January 2008 Grocery Challenge

scotrae

Another GC week launched, this time calling in to Morrisons on my way back from my parents' place. They have Hz beans @ 23p for the large tins, so I got 4 even though we're not out. At less than half price it was too good to miss. BOGOFs on Supernoodles and savoury rice too, always good for Saturday lunches and ravenous boys in the evening of hot lunch days. Half price tea bags too, so by buying mainly only special offers I've spent half of his week's budget. Having said that, I don't think we'll need any of the 'expensive stuff' (toiletries, wash powder, loo roll, razors or ladies' things!) before the month is out and we've got plenty of bread, rice, spuds and pasta.

We have got two sons' birthdays at the weekend but we're not doing a party at home this time - just a trip to a cheap Chinese buffet and bowling for a couple of friends each. I'm wondering whether to bake a couple of cakes (we always have done) this time or to risk calling in the local cake factory's shop, which would be lethal for budget and waistline. They do often have a large plain birthday cake at a bargain price though - decisions!

I'm trying to plan a menu for the week again. Being 'on call' for last-minute work makes things a little more awkward but I'm counting myself out of that for a couple of days to get application forms done, set up some book-selling leads and do a bit of 'consultancy' for a friend. If I think about my savings on groceries this month as replacing some of my former salary, I don't feel so bad. (In fact, it's a much nicer feeling than the stress I put myself under last term!)

Keep it up folks. It's a long month but we're all making steps, no matter how small!

theamazinggem

hey all, just spent 4.39 on yeast, reduced mushrooms, half price cereal bars, baking powder and a pasta salad....

getting close to the budget now, and 10 days to go. pleased with efforts so far this month, so need to work on my creativity and consistency if we're going to get this budget down any lower.

planning on using the baking bits to full effect this week, going to try some bread (tho my sister still laughs from the last time i tried to make bread :rolleyes:) and another banana loaf, which will hopefully actually rise this time. :j

other than that i'm trying not to go get a mars bar to help me through the tension of trying to negotiate terms of a new job while trying to leave the old one not too much in the lerch, so as not to lose any money... could make a big difference if i get the right balance.... wish me luck! :cool:

oooh while i remember, does anyone have a recipe for reasonably healthy cereal bar snack type things (yknow like a special k bar or some such thing)?

like them but am fussy over what they have in them, plus don't want to be caught out by eating a load of hidden sugar!

well done all as ever, and thanks for all the tips so far, you're helping us out a load every day. :T

belfastgirl23

mikeD wrote: »

BG23 - re: the free range chicken tasting better than the 'oribble lot. I can't really say as we always get free range, only usually from the big supermarkets. I found that the one we had yesterday was moister than those from Mr. T but it was more expensive.

A NSD today, got to go and get the lunch now, so cheerio every body and good luck

'twasn't me Mike, I'm a dyed in the wool veggie so no call for free range chooks here. Although I did just buy six battery eggs for 89p (couldn't justify the extra 30p for free range when they're only to be used for scones and bread). So that's my first spend in my last week, although it will be a long week - have a Mr T arriving next Wednesday night (30th) since I'm paid on Thursday. Although DH is away Tues through till Fri which will help and I'm planning to live from stocks. BTW whoever cautioned against PMT spend, when buying the eggs I also managed to get a pack of after 8s in sweet form and am now feeling slightly sick from wolfing them all down. They were nice though and come from the treats budget rather than GC.

Hope you're all okay this rainy lunchtime. Been raining like crazy here and we were woken by the sound of water dripping beside the bedroom. Turns out we have a big hole in the roof and the water had soaked through the attic floor and was dripping down the lightbulb. Waiting for the roofer to arrive, hopefully it will be today cos we are having to change the bucket hourly...if anyone else says it never rains but it pours I'll throttle them :mad: Fingers crossed it hasn't done a huge amount of damage altho will need to repaint eventually...

cheerfulness4

InTheRed wrote: »

Hi Cheerfulness4,

Can I ask whether you include your cat food in your Grocery Challenge?

InTheRed

I do InTheRed - she has tinned cat food and gets through around 5 tins a week. I alternate buying Morrisons 'my cat' at just under £2 a 6 pack, and Whiskers or Felix. I just scour everywhere for offers and use coupons in my Tesco. (ours accepts them without buying the product so it helps).

I should never have let her try pouches though because she has those when on special too and they're really expensive in my opinion. Still, she's older; I always think this may be her last year.

It is expensive tho isn't it? To think my parents cat has fresh fish and chicken most days. My poor kids get mince. :rolleyes:

MERFE

Hiya everyone hope its going well, thought i was gonna have to pop to the shops cos we are running low on milk but oh has just got home from work with 8 pints of semi skimmed for 40p. Amasingly we still have a couple of bananas left and a whole pack of apples so enough fruit for the kids. Should keep us going until thurs or friday at least then I can do my last shop for the month so should be able to keep in budget but only because i haven't gone to the shops! Next month is gonna be tight as its dd birthday so i want to be able to do something for it but have decided to have lots of vege meals next month have done a plan already its the not going shopping mid week that makes all the difference for me.

mrsdoyle1981

Have spent all buy a few coppers from this months budget :eek: but am still not too disheartened. I still cant believe that we are on track to pay just over £600 off debts this month!! :j:j:j

This has definitely been assisted by the GC, thank you all so much for the recipes you've posted and other hints and tips about stretching resources with value brands/ substitutes

Thankfully its pay day on friday so the new challenge will begin then, and we've still got lots of food in the freezer and cupboards :rotfl::rotfl:

belfastgirl23

There's an interesting article in the Belfast Telegraph today proving what we in Ireland have been saying about prices being higher over here if anyone wants a look. There is also some good general info as well...

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3356548.ece

[EMAIL="t.collins@qub.ac.uk"][/EMAIL]

rosieben

mrsdoyle1981 wrote: »

... I still cant believe that we are on track to pay just over £600 off debts this month!! :j:j:j

...

Well done!!!! :T :T :T

bails

Well done MrsDoyle, that's fantastic!
Been reading the thread again as found some time today, great stuff on here. As I said yesterday, we're over budget already but only by £3.52 at mo...We will need to get some things before the end of the month but I feel better reminding myself that we'll be spending so much less this year, so thanks.
I have a mountain of cheese at the mo - can anyone tell me which ones I can't freeze please? Can I freeze roule or brie for example? Thanks!

bananakinz

We're doing well on our grocery challenge, its nearly pay day again!! Mind you I think thats only due to us buying 2 bottles of wine for the whole month!

Just having a rummage through our cupboards to see what other meals we can make, and going to see if I can last till about Thurs/ Fri!