April 2013 Grocery Challenge

she_who_can_not_cook

Chellie1964 wrote: »

Oops, I think I clicked on report as a message popped up saying thanks for reporting, but I'm on my IPad and sometimes I can't control it! Very sorry, don't know what post I reported but I didn't mean it!

As to Grocery challenge can i be down for £400 for April, wasn't very successful during March so will try harder this month.

I have done this on my kindle lol

Florenceem

3rd NSD in a row.
Will need milk tomorrow.
Dinner tonight - we had roast pork, roast potatoes & parsnip + cabbage, leeks, onions + gravy.

savingpennies

I've fallen off the wagon in the last couple of months but seriously need to get back on board. I'm off work now for a couple of weeks on leave so will delve into all my recipe books to plan menus for the next month and write a shopping list based on that. I did an inventory of the freezer back in January and will now go through the cupboards. Wish me luck.

Bluegreen143

OH went to the shop today and spent £7.46 on cr*p - a tiny pot of coffee for £1.85 (the only thing we actually needed), value kitchen towels 31.15, 3x chickpea tins £1, Br*ston pickle £1, S*riously strong cheddar £2.46.

By popular demand:


Pinto bean and mushroom burgers (makes two small burgers or one large one)

• 1 tin pinto beans, drained and rinsed 39p
• 1 large mushroom or two medium/small ones 15p (Mr M value)
• 1 small onion 3p (Mr M value 49p a kilo last week!)
• 1 clove garlic 3p
• large pinch dried thyme (use fresh if you have any in – can substitute other herbs like sage or rosemary) 2p
• handful breadcrumbs (counting as free as I whizz stale bread and keep it in the freezer)
• teaspoon or so of vegetable oil 2p

Preheat the oven to 200C. Heat the oil in a frying pan and gently cook the onions for a few minutes, adding the mushrooms and cooking until both are soft. In the last 30 seconds, add the garlic and herbs and stir through. Mix in the beans and breadcrumbs, season and mash thoroughly with a potato masher.

Shape into a ball and squeeze together, then separate into two and flatten to make two burgers.

Bake for roughly 20-25 minutes, turning halfway and adding a slice of cheese if desired for the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Total cost per burger is just 31p including a bun but excluding chips, salads and extras like cheese. Cost is 56p if you make one big burger. The small ones are about the size of ones you might buy in the freezer dept of a SM are are fine for me with a big salad and maybe some chips, but if I was feeding it to my OH, he'd need a bigger one :rotfl:

Will add to the index as well.

DollyBongo

£300 for me please. This is a long month but I'm determind to stick to budget. Wish me luck! xx

craigywv

small spend in mr t to use up vouchers of 4.87 also got from another budget 2 of the legs of lamb better thanhalf price safely hidden in back of freezer .will just need milk this weekend and that should be me till next weekend as have loads of fruit and veg and off now from tomorrow till next thurs so will do my own bread. have a lovely day all xxx

lushlifesaver

Spends yesterday:
Treats: £1.56
General groceries: £6.18

Total spends today: £7.74

Total spends so far: £19.76

I suddenly realised that due to bank holidays and leave I have booked I have four day weeks at work until the middle of April! But also forgot that we have a tournament in Copenhagen for which we are away 11th-15th - all meals are included 12th-14th, I *think* breakfast is on the last day (in with the overnight accomodation I think?) but on the 11th I don't know if anything is. I will eat breakfast before we leave and then not sure as apparently Copenhagen is expensive. Must find out what the deal is!

Today I will need to buy oven chips (£1) and bacon (£1.64). Don't *think* there is anything else.

We are off to the cinema tonight as it's the first anniversary of us getting together but the tickets will be paid for by bf (bogof with his ceop card) and the treats will come from my entertainment budget.

Must research general prices in Copenhagen whilst on my lunch in case we do need to provide any of our own meals and/or me and bf or me and a couple of the carers get out in to teh town for a few hours!

bekkikay

That pinto burger looks delicious. I'll definitely try that soon. We had falafel burgers yesterday which picky OH promptly put onto my plate after a quick taste. My 12 year old wasn't keen either. But I loved it and so did my 9 year old. I'm trying to figure out what to do with a pack of boneless chicken thighs that are currently defrosting. I was going to make nuggets to make everyone happy but its so boring. I wish OH didn't have such simple and picky tastes sometimes. He instantly recoils if he discovers there's no meat in a meal.
Decided to run my budget by the month not by income dates this time. I went over by £100 in March so April is going to have to be very frugal. NSD today and yesterday. But I might have to pop out to buy some bread flour as my bulk flour order has been delayed again.
Better bake some bread for toasties later. I seem to be constantly kneading dough when both kids are home.

Vickyh

need to update sig- but spent £18 in Mr L and £29 in Mr S- sent an annoyed email to Mr S as they are not stocking Basic nappies in my branch anymore- i ended up spending double on nappies as a result!

I was also going to buy soapnuts this month, but found a hidden bottle of fabric conditioner so- fabric liquid was bought- in all honesty i spent money on stuff i needed stocking up or buying 2 as hubby was picking me up in the car! I am have veg boxes delivered so- i theory i shouldn't be stepping into a supermarket to buy any veg or meat (as i am going to attempt the butchers)

fingers crossed!!

dollydog

Oh my - those pinto bean burgers look good!!!

My April starts today, and I need to go shopping aaarrrgh!! but there is NO WAY I am putting a foot out of the door until I m happy I ve written everything i need on my list - I m one of those daft people s/ms love. Wish me luck.........