March 2014 Grocery Challenge

Mrs_T_M

Just got back from Tesci's with 4 packs of organic free range eggs (6 count) at 24p each, 12 limes at 4p each, 11 grapefruit at 4p each, two packs of sausages (8 count) for 61p each, a pack of parsnips for 21p, and two packs of burger rolls (50/50, and 8 count each) for 11p each. Grand total of £3.53 which went on a gift card that we received at Christmas, so not coming out of the grocery budget!

Just a friendly reminder to check the mark down sections!

Zippy001

Bluegreen - Many congratulations

spend today - 4.70

Need more NSD's .

Lotti1982

NSD today, had pork mince from LDL for tea tonight, wasn't sure what to have with it so made it up as I went along, added some garlic, ginger, chilli and lime, then added some hoisin sauce and straight to wok noodles which were a Bogof about 9 months ago. It was delicious, might try to recreate it next week with the other pack.

Florenceem

NSD here.
We had HM wedges + bacon + fried egg + baked beans for dinner.

SarahB1989_2

Went to the supermarket without a list. Silly idea... Anyway, came away with some good YS stuff (lamb mousaka, sandwich filling, some filo pastry parcels as a treat dinner), and restocked the fridge. Could definitely have bought less - the cookies were a moment of weakness. Leaves £9.19 for the rest of the month... Keep reminding myself that I have plenty in for this week and next, just lunches to cover (have all the ingredients in for lentil pesto soup, and going to try out hm bread rolls to go with them).

dingdongsaving

18 days of meals in the pantry/from the shop this weekend in anticipation of 'bump'. Just fresh bits and pieces to add and we'll get to the end of this 5 weekend month. Signature updated.

Busymumofthreeplusdog

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Bluegreen!

Busymumofthreeplusdog

newthrift wrote: »

Afternoon All.
Not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but I will ask the question anyway. I meal plan - and we almost always stick to it, sometimes I move stuff around in the week but that doesn't cause us any problems.
I was wondering if I try and do too many 'big' meals, and if maybe I could pull back some saving on food if I planned different meals in.
I shop on a Thursday so I meal plan Thursday - Thursday. If I post the one we have at the moment I would apperciate any pointers/tips, thanks :-
Thurs - Fishfingers, chips and beans
Fri - Sausage, vegtables and mashed potatoe
Sat - Picked up a chinese with small lotto win for a treat (otherwise would of been beef burgers)
Sun - Beef sunday dinner, we then don't have tea just a small snack of fruit.
Mon - Beef pie & homemade chips made with yesterdays leftovers
Tues - Chicken wrapped in bacon with veg & mash
Wed - Breaded fish with new potatoes and peas
Thurs - stew & dumplings - undecided on beef or chicken yet have both meats in freezer


Sorry this is quite a babbling post, but any pointers on my meal plan or if I am about bob on and it's just me whittling please say

Some suggestions
How about some veggie meals, they usually work out cheap. Likewise pasta. Any mince based dishes can be bulked out with lentils & veg.:D a good thick home made soup once a week can also bring down cost of overall budget.;)

All worth a try.....

MrsCautious

newthrift wrote: »

Afternoon All.
Not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but I will ask the question anyway. I meal plan - and we almost always stick to it, sometimes I move stuff around in the week but that doesn't cause us any problems.
I was wondering if I try and do too many 'big' meals, and if maybe I could pull back some saving on food if I planned different meals in.
I shop on a Thursday so I meal plan Thursday - Thursday. If I post the one we have at the moment I would apperciate any pointers/tips, thanks :-
Thurs - Fishfingers, chips and beans
Fri - Sausage, vegtables and mashed potatoe
Sat - Picked up a chinese with small lotto win for a treat (otherwise would of been beef burgers)
Sun - Beef sunday dinner, we then don't have tea just a small snack of fruit.
Mon - Beef pie & homemade chips made with yesterdays leftovers
Tues - Chicken wrapped in bacon with veg & mash
Wed - Breaded fish with new potatoes and peas
Thurs - stew & dumplings - undecided on beef or chicken yet have both meats in freezer

There is just me and my OH. He is a lorry driver and is usually up at 4.30am and as a genral rule of thumb doesn't get back down home until 7-8pm. It is the family business and they wait for all the drivers to turn back in - or most of them - and sort any problems ect. For his lunch he takes 3 x sandwichs, 1 x banana, 2 x nutrigrain raisin bars, 2 x small choc bars (similar size to club choc bars ect..). We don't have massive portions as we are both weight/health concious and reasonaly slim but I always seem to plan in filling/hefty meals so that he is filled up. - Contray to most lorry drivers he is 6ft 2'' and slim built and plans staying this way not getting a trucker belly :rotfl:
For work I have 1 x sandwich or bowl of soup / 2-3 x fruit / 1 x small pack raisins / 1 x aplen trail bar

Sorry this is quite a babbling post, but any pointers on my meal plan or if I am about bob on and it's just me whittling please say

Hi, another vote for soup here, hm mushroom soup has been a favourite here, as well as more hearty 'meal' type soups with meat in, though I buy these on offer at Sains. Lots of your meal plan is v similar to mine but for health reasons I'm having to switch to fewer carbs, another thing I used to do from a cost point of view would be toast/baked potato with simple cheap fillings or an omelette -- all cheap but nutritious I think. I'm also switching to less processed meat and eating more fish, how about a prawn stir fry, say? (I've just bought some Basics prawns) -- not sure me rabbiting on is any help, good luck, I think the important thing is to make fresh meals you enjoy and are good for you -- you are already doing this. I 'd say? You could save money on cereal bars/nutri grain by making your own flapjack? (Though my good intentions never seem to turn into actual baking. . .)

Such beautiful pictures bluegreen -- many congratulations, what a wonderful time for you xx

Hollygym

Had a quiet week or so. I've managed to avoid shopping but went to A*da today for a top up shop. Managed to spend £113.32 which should last me to almost the end of the month - only milk bill to add. Felt very pleased with myself adding up the cost as I spend! Fingers crossed for the rest of the month!!


That means that this month is so much better than last one - I should come in under budget rather than over it!!


Will update sig.