Wendy's "To get it out of my head" Diary

dizzy_lizzie

Hiya Wendy...
hmmm grocery spends...how I hate those lol but this is where my money goes and on bits and useless bobs. Have you tried drawing up a weekly menu (with input from children and OH if necessary) and then doing your shopping around that. I find if I stick religiously to it, aside from extra bread and bits, it does work. It's the sticking to it that's the problem though.
I haven't this week as not been 100% and went shopping with list and a vague menu idea last friday. There's been something for tea everynight though (amazing what you can throw together when you try). Saying that OH in kitchen now putting himself something together,no idea what, but he's making me...wait for it...two onions chopped fried in a little soya marg on 4 slices of toast with loads of black pepper and brown sauce. I love it. Sounds odd though lol
It's good to see your enthusiasm.
Keep well luvz Dizzy x

Sassamac

If you're having trouble with youre grocery budget, how about posting everything up here as and when you buy it, or post last month shopping if you still have the receipts. Then we can all contribute ways to cut down.
What measures have you taken so far? Do you buy much value stuff, do you bulk buy, do you ration the goodies, do you batch cook, do you cook from scratch, bake your own snacks etc.

Sassamac

sorry got called away by both kids asking for milk.
How much do you have in your freezer? Mine is rammed (more so than I thought) with abandoned leftovers that Im now making meals with. Its worth doing an inventory and making a concerted effort to use whats there first. I habitually used to replace everything before it run out, without thinking when I would need it.

In_Search_Of_Me

Just popping in to say H & well don on the changes so far! What abou doing the grocery challege & looking at old style menu planners? It does help and I find paying cash makes a real difference...

Keeping_Positive

Thanks guys

I have been meal planning for about 4 weeks now and its going well although not so great this week. Tried to shop elsewhere and didnt do weekly Tesco shop and resulted in missing stuff and OH going to T everyday which of course adds up with extras. Spent £71 since the 25th but thats really only one weeks worth. I have had it down to £60 inc delivery charge. It didnt help that Ive been down recently and was quite bad at the weekend so couldnt get organised.

Done freezer, fridge and cupboard inventory for meal stuff and its very eclectic. Will have a think of what I can get out of it for the following week.

PS know what you mean about automatically stocking up!

Keeping_Positive

Sassamac wrote: »

If you're having trouble with youre grocery budget, how about posting everything up here as and when you buy it, or post last month shopping if you still have the receipts. Then we can all contribute ways to cut down.
What measures have you taken so far? Do you buy much value stuff, do you bulk buy, do you ration the goodies, do you batch cook, do you cook from scratch, bake your own snacks etc.

Rarley cook anything from scratch or bake. Not confident and not much motivation. I do buy value and shops own alot of the time, I look out for BOGOF offers I will use.

When I have tried to cook casseroles etc I find they are not much cheaper than what I usually cook and the kids just turn their noses up. Which after spending time actually cooking is a pain. We do make them eat it but its a real drag.

I find alot of my budget goes on snacks such as sausage rolls, croissants, hot cross buns, cheese strings, yogurts. Planning to try to get to grips with breadmaker for bread and hot cross buns that should cut out need for croissaints as well. Anyone know which aisle milk powder is on?

Sassamac

It sounds like youve made a good start with the meal planning and inventory. If you get stuck wioth random items, post them on the OS board store cupboard thread for inspiration (or on here of course).
How about trying some simple baked goods and progressing when your confidence improves. Im now in the habit of doing a traybake every w/e. the basic recipe involves chucking a load of ingredients in a bowl and getting the mixer after it, then chuck it in the oven for 40 mins. You can vary it with loads of different flavours, Ive done lemon, apple, cherry and dried fruit this month. Its pretty cheap to make and saves buying much in the way of snacks. Thats where the money goes. I buy yogurts and things like teacakes or whatever is on the reduced aisle and thats about it, any other snacks have to be homemade (biscuits, cakes, scones, flapjacks,) or just fruit.

Keeping_Positive

Plan today:

Shop at Aldi and Mr T to avoid delivery charge using and sticking to list
Bake bread
Bake cookies

Ill let you know how I get on.

Sassamac

Great plan Wendy. Have you used your breadmaker much or is it new? Ive wanted one for ages but cant justify buying a new one. Im going to start by baking bread by hand and see how that goes, if I really get into it then I might invest.
Have you tried the twinks hobnobs recipe from the OS board (I posted it on my diary when I first made them). My family are huge biscuit fans and no-one minded that there wasnt a bourbon in sight.
I reckon with gradual tweaking, you could knock £20 off your grocery budget each month.
good luck with the bakes today.

Keeping_Positive

Its second hand from freecycle. Used it once for a french bread recipe. It was lovely when I eventually prised it out ( it stuck to the bottom of the tin). Looked at the troubleshooting bit and there is nothing about what happens if it sticks. When I get some milk powder Ill try a "normal" bread recipe. Not sure whether to rub a bit of butter on the tin first.