April 2020 Grocery Challenge

MrsSnowy

Well,I do not have the foggiest where I am with my budget ! But nearly a week to declaration day.
I'm shopping for and feeding DD,at a social distance. Shopping for several people,contactless transactions,monies in,using up odd stuff in cupboards and freezer. Shopped in Aldi this week ,the last big shop was 5 weeks ago,but I've been getting milk, fruit and veg from local Spar. 
Still got money in my account and in my hidey place.
But ..uh oh....along comes the 'bay of e'...........

Anzac_Biscuit

PipneyJane said:

Anzac_Biscuit said:

A couple of small spends over the last couple of days, and a takeaway meal that will come out of the grocery budget. Up to $638. I'll do a proper shop on the weekend, though I'd forgotten about Anzac Day on Sat meaning shops will probably be shut or open for limited hours. 
Also, I've been going through all my 'weird' (potato, tapioca, gram, coconut) flours with an eye to using them up. Turns out tapioca flour crepes just behave oddly. I think I'll combine it with a different flour next time.
Next up, a polenta cake! Not that I think polenta is weird, but it's less appealing now I'm dairy free  

Hi @Anzac_Biscuit.  I don’t recall the shops being open at all on Anzac Day, but I haven’t been home for Anzac Day in years.  What are the arrangements this year in Oz?  Are they still doing services?  I normally go to the London commemorations at the Cenotaph, followed by a service at Westminster Abbey.  Both were cancelled this year.

@PipneyJane This year is weird for sure! I'm sure the shops don't usually open until at least after lunch - but this year in NSW at least the supermarkets are open all day. All the services etc were cancelled - there was a super small ceremony at the War Memorial in Canberra I think that was going to be televised. Mostly there has been a wonderful movement for everyone to stand in their driveways at 6am, candle optional. James Morrison (the trumpeter) put a call out for all brass players to play the Last Post etc outside their houses at 6am. I went out this morning and it was surreal but very moving. I could see candles flickering in various driveways down the street, and total silence except for the birds singing and a very faint bugle call across the valley. Very special.

Off shopping now, weird or not, so will update shortly.

Suffolk_lass

DH's change of heart about shopping continues - not good for the budget. On planet husband we needed 4x2pints of milk - normally 2 weeks supply and the treats! normally if I buy things like chocolate or chocolate bars it is the own brand (60p or a £1 offer of something like minstrels family bag or galaxy). Nope. £14.70 on chocolate! My stores are heaving because he likes biscuits so I now have 4 packets each of McV digestives and cream crackers!! I know the latter are only 40p a packet but that doesn't mean we need two packets every time.

Oh yes, he broke our bread knife (don't ask) so the only one available (£4) came home in a spend of £96.55 - that is half my monthly budget in a top up shop! I could weep.

PipneyJane

Anzac_Biscuit said:

PipneyJane said:

Anzac_Biscuit said:

A couple of small spends over the last couple of days, and a takeaway meal that will come out of the grocery budget. Up to $638. I'll do a proper shop on the weekend, though I'd forgotten about Anzac Day on Sat meaning shops will probably be shut or open for limited hours. 
Also, I've been going through all my 'weird' (potato, tapioca, gram, coconut) flours with an eye to using them up. Turns out tapioca flour crepes just behave oddly. I think I'll combine it with a different flour next time.
Next up, a polenta cake! Not that I think polenta is weird, but it's less appealing now I'm dairy free  

Hi @Anzac_Biscuit.  I don’t recall the shops being open at all on Anzac Day, but I haven’t been home for Anzac Day in years.  What are the arrangements this year in Oz?  Are they still doing services?  I normally go to the London commemorations at the Cenotaph, followed by a service at Westminster Abbey.  Both were cancelled this year.

@PipneyJane This year is weird for sure! I'm sure the shops don't usually open until at least after lunch - but this year in NSW at least the supermarkets are open all day. All the services etc were cancelled - there was a super small ceremony at the War Memorial in Canberra I think that was going to be televised. Mostly there has been a wonderful movement for everyone to stand in their driveways at 6am, candle optional. James Morrison (the trumpeter) put a call out for all brass players to play the Last Post etc outside their houses at 6am. I went out this morning and it was surreal but very moving. I could see candles flickering in various driveways down the street, and total silence except for the birds singing and a very faint bugle call across the valley. Very special.

Extremely special.  A moment to be treasured. Thank you for describing it for me.

- Pip

Rowan9

I also enjoyed reading that,  Anzac Biscuit. Sounds very moving. 

K9sandFelines

K9sandFelines said:

This is the first time I've had chance to read the thread for months.
I'm in for £350 this month, which I am halfway through, but will update later.
I am finding the current situation quite tricky, as we don't drive so normally do a big shop online and top ups locally. At the moment we aren't able to shop online, so having to go to shops one at a time for bits, which is never-ending.
Hope everyone is keeping safe.

Only the second time of posting this month. I came in at £249.34 despite having two gluten free bread orders. I think not being able to do an online shop means I can't buy what we need willy-nilly; but this also means we have normally ran out of something or other daily. In particular, soya milk. I pass Lidl when I get off the train from work, but can only carry a few due to joint pain. The same if i go to Aldi, though that is a detour before getting on the train. Refuse to pay silly prices elsewhere 🙄

pamsdish

I think all our nerves and emotions are raw at this horrid time, we cannot even turn to family for comfort and solace, the slightest thing brings tears to my eyes.
£10 added as my neighbour shopped again, came to £4.82 but think I forgot to add a few shops by her.

Anzac_Biscuit

Yesterday's shop came to $106 - so declaring for April at $744 out of $800. See you on the May thread!

ancientmum

I've totted up the rest of my spends for April, most of my shopping has been done in Adli or Sains.  I did pop into Pundland as the boy was complaining of having no snacks and bought some nuts and biscuits.  I've also been baking, which means I'm using more flour, which means I'm paying about twice as much as I usually do,as there never seems to be any of the cheaper brands in stock. Anyway, I have rediscovered Twinks Hobnobs which went down very well.  
The poor old ancientcat is not too well, which has meant buying more expensive cat food to tempt him.  I'm not complaining, I want him to be comfortable. 



 

jam2019

Final April shop of £14.19 to log - lots of tinned beans and tomatoes so I'm currently making a big chilli which will do me for the week. I meant to make a couple of veggie pies but seem to have accidentally made enough pie filling for about 6 days, as you do... so will be able to carry the tofu and stir fry ingredients over to next week instead. 
Had another quick look in the bakery section and still no flour (or any other baking ingredients), so not looking forward to when I eventually do run out of flour!