February 2014 Grocery Challenge

Bluegreen143

Hi everyone. I'm just dropping in to say I'm going to have to drop out of the Grocery Challenge for February and March (I have been keeping an eye on spends in Feb but haven't posted here) as I'm incredibly busy planning my (mostly DIY) wedding and then off on my honeymoon in March.

I've had a long think and have also come to the conclusion that it's not fair on everyone for me to keep doing the recipe index at this point as I'm not checking the thread regularly enough just now to do a good job. I know I have a couple of recipes from January still to add to the index and I haven't read any of February's thread yet (if anyone knows they've posted a recipe this month, and could PM me a link, that would really help me catch up actually). Really sorry that I've not been on the ball with this but my life basically consists of work, wedding stuff, cooking, work, wedding stuff lol.

So if anyone would like to take on the recipe index please do let me know by PM and I will pass it on to you. It's not difficult but obviously best done by someone who checks the thread regularly.

I will dip in as I have time and will be back ready to get my frugal head back on in time for the April thread popping up at the end of March

seemasfriend

NSD and three bags of logs in! That's the way forward :0)

Make-it-3

Ikesmmummy - that's exactly what I have been doing too, with Lidl & Sainsburys. It's an extra step after compiling the list, but given that's the only different thing I've been doing this year and the first time I have ever underspent on my personal GC it seems to work.

Yesterday we were on our way home and passed a Lidl and OH wanted to see what it was all about and ended up buying some bits and pieces for his lunches - I did have to steer him away from the middle aisles and remind him its not a bargain if we don't need a chest expander or an imitation CCTV camera!!!

Once I have raided his wallet for the receipt I'll add it here.

lushlifesaver

NSD again, all I should need this week is milk and fizzy pop for bf.

New week starts on Saturday, think for the last week or so of the month I should just need to buy lunch things (wraps, smoked cheese, lettuce, crisps and choc biscuits) except ham which I should now have enough of to last through and milk and oven chips. Think I will also buy a pasta sauce, cauliflower, couple of onions and a small piece of meat to roast. Think I can mange that and stay in budget...just about!

CountingPennies

Popped into Mr T's before work today, ended up spending £16.30 on birthday stuff. Also gave DH £20 to get alcohol and some bits from the shop for a family occasion so will add £36.30 to total.

Plan to do an online shop tomorrow as the cupboards really are bare. Going to a restaurant tomorrow for tea tho. Birthday girls choice! Thinking about taking the money from this budget.

CP xx

FrugalLina

jammy_dodger wrote: »

very impressed that someone has a budget of £40 a month(sorry cant remember who that was )

mine was £80 last month now £70 and thats for me and 2 cats and 1 dog and 3 hens
would like to get it lower

will have to work on it

JD xx

I think it may be me, it is just a temporary low amount as I have had a big unexpected bill to pay that had to come out of Jan and Feb budgets.

My freezer and store cupboards were reasonably well stocked after Christmas, so January wasn't too hard and February is a short month, anyway. I have been pleasantly surprised how well I have eaten, I do a lot of batch cooking at weekends and my freezer is full of healthy, home-made ready meals for during the week. Oh, I don't have any pets, that makes it a lot cheaper!

I may go up to the giddy height of £50-£60 in March!

K9sandFelines

NSD today and can't remember if I posted but have updated sig with a £4.15 spend at Morris*ns yesterday.

CherryPie

HOWMUCH wrote: »

My Sburys had!!!! The English Provender Co morrocan spiced chutney reduced to 20p reduced from £1.90 per jar.

Thanks for the tip!


Was going in for a couple of things anyway so had a look. Shelf had loads of it with no SEL. I only bought 1 just in case, but it went through at 20p. I'll give it to my Mum, and pop back for a few more tomorrow. That's my Christmas shopping started then! They'll go great in hampers.

lynnejk

[Deleted User] wrote:

I am planning on doing some batch cooking this week. Lidl have their steak mince on offer from Thursday (2 for £5 I think) so I am going to buy a few and do some HM lasagne, chilli con carne and spag bol for the freezer.

What else freezers well to include in my batch cooking? I am off work again this week and would like to use the time to get some cooking done.

Not sure if you just mean mince dishes ? I freeze loads of mince - just browned and tray frozen. Also made up as you do into chilli and bolog sauces, portioned, and also mince in onion gravy. I try to serve in different ways though. Some ideas -


1. As originally intended but vary the veggies
2. Mixed around - eg chilli with pasta etc
3. All these sauces go well in a wrap - plain, (or then baked topped with cheese) and serve with salads (various)
4. All can be served with jackets, new pots, mash, croquettes
5. Can make all into pies - with flaky pastry top or mashed pots and then browned.
6. Can layer any with cooked sliced pots and veggies and bake
7. As 6 but add layers of b!chamel or cheese sauce

cw18 wrote: »

I need to have a think about what I'm going to cook on Friday. as it's Valentine's this Friday he's coming over straight from work and we're having a long weekend :happylove So I'm thinking I may try and cook something a bit more special that night (possibly even 3 courses for the first time in our 2+ years), I'm thinking a veg soup, then chicken breast, very lean pork steak or venison steak (I have all in, but they're things we have reasonably regularly) with veg, and then I've no idea what for dessert. (He doesn't eat any kind of milk pudding, including custard, and neither of us eats trifle).

How about Lemon meringue pie or a yummy hm fresh fruit salad or even a hm fruit crumble - can you have natural no fat yoghurt with?

Bluegreen143 wrote: »

Hi everyone. I'm incredibly busy planning my (mostly DIY) wedding and then off on my honeymoon in March.
I will dip in as I have time and will be back ready to get my frugal head back on in time for the April thread popping up at the end of March

Hope you have a wonderful wedding and harmonious honeymoon


Had to restock a bit after holiday so spent £12.76 Al*i on fresh stuff, bread, milk and chicken thighs. Also Mr M £15.97 on mainly YS including smoked haddock for tea.


Hope you all have a money saving Monday


Lx

[Deleted User]

NSD day today.
Went to the forest with DH and brought another trailer load of firewood home, so we should be cosy in the coming winter. It is very satisfying to see our tree being drastically reduced to a more manageable size.
On the down side I have managed to sprain my wrist so dinner will be a ready made (hm) fish pie