June 2013 Grocery Challenge

WantToBeSE

Really skint this week, so had to slash my weekly budget in half.
Spent £32 in Tesco, and got pretty much everything i need. Could have done with some more fruit, but bought some value frozen fruit salad which the kids love, and already have some kiwi fruit left over. I will pop into Aldi on Tuesday when i am in my local town, and get some S6 fruit with my last few £.
It's a hard week

jedi82

Morning all,

sorry you're having a tough week wanttobeSE xx

I have blown the budget (or will have by the end of the month). I am on £372 out of £375 with two weeks to go. I am going to carry on with the GC though because I need to know how much I am going over by. The problem has been that I have had more hours at work and so things haven't been as tight this last month and I have taken my eye off the ball. I kind of feel that it is okay to overspend on food because it will be eaten.....but this is not good!!! My chest freezer and cupboards are full to bursting so we will just have to see how I do and try harder next month!

Have a good day
Jedi x

WantToBeSE

jedi82 wrote: »

sorry you're having a tough week wanttobeSE xx

Thanks Jedi. I can't complain. I have a roof over my head, and enough food. It's more than some have, so i feel grateful.

Guineapigsqueaks

Morning All

Not posted for a while, but been keeping my signature up to date with June GC spends. Stock up from Mr T on Thursday on bread and milk = £6.00. Guinea pig supplies and sunflower seeds for garden birds from local pet store = £15.77. Will update signature. Not sure I'll stay under my £280 target this month as at least one weekly shop to do before 24th, possibly two. Never mind if not, this challenge keeps me focused and I will have spent less, even if I go over.

Hope everyone has a good Saturday.
Guineapigsqueaks x

K9sandFelines

NickJW wrote: »

Of course - though he did say it's not really a recipe - a quick throw together meal, which can be adapted with whatever veg/meat you want (adjust cooking times accordingly).

Asparagus and Mushroom Orzo

Orzo (HM used 250g dried)
250g pack chestnut mushrooms
Pack asparagus
One onion
Small Glass white wine
Vegetable stock
Handful frozen peas
Parmesan cheese to serve if desired

Finely dice one onion, slice a pack of chestnut mushrooms.

Boil kettle and make 500ml vegetable stock.

Heat a deep non stick pan with some oil on medium heat, throw in the onions and mushrooms, cook for about 5 minutes (or until mushrooms/onions look cooked), then add the Orzo and fry for a minute or so.

Add one glass white wine, let it reduce, then enough vegetable stock to cover the Orzo. Put to simmer and add extra stock gradually if needed. Towards the end (it's like pasta so aim for just before al dente), add the asparagus and a small handful of frozen peas for a few minutes until fully cooked.
_________________________________________________

You can use cheese on top if you like but we don't bother.

Small spend of £1.74 in Mr S today to report. My parents are coming down to London tomorrow to see the Trooping of the Colours, so I'll go out for dinner with them tomorrow and therefore don't need to cook

Will give this a whirl tonight. Many thanks

sefilby

£2.95 on potatoes from local farm shop.

she_who_can_not_cook

MrsCautious wrote: »

Since my last update when I was blathering on about how I didn't need anything

Really pleased with YS haul - includes four packets of prawns (3 of them king prawns) for 89p each, organic taste the difference chicken reduced from £8.01 to £1.99 and guinea fowl reduced from £6 something to £1.99, tins of Del Monte peaches down from £1 to 25p and various other bent tins -- reduced sugar/salt beans for 19p and Ambrosia rice pudding for 25p, bit posher than the Basics I have been buy

So even though I remain further ahead in my budget than I would like to be, am still pleased by efforts to save money and on top of that have been making money in dribs and drabs, have signed up to the £10 a day challenge/QUOTE]

Welldone itsfunny but thats what i do with the price book in my head when it comes to reduced now before it was. YELLOW STICKER SYNDROME Just buying it
Now i ask myself "is it cheaper" no i buy the basic stuff

Coxy11

Hi all,

£8.28 in S's just now. £3 of that on a box of wine gums for DH for tomorrow. Not technically GC but I'll include it anyway.

Got He!nz tomato soup (4 pack) and some fresh sliced bread for lunch as DS1s gf may be joining us. We normally have noodles or something else that's quick, but soup feels slightly less chavvy for a guest

Will pop to the farm shop butchers for a joint later as tomorrow looks like rain, so no BBQ here! We are feeding 13 so I'll probably opt for pork or gammon.

Have changed meal plan for this evening as had pork loin steaks with gnocchi on the list. Will have family sized (ready made ) lasagne as don't want to eat pork two days running.

I have two weeks of (almost) full time work coming up, starting Tuesday. I am bracing myself as I normally work part-time, so this will be a challenge for me. I am having to use childcare for the first time in 14 years, and it's giving me the guilts Apologies to those already in this routine, just a real change for me Will try to keep up with the thread via my phone!!

Coxy

lbnblbnb

I have two pots of buttermilk that need using. I think I am going to make a load of buttermilk pancakes with one pot and freeze them and start another lot of buttermilk with the other. I think I bought them because Mortgage free in three was going to show how to make HM feta using it - I love feta.
This is so me - nothing left in the food budget but we are well stocked with buttermilk, capers, olives...!

sefilby

Coxy11 - my two have been going to a childminder since they were nine months old (couldn't afford to be off work after mat leave ended) they're nearly 4 & 2 and I still feel guilty. But work is work and money certainly doesn't grow on trees.