December 2024 Grocery Challenge

Wraithlady

thriftwizard said:

In other news, I've decided I don't actually like the new small bread-maker I bought a couple of months ago when our elderly Panny finally died. All the recipes for the new one call for large amounts of sugar; I know, it's for the yeast, but 4 tbsps for a 1lb quick loaf? and they all taste sweet to me. 

To be honest, the recipe I have for my breadmaker was 3 tbsp for a 2 lb loaf - I've successfully reduced it down to 1 tsp, and the bread is very little different. 

I suspect they may be writing for the American (or American-influenced) market, hence the abundance of sugar.

Doom_and_Gloom

Doom_and_Gloom said:

£32.67/£248.
£215.33 left.

Not been feeling great. Yesterday was so bad I slept nearly all day, barely eating, and I slept through most of today too. Wasn't able to take advantage of the cheap electricity time today and bulk cook as I literally slept through it unable to get out of bed. Oh well health trumps budget. 

Hope everyone else is okay as there are a few nasty illnesses doing the rounds. 

Anyone in the storm areas keep safe and don't go out if you don't have to. 

£11.70 spent at Waitr*se yesterday. OH bought me soup and juice*¹, he got some chicken and yoghurt for himself.

£44.37/£248.
£203.63 left.

*¹ £3.10 for 1.75L 😱

JayneFinney

Hi, not been on here for a while, and feel like i've lost my ways, so back on the bandwagon.

I'm going to guess at £550 a month and hopefully bring it down.

I did a big shop at T the other day while joints of meat and sides of salmon are half price, £324 bill down to £185.

I'm hoping to make this last as long as possible, empty cupboards and freezers before doing another shop apart from essentials.

2025 is definitely going to be my year!

Pennypincin

Hi, sorry I've been awol again.
Picked up odds and sods this week and have £15 left to transfer to the bulk fund.

LadyWithAPlan

@Doom_and_Gloom hope you feel better soon - yes definitely some lurgies going around


Dec Grocery £74.51 +  £26 Xmas food + £7.20 junk

Had an training  session this Sunday  morning so HAD to leave the house despite the rain/wind.
Then popped to Morries after and used £15 of my £25 free vouchers towards Xmas food shopping and what I am cooking in London for various Xmas things  ahead of Xmas.
so £25.17 cash and £15 of the Morries vouchers - very near another £15 
Lots of YS meats  (chicken, pork loin), and smoked meats ( which i keep snacking on today). Plus basics such as puree, passata, smoked bacon for base of dishes etc 

I could do with some YS salmon, keeping my eye out. I did buy some YS kippers in butter, half for lunch and will make fish cakes with whats left over and freeze.

I have a roast chicken on the go so thats also marked for stock as well - I have always made stock but the pressure cooker takes it next level for speed.

JayneFinney said:

I'm hoping to make this last as long as possible, empty cupboards and freezers before doing another shop apart from essentials.

2025 is definitely going to be my year!

I emptied out my freezer last month - it took weeks!  However felt great to start stocking again 

@pennypinchin    think a fair few of us have been awol... 

My Ynab figures tell me (from Dec 23 - my 1st full month of YNAB) to end Nov 24
Total spend on food - excluding bday /family meals out (and does not include households items, alcohol or where I bought xmas food for others)
£2919.88 in 12 months  so £243.32 avg per month
This is just me 

Groceries  £1520.94
Bulk   £129.50
Food out/snacks £150.16
Junk- sweets /crisps £177.31
Takeaway/meal boxes £150.16 (only do when there is an offer) 
Abroad food inc meals out (i do travel abroad for work and this is where work doesnt cover  £280.65 + £266.76 + £243.74  (separate trips)

First time I can do this exactness - always to know exact numbers easily on my spends and the YNAB is next level for it - my voluntary spending has really gone down this 12 months and savings up, despite earning less (and delayed invoice payments)

carboot_karaoke

Evening All,

I've had a very "spendy weekend" . Made the fatal error of doing the big shop, hungry, and coming down with the lurgy  

The result was a total spend of £140.38, yikes !! £22 was on vitamins, £21 was ironically, on junk food and £21 was on meat. l honestly don't know where the other money went. I did buy fruit, veg, proper orange juice @£3 for 1.75l but the rest was just bad decisions.

New total £239.96 / £500 a bit disappointed with myself I was hoping to be under £200 at this stage of the month.  

Have a good week. 

Nelliegrace

We went to the Co-op round the corner for £3 of milk, avoiding shopping in the bad weather when car doors and shopping trolleys get blown, and cars dented.

I checked some prices and we went to Asda for milk, fruit, vegetables and some nuts, £19.96 spent. 
We stopped at Aldi for a litre of yoghurt, cream, unwaxed lemons, and wonky grapes, which were cheaper there. I bought seeds, almonds and walnuts, and economy fruit and nuts, £17.75 spent.

We are to take food for tea at indoor bowls this week. I am not buying junk food for that, so I shall take some dates, satsumas, and mixed nuts. 

Budget £155, £66.19 spent, £85.81 left.

MissRikkiC

A shop in Morrisons both hungry and in a panic after no power or water for 24 hours so don’t stress @carboot_karaoke I hear ya! 

We spent almost £54 on very little. Approx £5 on bagels (£1 on offer and they end up in the freezer), crumpets and an actual loaf of bread. Chicken, salad, sausage rolls and snacks bits for the children (scotch eggs, mini sausages). nappies and wipes was also in there at £11, £5 on 750g cheese, mushrooms, pancakes, fruit (mainly bananas), £3.20 for some gluten free gravy, mayonnaise, a Rana fresh pasta sauce thing from the reduced section, mince pies and 4 large gingerbread men plus more of nothing. That’s about £49. I shouldn’t be able to rattle off £49 worth of shopping. It should be so much that I can’t remember it. Hmph. 

Suffolk_lass

Just baking a hybrid loaf this morning as it means no need to enter a shop and succumb to temptations of the season. I have plenty of milk and eggs and we will use the remaining cold chicken in a stir-fry or pie (or a stir-fry pie!).

I really find it helps enormously, just making do with what we have in as I can't be trusted in the shops. An old OOD tin of tuna might feature for a cheap supper with the last two baking potatoes too, but tomorrow. Using the chicken up today is the priority

TravelCrystal

Afternoon all
Hope everyone is well and not too much damage from the weekend weather.
We got caught in Bert going to see DS2 a few weeks back, so of course Daragh was a problem for DS1 and other rellies coming to us last Sunday. 

When they did arrive they ate loads🤣🤣
Made a couple of Italian breads, one for sandwiches and one for them to slice and eat with cheese.
Just enough left to have for lunch today with some homemade soup when I get around to it.

A couple of spends to report 

Yesterday went into Farm Foods as vouchers arrived at last.
Prawns x 2, Consignment of loo rolls. 2 x F and B pies. Frozen fruit x3. £55.98 with discount.

Lidl’s today Discounted Yoghurts, free bag of apples, Brandy ice cream to go with our Christmas pudding.
Eggs, cheese, milk and veg £20.39

Total so far £492.57/£600

Have a good rest of the day 

T.C