January 2008 Grocery Challenge

affordmylife

Sorry Joyce's daughter - do you fancy turkey stew instead of M and S stuff then - thats what we've got!!!

CRANKY40

My 1st weeks shopping was £35.39, £5.39 over budget, but because of the stuff I bought that was on offer, I had savings of £7.26.

Hopefully by using my "multibuys" up through the month I can cut down and save money on my other weeks shopping.

I only bought the offers on things that we use regularly.

Joyce's_Daughter

Actually, affordmylife, I've got my own stash of turkey, waiting for same treatment in the freezer! Enjoy:D

Thanks rosieben, it just so happens I have sausages a plenty so I've found your post rather useful. Unfortunately my cooking skills are limited and I'm wondering what you do for sausage casserole?:o

arbroath_lass

I've not been shopping yet so feeling a bit left out :rotfl: but still really keen and reading this thread avidly.
I've also realised that two Mr T pizzas are costing us £4.50 :eek: so am going to try to make my own this week. There's a huge long breadmaking thread - I'm going to have a read through and maybe even make my own bases.

On the plus side Mum bought a slow cooker and decided she didn't like it so it's all mine now :j and I've got a £10 voucher for Tesco in Aberdeen - from elsewhere in the forum.

affordmylife

Arbroath lass i havent spent anything either. We are still munching our way through the christmas leftovers and stock piled cupboards. Probably could carry on til next year at this rate!!!!

scotrae

OK - I've got the spuds, onions and yogurts and a few other things that we needed. The good news is that I saved £4.17 - the bad news is that my total spend has now gone up to £13.15 (DH is brand conscious when it comes to baked beans but at least the 4-pack was discounted).

My sons declared that cutting our grocery budget by 75% or more is 'barmy' but having them with me and getting them to work out the best deal and to choose their crisps on value for money is no bad thing.

rosieben

Joyce's_Daughter wrote: »

...
Thanks rosieben, it just so happens I have sausages a plenty so I've found your post rather useful. Unfortunately my cooking skills are limited and I'm wondering what you do for sausage casserole?:o

Sausage casserole - I sometimes do the cowboy hotpot sort of thing, sausages (sliced and part cooked first) into a casserole, top with baked beans; I vary it with onions, mushroom, tin tomatoes instead of beans, etc as the mood takes me; sometimes top with mash or cheesy mash. Would probably be nice with a pastry top but not tried that yet.

If I'm feeling really lazy I use a pack of schwartz (or simlar) sausage casserole mix! I try to keep a 3 or 4 of these, different sorts, for days when I just cant be very bothered, I just do potatoes, pasta, rice to go with it.

If you wanted to do your own I suppose a tin of tomatoes, onions, herbs and garlic would do the trick?

I like sausages and onions done in the oven, and also slice them up and use with pasta and sauce.

I LOVE sausages, can you tell? Richmond Irish recipe are my favourite.

Joyce's_Daughter

Thanks very much for taking time to type that out, you're an:A. I'll definitely have a go. I quite fancy the pasta and sauce too! Must have my dinner soon:rotfl:

Bobbykins

Awwwwww Rosieben....you edited your post before I could comment!! I was going to have a laugh at the thought of a sausage casserole in a "party" top, (where you miss-typed PARTY for PASTRY)....but then you edited to correct it! boo hoo
I have visions of a sausage in a sparkly, strappy top! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Skint_Catt

Joyce's_Daughter wrote: »

A question for those of you more experienced MSE's. Is it better to have a menu plan that a lot of you seem to do or is it better just to see whats on offer when you shop?

(this is probably stupid question but I'm new to this lark):o

No such thing as a stupid question!

I've meal planned for the entire month as I want to make room by using up what we have in the freezer. You can do it weekly if thats easier by seeing what's on offer Once the freezers empty I will be doing it weekly for February.