April 2013 Grocery Challenge

Nicki_Sue

getting-sorted-sarah wrote: »

Totally agree Nicki_Sue, I had a go at fruit and veg growing but really the cost of plants plus the amount of time it took made it not cost efficient for me. I don't know if I am in a particularly desirable area for slugs but they ate pretty much everything. I became obsessed with stopping the slugs... surrounding the pots with salt, coffee grounds, hair, egg shells, copper sheeting and slug pellets - they would cheerfully climb over the lot and destroy tomatoes and raspberries alike. I started going out at midnight with a torch to try to kill them, which is when I decided it had all got a bit much! Sigh.

:rotfl: That sounds ever so slightly familiar.

becsxxx

Just spent £18 in A1di which I was really pleased with - got all of the super 6 apart from kiwis which we're not that keen on. Month's total looking good so far and freezer had plenty in.

Spanish style sausage and lentil casserole in the slow cooker for dinner x

Nicki_Sue

becsxxx wrote: »

Just spent £18 in A1di which I was really pleased with - got all of the super 6 apart from kiwis which we're not that keen on. Month's total looking good so far and freezer had plenty in.

Spanish style sausage and lentil casserole in the slow cooker for dinner x

Do you have the recipe handy for that? Sounds delicious and filling enough even for my hungry fellas.

MissE001

Shopped yesterday and hoping I now have enough for the rest of the month - plenty of HM meals in the freezer and lots of frozen veg to make more when they run out.

So, yesterday £8.14 in L*dl - pizzas, garlic bread, curry sauce and toiletries. £5.53 in Farmf**ds - quorn, cereal bars (they're really good value in there - 89p for the type I was paying up to £1.99 for in Mr T and A-da!!). Also £20 in petrol (not strictly groceries but really helpful for me to include in this budget).

Running total is £145.53 / £180. There's another 16 days till payday and only £34.47 left in the budget. Hoping I manage to stay on track - think the petrol may push me over :eek:

SpendingSensible

Postponed my weekend shop until today. I wanted to get various bits and pieces from High Street, but as it was more or less constantly raining yesterday, I didn't feel like going out. Managed to put together a macaroni cheese dinner from fridge/freezer/cupboard.

Lovely weather today, so went into town, recycled water filters, batteries etc, got some library books, and went to Mr WR for our bigger shop. Spend £33.37, not too bad. Will put a further £20 on my staff card for lunch this week, but otherwise hope to have no further spends until Thursday (except maybe milk).

Meal plan:
Sun: Roast chicken, new potatoes, broccoli
Mon: Minced beef stew, mash, savoy cabbage
Tue: chicken risotto (with left over chicken from roast and chicken stock)
Wed: OH will have a beef pie from freezer with veggies, I am going to a friend for drinks/dinner
Thu: tbd

Sig updated with GC shop, not yet with lunch money. Looks like we're well within budget:T

Hope everybody is enjoying the lovely weather!

lizalloareds

spends today
£5 Mr A
£1.15 Mr T
£2.97 Aldi
sig updated

pinkypig

Hi everyone. I have spent the day getting ready for our return to work and school:(

I have done a meal plan and baked cookies, muffins and an orange syrup cake for our lunch boxes. I have also made a chiken pie out of some leftovers for tonight but it is huge so it will hopefully stretch to Tuesday's dinner as well. I have made a couple of cottage pies, one for tomorrow and two for the freezer and a quiche to use up the pie pastry. I find going back to work really tough after a holiday so some nice easy meals should help.

Top up shop came to £19.85 but this included a sack of potatoes which will last us the rest if this month and most of next. budget is going to be tight again and I really don't want to over again.

Enjoy what is left of the weekend

PP xx

becsxxx

Nicki_Sue wrote: »

Do you have the recipe handy for that? Sounds delicious and filling enough even for my hungry fellas.

I think "recipe" might be overstating it(!) but I make as follows (with the "option" items added or varied as I have in):

Fry off garlic, onions and sausages (this time I am using huge pork and chilli ones) plus (option) either a rasher or two of chopped up smoked streaky bacon or a few chunks of chorizo.

When the sausages are reasonably brown, transfer to the slow cooker and add:
mushrooms
carrot
one tin of tomatoes, chopped
lentils (or sometimes potatoes if I don't have lentils in)
(option) courgettes or peppers (think most veg would work)
splash of red wine
sprinkle of paprika
seasoning
I may add a sprig of thyme, basil, extra tomato puree or a stock cube if the sauce needs more depth - again, depending on what I have in

I cook on high for 4 hours and take the lid off and reduce at the end if I want to thicken it up - serve with green veg or salad and crusty bread

Good luck!

becsxxx

Also popped in to Mr S on the way home for pearl barley and got some YS steak and streaky bacon, spending an additional £4.42 x

MoonJelly

Reporting I spent £13.65. Almost half-way through the month and I haven't spent even half of my allowance. Freezer chest is paying off.