October 2014 Grocery Challenge

Caterina

Just a suggestion about laundry: there is a thread somewhere in the forum about doing laundry using bargain shampoo, and I am sure I have read somewhere that you can use hair conditioner, or even a splash of vinegar, for clothes softener. You might not want to use these all the time, but in emergency it might be worth trying.

Today I am buying a cheap bottle of shampoo to have a go at my laundry, I still have plenty of laundry liquid from a bulk shop in the past, but really want to see if the shampoo trick works.

joedenise

Caterina - bear in mind when you use shampoo for laundry that it is designed to foam and washing powder is low foam so don't use too much shampoo!

I've not tried it myself but can't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

Denise

Happygreen

£ 1.65 spent yesterday on milk and YS Creme Fraiche . I might actually make the target this month. I have to be carefull that I won't run out of all the staples and start November with a huge one...

Caterina, let us know how you are getting on with the shampoo. I did a course a while ago how to make shower gels and shampoos and it it true that the basic ingredients are mostly the same in different quantities.

PennyGrabber

I made myself agcj's chickpea bread last night. It proved while I was at bf's having dinner, and then I baked it when I returned home. Had the end crust with marg just to check it was ok while it was still warm. Don't think I'm going to like it, but it's bread, and it'll get me through another few days.

Just about to have some of it with a poached egg for breakfast. Then I'm taking bf's mum to pick him up from work, and the three of us are going to hit the charity shops and coffee shops in Devizes. Ooh, I know how to live!!

PG x

dingdongsaving

Just in case it helps anyone - I use the same washing-stretching-power that my gran/mum (& lots of people on here) use & and our washing is always clean, soft & lovely and fresh.

I always use Pers1l (as it washes really well, doesn't irritate our skin & I really love the smell). I get the largest box of powder as it's cheapest way to buy it, & I buy a 2 boxes when I see it on the 2 for £12 offer each Jan.

I use 1/2 the recommended amount & ADD 1 tablespoon of Washing Soda. This method makes a box of powder stretch to 90 washes for us without compromising cleaning/fragrance power.

bmma

today's spends£ 6.47/£20.00p x

Caterina

Hello,

In the end I did not buy the shampoo because when I got to A1di it was closed (refurb) and my friend and I ended up in L1dl instead as we both needed some shopping and I forgot all about it. She said she can use my £5 A1di voucher by the expiry date of 31st October as she needs a lot of Christmas shopping to do (I hardly buy anything different at Christmas!) so I gave it to her.

I was planning to spend around £50 but there were some special beers that the men of the family really love, so I bought them a few bottles, which took my total to £63. I am using the GC budget for these bottles as I bought them as a gift, not requested or bdugeted by the men.

I am running close to my limit now so I shall not buy anything for the rest of the month, we have plenty of stock. Perhaps some vegetables if really needed, but should be ok if I use up all the stuff we have in fridge and freezer, and can always pop to the allotment for a few brussel leaves!

Sig updated.

Re. trying shampoos etc for laundry, it will have to wait to next time!

lynnejk

Caterina wrote: »

Just a suggestion about laundry: there is a thread somewhere in the forum about doing laundry using bargain shampoo, and I am sure I have read somewhere that you can use hair conditioner, or even a splash of vinegar, for clothes softener. You might not want to use these all the time, but in emergency it might be worth trying.

Today I am buying a cheap bottle of shampoo to have a go at my laundry, I still have plenty of laundry liquid from a bulk shop in the past, but really want to see if the shampoo trick works.

If you go onto G**gle and put in 'how to make washing detergent' you will find loads of ideas. I buy the very cheapest non-bio in F Foods and use one scoop with one scoop of W*zz - fabric stain remover for anything (£1 a tub from £ shop). Also buy cheapest concentrated fab cond I can find and dilute 50/50 with white vinegar. Not had any probs so far.


Tomatoes were 77p from Morrys and so now £1.23 left. Might need milk or might not :rotfl:


Have a terrific Tuesday - nearly there now
Lx

maria3104

Got an ald*s voucher and ran amok, spent £40 - £5 so £35, but shared shop with Mother, so worked out my portion was £24. Takes me more over budget to £232 but I now have lots of stuff in ready for november. I am disappointed to not have stayed within my £200, but it is still an enormous reduction on some of my previous monthly spends of excess of £700. Am trying not to be too downcast.

maria3104

pork chop dinner tonight. batch stew to cook for wednesday and freezer. masses of veg in. masses of milk in. masses of AF stuff. So I really should be OK in Nov unless I lose the plot.