April 2013 Grocery Challenge

MrsCautious

NSD for me yesterday and hoping for another one today. My children are at a friend's for tea so I will just have toast or something. Tomorrow I'm going to defrost some YS prawns and cook in a hm sauce with garlic, mushrooms and onion, with pasta and salad. Friday will be 2 chicken drumsticks each with roast potatoes, carrots, peas and gravy. After that we have a few days away and when I asked my mum what food I should take, she said I'm not to take anything and she will take care of it all, I have been having a very tough time and I know she wants to look after me a bit!

I think it's realistic to expect that I could come in a fair few pounds under target this month if that is the case, but my eating out/entertainment budget has already taken a battering early this week and I will be sure to treat us all, including my parents to Sunday dinner at a lovely restaurant, unless my dad insists on paying, which has been known , so while my grocery shopping bill could be lower this month, other spends are up. I took my children and a friend to the cinema and for a meal at Chiquito on Monday and after being so tight last month, I'm dwelling on the cost a little. As it was Easter, I think I will tell myself this can come out of my presents/cards/Christmas budget.

TDMum

Having "issues" at the moment so had to do the rest if the monthly shop yesterday. Fingers crossed it lasts us! Will update sig

GreenFairy

I'm just over half way through my budget already. Not having a panic though! Have done a huge stock up - been to Mr Ts, the HFS, the Asian Market and the pet shop.

I pick up a couple of cases of soymilk from the cooperative tomorrow. Box of loo roll is ordered for the middle of the month. I have enough rice, pasta, noodles, meat substitutes, baking supplies, dried beans, most condiments/jams/spreads and cereal to last til the start of May as well. Will need f&v, ketchup, PB, cooking oil, burger buns and chocolate

bargainbetty

Very late, but signing up! Same as last month, I think... £200 all in for April.

I'm not posting as much, but I am reading and still getting the hints, tips and inspiration to keep the spending down. Already had one NSD this month (largely by virtue of not going out at all), but that's a start!

Less than a fiver due for spends today, so hopefully well on target for a good month.

Good luck all x

BeckyC2be

Thank you K9sandFelines, I would love the recipe.

Went to Al*is for fruit and veg today and got a huge basket full for £6 odd! Got some mozzarella too, at 44p it would be rude not to.

Gonna try and work my way through the cupboards before I buy anything else. Trying out my first proper meal plan but I struggle a bit as my DH finishes work at 3.30pm and comes home starving, so I make him a snack and end up having some myself then we don't really fancy tea 'til late and I always end up going off course. (He comes home starving because he refuses to take lunch to work, he did start taking lunch but he's so fussy he only wanted chicken sandwiches and only fresh chicken :eek: I think he realised how much it was costing and won't take it now.)

I also got conned into taking my little nephew to Mr T's and spent about £2 on him, but I have an separate little bit of budget for treats for neices and nephews so it came out of that Only about £10 a month though.

Coxy11

Hi all,

Another NSD here. I have taken some lo roast gammon out of the freezer. We will have this with pasta, cheese sauce and peas. I also still have a vat of coleslaw and some salad that needs using up from the weekend.

Will need to shop tomorrow as we are out of fresh fruit and veg. I also need a couple of store cupboard bits to tide us over with the children being off school.

Coxy

new_leaf_88

Hi sorry I am late but can I register again for this month please? I am setting my usual £150 but am determined to stick to budget this month. Have failed miserably up to now so am really determined this month.

Going to set myself a menu plan and try to use up supplies from the freezer too.

Take care everyone.

katep23

2 / 3 NSDs for me this month. Only spends so far are £37.49 on a bag of cat food, we have so much food for us I haven't needed to shop yet. Got a few things on the whiteboard so building up towards a shop but nothing that can't wait.

Sligo

Hi I'm late too!! My April budget is €750.

I'm having a 5 week month 29th March- 2nd May. Fits in with my Friday paydays. I tried €140 per week in March and failed miserably. So I'm going back to my previous budget of €150 per week - that's all food, toiletries and cleaning stuff for 4/5 of us. DD1 is away at college from Sunday evening to Friday evening and then comes home for weekend and tears the doors off the fridge and cupboards for weekend!;)

So jealous of all your lovely cheap UK prices!

rock_queen

joining in again this month, a few days late as I've had no internet. My month is from the 25th Mar to 25th April and hopefully going for £300 again this month with idea of cutting down from next month. spends so far include 1 aldi shop which came to £42.79 and £16 on homebrew