March 2008 Grocery Challenge

Frugaldom

Food afternoon, all. Everyone seems to be doing alright this month, I haven't spotted anyone who has gone unbelieveably sky-high over budget yet. My no-spendathon has come to a halt with the purchase of the following items:

Bag of potatoes
Large carton fresh milk (Local store is too expensive for powdered milk)
Bananas
Pack of prime spicey sausages (reduced)

Total grocery spend - £4.50

I'm still within budget but still have close on a fortnight to go :eek:

Kaz2904

Maybe one for the summer cooltriker chick but how about making paper logs?
There was a thread about it the other day. I find that they just don't dry in the winter and if you try to dry them indoors then you make the room colder by releasing the moisture. Ideally you should do loads in the summer. Paper is quite easy to get hold of too, either by asking neighbours for theirs or collecting it from work.
Must get off my bum and peel the potatoes in a minute.
DH actually stuck to the meal plan last night and gave the kids the left over cheesy pasta and had haggis for himself. So tonight we've got haggis, mash, swede (no carrots) and frozen veg.
DD had the remains of the salad from the fridge for her lunch today and took bread and butter. I may give her salad tomorrow too.
I have some linseed bread in cupboard which is a little stale now- any ideas for it?
I'm not making bread and butter pudding or any variation of it as it makes me want to hurl! All other ideas gratefully recieved.
Actually, saying that, does anyone know how to do the one that comes out like cake? I think the kids might like that and it would stop the locusts!

nopot2pin

weezl74 wrote: »

Hiya,

What're you all having for dinner tonight?

We've got lentil and bacon casserole and rice, with chocolate torte for afters.:T

It inspires me to do different things when you all post your meal plans!;)


Weezl x

I have no clue what I am having for dinner tonight

I am in the process of making some of twinks hobnobs... then I am going to the shops. So I might see something I fancy then

KITTY_2-2

Kitty, I like your idea of keeping spends for pets and people separate - I might steal that if it's okay and then I'll have a better idea of how I'm doing with each. (BTW, off topic - sorry - but can you tell me how long a cat's pregnancy is/how long they take to 'show' please? We have a stray and are a little concerned...:eek:)

Hi Bails, If any of my ideas help anyone else then I'm not only amazed but rather proud - use away dear friend

As to the cat - 63 days is the average cat pregnancy and they look a little rounder after about 25. You can usually tell by their teats also. They become more prominent at around 4-5 weeks. Hope that helps.

findingmyfeet

hi weezl- we are having hm cheese and onion quiche, salad and jacket potatoes tonight.

cooltrickerchick- our fire used to be an open coal fire so we could throw anything on there providing the fireguard was on . (not a smokeless zone or anything near me). Then the back boiler packed in , mass water leak and fireplace on its last legs. so we had to renew (had been in for approx 40 years though!!!) We had a gas combi boiler put in (radiators were ok) and we got the wood burner for the sitting room. It was the last in the shop and had been almost £800.... they had reduced it to £350 but no one wanted it. we went to look and it was just what we wanted and the salesman was desparate to sell ...got it for £200 and they delivered it. wouldnt be without it now. it will probably get more use in future now that gas prices are getting ridiculous.

Not been in mr m for over a month and really noticed the higher pices today, does everyone think the same or is it just me getting more tight on the purse string ??

KITTY_2-2

weezl74 wrote: »

Hiya,

What're you all having for dinner tonight?

We've got pasta with red pesto, spinach and bacon followed by chocolate mousse. The mousse recipe came from a meal plan put up 2 years ago by Black Saturn and I adore it.

1. Warm a large carton of single cream until almost boiling.
2. Break up a value bar of dark chocolate and add to cream.
3. Stir until melted and pour into individual pots.
4. Chill until set.

Can't wait - was eating it out of the bowl before dividing up:rotfl:

findingmyfeet

that chocolate mousse sounds scrummy... too many nice tempting ideas on this site. Got to be good iam supposed to be on a diet.....nice idea for easter though. easter would have to be about a month long for me to try everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patches41048

Well i havent been on much and I have tried to stick to the principals but i have been slacking a bit with lunches ... just not organised enough! I have lots of real food in the freezer (rather than ready made stuff i used to have) and cant fit anything else in the pantry so i had better pull myself together.

I think i will be over this month but the task now is to keep it as low as possible!

curly_cabbage

skintscotslass wrote: »

MrsM, its great to feel in control and be able to pay unexpected bills isnt it?

I couldn't agree more at times like that you really see the benifits and they make you feel very proud and your able to see just how far you've come.:T

CC

getting-sorted-sarah

Weezl - ta for the bread recipe - you know when something sounds too good to be true.....? Well can you explain why it doesn't need kneading, and also how it is ok to use ordinary rather then strong flour (probably because of the no-kneading...?) and also, finally, what size tins are we talking here - 2lb (800g) or 1lb?
Thank you muchly!
Oh, and we're having spaghetti and garlic bread - yum.

Nikki - thanks for the carrot cake recipe - going to try this one!!