March 2008 Grocery Challenge

Jacks_xxx

newlywed wrote: »

pooh - I do a recipe my mum used to make when we were young. It's called "Mince Bake Italienne" though I suspect it isn't really Italian - and we used to call it mince with bread on top

Do a usual mince bolognaise sauce (fairly thick one or the next step mixes in) - put in a casserole dish.
Add a layer of cheese sauce (usual white sauce with cheese added like for a lasagna). Pour the cheese sauce over mince
Butter 3 slices of white bread on one side and cut each slice into 9 pieces.
Lay the bread pieces (butter side up) on the top of the white sauce.

Bake in the oven for about 20 mins or until bread starts to crisp and go golden.

Serve with veg (or salad - mum said )

:T :wave: OOh that sounds delicious hon! I was already hungry but now I want to eat that! Unfortunately we're at the @r$e end of the month and God knows what combination I'll come up with for dinner but I've pencilled your recipe in for next week after I've done some shopping.

Actually.... we have wrangled our monster of a debt down under the £20k mark this month (We started at £96,700) so there has been some talk of ordering in to celebrate.

I think the fact that I don't have much food left (a few half eaten Easter eggs :rolleyes: rice, porridge, teabags, a tin of bean salad, the crusts of a brown loaf, half a pint of skimmed milk, assorted frozen veg, a dribble of olive oil and the contents of my spice rack) will encourage us to have a splurge for once. :dance: :dance:

Love Jacks xxx

JayJay14

MrsMc I am declaring at £198.03

Forward into April. :j

Had the Spag Bol with oats and grated carrot tonight - now I have to find tubs to put all the leftovers in:rotfl:

Jacks_xxx

mrssnowy wrote: »

Jacks ,love you to bits:A I was over budget because of the bubbly stuff and you have just legitamised it for me!!Thank you,thankyou,thankyou.

:wave: That's the way to do it! I'm glad I could help.

I think a little creative accounting is much better for us than spoiling the special occasions in life by feeling guilty over what they cost.

A little celebrating now and again is good for the soul!

Love Jacks xxx

KITTY_2-2

Well made it to the end of the month. I am over budget but have got a few things in for next month from March's budget. Also with Easter, 2 birthdays and the kids holidays I'm quite surprised by how little I've spent.
I have to visit Asda tomorrow to pick up a birthday cake and fresh rolls so final total should still be under £300

As this is the 1st month I've tried the challenge I thought £264 was pushing things but I'm happy with my total, especially as I started on 28th Feb so this has been a 33 day month.

I'm going to try £264 for humans and £35 for pets again in April. We only have one birthday party in the month so I shouldn't need to spend too much extra :whistle:

Well done everyone for this months efforts. See you over on the April challenge :T

lil_me

Ooooooo one day left for me ONE DAY!!!!!! I think I might have a hope of coming in under budget

Mollymop5

I'm declaring £150 for March.I have gone over a little but as it's the end of month I've decided to count it in Aprils budget.Naughty I know but I hate failing lol.see you all in April with my new total of £150

betterlatethannever

After such a good month last month, i've now come in over budget. :eek:

I'd like to declare £101.93 for this month

For April i'm going to try and get by on £85

lil_me

Well DP is away, DSs are poorly with colds so I am not leaving the house. I've put what I have left in the savings pot so I can't actually spend any more from it

Declaring March as spent £164.69 :jOver the moon with managing a 5 week month on so little....made up for last months over spend and some more

Frugaldom

I just popped back to say a special well done to lil_me! Just looking at your signature and you have cut over £100 per month off the groceries! You should be really proud of that and I wish you every success with your savings. Hope DSs are better soon

lil_me

nykmedia wrote: »

I just popped back to say a special well done to lil_me! Just looking at your signature and you have cut over £100 per month off the groceries! You should be really proud of that and I wish you every success with your savings. Hope DSs are better soon

Thank you, however I must be honest. This month saving was probably down to previous overspending. We've used a lot from the overfull freezer etc.

To defend myself however I've actually cut much more than that off. This month in 2006 (also 5 week month) I spent £920 on the same stuff (food, pet stuff, cleaning stuff, toiletries, takeaways, eating out etc) :eek: bit of a difference there then.....