Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard

threepenny_bit

Decided to use the ground chicken to make small patties with, added onion and garlic powder. salt and pepper, and some oregano powder and just dry fried them. Then made them into Breakfast sandwiches with egg, English muffins and cheese slices. I whisked up 9 eggs and cooked them on a flat baking tray so that I could just cut it into squares and popped one square in each English muffin. Wrapped each one in a wet paper towel and then cling film, remove from cling film and microwave. The damp paper towel creates just enough steam to stop the muffin base drying out. I know hubby will take them for work and they make a quick and easy lunch too. 
I made 7 with the turkey patties, then 5 with some thinly sliced ham. 

threepenny_bit

I had to change this last week of the menu plan a little due to the veg that I have left and what else is in the fridge. It has been nice to have a whole months menus worked out but a little more challenging just because of what we have as leftovers. I had used the potatoes a little faster than expected and this was due to some very cold days when we just wanted warmer meals with jacket potatoes or stew etc.
I didn't use many of my packet mixes from the store cupboard this month so am adding more into the mix next month. Will do another quick inventory during the week and check the tinned foods, frozen veg, etc. 
I only need milk and bananas for this week and have $19.55 left in my grocery budget so am happy - I know I would have just shopped and bought extras on a whim and spent so much more money. 

week 4 meals  - may change a couple of ingredients and add things that need using up. I don't eat pork but hubby does so that is why some meals show options for ham. 

1- chicken curry and rice, naan bread from freezer

2- ham/egg chips and beans

3- chicken salsa casserole from freezer

4- Maggi bag mediterranean or piri piri with chicken, bendy veg from fridge including peppers, mushroom and onion.

5- protein bowls with ham/tuna & beans/chick peas/remaining salad

threepenny_bit

End of the month - what a long one it was! I spent a little on bananas and milk at the weekend and ended the month with $11.66. I am going to add the money to a purse or jar for a month when we may need an extra few dollars.
here's to a fun and frugal February!

threepenny_bit

Morning everyone. 
A very basic food plan for the week and I may change a few bits around as I am doing the shopping today. Not  sure which fruit and veg will be the best price etc at Costco, I want to buy beef mince to restock too but this may depend on how much it is this week, will swap out the bolognese meal if I don't get mince.

Fish, chips and mushy peas
Thai chicken curry and rice
Nachos, guacamole (to use up some soft avocado)
Jacket potatoes, salad, ham from freezer for hubby and tinned tuna for me
Pasta and bolognese sauce

threepenny_bit

Well that was an expensive trip but I got some bargains that I couldn't leave behind! I spent more than tI expected but hoping it will even out during the year. 
I did get 7lb mince beef, $30 of olive oil which is only actually 2l but will last me the year, 9 packs of dried pasta and some tinned chicken - everything on a great offer. The rest was mainly fruit and veg, bread, butter which is a kings ransom!, and cheese. Will change the food plans around a little and need to tidy out the pantry to put things in date order. 

threepenny_bit

Well time for a catch up I think! How is everyone doing Hope you have managed to stay warm and dry. 

Have been busy sorting out work and trying to work on downsizing everything I have there. This will be my last few months and I don't want to be trying to store everything if I can possibly help it. 
I had a date for knee surgery which I turned down as it is just too soon to give notice on rental space etc. and was 2 months earlier than I had planned for. I wondered if it was a cancellation appointment but it just didn't work this time. 
I haven't bought anymore food since Feb 5th but we will need milk and eggs this weekend at least. I have some yeast and bread flour so may try a loaf in the bread maker and maybe a fruited hot cross bun type bread for breakfasts. 

Menus this week were 
1. Curry using some chicken skewers from back of freezer, naan bread and rice
2. Chips, salad, cottage cheese
3. Chicken, mashed potato and misc veg
4. Mince, carrots, cauliflower and cheese scones
5. Nachos with a little of the mince before adding gravy to it, chicken wings - this will tonights tea and will add peppers, onion, cheese to the nachos.

I threw out some very dry and old bread from the back of the big freezer and started to arrange things in date order. This coming week I am going to re organize the pantry shelves, again in date order, and just update my master list of food available. I want to get a few things made for the freezer, store cupboard update, and general tidy up  in the next few weeks ready to use after surgery. 

threepenny_bit

Well I didnt get the pantry or freezer updates done last week and concentrated on decluttering other areas of the house instead. I managed to sell a few bits on FB and got a bag ready for the charity shop. I need to up my game with this as in a couple of months I will go for my surgery and be out of action for quite a while. I also wont get any wages as I am self employed so if I can sell a few more bits it will keep the wolf from the door for a while. 

Menu for this week:
Chilli and rice
Salad and jacket potato with eggs and cheese
Spag bol and garlic toast
Roast Chicken dinner using veg from freezer
Mediterranean Chicken with a bag of tomatoes and peppers left over from summer that I popped in the freezer

I only need to buy milk this week and maybe bananas for hubby at the weekend. I bought 2 loaves of bread and that will keep us going for a couple of weeks. 

threepenny_bit

A sad day! I went shopping yesterday using the flyers for all of the local grocery stores. I placed an online order at the one where I could get most shopping and deals for the least money and realized I just cannot work with such a small amount of cash each month. 
I bought basic groceries, am using store cupboard and pantry items, the lowest I could shop for was $180. I needed basics like washing up liquid, toilet roll, shower gel, deodorant and cleaner before doing any groceries and this took over a 1/4 of the money. I added 3lb mince, frozen chicken breasts which were on sale, frozen shrimp on offer, tinned tuna, cheese, salad, bread, butter, apples and bananas, milk, plain yoghurt, potatoes, carrots, onions, and 2 oranges. This would only leave me about $20 for the rest of the month and even just milk and bread would be more than this!

I am going to increase the amount to $250 a month making my annual amount $3000 instead of $2500 and hope to claw back a little each month to restock freezer and pantry items. Groceries are just increasing in price each month and costing more than ever.