January 2008 Grocery Challenge

Jacks_xxx

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.

There's hope for me then lil-me?!

My daughter took great delight in reminding me that when she and her brother were small if they didn't eat their tea that was fine - but they didn't get anything else.

BUT...

When the cat turns his nose up at something I bustle about finding some tasty morsels to tempt him with.

In my defence he has been poorly sick - and the vet said he'd have a chance to pull through as long as he started eating again so I think this is when I got a bit anxious about him eating - but to be honestI have always been soft as butter!

I feed next doors cat when she's pregnant and they're out at work all day (I worry about her and the kittens having malnutrition!) In return she brings me presents of random bits of Barbie dolls and babies rattles!

But anyway... did you like the sound of any of those goulash recipes?

I quite fancied Pollycat's cos it looks simple (and I've got all the ingredients except a bayleaf and creme fraiche to hand ) What do you reckon?

Love Jacks xxx

Moniker

I have just got back from a short break and it's taken me over an hour to read this lot! Anyway, have done my first big shop at Sainsbury's and bought a month's worth of dried stuff and cleaning materials as well as meat and fish for the freezer so I am hopeful of meeting the challenge for the rest of the month. Better get on with the ironing!

By the way Jacks:

Jacks_xxx wrote: »

I washeartbroken - especially as my pyrex dish smashed to smithereens and I used that blimmin' dish everyday! I'm lost without it.

Jacks - get yourself down to your nearest Woolworth's - they've got some great offers in their sale - lots of pyrex!

Good luck everyone.

JoJoB

Had another no spend day, managed it by going for a 4 hour walk along the cliffs. Saw some lovely exmoor ponies and big woolly cow things. :cool:

Just have to manage 2 more days and then I will have come in under budget for my first week. But the cupboards and freezer will be bare so next week will be a good test

Doing this challenge and finding this site has really helped me so much. When I got pregnant I was so panicked about not being able to manage financially, and we were always skint. Thought at least if we sell the flat before the birth there will be a bit of money to buy a buggy etc, but now it doesn't matter if the flat is slow selling cos I am finally in control and the figures add up and we can actually live on our wages. It's making for a very nice relaxed pregnancy. :T

savingforarainyday

I am new to all this but I'd like to join too. So farm my spend this month has been £28.32 at Lidl and £10 at Farmfoods (I know how to live.)

My usual spend is about £300 a month family of 4 dog and small pets.

Living out of freezer from last month overkill on chocolates and cakes left in cupboard
mainly because i got the co-op mark downs in december £20 worth for about £3.50 all with varying dates to end of January, (Yay):j

I am off to eat stilton and and cant remember what vegetable soup that was made by my friend.

January GC Target £250.

lil_me

Just had a look Jacks I think Pollycats would be doable, I have done a meal plan for this week but might be able to nudge things around to fit it in, will get some of that steak used up. Just working out what I will need

4 oz mushrooms
1/2 green pepper
1/2 red pepper
100ml creme fraiche
Possibly garlic - will have a look in a mo.

Suppose I could work this to do the day before or after the fajitas, so peppers will be used up. I'll just have a look through my meal plan and rejig it a little, see what day is best for me to put it in, it's going in the slow cooker I think regardless. Wonder what on earth you'd serve with it too, will have to have a look. Pasta, hmmm, I don't know how well that will go......

Mollymop5

Popped into Asda for coffee, sugar ect and spent £18.Yikes.Luckily I'm working on a monthly total figure and not a weekly spend LOl

lil_me

Mollymop5 wrote: »

Popped into Asda for coffee, sugar ect and spent £18.Yikes.Luckily I'm working on a monthly total figure and not a weekly spend LOl

That's exactly why I prefer monthly budgets, because some things you don't buy weekly, especially if you need more than a couple in one week it can be a right sting for weekly budgetting.

Right Jacks, just been through my meal plan, stew is off the menu for Wednesday and Goulash is on. Still not decided what to serve with it, I think I might just see what it looks/tastes like when it's almost cooked.

Oh and kitty is better now, he won't starve himself, maybe time to make him save you money? Took a lot from me to do it, but with saving over, well over £45 a month I couldn't afford not to.

sweetpea03

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Sweetpea what breads have worked well for you? I've done ciabatta and focaccia (dough and then in the oven) which were great, ciabatta in the BM (but I didn't like the 'loaf' shape) and white and brown loaves all of which tasted really good. Oh and also a pesto loaf which didn't taste at all of pesto but was still perfectly edible. I have a fruit loaf in cooking now as well...what has worked for you?

I tried the ciabatta just after xmas & thought it a bit weird too in that shape! apart from that I've made the white loaf, wheatgerm loaf, cheese & bacon loaf & 50% wholemeal loaf. I've made french sticks & done a few batches of rolls & pizza today using the dough ( :eek: all that makes me sound really greedy! but it is for 5 of us in case anyones wondering!) Are you managing to slice yours ok? Mine are still very thick slices! so i think we get on better with rolls Let me know how your fruit loaf turns out, I might try a sweet loaf next week if it turns out ok Really pleased all your loaves are turning out so well

Made it to Julian Graves in the end & bought almonds, sultanas, mixed peel, coconut, dates, mixed fruit, walnuts for my baking & humbugs lol for £7.55 + 2 milks for £2.20 on the way home so I've added it on to my total

ihatedebt_2

I'd like to try this challenge, i will aim for £200 for my first month :j as this will include money for food while travelling during our move overseas.

Savvy_sewing

My main meals are sorted out as follows:
Chicken Stir Fry,
Pork Chops, Rice and mixed vegetables
Sausage Casserole, potatoes, mixed vegetable and dumplings
Pizza, baked Beans, (jacket potates for me)
Cheese stuffed, jacket potatoes served with green salad
Chicken and mushroom filled pancakes, served with noodles or chips
Quick Quiche, served with salad and jacket potatoes
Vegetable Curry, and brown rice
Macaroni chicken and simple salad
Homemade Chicken pie, potatoes and peas
Vegetable risotto
Toad in the hole, with potatoes and greens
Bernard Matthew turkey escalopes, chips and peas
Beef casserole, vegetalbes, dumplings and mashed potatoes
Pizza (again cos i ordered 2)
Pasta Carbonnara
Casseroled port, with rice (possibly a stroganoff) or sweet sour
cheese omelette and chips salad
Pasta Neapolitan

3 weeks worth of main meals, then I have to think about what else that I can have but there should be plenty of vegetables etc as I get the vouchers for them. And I still have not spent half my money/
Although I didnt get my garlic or mushrooms delivered, so will need to get them.
Last night we had Spaghetti bolognaise.
i costed it all out. It cost me£2.48 and it served 5.

We are having roast chicken tonight with potatoes and greenbeans, and the left over chicken will go in my chicken pie.
Normally have it sunday but fancied a change.