September 2013 Grocery Challenge

sachatith

Last spend today, did a mini shop at the weekend and not only did we treat ourselves to Big Night in Curry, but we got some fruit juices as we had loads of random cocktail ingredients. Ended up spending more than I'd hoped, at £22.78 but also had £4.05 of coupons as well so ended up at £18.73. I forgot soya milk so have been to get that today at 0.53p and that is it for the week (we have no money left in the bank so physically can't!) so that makes my total for September £230.08/£220.00

I didn't quite make it but originally my budget was going to be £250.00, and I had to cut it due to the delivery saver muck up, and I really didn't think we would do it so very pleased. My Dad randomly popped up with a bit of beef from the market too on Sunday so had scrummy roast beef Sunday and leftovers yesterday.

Slowly working my way through AGCJ recipes - found I'm not a fan of soda bread but didn't matter as it was all stuff to be used anywho. Made some mars bar cupcakes at the weekend (well, Mr T's version of mars), as I found a few bars hovering in the cupboard. Normal sponge mixture, dollap at the bottom, chunk of chocolate bar then cover the top = melt in the middle surprise to a normal cake. I can't eat them but the OH loves them and there were enough for 12. That means this month I haven't bought any biscuits or puddings, made them all which is great.

Right, off to find October's thread to start for Friday... very tight month as the cheeky monkeys have sent through both water bills at the same time when I was expecting one in Sept and one in October! Oh well, one will have to wait!

Oh and this is the first month in three years (no joke) that I haven't had to dip into my personal account for grocery shopping, so it is having a massive effect, not only on our joint finances but helping me too!

Well done everyone who has stayed under, and thank you all for your support in my first month - LOVING IT!!!

MummyBobble

Well the plan to spend virtually nothing this month and eat from cupboards/fridge/freezer didn't work... Estimate food from said cupboards etc at just over £200, but have still spent another £250 :eek: (does include a meal out for DS's 13th birthday and school dinners at £20 a week total for DD and DS). There are only the 3 of us though (and 2 kittens )

Cupboards still look full! I think I did "spend" more from the cupboards than I would have done if I'd had to buy it (force fed them all sorts of extra food whether they wanted it or not just to clear the cupboards :rotfl: ) but then I bloomin' well replaced it

So I will shortly be hopping over to the October thread and allowing myself £200 for the month from 1 Oct, excluding school dinners.

Very savvy DD said "I don't know why you're even bothering with Asd* unless it's yellow stickered, you should be shopping in A*di and HB" You've just got to love her :dance:

CountingPennies

44p today on a bottle of juice from Mr T's. Yes, i went right to the juice aisle and only spent 44p. Quite proud of myself

iammumtoone

CountingPennies wrote: »

44p today on a bottle of juice from Mr T's. Yes, i went right to the juice aisle and only spent 44p. Quite proud of myself

Well done :T:T that is quite an achievement and not something I have manged to do myself yet

CountingPennies

iammumtoone wrote: »

Well done :T:T that is quite an achievement and not something I have manged to do myself yet

Believe me, it was hard! :rotfl:

Cambs85

NSD today! Which brings my total NSDs up to my target for the month! V pleased as it has helped me to feel more in control of our spending!

kayester

NSD for me today, spent a little yesterday, too tired though will update sig tomorrow....i WILL do better in October!!
Made Spaghetti Bolognaise this evening, was yummy!!

she_who_can_not_cook

iammumtoone wrote: »

I've never used powdered milk, might give it a try to save me having to pop the shop mid week if we run out of milk (to help avoid temptation) Do you mix it up first and then store in the fridge like you do fresh?

Yep it tastes better chilled btw

she_who_can_not_cook

Pandora wrote: »

Oh dear!! After being so happy about being under budget this morning, I've gone and spent £5.49 today!! :eek:
Biggest spends were on 12 eggs (£2.20!!!!) and oil (£1.50) but the eggs will last a few weeks and the oil will last for months!! Also got 4 bananas (84p), natural yoghurt (45p) and some emergency bread (50p) as I'm out of bread flour and yeast until my delivery comes tomorrow afternoon. Really didn't fancy eating anything I already had in and wasn't particularly hungry anyway, so today's meals have been yoghurt with sliced banana and honey, and eggy bread with the last of the ketchup! Yum yum yum!!

So looking forward to my big food delivery tomorrow!! I only do it 2 or 3 times a year, and it's like Christmas for me!!! I do love food!! :rotfl:

do you get your flour and yeast in bulk?

Pandora_2

she_who_can_not_cook wrote: »

do you get your flour and yeast in bulk?

No, was just part of my Mr T delivery.

Another expensive day today and that isn't even taking into account my Mr T delivery :eek: Luckily that is pretty much all coming out of October's budget and the cat's budget!
Today's spends have been £1 on laundry liquid, 48p on white vinegar, 99p on loo roll, and because my appointment at the Job Centre took an HOUR longer than it was supposed to (and most of that was just sitting around waiting to be seen!!!) and I still had to go and sort stuff at the Council House, I ended up having to get lunch in town so that was another £1.07 for 2 sausage rolls, 53p for a packet of crisps and 19p for a bottle of water :mad: Couldn't have survived without food and water though and there are only so many free samples you can eat before they start refusing to give you any more if you don't buy something!! :rotfl:

Hopefully I shouldn't need anything else apart from some milk later in the week, so (fingers crossed!!) I should just about make my budget target!!

Am back at work tomorrow after 3 weeks off sick, but luckily we have a microwave and fridge so I'll be taking leftover sausage casserole for my lunch. Feels good to be prepared! :j