August 2014 Grocery Challenge

russetred

Mr Russetred has given me about 3lb of fresh porcini mushrooms and about the same of chanterelles. I have already made pate ,soup and pasta sauces. Any new ideas for using them fresh as I tend to dry or freeze the later ones for winter use.

Meezel

Had yesterday off work and decided after the last shop taking the OH with me I was going to do it alone the next time so I took the opportunity as he was at work!


I checked all cupboards (a lot needed) and fridge freezer to see exactly what was needed then made my way firstly to Ald*s and couldn't believe that if I stuck (plus being strict) to what was needed the amount of items I bought, to what I spent, I believe was great I even came of the shop with a smile as usually we would spend far more on less items. 81 items = £59.12 :j(this did include a few treats but much )


Then just a quick nip to Morris*ns spent £14.44 on a few bits that I couldn't get in Ald*s so in total I have spent £73.56 normally, this would be £100 or over so I am happy with how the spend went.


What I have learn this week:
1) never shop with OH AGAIN
2) be strict and only get what is needed


Hoping Morris*ns do the fruit & veg voucher this week so I can get the slow cooker out and make some lovely soups etc.


Signature updated xx

Irisis

£78 left with 11 days to go, 3 of which we already have food bought for. Complication: our senior cat has developed a stomach problem and so we've had to start buying very expensive food for the poor old boy. I think we should make it though.

Very disappointed with L**l lately... the cucumber I bought at the weekend turned out to be more of a pickle when I opened it, and the chicken I bought went off 3 days earlier than marked. I'm going to have to pay extra close attention to all the fresh food I buy from there.

ruby_eskimo

Hi everyone, we did our last shop of the month last night (I get paid Friday) and it's taken us to £163.24 for the month from the £200 I'd budgeted! I'm quite happy because we've managed to average £40.81 a week, which is a lot less than we used to spend. We're only buying what we need now, so it's a little scary to see we don't have much in the cupboards, but I know that nothing is going to waste!

Gracie_1827

Went to Morrys and a!di after gym yesterday, bought 4 Danone creamy yogurts s/be £1.19 but used the 2nd of my monthly £1 off vouchers, so paid 19p, wholemeal loaf 59p. Then 49p for salad potatoes from A!di.
How am I going to manage 'til end of August?, well I have my £10 Sainsbug's gift card from Toluna and £4 still on a gift card my son had loitering in his car and said he didn't need, so gave it to me. Plus, as I shop for someone else as well, I've to be able to save up for Morry's 4 weeks and get £15 off at the end of the month. So I might end up with 27p still in my purse at the end of the month.:j

[Deleted User]

Went to the restaurant supply store and spent $100.15, much less than I had anticipated, but there just weren't the bargains that there usually are.


The whitebait season has started here, so will try to find some time tomorrow to see if I can net enough for a couple of fritters. They are such a delicate delicious taste, but are horrendously expensive in the shops ( I think currently are selling for $120 a kilo.


The ex battery hens have started to lay, and the eggs are huge. If I manage to get to the beach tomorrow I will have to see if I can get some seaweed for them, they really seem to enjoy it and it is a great source of calcium for them
Cheers
kiwi

mumofthetwins

well still on target easily thanks to MrM and the Sun

i will need a couple of things tonight so a trip to Morrys after WW for me ... really hoping to stretch out my salad until thursday just incase theres anymore vouchers out !

cant belive i have only had 2 spend days this month ... its like a challange now

Lisa

[Deleted User]

Hi folks, I am just geting myself organised on the forum again after being away during the summer. I had signed up for the July challenge but didn't have internet access from most of the moth so getting back on track now.

I did my weekly shop on Friday evening at my local Mr T. It cost £26.90. I am back at work now and taking both breakfast and lunch into work. Today I had porridge for brekkie and corned beef sandwich for lunch.. Corned beef now finished but I can have something else for lunch tomorrow and late rin the week. Only thing I need to add to the shopping list is eggs and creme fraiche.

Bornagainshopaholic

WelshWoofer wrote: »

I have another Morrisons voucher to use up but as I live alone its quite hard to get through loads of fresh veg quickly before it goes off but I don't want to waste the offer of free food!

My question is ....do fresh sliced pre-prepared runner beans freeze ok without cooking? Are they ok tastewise when cooked after freezing?

I love fresh runners but won't get through 2 packs in the next couple of days (1 already in the fridge) and don't want to waste the voucher on something that won't work.

Thanks!!

This was on the BBC site:
To freeze, wash the beans well and slice. Blanch, then drain and plunge into iced water; drain again and pack into polythene bags. When you come to use them, cook them from frozen in boiling, salted water.

My parents always used to freeze sliced beans, I think the taste should be fine.

Bornagainshopaholic

Just an update on my grocery spending, we budget weekly for £40 but last week ate into a pound or two from this week's budget, so we were extra strict on the Sunday shop, and managed it for just £12! This was thanks to yellow-stickers galore, including houmous for 25p, melon selection for 10p, lychees for 5p, and oodles of cheap salad. We really need to make sure we shop at this time more often, it's amazing how much further your money goes!!