January Grocery Challenge 2015

toontron

:rotfl:I am claiming to have had 5 NSD's in a row, I did, however, have to spend £12 on a net cover for my fishpond as a heron has been circling around and I am terrified he will get my fish! I am counting that as a mercy mission for fishkind so not counting it as spending!

Mrs_Cheshire

Hi spent £5.15 in Ald* on some chicken quarters, thyme, carrots, cereal bars and reduced price brandy snaps.
Got nothing in my purse for grocery spends until i withdraw some more money so hoping I can make do with what we've got until sunday or monday.

redmel1621

lotti379 wrote: »

I have been hiding as I feel rather ashamed of myself.


I'm on £156.55/£100.


I know why, I went to l*dl and "stocked up" as I don't go there that often.


So, I have taken a week to 'fess up, and the rest of the month will be damage limitation. I need to do a meal plan, and see if I can talk OH into some less carnivorous weekend breakfasts...

Don't feel asahamed :cool: Firstly you say say you know why you went over so that is a good start. Secondly you need to make sure your budget is 'realistic' None of us should be starving ourselves simply to stay in budget.

If you have thoroughly worked it through and you know it is a realistic budget then just work on making meal plans and lists to help you keep track of what you are spending.

I have found that by making a meal plan for the whole month, and writing down every ingredient required, I have spent less than ever. I have also decided against getting certain cereal or puddings that I may have done in the past etc.

Good luck with next months challenge

redmel1621

Afternoon.

I am having another nsd much to my husband's annoyance. We have completely run out of cheese, pate and ham which are our 3 main sandwhich fillers so he is sulking. There is literally only jam or choc spread.. We have both had toast, which doesn't bother me at all, and he had the last crunchie (from christmas) but I can tell he is in a mood.

Normally Wednesday is shopping day so this wouldn't have happened but I want to wait for the Aldi vouchers in tomorrows paper. I need to spend around £80 so might as well save a tenner by hanging on one day.

There are other things he could have... cheap noodles, jacket potato, beans on toast. There is also a tin of rice pudding he could heat up if he is hungry.

Anyway I have my list ready for shopping in the morning and this should be my last shop of the month, unless we need something desperately.

I have also done next month meal plan

Islandmaid

Hi all,

I had a Waitr@se delivery today, but I am not taking all out of this months budget, as most of it was HP meat which will last a good couple of months, so I will take half out of this month, and half from next ie I will start Feb,s GC having spent £45.

I will have a few bits to buy fresh this week, but like you other savvy shoppers am waiting for Ald! Voucher tomorrow.

Please don,t be upset if your over your budgets - I like to think that this thread is lots of individuals going in the same direction, not a competition, its helps us all keep a weather eye on our spends x

Adding £45 to my spends for today

charmed1318

Before people go switching to the feb thread, as I will be, I just wanted to say thank yo to those who run the thread and all of those who contribute. I have learnt a wealth of information and hope to learn more
Happy OS'ing

[Deleted User]

HELP not sure if anyone can help. There was a link a good while ago about freezing things in blocks, you would put in a container and when frozen, remove and put into a plastic bag and stack in the freezer. I would love to find the link.

[Deleted User]

lotti379 wrote: »

I have been hiding as I feel rather ashamed of myself.

Lol, you n me both. I did an approved food shop, 'cause they had some coffee syrups in, so went mad buying them - £9.99, reduced to £1.49, clearance xl, bought loads of their levi roots salsa, n more, all unnecessary, but hey, my coffee tastes great.

lynnejk

Save_Dosh wrote: »

HELP not sure if anyone can help. There was a link a good while ago about freezing things in blocks, you would put in a container and when frozen, remove and put into a plastic bag and stack in the freezer. I would love to find the link.

I do this !
I have a small assortment of plastic tubs, mostly from ice-cream and similar but I did buy a few in a £ shop.


When I want to freeze something I put a freezer bag into the appropriate size box, (single or double portions), put the food into the labelled bag, suck out the air, tie tightly and freeze. When frozen just lift the bag out and keep until required and you can re-use the box/tub.


This way you get nice blocks of things and only need a few boxes/tubs.


When you want to use just put whole thing in a container to defrost - either overnight in fridge or on defrost in micro (remember to untie first). When defrosted reheat in a pot.


HTH


Lx

Tidy_Up_Tash

lynnejk wrote: »

When I want to freeze something I put a freezer bag into the appropriate size box, (single or double portions), put the food into the labelled bag, suck out the air, tie tightly and freeze. When frozen just lift the bag out and keep until required and you can re-use the box/tub.

This is the most helpful thing I've read all day! So simple and obvious that I'd never even thought about it. Thank you!! :T

Spend day today. Bought some bits and pieces that we need for dinners, fresh stuff that I wouldn't put in the big shop. Came to £5.35, which leaves us just over £4. Need to buy sausages tonight (66p or £1.20, depending on what Mr T has in stock). After that, I think it's just milk and maybe washing powder. New month starts next Friday, when OH gets paid, so might just try and stretch what we have.