September 2025 Grocery Challenge

joedenise

Tap the seeds out of the pomegranate and freeze them.  I try to pick up packs of seeds YS when I'm at the SM to freeze.  I mainly use them in couscous particularly when I make a tagine.

TravelCrystal

Thanks @joedenise, I will get on it this afternoon 
TC

mandco

Back from our break and have a quick question. there was a large Lidl near by and we ended up buying quite a bit in there mostly middle aisle bits but as result for the first time ever I have vouchers for free fruit/veg, savoury snack/crisp & fruit juice/smoothie ( ds used the free sweet treat one already)   Any suggestions on what’s good to use them on? I rarely shop at Lidl as it’s not local so no idea on what’s good & my lot are kind of fussy - I’ve gotta make a special trip to go use the vouchers but figure it’s worth it as I have 3 free items - just want to make the most of them.  Any suggestions much appreciated 

joedenise

7.5Kg potatoes or 1Kg strawberries for the free veg/fruit (at this time of year think I'd go for the potatoes); multi-bag crisps - lots of flavours to choose from I would always get plain.  No idea about fruit juice/smoothie as never used any of them.

TravelCrystal

@mandco agree with @joedenise. I had the potatoes which would normally have cost more than £4. When the voucher becomes available if you click in to it you can see all the items included 

mandco

Thanks I got the 7.5kg potatoes 30 pack of crisps & 1.75 litre orange juice with my vouchers worth £10.67 
also picked up some green lentils, choc chip brioche, a pizza, 2 packs of the frozen ready to bake pretzels & some caramel choc cups from this weeks alpenfest range total £12.54 
also spent £28.26 pet shop
£22.37 b*m
£73.37 Sainsbury’s 
Also adding £10 for some bits I picked up while away that weren’t part of the holiday budget 
+ £72.94 from last week that I forgot to add = Total £219.48 - £578.73/£800 

TheCheerleader

Afternoon money wrestlers, good to read you’re all doing so brilliantly! 

The 1.9kg chicken did 3 roasts, 5 portions of vindaloo and a lovely chicken stew using the stock as well, with dumplings did 5 portions.

Last week I used a 600g pack of minced lamb to make 3 portions of sort of moussaka using 400g and courgettes, and 200g bulked with lentils for a shepherds pie which made 4 portions. This Sunday will be golden veggie shepherds pie as I have everything in.

I’m so glad this thread is challenging me to think, happy with making the meals stretch and nothing is wasted.
Mr. T delivery last Monday for £52.12, a couple of other fresh bits bought almost every other day..
£179.18/ £200
I have £20.82 left for the next 11 days, should just be for milk, bread as have plenty in.
Hope you’re all having great a weekend especially those on holiday!
we’ve got this! 💪

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon Everyone,  
I hope all the holiday makers are enjoying themselves 😊

I have four 😱 shops to declare. I've tried desperately to keep on track so although the total is higher than it should be I've got most ingredients for the next weeks meals so hoping it will balance out if l manage to avoid the shops.  

I spent £13.92 at Asda l brought cheese and veg, plus a jar of coffee @£3.74 l didn't technically need right now but it's my favourite and was on offer. 

Another £5.33 at home bargains for toothbrushes and toothpaste to be added to the bulk fund. 
 
Tesco was the biggest spend £60.05 this included meat, fruit, veg and some toiletries 

Finally Aldi came to £ 16.61 for seasonings,  mixed frozen berries, ham,  crisps,  noodles and a half price pack of smoky bbq pork sausage just £1.75 for 600g. 

This week's food plan is:
Jerk chicken,  rice and veg
Roast Pork , new potatoes veg and yorkshire puddings 
Caribbean chicken stew,  rice and salad
Jacket potato with various fillings beans, cheese, tuna etc
Lasagne and salad 
Sausage pasta (using the reduced Sausage from aldi) and garlic bread
Pizza

Just four more meals to come up with l have about 300g of YS chicken breast and a 4 pack of burgers to play with but then my freezer is empty 🙃. 

New totals 

Grocery Budget £254.07 / £300 -   £44.93 remaining 
Bulk fund £25.99 / £50
Grocery Challenge £280.06 / £350 

Pennypincin

I've £7.89 left of this weeks budget.
I'm not likely to be shopping tomorrow, so will start again Monday.
I've lost track of what I bought since I last checked in other than £8.49 for a large (200g) jar of coffee alternative from Holland and Barrett.

Naturelover22

I am shocked I have not posted on here since the start of the month! Me and husband have been logging the spending for the week each Sunday, but I have not made it on here to update.

We have also bought the new extra freezer, so I can start to fill it with extra meals, which I think will really help our 'too tired to cook takeaways0

Here is our summary
3rd A*di 29.18 food
3rd B&M 26.86 cleaning supplies and snacks
4th T*sco 17.58 food
8th A*di 5.56 (cat litter 4.38)
9th A*da 7.72 food
9th A*di 70.42 food, (scissors 4, toilet roll, stationary 3.80)
9th £33.60 cat food
9th C*-op 4.50 food
16th C*-op 5.53 food
16th m*rrisons 29.30
13th a*di 6.54 cat litter 4.38
21st a*di 36.00 food and toilet roll

Spent £281.73 out of £300

1 takeaway and 1 lunch out