May 2023 Grocery Challenge

Soontobeoap

@pennypincin could you host event but suggest everyone brings a dish. Like an american supper. We had a very successful one of those at our singing group last week. 

Nelliegrace

Perhaps a bit of phoning round to make the get together a, ‘bring and share’ event. Make a list, someone to bring the milk, a packet of biscuits, a cake. It is much more fun when everyone is involved. @Pennypincin

joedenise

Needed to pop out to get some red onions this morning.  Spends this month so far are at £91.05/£150 so £49.95 left to last until end of the month.  Should be doable as we're away from Thursday to Sunday and will be taking most food with us and will be eating out a couple of times (which has already been paid for).  Home from bank holiday Monday before going off to France at the beginning of June.

Cocobeans

Since I last posted I have only had one spend - £5.69 on C00P freezer deal and some crumpets. I went in for some chips but DD wanted some ice lollies so ended up getting the deal which included potato waffles (instead of the chips) and 2 different kinds of ice Lollies. We have needed milk this week but OH bought it and didn't ask for any money so hasn't come out of the grocery budget. I have an @sda shop being delivered tomorrow which will use up the rest of the budget but probably won't last 10 days so may go over budget. I do have some clubcard vouchers and nectar points so maybe I will use them and try and stay as close to budget as possible! 

£236.74 / £275 spent

otb666

700/600 I am calling it for May as I go from 24th to 24th and no more spends. I spent 56 on fruit and veg this week Seemed quite high Go about 22 different fruit/salad and veg.  As i have overspent by 100 will try and do better next month

Nelliegrace

I looked at the fresh and frozen fish prices recently. We used to buy plain, gutted fish and make a meal from it. 

Most of the fish on sale in the supermarket had extra stuff added, so there was considerably less fish for your money. Fish fingers seems a very expensive way of buying bread crumbs, and the bit of cod in the most popular brand, 58% of the total ingredients, costs about £25 a kilo. 

The best buys were offers on packs such as 5 for 4, or 3 for £10, on frozen, plain fish fillets. The less popular fish, pollock, hake, and haddock were larger packs for the same price, more protein meals for your money. They are all good fish.

I can make very good fish fingers with 100% fish, plus a fresh egg and real breadcrumbs from a homemade loaf. 

leftatthetrafficlights

May done - started on June today and spent £94 due to getting a lot of herbs, spices etc which will  be used over the next few months. I've just defrosted the big freezer so will be filling that up tomorrow- tesco have the 5 for 4 frozen offer on at the moment so I'll be buying lots of fruit and veg to make the most of it - it will be an expensive month but worth the outlay!! 

[Deleted User]

I have £20 to do me until Thursday. This should be ok as I have plenty in the freezer and pantry that can be used up.  Today's dinner will be either HM Mac and Cheese or HM pizza.

Suffolk_lass

Nelliegrace said:

I looked at the fresh and frozen fish prices recently. We used to buy plain, gutted fish and make a meal from it. 

Most of the fish on sale in the supermarket had extra stuff added, so there was considerably less fish for your money. Fish fingers seems a very expensive way of buying bread crumbs, and the bit of cod in the most popular brand, 58% of the total ingredients, costs about £25 a kilo. 

The best buys were offers on packs such as 5 for 4, or 3 for £10, on frozen, plain fish fillets. The less popular fish, pollock, hake, and haddock were larger packs for the same price, more protein meals for your money. They are all good fish.

I can make very good fish fingers with 100% fish, plus a fresh egg and real breadcrumbs from a homemade loaf. 

I did buy some premium cod fingers in Sainsbugs when they were on offer and we had them for the first time for supper last night. They were spectacularly big, solid, "meaty" (by which I mean texture, not content) and covered in super crunchy (think panko) breadcrumbs. They fall into the same category as steak for us, as in, a bit of a treat and I might have a go at some veggie fingers of some sort, covered in similar, that can be oven baked from frozen

Thevalueofless

May wk 3 (and a bit) total £79.63, running total for month £178.44
Week 3 is high as included huge box of soap powder and some toiletries but total for month going okay. Stores are seriously low though so am having to be very creative with what we have which is a lot of frozen beetroot, parsnips and green beans. Nothing coming from the allotment yet although a plot neighbour did give us some rhubarb which I have stewed up and water bath canned to save space in the freezer. Have started writing dates on things to see how long they last, so far loo roll, coffee beans and the new box of soap powder. OH thinks I am taking my frugality too far but for me every penny counts, especially as I broke a tooth and a crown imminent and possibly replacing a few fillings. Good news is that I am a Nationwide member so not only have benefited from their cashback on shopping but also received a message saying I am qualify for the fairer share £100 which will help with the dentists bill!