April 2023 Grocery Challenge

number_23

Good morning! 

Yesterday was a great day, lots of exercise and family time outdoors, which was much needed. 

£9 spent on ice creams from a local small business on our way back from a very long bike ride, this will be taken from entertainment budget. So no spend on groceries yesterday. 

Today is a pottering day, we have option to go on the football but this will be costly and may result in alcohol so I think we’ll give this a miss. 

I’m going to work out, do an inventory of what I have in (reverse planning), review all budgets and then do a bit of cleaning and ironing to get organised for the week ahead (flylady forum). 

I hope everyone has a great day 

Nelliegrace

£150 budget, £65.31 spent, £84.69 left.

DH decided to see if there was a £5 Too Good To Go at the service station M&S. I didn’t think he would be successful.
What a treat for the Bank Holiday, it is like dining out, something we do very rarely. Soup and half of the wrap and salad for lunch, the pasta meal with vegetables for dinner, soup and a sandwich for lunch tomorrow. The cheese and tomato sauce should be good with hard boiled eggs and greens. 

number_23

That’s a fantastic TGTG, way to go! 😀

Suffolk_lass

number_23 said:

Good morning! 

Yesterday was a great day, lots of exercise and family time outdoors, which was much needed. 

£9 spent on ice creams from a local small business on our way back from a very long bike ride, this will be taken from entertainment budget. So no spend on groceries yesterday. 

Today is a pottering day, we have option to go on the football but this will be costly and may result in alcohol so I think we’ll give this a miss. 

I’m going to work out, do an inventory of what I have in (reverse planning), review all budgets and then do a bit of cleaning and ironing to get organised for the week ahead (flylady forum). 

I hope everyone has a great day 

We've got a thread for reverse meal planning here if you would care to join in. 

Suffolk_lass

Change of plans today as it is piddling (official term) - so I think the soup will be used to warm tummies and roast beef is defrosted for this evening. I have pre-prepared a rhubarb and apple crumble and mixed the Yorkshire pudding mix for later too. Happy days with no spending today. Happy Bank Holiday to those not in Scotland (Happy Monday to our Scottish contingent, but I realise it isn't a holiday there as my Mum always tells me!)

number_23

Suffolk_lass said:

number_23 said:

Good morning! 

Yesterday was a great day, lots of exercise and family time outdoors, which was much needed. 

£9 spent on ice creams from a local small business on our way back from a very long bike ride, this will be taken from entertainment budget. So no spend on groceries yesterday. 

Today is a pottering day, we have option to go on the football but this will be costly and may result in alcohol so I think we’ll give this a miss. 

I’m going to work out, do an inventory of what I have in (reverse planning), review all budgets and then do a bit of cleaning and ironing to get organised for the week ahead (flylady forum). 

I hope everyone has a great day 

We've got a thread for reverse meal planning here if you would care to join in. 

That’s the one I’m part of (and flylady cleaning and cut down alcohol). Thank you 😊 

number_23

Suffolk_lass said:

Change of plans today as it is piddling (official term) - so I think the soup will be used to warm tummies and roast beef is defrosted for this evening. I have pre-prepared a rhubarb and apple crumble and mixed the Yorkshire pudding mix for later too. Happy days with no spending today. Happy Bank Holiday to those not in Scotland (Happy Monday to our Scottish contingent, but I realise it isn't a holiday there as my Mum always tells me!)

Sounds like a great day! 

We made a beef roasting joint yesterday and there is lots left, it was cooked in gravy and onions with veggies… can I freeze it? If so, what’s the best way - Tupperware? 

I’ve had to learn on the go over the years (my Mum passed when I was young). I try my best but I have soooo much to learn (I’ve already learnt so much in 5 days from you all 🥹

Pennypincin

Managed a no spend on groceries, but had to too up oyster card.
Then checked my purse and have lost a £10 note.
I'm hoping that its the third and last unlucky thing to happen for a considerable time. I have had a pip and disabled bus pass renewal assessment recently and have been refused both, so now having to go through the process of appalling and mandatory reconsideration.

Well done on the bargains nelliegrace.

PipneyJane

number_23 said:

Suffolk_lass said:

Change of plans today as it is piddling (official term) - so I think the soup will be used to warm tummies and roast beef is defrosted for this evening. I have pre-prepared a rhubarb and apple crumble and mixed the Yorkshire pudding mix for later too. Happy days with no spending today. Happy Bank Holiday to those not in Scotland (Happy Monday to our Scottish contingent, but I realise it isn't a holiday there as my Mum always tells me!)

Sounds like a great day! 

We made a beef roasting joint yesterday and there is lots left, it was cooked in gravy and onions with veggies… can I freeze it? If so, what’s the best way - Tupperware? 

I’ve had to learn on the go over the years (my Mum passed when I was young). I try my best but I have soooo much to learn (I’ve already learnt so much in 5 days from you all 🥹

Yes, you can “plate up” and freeze the meat and veg @number_23.  Pour the gravy over the top of the meat to keep it moist.  Tupperware is fine.  (I use those takeaway-type boxes, but I have loads.)   Other ideas are to shred some (say 150-200g) and use it in a stir fry; cube it and make a pie; or my nan’s favourite: make rissoles.

On the what-to-do-with-cold-roast-beef subject,  a tip from a friend (who worked in catering) was to slice the meat when cold, place it in a metal roasting pan and cover with gravy.  Refrigerate and, when ready, bake, covered in the oven, to reheat.  She would do this when catering for a large family party.  The gravy keeps the meat moist.

HTH.

@Nelliegrace  do you have to spend all of your food rations each week or can you save them up and go shopping once a month (or longer)?  The reason I’m asking is that, until the Pandemic, I would only do one main shop a month and, even now, I only visit the butcher every 2-3 months.  Thinking on a monthly basis, I could make the meat, cheese and eggs rations last, but I’d be really stuck doing this on a weekly basis for two people.

- Pip

number_23

Amazing! Thank you very much @PipneyJane 😀

I love Sunday roasts so will portion it up in singular portions so I can enjoy when DH and DS have something I’m not fond of 😀