January 2013 Grocery Challenge

craigywv

DPJames wrote: »

I'll be doing the grocery challenge this year. But reading through this thread is far too time consuming. And once you've waded through all the inane comments, there's not very much advice at all really, and what there is is common sense. I've honestly nodded off twice just reading the last 5 pages.

I'll go it alone and save you all from even more pointless comments about how I spent £2.17 on milk and butter in Tescos today. Or about how many kids, dogs, fish, sponging brother in laws I have.

And to those sticking around, before you hit 'Post Reply', just have a think and see if what you're posting is actually relevant to anyone else.

theres plenty of advice on here i find the advice fantastic, and the reason for yesterday many posts is its the begining of january and so the begining of many peoples grocery challenge,thats what this is for its for people to keep track of what they spending however mundane the posts may be its keeping that person on track so whether its actually relevant to anyone doesnt really matter its the poster is the one its relevant to! and may i add that its the encouragement and push from other posters keeps most of us on target1 i agree everyone is entitled to their say in these forums but theres a way to say things and i personally found your way quite abrupt and borderline rude, so before you yourself hit the reply button think ...is your reply going to be relevant to anyone either. so goodluck with your gc and i hope you keep on track i for 1 will be logging in to read the inane comments as you so nicely put it. and to all youfellow posters good luck with your challenges.xxx

m155piggy

I have decided that presents and clothing do not come under my monthly GC budget so am feeling happy again!

First spend of the year today - £1 on 4pts milk from the local shop. Honestly have to say that this is about the first time ever I have used the local shops (been here 15 years) and certainly the first time I have been into a supermarket and bought only 1 item!!!!!

So feeling good - had some exercise - and spent some quality time with DS3 - great start me thinks!

I have cinamon raisin bread in the BM, mediterranean pork in the SC and pea and ham soup on the stove - happy happy happy!

KolaKube

Well, our MrT delivery just arrived... minus 4 items which they didn't substitute (I must have clicked the wrong thing, argh!) and with a leaking bottle of thin bleach :eek: which touched some of the fruit

They are refunding the cost of the fruit which is headed for the bin, and the cost of the delivery, which is fair enough.

So the cost of the shopping was £40.12 in the end... and expecting a refund of £8.21 or so. But I will have to go shopping for fruit. Argh!

So £31.91 today so far.

I too find it useful to declare spends here as I go, sorry to anyone who thinks its inane but it helps keep me focussed.

Kola

jem132

Hi please could I join you as I spend way too much on food I swear recipe and nip to get the bits then end up spending another load of money I do not need to spend my cubard and freezers are bursting so I would like you to put me down for £50 please I can't make it big or red for some reason arhhhh

Peanut2013

Hello all, will def be joining in with this but no idea what we spend so will spend January recording spends. Love the idea of a spending diary, OH got a diary for Christmas he won't use so ill blag that

So far no spends in 2013 (:D) and we did a huge freezer fill last week with prepped veggies and meals. Am planning on not touching this until baby arrives though as its there to make life easier when that does happen.

Am contemplating tonight's tea though. Craving burgers and we have some in the freezer (yay!). Do we have them just with chips or do I go and buy (shock!) some bread rolls to make proper burger rolls? OH would use the rest of the rolls for lunch BUT bread is cheaper. Lol.

Mrs_T_M

Mamjak wrote: »

This is a good idea and I am trying to do that as prefer spending day baking in quantity rather than little bits here and there. Also find days when I'm feeling bit rough is when I fancy good home cooking the most and its frustrating when have to put up with convenience meals as not got enough energy.

Intrigued by the pop tarts - how do you make them?

Hi Mamjak! I haven't made them yet, but I'll be following this recipe: http://altonbrown.com/2012/06/500/

It's an American recipe, so even though he does weigh his ingredients, it's in ounces instead of grams and the temperatures are in F instead of C or gas mark. I'll be making these tomorrow with homemade cherry jam, so I'll be converting everything to metric measurements and I'll report back on how they do.

Feel free to try them before I make them if you'd like. They don't brown in the oven. You're supposed to freeze them once they're cooled from the oven and then pop them into the toaster to warm them and brown them once you're ready to have them. I'll probably be making the first batch without the icing (I definitely don't need those extra calories :eek:).

Mrs_T_M

Peanut2013 wrote: »

Hello all, will def be joining in with this but no idea what we spend so will spend January recording spends. Love the idea of a spending diary, OH got a diary for Christmas he won't use so ill blag that

So far no spends in 2013 (:D) and we did a huge freezer fill last week with prepped veggies and meals. Am planning on not touching this until baby arrives though as its there to make life easier when that does happen.

Am contemplating tonight's tea though. Craving burgers and we have some in the freezer (yay!). Do we have them just with chips or do I go and buy (shock!) some bread rolls to make proper burger rolls? OH would use the rest of the rolls for lunch BUT bread is cheaper. Lol.

That's a great idea about the diary, I need to see if I can find one for cheap!

Have you thought about making your own buns/bread rolls? I have a recipe around here somewhere that I could probably convert really quickly for you if you'd like. Plus that would give me something else to make and freeze! :rotfl:

4weeladdies

4weeladdies wrote: »

Could I re-join please? I'll start by aiming for £360 per month - that's for 2 adults, 4 hungry boys & a baby (includes all milk etc but not nappies)

Sorry, have just realised I didn't do this properly the first time. Can I join please, with an initial budget of £360. Thanks

thewestfive

My first spend of the year is £5.00 on Stewing steak. I am hoping to get today and tomorrows main meal out of it.

Peanut2013

Mrs T M I love baking cupcakes but have never attempted bread! Am I likely to not have the things in though? We have a constant stash of flour but no yeast etc.

But yes please for the recipe! Our freezer is crammed unfortunately but I am contemplating looking for a second one on gumtree etc