January 2008 Grocery Challenge

windowshopper100

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

. By the way quick question, does anyone know if you can substitute oil for butter in the breadmaker? I've run out of butter and am hoping not to buy any more (esp with a new breadmaker I'd just eat bread and butter for the next week and this is not good for the already expanded waistline)..

Yes, we use vegetable oil (rapeseed), its the cheapest and doesn't affect the taste. We use the same amount as it says for butter, i.e. the BM pan is on the scales and we tip 25g oil in. You could use olive oil too if you want a meditteranean taste (add some olives too, pinch of oregano), very nice for a cheese sandwich - not sure what it'd be like with jam though.

hth - WS100
xx

craftycrofty

Hi

Did my first shop for January at Mr Ts - came to £54.60. I have a couple of bits to get today, but hopefully they won't be much and I am hoping that will last me for over a week.

CC

cuddlymarm

Hi

This is the end of my 1st week and I'm £9.60 under budget even after I stocked up on meat from Iceland. I've decided that I need to keep stocked up while i can so that if I get a bad couple of weeks I will be able to manage.

I've absolutely loads of Xmas stuff left so rather than leaving it around to be nibbled at I've put it away and will get out as a treat so saving buying any for a while (and I've frozen the 2 boxes of mince pies left , I hope they freeze OK cos it didn't say on the box)

Hope everyone else are doing well too

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

lil_me

cuddlymarm there was a few posts saying mince pies freeze well, so should be ok. We've also got a lot left because of being ill over Christmas, I've been sorting through dates and squirreling away what will keep.

I've just posted a meal plan, going by the plan and what I have in I shouldn't NEED to spend much next week, now I have seen it all written* down in front of me and know I don't need much to make it, hoping it'll help me stop spending so much. One of the freezers needs defrosting and a couple of the drawers sorting as the fronts keep falling off so trying to run at least one down.

We're off out this afternoon for DS1s choice of birthday treat, so my spending total will be much higher when we get back, but I suppose you're only 9 once and I have planned for it in the budget.

mikeD

Goodness gracious me, 29 pages in 4 days. I just can't keep up at all. Apologies for not having thanked all those I usually thank but tempus fugit. Haven't spent much but will have to do my fortnightly order next week as we're running short of things.

Lotsa Love
MD

WelshWoofer

I have written a list of things that I actually do need (not want - need) for the next week and I've come up with a grand total of 4 things!
Should spend less than a fiver (hopefully)
Good luck for the weekend temptations
xx

singlemum_4

:j wow everyones doing so well.

I have still managed to stay away from the shops, looks like another NSD for me yipeee!!

Last night the kids really enjoyed the banana loaf I rustled up with the black banana's we usually throw in the compost, tonight gonna see what I can do with salmon from the freezer and rice/veg. Can't belive how much Im enjoying making stuff from scratch and staying away from the shops!!:T

md123

Just back from doing my first shop this month. Went to sainsbury as Tesco is further away and with all the snow here and a big hill to drive up I thought I would go nearer to home.

Managed to get a bargain steak pit reduced from £7.99 to £1.94 :jso bought that to put in the freezer.

Spent £67.44 but that was including a new jumper from xmas money had so shop came in at £57.44. £2.56 under budget.

nopot2pin

skipboy wrote: »

Please tell me does anybody else get like that when you are trying not to spend money and you feel that you cannot ask for the money back for the items.

I then realised that both ILS have done so much for us that we would owe them loads for many years ie time and advice.

Saying that I am still focused on spending below budget

I cook about approx 3 evening meals a week for my parents. And I normally make a big pot of soup once every 10 ish days..... Half of this ends up at my parents... portioned and frozen. This all comes out of my budget.

I almost always ask my Dad if he wants anything if I go to the shops.
Sometimes he will say, just a paper or a loaf of bread ect. Sometimes he will give me a list. If I only get him a small amount I dont ask for the money, but I do if he gives me a list. Having said that... He is quite sharp at giving me the money anyway.

But like yours, there are many, many things that they do/have done throughout the years.
As the saying goes... "Be careful how you treat your children, as they choose your nursing home when you get old" :rolleyes:


egon .... Can you not make soup with whatever veg you have left over ??

Frugaldom

rachelmk wrote: »

I have written a list of things that I actually do need (not want - need) for the next week and I've come up with a grand total of 4 things!
Should spend less than a fiver (hopefully)
Good luck for the weekend temptations
xx

I am having the same 'problem' as Rachel :T :T Just gave my daughter a list for the shop and all I need is bread, carrots and some more chicken. Told her to watch out for the offers as those little £2 chickens from Somerfields are excellent value! I get 2 meals each for 3 people plus a couple of litres of soup stock out of 1!

I missed the Tesco hampers offer!! :mad: