 3 lt coke

she_who_can_not_cook

katholicos wrote: »

It has been in the freezer for well over a year and i need to free up some room for my batch cooked meals which we all enjoy.

can i ask what do you batch cook?
i find that i look in the cooker and think can i fit two in? and do this with cottage pie and other pies . i do the same with the crockpot as well

she_who_can_not_cook

lushlifesaver wrote: »

With all this talk of AF I'm tempted to do an order for my parents once I've been paid - will look to spend about £20 for them I think and get them plenty of pasta, sauces, naans and other bits that can be frozen as money is especially tight for them

i put an order in for af i ordered the skimmed dried milk 60p per 5oogram not bad oh and the naans lol but i have stopped ordering like i used to

pinkypig

maximus_leeds wrote: »

Keen to hear what you think of the items you bought - might have a spend and see (naan breads especially appeal!)

Arrived today and everything is great. Naan bread best before end of Feb 13 so that is in freezer. Noodles are brilliant (have had them before) and kept in a airtight plastic box in a dry place they will last ages which is just as well as 9kg takes some getting through:rotfl:

I have had a couple of items in the past that have been damaged in transit but they always give you a credit and if you email and say you would rather have a refund they have always done it immediately.

You do get free delivery on your 1st order over £30 which is good but otherwise I always wait until I need a load of light weight dried goods so it is worth it. It is also worth having a look at things with a shipping discount. I got some 25p salsa for tacos and for every one you bought they knocked 10p off the delivery charge. I also tend to stock up on the heavy stuff when they email me a delivery offer or when the have a one day only free delivery offer. Do you have a friend you could share the delivery with to split the cost? I sometimes do this if neither of us need much but spot a real bargain:)

Sorry for the rather long reply! In short, I think they are great but do plan what you want as it is very tempting to buy a load of processed junk if you are not careful:o

Off to prepare tea now which is... Thai curry with noodles and a side of naan bread:rotfl:

lulabelle1

Hi - can anyone tell me what AF stands for? Sounds like they have some good deals.... Thanks

mrs-moneypenny

lulabelle1 wrote: »

Hi - can anyone tell me what AF stands for? Sounds like they have some good deals.... Thanks

i think its 'approved foods'

i had to think after seeing it a few times on here as another thread i use has the same initials for auntie flo:o
i wondered what was going on to start with

Kitchenbunny

Afternoon - had another spend today of £7.45 on some bits we needed for the weekend. I think I'm going to switch my supermarket so I have to look more closely at what I pick up! Anyway, we shouldn't need anything over the weekend, and then there's one more big shop until the end of the month.

I am determined not to shop more than I have to next week! If I want to make my "monthly" budget I only have £10.30 - not going to be easy!

It's jambalaya here tonight - good comfort food as I think the snow will hit us pretty hard tonight. Here's to a bit warmer weather next week. Keep warm and safe.

KB xx