What's a reasonable amount for shopping?

jo_b_2

Queenie wrote: »

I have a cookery book called "How to feed your family on £4 a Day" (aka The Benefit Book) by Bernadine Lawrence. A later edition it was retitled to £5 per day It was first published in 1989 and the prices haven't altered drastically since then - certainly not when you would be spending on 2 people - the book was written for a family which comprised of 2 parents plus 4 children (aged 15mths - 13yo). I do know it's possible to pick up a copy in the library. Unfortunately for some, that doesn't include an alcohol budget It does have a 4 week menu plan catering for breakfast, lunch, dinner

It's not value pasta and tinned tomatoes every day either

It's still a worthy read and, like any cookery book/menu suggestion you take from it what works for you and leave the rest.

I picked a copy of that book up from Amazon marketplace and found it really useful. It offered something different to the 'studenty' type budget cookbooks that suggest you are going to live on pasta and baked beans every night!

thelawnet

halia wrote: »

shared a bottle of beer £1.50

1.50 is quite a lot for a bottle of beer surely?

maryb

this link might be useful for people who have to have soya milk.
http://mrsl.forumsplace.com/message3039.html

I make no claims for it as I can't stand the stuff. I think some people who post on that forum have also made their own soya yogurt (and there are loads of threads on MSE Old style about home made yogurt).

She also has a thread about making silken tofu

halia

thelawnet wrote: »

1.50 is quite a lot for a bottle of beer surely?

not if you refuse to drink cheapo lager! As a couple who have managed 1 night out together in the past 3 months due to child with special needs I'm not going to apologise for or cut down on the real ale we buy at special offer from tesco to make our lives a bit happier!

I was looking through my 'cheapo' recipies book (can't remember title but its similar to paupers cookbook)

I was actually quite shocked at how much things have changed. I use it alot for recipies but I adapt all the time as there is very limited fresh veg in there and no fruit.

I'm thinking of costing up their weeks suggested menu's they do seem to rely on alot of meat and as I said before sweet pudding after every meal.

Penelope_Penguin

halia wrote: »

not if you refuse to drink cheapo lager! As a couple who have managed 1 night out together in the past 3 months due to child with special needs I'm not going to apologise for or cut down on the real ale we buy at special offer from tesco to make our lives a bit happier!

Quite agree :beer: When my children were smaller, we didn't go out much. I put the wine, beer, chocolate, take-away spending into the *entertainment* budget, rather than *food and household*.

Penny. x

Gingham_Ribbon

Yep. Our 'fake' beer (neither of us can drink at the moment) comes out of 'entertainment' budget too.

catznine

That is something I have to look at, if i buy it it comes out of hk if dh buys it then it comes out of entertainment pennies! Luckily dh buys it more often than I;)

Gingham I made the Chard pesto last night and it is lovely:T I used creme fraiche instead of double cream. Will definately make again as we have lots of perpetual spinach growing in the garden.