PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.

March 2022 Grocery Challenge

1282931333441

Comments

  • MissRikkiC
    MissRikkiC Posts: 1,408 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    @nannygladys i remember my late mum and I making the tallest carrot salad from that book and it was delicious. We ate it for days afterwards. I’ve made all of the curry pastes like @Greying_Pilgrim mentioned and they’re all brilliant and often have the broccoli pesto tagliatelle! It’s a great book. 

    So I wanted to make scones this week and thought I’d got flour in so bought eggs but I don’t, so I think tomorrow I might buy some flour and bake as I’ve taken a rare day off! 

    After that I’ll declare for the month as i get paid Friday. Wahoo! It’s felt a long month 
    Follow here for the daily life of an ADHD mum with 2 children and a new mortgage to pay

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6570879/life-in-our-forever-family-home-and-the-mortgage-that-came-with-it#latest
  • MissRikkiC
    MissRikkiC Posts: 1,408 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Good morning everyone. 

    Just dropping in to add my final spends and declare for the month of March! 

    I’ve just picked up the afore mentioned flour, a few bags as I need to make 3 batches of sweet treats today, something nice for my pregnant self to drink that’s not squash and some actual squash as it’s cheap and often out of stock when I most need it! 

    Spends total £297.64 with £2.36 remaining. 

    A few things which I did this month but may have helped but also some which I just want to make note of. 

    Bulk purchase of £20s worth of chicken breast from the butcher 
    Last month I did this with Tuna and thought it’d helped tip me over budget but I can’t agree that was the case now having done the same again. 

    Bulk (ish) purchase of a case of farmfoods chopped tomatoes. 

    Big shop at the start of the month, buying lots including items which we’re substitute take away items like pizza, fish and oven chips. 

    Meal planning 4 weeks ahead. I know this is daunting for some and at the start of the month I was antsy because it took me a few days to get around to doing it and as a result I didn’t know what to eat (I know, how silly!) but I do think it’s really helped. 

    Lastly, hub had a great idea of him wanting to eat better so a small sum was used for that. As predicted we’re back to the same routine as before now so whilst I think that was approx £15 I may have scope to purchase another bulk item this month. 

    I know I want to spend £30 at a local farm on rare breed pork as a treat, there is a deal in farmfoods on the washing powder we use and items such as baby wipes are always better value when they’re bought in bulk. I already know that’s approx £60 so possibly might add in a touch extra this month to manage rather than feel short so soon into the month. 

    Sorry for my ramblings. I need to get stuff out of my head somewhere 😂
    Follow here for the daily life of an ADHD mum with 2 children and a new mortgage to pay

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6570879/life-in-our-forever-family-home-and-the-mortgage-that-came-with-it#latest
  • PipneyJane - thank you so much for taking the time to post affirmation of bread flour use for cakes, and your baking powder tip.  Much appreciated.  I did use the bread flour in the end.  The cake was ok (and certainly edible), but if i made THAT recipe again, I would ensure that I blitzed my dates first.  I think I overbeat the batter a bit - which I might have got away with with conventional flour, but I think I awoke the gluten slightly.  The cake is a little chewy - but as it also tastes like a protein bar, that is certainly no barrier to edibility! 😉

    Back from shopping.  MrL was heaving - is there something I don't know about gonna happen??

    I managed to get a MrL box.  I must admit, I was dithering whether to buy one today.  I think it is still a bargain, and I will certainly use absolutely everything in the box, but not as useful today as perhaps other boxes have been.  Having said that, with a squeaky-tight budget, satsumas and mushrooms wouldn't have been on my list at all today, neither would so many bananas, so it just about squeaks in at worth £1.50.  



    I also had to pop into h0me barga1ns on the way home.  I did manage to get some eggs at the bargain price of 20p for 6 (i bought 2 boxes), as they were short-dated until 31st March.  But this will cover my meal plan and baking needs for this week coming, so again, I bought what I know I will use.  I also bought some crisps, as packed lunches will be needed next week, and got the 6 pack for 6p less than they are advertised in any of the supermarkets.  So the shopping gods were all standing in a row, and I felt that I certainly received help from somewhere to make my pennies stretch.  I am so grateful.

    Shopping expenditure for today is £15.48.  Total for month (to date) is £94.74, leaving £5.26 for 7 days.......... "Gulp".  I always knew it was going to be tight.  In theory, I am meal planned all the way up until the 31st, and have everything that we need.  I'm grateful for the safety net of a fiver, and hope I don't have to use it.  I was thinking about it all in the MrL car park this morning though, and it's been so tight, and I've got down at times, but realistically, I've got to do this all over again next month, and maybe May too...........

    Greying X

    Pounds for Panes £6,605/£10,000 - start date Dec 2023
     
    Grocery Spend May 2025 £151.30/£152.40 + n*ctar points £10/£10
    Non-food spend May 2025 £41.54/£50
    Bulk Fund May 2025 £9/£10 
  • RandomOne
    RandomOne Posts: 124 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Hey Everyone :)

    I'm new to MSE and am desperate to get a handle on my food shopping. I currently spend about £400-£600 a month for my family of 4 adults, 2 dogs and a cat. 

    I NEED to slash this by 50% over the next few months so that I can pay off my debt ASAP. I'm currently overpaying my debt and should have it paid off in 10 months, but if I can do it in 6, that would be better.

    I'll be keeping a very close eye on this thread and the OS board in general. But is there anywhere specific on MSE you'd advise me to look in addition to this? 
  • otb666
    otb666 Posts: 825 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    625/600 thus 25 over May have to cut back on wine and dominoes
    21k savings no debt
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 256.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.