March 2008 Grocery Challenge

chardonnay_2

razra wrote: »

No didnt know there was one

Nearly cracked at work today:o was just on my way to try and scrounge one when one of the dishy guys congratulated me, I was a bit until he said for giving up smoking, now I havent told a single person at work so asked how he knew , he just said cos you smell really nice today:eek: and there was me thinking I never smelt of smoke cos I used chewy and body spray:o so that promptly stopped me scrounging one

:j

everyone all together:

razra & dishy guy up a tree, kissing, first comes love them comes marriage & then comes the baby in the golden carrage:T

i think you've got a secret admirer - better keep up the non smoking. well done all the quitters.

chardonnay_2

triage999 wrote: »

Hi All

Is it at all possible for 2 adults and 2 children (and three dogs) to live on a budget of £300 per month for groceries? or would I have to eat that horrible value mince with bones and gristle in it to succeed :rotfl: this would have to include toiletries, cleaning stuff and dog food (this I get for £9.00 a 20kg sack which lasts 2 weeks)

So is it possible??

hi i am sure you will be able to manage we never buy value mince or sausages.
some top tips:

use www.spendingdiary.com to track all your spending
for a month keep all receipts and see where you are overspending
do you throw out food before it is used?
try menu planning
make double & freeze like home made ready meals
freeze leftovers to add to meals
bulk out meals with extra veggies/ oats/ lentils etc
check your portion sizes, are they too generous?
try going down a brand at the supermarket (either start at value & work up or start at preferred & work down)
use coupons
look for whoopsies
try a store cupboard challenge - use up stuff thats been in your cupboards & freezer for ages.
homebaking - if you buy shop made alternatives & have time

plus loads more ideas on these threads.

nopot2pin

candygirl wrote: »

I'll be trying those APPLEMELLA, they look scrummy:p

Yep.... Gonna try this version

I did a spicy beanburger version myself a few months ago... but it wasnt sooo spicy ..... a bit bland to be honest .
Soooooo this is a welcome addition.

Thanks

nopot2pin

MrsMc....
I hope you dont mind.....

I took one of your bagels to work ... I say one of your bagels... but, it was a bagel I made from YOUR recipe ....
Anyway..one of the girls I work with tasted it... and thought it was "gorgeous petal" then asked for the recipe....
I hope it is ok for me to pass the recipe on to her .... she is also trying to give up smoking, and I feel, the more distractions for her, the better

Can I pass the recipe on....
Or do I need to take it off of her now :rolleyes: ??:rotfl: :rotfl:

scotsaver

:j My Month finished yesterday, come in under budget at £277.94 so really pleased as this was my first month on the GC. MRSMC Please put me down for £250 for April as both freezers are still pretty full and also we are back home to Bonnie Scotland for a few days in the April Hols and staying with family so I'm sure I can come in on lower target for April.

MRSMC - Thanks for the Meatball recipe, had those Tuesday night and they were a real hit, managed to get 22 out of the recipe as used 500g of meat in so had a few spares which have gone straight into the freezer for another portion.

applemella - thanks for the bean burger recipe - looks yummy and will give that a go in the next week.

triage999 - I'm sure you can beat your target - my GC for March was £300, this is for myself, OH and 2 daughters aged almost 12 and almost 10 who no longer eat kiddy size portions and sometimes eat more than I do. We don't buy cheap meat or value sausages, we eat a roast every Sunday, free range chicken and free range eggs, no convenience food, everything is cooked from fresh ingredients from scratch and I bake my own bread, rolls, cakes and biscuits etc. The kids have a packed lunch each day with homemade biscuits etc and the budget includes my eldest Daughter having a School meal twice a week in the Canteen ( feels she needs more on those days as she plays netball)! Don't have to buy Dog food so can't help there as we only have a Hamster which costs pennies to feed!!?? I'm sure there are plenty of others on here who can give you more encouragement.

scotsaver

Forgot to update my sig which I've done now so bring on APRIL!!!

triage999 - forgot to say that roast every Sunday is not always chicken, alternate each week with chicken, beef, pork and lamb and always buy more than I need so that we have some leftover meat for another meal - hope this helps and thanks to those who posted ideas this month on what to do with the leftovers.:T

JayJay14

Morning all:D

Well my total is now £186.19 which is a shock to me as I didn't hold out much hope on managing this month as I have pretty much run down the freezer. I still have a few days left as my month doesn't finish until 31st.

It's OH's Birthday today, he's got a job interview today so I'm keeping m fingers crossed. I haven't even got him a pressy yet (it's on order but not yet in stock. I just hope one of my kids remembers:rolleyes:

I'm off to work soon to keep the customers fed and watered and must remember to get the car tax afterwards - I hate queuing with everyone at the last minute and I usually do it on line but this year I have had to wait until the cash was in the bank:eek: (mind you I have probably saved at least the amount needed over the last 2 months GC):T

Back to the caffine fix:rotfl:

Mollymop5

minibudgetgal wrote: »

hi, have you tried the dried vegie mince that tesco do in bags where the whole food is kept? dont know how much it is but it goes a long way and tastes great. i rehydrate it with a stock cube in the water and it is lovely. quorn is dear you are right, but cheaper and better for you (imo) than meat
xx

I'm not veggie but prefer veggie alternative than actual mince as do my kids.I buy asda's own brand of veggie mince which you can find in the freezer.

Savvy_sewing

searching_me wrote: »

nsd for me i think... although next month is going to go to pooo... the council are gonna be in for the next 7-8 weeks puttin in a new bathroom, new wiring, new kitchen the lot... i'll have no kitchen for at least 2 WEEKS!!!!!!! :eek: :mad: so its gonna be takeaways and buying from shop.... o hell im gonna be so poor... msers give me strenght :rotfl:

Many years ago when I was running a pub we had the kitchen refitted, and I managed on a table in the bar(your sitting room?) with a microwave a slow cooker and a old sandwich toaster, and managed to make meals for the customers on that? You just have to think outside of the box. Instant soup? Toaster?, Beans on Toast, Scrambled eggs, grilled bacon in the sandwich toaster? its amazing what can be done on a table top,. Just washing up a nightmare. Good luck

triage999

Thank you so much for all the advice I really appreciate it!

I am going to have a good dig through my cupboards to see what is lurking (I can tell you there is a lot to dig through) and see what I can use up!

The dog food I buy is Pets at Home own brand