January 2008 Grocery Challenge

dawnylou

lil_me wrote: »

dawnylou I changed my dogs food, I was thinking they were fussy until I was told by someone 'Stop being soft, the only one making them fussy is you!!!' they lasted a couple of days without eating, now are fine with the much cheaper dried food which I moisten for them. Probably cost me 1/4 what they used to do, no longer bullied by my pets Fish will eat whatever they are given, they love a few peas for a treat. Hedgehog tries to be fussy but doesn't get away with it, same with the lizard.

I am just so worried of starving them! lol

chardonnay_2

we had to go shopping today to asda - 45 quid approx will update tomorrow when i find the receipt.

forgot to say this is for 2 full time adults and 2 part time teenage stepsons (sometimes here more than half the month). My two step sons are extremely fussy and extremely different in their tastes so meal times can be hard. hubby jokes they eat better than us:rolleyes: , they had steak the other night while we had chicken casserole made with leftovers:D .


i am quite proud to state that as previous takeaway addicts, who often phoned for a takeout whenever we felt down, tired or lazy, we have not had a takeaway for at least 6 months if not longer. the only fast food (sort of) we have is a create your own pizza from asda now and again. this has been mainly helped by buying those plastic tubs that your takeaway uses from the poundland or asda and making extra and freezing meals (leftovers) in portions for the freezer. this is usually, chilli, bolognese, chinese chicken curry, casseroles, indian curries etc. these can be defrosted in micro and added to fresh pasta or rice etc for an easy dinner.

i used to crave chinese chicken curry but no chinese round here really made chicken curry the way i liked it. this was solved when taking our step sons to laser quest in edinburgh and we noticed the shop 'thai @ haymarket', this shop sells such brilliant products and we found tubs of keejays chinese curry sauce- we prefer the hot and spicy one- just add water and fab curry sauce. we also add other spices as we like really hot sauce but a tub costs 1.55 and lasts for a good few meals so much more cost effective than a takeaway

Sassamac

rosieben wrote: »

Have you browsed through the greenfingered MS forum? lots of advice
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=134

why not go to your library and ask them to get you a beginners guide to vegetable gardening and take it from there?

I grow everything in containers/pots in a sunny and sheltered yard, usually have a brilliant crop of tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers etc although last year was a bit of a failure because of the bad weather.

Once you've grown your own veg, you wont want shop bought ever again!

Thanks, hadnt thought of the library. I couldnt find much on the greenfingered forum, I think its a bit fragmented.

tattycath

Good evening everyone. Called in at morrisons again tonight to pick up money they had overcharged me. Managed to spend more money while there though!! :doh: I did get 2 good bargains though I bought 1 dozen free range eggs (we get through loads of eggs in our house!!!) they should have been £2.59 and were only 29p I also got a chess set that went through at £30.00 and I only had to pay...98p. So I'm a very happy bunny about that-it was the only one they had!!!!!

brummiebabe

So far for this week (up until next Wednesday..) I've spent £84.68.

Have everything now for packed lunches (I'm back at work next week - so all of us will need packed lunches:rolleyes: ) plus all meals etc until next Saturday.

With being back at work my plan is to try & be more organised, have a 2 week rolling menu & shop totally online (except for top-up bread/milk) - can't be doing with thinking of different meals every week:mad:

This week's spending: Spar (bread/milk/salad) £4.90, Morrisons (bread, milk, veg) £5.92, Woolworths (biscuits for packed lunches) £2.00 and Tesco delivery £71.86 (including £7 off voucher & £10.21 off from special offers, delivery was £5.75)

Now left with £210.94 for the remainder of my challenge (up until 23 Jan - when I get paid again!):D

lauradora

right after having batch baked a load of stuff yeaterday I checked my only receipt for this month and so far i've spent £21.51 at the asda which leaves me 28.49 left to spend!

DdraigGoch

I know I'm late, but, excuse at the ready!, I didn't know about this Challenge. Please can I join? I've not spent anything so far this week, so that might help.

My challenge amount is £60/week for 2 adults and a teenager, including school dinner money

Thanks
DG

nopot2pin

DdraigGoch wrote: »

I know I'm late, but, excuse at the ready!, I didn't know about this Challenge. Please can I join? I've not spent anything so far this week, so that might help.

My challenge amount is £60/week for 2 adults and a teenager, including school dinner money

Thanks
DG

Welcome and good luck

HariboJunkie

I'm joining late too if that's ok. :hello:

After a serious Christmas food overspend I want to spend as little as possible this month. I've done a month's meal planning based on cheapish meals and what I have in my storecupboard and freezer. I'm also planning for a few days in hospital when my OH and kids still need to be fed.:rolleyes:
So far this month I have spent £17 in Lidl on fresh fruit and veg and one large chicken (which gave us a roast and 2 pots of soup)
I also got some bargains tonight at Tesco.,,, 4 large packs of bubble and squeak for 10p each. I pack of red cabbage and apple 10p, 6 sausage rolls 10p and 2 packs of finest ham, 10p each. :j
I reckon if I stick to the meal plan and reuse all leftovers I should get the grocery bill in for under £100 for the month. This will leave my cupboards bare though so next month will be high. :rolleyes:

Our usual spend is £300 per month.

skipboy

Hi everyone. This is great and what a challenge for us all. Spent £2.58 in Asda today just on washing up liq,marg and Bananas. Main shop on Mon. I was so pleased that I only brought what I went in for. Keep focused all over the weekend. Just a point worth asking. If so Mr Ts reduce items in the late evening and they do not sell, when are they removed from the reduced counter? I start work at 6am and pass a Mr Ts on the way. Do you think the reduce items would still be there ?