March 2014 Grocery Challenge

SarahB1989_2

Continuing to slowly drag down April's budget.. Went to post ebay parcels and the supermarket is right next door, it was YS time, so I popped in. Only got coleslaw (to go with chilli for next few nights) and cookies (would have baked something tonight if not, now no need to switch on oven) and soft drinks so total of 97p to add.

For April I think I need to subdivide my budget, either into what it gets used for (food for me, social stuff, house stuff, treat food for when OH visits), or into weeks.

cinnamonpie

After the weekend and today's shop I am now at £122.25 for the month. That is £2.25 over my budget but I'll take it. I shouldn't need anything else before next week.

I think I will start my new month next Monday as that's when I normally go shopping. I have got £80 worth of vouchers from Sainsbury's so my overall budget should stay fairly low.

Franigan- I would be really annoyed too! We have separate accounts and I always tell him if he wants something "special" like booze or treats then it's out of his own pocket. I provide food and that's it

bmma

friend asked what would i like for an early birthday present-chose a stock pot to do more portions-spends today £12.32p-march's running total = £173.43p.

Ches

Unexpected spend today. I had hoped that I could get to the end of the month without buying anything else but I ran out of eggs, milk,fruit and tissues. Still I am still well under budget so alls well.

K9sandFelines

Spent £8.60 in M*rrisons on various bits, and four sorts of YS bread in the C*-*p for £1.23. So £9.83 to add.

Faete

£2.42 today in Lidls - shallots, garlic and passata - essentials!

Fae xx

SazzleDazzle1

Thanks for all the welcome messages, I'm enjoying reading everyone's updates. I have though hard and decided this weeks shop will go into April, I won't be going until Sunday or Monday as a busy weekend so makes sense. I was expecting a really low shop this week but managed to spend £80, I need to get more organised as sure I could do better.

I know I can save on nappies, tried Aldi but did not suit lo so went back to pampers and waitrose own. Going to get to Tesco and try theirs next week as think can knock around £15 month off bill.

I was wandering how you all defrost your bread, I find mine goes soggy do seem to throw lots away, and do you tend to defrost pies before cooking as was thinking the pastry would go soggy, thanks

cw18

SazzleDazzle1 wrote: »

I know I can save on nappies, tried Aldi but did not suit lo so went back to pampers and waitrose own. Going to get to Tesco and try theirs next week as think can knock around £15 month off bill.

DD refused to use anything but P@mpers for my GDs, though I could accept some causing problems (she used to get thrush with cheap bleached ones). When she had the youngest last November (6 weeks early) I was sent to get nappies before the shops shut (Sunday!) and got her Tesc0 as they started at a lower weight than the smallest P@mpers in stock and they were a LOT cheaper. She now happily uses Tesc0 and has been trying others as well (she has a L1dl a 5 minute walk from her house).

I was wondering how you all defrost your bread, I find mine goes soggy do seem to throw lots away, and do you tend to defrost pies before cooking as was thinking the pastry would go soggy, thanks

I rarely freeze bread, but when I do it's always pre-sliced (and generally frozen in bags of 2 slices). I then only take it out of the freezer an hour at most (30 mins minimum) before I want to use it, and I take it out of the bag and lay it on a cooling rack (or the rack in the grill pan) to defrost. That means the moisture can't pool under the bread which is what I think makes it soggy.

Luiem

£27.02 spent in Mr.T today. Got until 30th left in this month and it's going to be tight to stay under budget.

Bluegreen143

Mrs_T_M your Applesauce Banana Muffins recipe has been added to the index in the April thread