September 2014 Grocery Challenge

Solstice_3

Feeling so poorly at the moment, can't seem to shake this cold and paracetamol won't touch the headache and stiff neck

My shoulder of pork isn't going to defrost in time for dinner so going to have to cook it tomorrow. DH is going out for me, bless him, to pick up some pork chops and a few other needed items.

Still need to update signature, will get round to it at some point.

[Deleted User]

Trying to control grocery spending this month as last month's was horrendous. As I have been on hols until last Friday, only taking two weeks into account this month.

Instead of supermarket shop, hit the market and spent total of £41.80, there are enough meals for the week and plenty of vegetables to last next week. Only need to buy milk and bread to last till Friday when I will have a delivery from Sains**** as we are out for the day on Saturday and will be taking a picnic, therefore unable to get to market this week.

As a means to control my spending I am going to alternate supermarket & local shopping so hopefully my money will go further.

craigywv

I need only fresh stuff this week so dairy and fruit will be my limit. does anyone have a good recipe for tomato ketchup pls something simple thanks xxx

gollysmissus

Hi all

Yummitymummity - Hope ur little boy OK:)

just back from hols so belt tightening required. Just picked three carrier bags of cooking apples from next doors tree(overhanging branches - they don't use them anyway) and the neighbour on the other side offered the apples off his two trees WOW!! so think I'm going to have enough for the rest of the year!!! just hope I've enough freezer space. Also picked loads of tomatoes and runner beans so its freezing day tomorrow.
We have now sold flat where hubby lives when working away and he'll live in a T/lodge for a couple of weeks whilst he works his notice. Then we can start to live like a normal couple!!! with no money and no job :eek::eek::eek:
At least freezers are full and veg patch quite productive this year but it'll be a big learning curve for us - but to be honest I think we'll be able to live nearly as cheaply as one he wasn't the best at shopping cheaply!!
Fingers crossed there may be a job on the horizon;)
Right off to menu plan now. Night all

HelenRachel

So been adding up our monthly spend and so far its £104.68/£150! and we only started adding it up this week! So me n DH have been dissecting the shopping list to see how/where we can make some savings next week! We've been pushed over this week by unexpected wine and gammon joint purchases for an unplanned extended family sunday lunch! Love having family around so will have to look out for offers on these things so I can have them 'in stock' in the freezer!

LynseyLou_2

Two NSDs this weekend, yay! Went to the in laws to celebrate the hubby's birthday and we had a home-cooked Italian feast. We came home with two trays of lasagne - one of which we had tonight and leftover cheese! I see macaroni in our future!

Off to A**i tomorrow. I predict that this will be a low spend week! Got a lot stockpiled. Going to take advantage of the 99p for two gammon steaks. Need to think of crafty lunch ideas.

merzal

Another £10ish spent on ice-cream (OH), milk, cheese, fruit and salad. Have plenty of stuff to take into work for lunches so should only need milk later in the week. Although I'm not going to be able to stick to my budget (I blame the ice-cream!) setting the challenge has certainly made me spend an awful lot less than I would have normally and we are throwing less stuff out! Will keep updating my sig as I want to seed how much my spends are.
Think I need to get my husband on board more!

Caterina

Another grocery NSD yesterday, alas the building works still required their pound of flesh, so not a total NSD.

Today I need a top up shopping trip but hope to keep it below £20. However DH got up very early and went off before I could make him a packed lunch, so there will be another £3ish to add to the cost of today.

Definitely not a NSD in any sense of the word, as I have the scary final bill for the rendering. Best money we ever spent on the house, really worth it. It was a massive expense but it has changed its (back) face. I know for sure that, if we ever sell, we would recoup the money in the price, as the pockmarked pebbledash would have run the price down considerably. However, at the moment we are not planning to sell, so we just have to tighten our belts and bear the cost. At least it is no longer an eyesore!

Caterina

craigywv wrote: »

I need only fresh stuff this week so dairy and fruit will be my limit. does anyone have a good recipe for tomato ketchup pls something simple thanks xxx

Get a Kg tomatoes (fresh or tinned) chop them with half a chopped onion, shot of vinegar, sugar and salt to taste (you can always add more so go easy at first). Cook until soft. Blend and pass through a sieve, to remove bits of skin and seeds - I don't bother but some people like it really smooth - then slowly cook until it reduces to the right consistence.

If you have any tomato paste in the house add during cooking time, a good tbsp, for extra richness.

You can substitute the sugar for molasses for extra nutrient power.

Incidentally, this is also the recipe for the tomato base of my homemade baked beans, tweaked here and there for right density.

HTH

Captain_ladder

Morning all, hope everyone had a good weekend! Last week was a disaster shopping wise for me as I'm doing some childminding that involves feeding an extra 3 boys! So I've gone over budget but will balance out somewhat as am being paid for giving them dinner.... Will have an extra £70 to add to total! I think I need to make a meal plan and go shopping today since I have almost nothing in the house again!!! Shall go catch up on all of you now x