June 2013 Grocery Challenge

Shortie

:wave:

Long time no appearance for me on the boards, but I'm back with a vengance and trying to get my flow back!

I'm mid way through a pay/shopping month - 20th to 19th and we had an impromptu BBQ with lots of people last weekend which blew £60 of the budget in one day

So... I have a very small £43 in Tesco vouchers, and £25 plus a few coins cash to now last us until the 20th - whoops.

I don't thin we'll achieve it - 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 cats, 2 dogs.. as we're running low on quite a lot of stuff but I'll post up our spends in order to try and keep a check of things and hopefully minimise damage ready to start properly next pay month if that's okay?

Starting tomorrow, we're going into a big town as my work clothing is rapidly looking very dog eared so am after some cheap replacement bits, but they also have a big market there so hoping to get some decent fruit, veg and meat there.. And then we'll need to top up in Tescos too at some point over the weekend

Elimum

Hi all!
Another NDS to report, since my little girl is beeing lazy these days and waking up at 11am or later, so we missed the market day. I think tomorrow I'll need to wake her up, since we finished all the fruit.
Yesterday I had a walk down to the library for my montly book fix and picked up a couple of interesting OS titles:
First one is "Stitch 'n Fix" an easy to follow mending guide that I hope to put to good use in the next days since I bought two nice linen trousers at a charity shop (one White Company and one Ralph Lauren) for under 5£ in very good condition but they can benefit from a bit of tailoring to my measures.
The second one is "The no Waste meal planner" by Becky Thorn, a cookbook that introduces an interesting concept; 'food chais'. Basically it consist on meal planning so that the leftover and spare ingredients from a meal become the starting point for the next one. The actual recipes on the book are not really to my taste, but I think it's not difficult to work out something similar with anyone favourites.

Big hug to K9

Mimmsie

Evening all. Spent £2.05 in MrT's on bread and some doughnuts.

XSpender

We did our weekly shop at Mr T yesterday. It would have been £101.54 but after all my coupons came to £82.60. This is more than I estimated as a couple of extras fell in the trolley as usual and we bought dog food on offer that will last the month and a case of beer to stop trips to the shop.

We have a lot going out this month and really need to watch our spending. I should get away with one more weekly shop this month and have agreed with DH to limit our spends, including booze to a max of £50:eek: I have a Mr T voucher for £5 and the £50 cash.

We do have everything in we need so I am planning to list the cupboards and freezers while DH is at work in the morning. I will do a meal plan for the week after next too.

I got a 5 tier spice rack that goes on the back of the larder door this week and will be nagging DH to put it up tomorrow. Is it sad to be excited about sorting out your herbs and spices on to your new spice rack:rotfl:

lizalloareds

Happy Anniversary Coxy

todays spends £49.36
£1.44 Butchers
£9.50 Icld
£18.04 Mr T
£ 3.15 Mr S
£9.14 Ald*
89p Ffds
£6.31 Mr A
89p Pstretcher
no meal plan in place not looking good:(

Billie-jo

Coxy - Happy anniversary.

Managed a NSD today although did spend some money but it wasn't mine (best sort to spend imo)
Had cannelloni on the menu for tonight but when it came to making it I couldn't find any but had lasagne sheets so chicken & broccoli lasagne it was. It was ok but much prefer beef lasagne. We had it with extra broccoli, some watercress, roasted tomatoes and onions.

Guineapigsqueaks

Evening All

It's been such a lovely day here (shame I was at work), and lovely evening now. First time I've posted my spends in June GC, but been keeping my receipts, so total so far at Mr T, Mr S, Ald*, Wilk0s and Home Barg*ins = £139.59. Nearly half way through my month, nearly half budget spent, so on track hopefully. Have updated signature. Weekly shop tomorrow probably.

Haven't caught up with the thread yet, hope to a bit later. Hope everyone doing ok.
Guineapigsqueaks x

MrsCautious

Aw, happy anniversary Coxy x

I spent £1 on £36 worth of food in Sainsbury's -- so chuffed. I knew bonus points from my newish nectar credit card were due to go in sometime and they popped up today which worked out well as I've started to go shopping on a Friday night.

Included was a YS lamb joint (taste the difference shoulder) £2.50 down from £4.57, turkey mince £2.49, and banoffee pie which three teenage girls and me polished off after a late tea, for 84p.

I watched the YS items go through the till to make sure they were reduced and asked the cashier to put the mince through again, felt a bit mean but wanted the saving!

Then I got a Brand Match coupon for £2.20, bit weird that!

Anyway I feel like I'm on track now for £180 or under for the month. Really shouldn't need much in next 2 weeks so hope to have decent amount left for last week. A credit card works for me as I have a direct debit set up to pay in full but the interest rate is terrible so although I've benefited from this bonus I hope it's ok to add it's still not worth it if you don't pay off balance each month xx

NickJW

So...ended up leaving my noodles in the fridge at work - will go to work tomorrow and Chow Mein WILL be on tomorrow's menu!

Instead tonight I cooked Chicken and pepper stir fry (with soy/honey/lime sauce) with cashew and coriander rice.

On Monday (if all goes to plan), I'll do Chicken with a spring onion/cumin/mango chutney sauce with coriander couscous.

Spent £1.20 in M+S and £1.79 in Co-op

Tomorrow I need to buy some more spring onions. Now I need to think about lunches!

Elimum - how do you find the 'No Waste meal planner cookbook'? I looked online but couldn't find any reviews. It sounds like it would suit me. I always buy things for one recipe, then am searching around for another new recipe to make sure I never have waste from the leftovers!,..but are the meals interesting? It's quite a good price on Amazon, so might give it a go regardless.

Forgot to add HAPPY ANNIVERSARY COXY!

MrsCautious

Nick would you ever do a blog of all your recipes, every time you post, it's always something very impressive. . .