March 2008 Grocery Challenge

betterlatethannever · 26 March 2008 at 3:11PM

MrsM. i'm having chilli today (the first time i've ever made it from scratch and not got it out of a jar:o ) am intrigued though....Oats? what sort of oats and why do they go in?

Thanks

miss_olive · 26 March 2008 at 3:12PM

OK so I have gone way over my budget for March because the other half really doesn't get the point of this. I wish I could make him understand how this works and why its important to save money!

I don't know how you guys do it! I really struggle as I don't drive and the nearest supermarket to me is a good bus journey away so I have to rely on lifts from family and freinds when I can get them and so I keep topping the cupboards/fridge up with bits and bobs as we need them from the local sainsbury express shop.

Please can someone help with tips on how to stick to a £160 budget for next month else I am going to struggle - the other half is temporarily out of work again. I want to eat cheap whilst not compromising on quality of produce, portions or flavour - and at the same time I want the moon on a stick lol! I have no idea how I'm gonna achieve my budget for April!

savingfortravel · 26 March 2008 at 3:20PM

MRS MCAWBER-Will you be looking after the challenge next month?
SFT

MRSMCAWBER · 26 March 2008 at 3:22PM

Hi betterlatethannever

Just ordinary porridge oats..i even use the jumbo ones.. It helps bulk out the mince plus they absorb the passata so thicken it up too..which means if you want to you can add some stock or more tomatoes to make it go further

and they are a really healthy ingredient too

You could alway blitz the oats before you add them if you are worried about anyone spotting them

.... my hubby has never noticed even when i add them to casseroles
hope it helps

Hi savingfortravel... i have been writting the budgets down just in case... not sure at the moment .. i think Lil_me is still very busy with work n things...

mrs-moneypenny · 26 March 2008 at 4:44PM

ive gone over again for march, i know ive not updated my sig yet but last week was a bad one. I brought other stuff as week as food so i need to work out what went on what before i update if you know what i mean.

April is going to be a 5 week month for me so ill go in that for £500 discusting i know:o . i wont start april till this friday but it has 2 birthdays in it (youngest DS and a friend so will try and absorb thier pressies in that) i dont think he wants a party thankfully, and it will be a hm cake

Girl_least_likely_to · 26 March 2008 at 4:46PM

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Hi betterlatethannever

Just ordinary porridge oats..i even use the jumbo ones.. It helps bulk out the mince plus they absorb the passata so thicken it up too..which means if you want to you can add some stock or more tomatoes to make it go further and they are a really healthy ingredient too

Thanks for answering this one. I was wondering the same too, I can't imagine having oats in chilli or spag bol, I should give it a try though.

MrsM, Hubby has called me a heat seeking missile too regarding reduced stuff. He's ex army, must be something to do with that coming out with the same terminology :rolleyes: .

I've had a Grocery NSD today. It's chucking it down here so after making DD trawl around with me to the library, post office and bank I took her to toys r us and bought her first felt tip pens and a new colouring book. She's colouring in her book ever so nicely, just wondering when she'll start colouring the wallpaper :rotfl: . She's helped me make some choc chip cookies, cherry scones and flapjacks for OH and the freezer this afternoon too. I get her to look out for yellow stickers when we're out shopping too. She's only 2

Getting her trained early :cool: .

weezl74 · 26 March 2008 at 4:55PM

mumzyof2 wrote: »

..... i cant afford to smoke and have my hair done

no, I quite agree. Especially under those big domed hair dryers eh?

littleangels3 · 26 March 2008 at 4:58PM

please could someone help me with the meal planning how do i get organised ive decided my challenge for april will be £350 this will be for 2 adults 3 kids, 1 foster child,
any help greatly appreciated xx

weezl74 · 26 March 2008 at 5:05PM

littleangels3 wrote: »

please could someone help me with the meal planning how do i get organised ive decided my challenge for april will be £350 this will be for 2 adults 3 kids, 1 foster child,
any help greatly appreciated xx

Hiya,

Perhaps you could start with posting the top ten meals you and your gang all like to eat. Then see if any of the money-saving os style wizards on here can suggest ways of doing your fave dishes a bit more economically? It's about £87 a week, so we could try to suggest ways of doing it for that.

Tell us what you like for breakfasts and lunches too, maybe?

Welcome to the challenge, it's a lovely friendly place.:D

All the best with your target,

Weezl x

candygirl · 26 March 2008 at 5:14PM

Just been to LIDL and spent £7.61 :eek: I am nearing my target, and am going away next tues, but might need bread in the mean time.Haven't read the thread yet but will read back now.Hope you're all ok today xx:DJust realised I only have 3 days left till the 29th so I will do it:T :j :T :j Might not include dog food next month though, lol;)