April 2017 Grocery Challenge

fairy3

Hi all

just finished March with slight overspend - Would like to increase budget back to £90 for 1st - 30th April please.
Have started reducing my food intake as either the scales are lying or I have gained around 7lbs since xmas:eek: am hoping this won't affect the budget.

meg72

samtoby wrote: »

Thank you so much for the advice. I have just written a meal plan -

Saturday - Toad in the hole
Sunday - Dinner with my Mum (free)
Monday - Cottage Pie 500g mince (from 1kg pack)
Tuesday - Spag 500g mince (from 1kg pack) - already got pasta
Wednesday - Jacket potato beans cheese
Thursday - Sausage Mash
Friday - Chicken wedges veg

I had ordered from Asda but for some reason my payment didn't go through Thurs so re did tonight. I spent £36 but that included an offer for 36 toilet rolls at £7

I have a lot of things in the cupboards so hoping not to waste all that, do some baking with the children.

36.56 spent so far

Just wondered if you have considered substituting red lentils for some of your mince. I divide a kg into three then add a handful of lentils to a portion. You win a third of your mince for another meal this way.

try_harder

Found you.Please could i join in with a target of £197 for the month .Thank you.

Happy_Kitties

My budget starts from today until the 30th.
Putting myself down for £200 for my grocery challenge For 2 adults and 5 cats
For little extras out while at hospital £20.
Easter all sorted, including Easter Sunday main bits so really hoping to come in under budget:)

armchairexpert

I've only just realised there are 5 Saturdays (when I shop) in April! That's going to make the $1000 very tricky. I might keep it officially, but budget more money into YNAB just in case.

First shop of the month was expensive considering I've already got a freezer full of meat, but because it was the first week everyone wanted expensive things. DH and I have a ritual of having a nice dinner together on Saturday nights w/o the children, because we never get to go out to dinner so this is a substitute, and I bought scotch fillet for that. Then they all wanted whole fish for Sunday dinner and I bought a couple of baby Red Snapper. Those two things together came to $60, which is 1/3 of my weekly budget! Luckily or unluckily, we decided that the fish wouldn't be enough for 3 once we removed the heads and bones and things, so DH and I will save the scotch fillet for next week and have a roast chicken (already in the freezer) for Sunday night instead. Spreads out the cost.

I also bought a bunch of extras to try some new lunch ideas - like DIY Pot Noodles! You layer fresh noodles, homemade spice paste and diced frozen veg in a jar, take it to work and pour boiling water over it. I shall report back!

So first week of the <eeeeek> 5, and I'm at $178.71/$1000.

samtoby

meg72 wrote: »

Just wondered if you have considered substituting red lentils for some of your mince. I divide a kg into three then add a handful of lentils to a portion. You win a third of your mince for another meal this way.

I hadn't no! Don't think I have ever eaten lentils! Thanks

[Deleted User]

samtoby wrote: »

I spent £36 but that included an offer for 36 toilet rolls at £7

Are they still on offer, do you have a link, did look but couldn't find them.

meg72 wrote: »

Just wondered if you have considered substituting red lentils for some of your mince. I divide a kg into three then add a handful of lentils to a portion. You win a third of your mince for another meal this way.

Yes, I do that (with veggie mince), more than a handful, also kidney beans, carrots etc., you really can't tell the difference and it makes a ton, which I freeze.

Spent £1 on Astonish hob cleaner, bit of an unnecessary product really, but thought I would try for the price. Decided to get strict with myself. If I don't meal plan, then i'm not to shop. Need toilet rolls 2moz, so I best get a move on. Have a lovely w/e everyone.

mucky_moo

Hi all, just done the first shop of the month. went to farmfoods so i could use vouchers. cost £45.47 after the £5 voucher was taken off.

this weeks meal plan is
Sunday - roast dinner
Monday - quorn sausage, mash and beans
Tuesday - pasta (im at college so prob tuna mayo)
Wednesday - vege cottage pie
Thursday - Scampi, chips and veg
Friday - Pizza (from freezer)
Saturday - Chinese fakeaway from freezer
Breakfasts are cereal or toast and lunches are couscous, bulgarwheat or pasta

The dogs got HM stew

and still plenty left in the cupboards to plan for the rest of the month.

Wysiwyg49

Stocktake of fridge reveals most of last week's veg UNOPENED in their packets! Think I plan healthier than I cook...

Done my meal plan and going to add packed lunches to this week.

Saturday - sausage and bean casserole
Sunday - soup for lunch, moroccan chicken for dinner
Monday - cottage pie or lasagne. DS can have pasta and meatballs as he doesn't like lasagne and I have meatballs left from last week
Tuesday - Chicken enchiladas and broccoli
Wed - Turkey steaks with roasted veg (courgettes, peppers, sweet potatoes)
Thursday - baked potatoes with various toppings (tuna / cheese / onion and bacon) and beans

Packed lunch for me will be egg mayo, tuna savoury or pate salad sandwiches. Cereal, toast or HM smoothies for everyone's breakfast. I read a great blog last week where the blogger prepared plastic boxes full of salad stuff and just put a handful from 6-7 boxes in a lunchbox to take to work - so have boiled some eggs in advance. Must put it together the night before or experience shows I won't have enough time in the morning. This would be a big money saver as I spend £3-£4.50 a day atm and so does DH.

LesP50

Hi can I join again please, 175 for me and DS who comes home from uni at the weekends. (He's got a p/t job here). Am going to try an online shop twice this month as I have 10 off 50 coupons.
So far 41 Sbury delivery and 3.73 in Tes on stuff I didn't really need. Must try harder!