March 2008 Grocery Challenge

earthmother

Mama67 - I can be the same - I have a Co-op, (small) Tesco, Sainsburys, Lidl and Aldi all within walking distance - and very little store loyalty, lol.

Yesterday, I did my month's menu plan and an 'offers' shopping list to fill the gaps, and I have things to get from all three big ones already, along with some bits pencilled in for an Asda delivery later in the month as some of their offers fit my list (and it costs me more in fuel to get there than the delivery charge).

I like Morrisons for their deli - it's the best one around here - unfortunately it's also 12 miles away, so only happens if we're in the area - which is probably a good thing with my budget, lol.

mama67

earthmother wrote: »

Mama67 - I can be the same - I have a Co-op, (small) Tesco, Sainsburys, Lidl and Aldi all within walking distance - and very little store loyalty, lol.

Yesterday, I did my month's menu plan and an 'offers' shopping list to fill the gaps, and I have things to get from all three big ones already, along with some bits pencilled in for an Asda delivery later in the month as some of their offers fit my list (and it costs me more in fuel to get there than the delivery charge).

I like Morrisons for their deli - it's the best one around here - unfortunately it's also 12 miles away, so only happens if we're in the area - which is probably a good thing with my budget, lol.

Yes I like Morrisons deli as well ours is in the totally diff direction to all the others so it has to be special trip out there. Which I have done in the past just for a change.

My Co-op is only a small one but I do like it, wouldn't do my whole shop there but good for deals and odd bits.

Even the Spar has good deals sometimes and the Londis and Costcutter in the different surrounding villages.

The only one I haven't got locally is Mr W which is 30 miles away. but I can combine that with a diff type of shopping trip as it is in Lincoln and so is the Lakeland shop.

I'm not store loyal but I do use all the diff cards as might as well get the pints etc if you are spending there anyway.

BigMummaF

Hi:j Can I just put this in first, cuz I forgot to do it last time......IRS you should be able to store onions by putting them into the legs of clean panty hose I]tights to us brits![/I & hanging them up in perhaps a shed or out-house...somewhere cool & dark & off the floor. If you feel up to it, you could--for example--put 3 onions into the hose & tie a bit of string around just above them, before putting another three in & doing the same. Then when you needed some onions, just cut off the bottom "bag" under the string. OK you won't be able to use the tights for that job again, but chances are they will be full of holes by the time you get to the end anyways......hope this helps.

An aunt of mine used to cut up old rubber gloves to make various sized rubber bands:D by cutting across the fingers & palms! Her hubby used to swear by them in the garden, cuz they didn't damage the stems of the plants when he tied them up to the various stakes & stuff, plus they 'grew' with the plant so didn't have to be replaced very often. He also kept a bucket in the shed to widdle in, then added washing up water to water the plants.....urine is a very good plant food apparently, but don't use it neat.

As for the carriers, I too take mine to charity shops, or the local F&V or pet shop if they're decent, or bung 'em in the recycling bins at the supermarkets. Our refuse collectors are a little fussy to what they will or won't take so I have to buy black bags:o but the ones in Robert Dyas are very good & a huge roll is £2-99. The dustmen won't take the bag if it's split more than a couple of centimetres so we have to have the stronger type bag.

There's no sign of the offspring yet---late nite/don't ask:o ---so I'm not sure if I have a BM or not.....I've been 'hinting' that, altho expensive, the Panasonic has by far the best reputation----& there are 3 of them to share the cost & I won't expect anything more for easter or even me b'day.....but I think even the MrT one @£25 will be most acceptable....I'm getting all:j now....tempted to wake them up!

cherrypie556

Hi all Can i join too?
We are a family of 6, Me, Hubby, 4 kids aged 6,3,2 and 7 months. Want to have a monthly budget of around £250 (if thats poss?) Just done an online shop (better for me as not tempted by things on display) and spent £60. I do have to buy 2 lots of napppies but do by tescos own so thats cheaper. I make all baby food myself. The problem i think im going to have, is making job lots and freezing them. Now i think this is a fab idea, but my youngest is the clingiest child ever and refuses to go down for any length of time, making preparing and cooking meals extremely hard! Hubby buys his dinner each day, won't take a packed lunch (men!) so he has about £3 a day but mostly his tips pay for it so not eatting into the budget to much.

Me and the kids eat anything and everything, so has anyone got some quick, easy nice recipe ideas for me? I ve just bought veg and entils to make a big chicken broth type thing. Does everyone make their own bread? would it be worthwhile investing in a breadmaker do you think?

Any other tips would be great!

Vicki x

teedy23

rainbowbrite wrote: »

Can I do this too please?I have £200 per month for groceries and would like to use this challenge to keep track of what I actually spend.We are 2 adults,2 children and 2 dogs.
I picked up a 1966 home economics book in a charity shop today for some budgeting tips.I will have to work out the suggested spend in todays money as it says £5-6 off a weekly wage of £16 should be reserved for housekeeping.
Goodness how things have changed in the last 40 years.Average house prices were £2,500 and a womans wage if she worked was put into savings and used towards extras such as holidays and treats as only the mans wage should be relied upon.Infact when applying for a mortgage the womans wage would not be considered as it was assumed by the lending institutions that she would cease to earn when she became pregnant.
There is even a bit on types of food to buy for men and women,men of course needing more protein and "the housewife herself may also need energy giving and blood foods,especially if she is inclined to be nervy and anaemic".
Anyway,I am sure there will be some valuable segments.

I won,t use the 1966 food budget amount as its about 1/3 of weekly income which is too much,that would be over £100 in todays money.I guess food was more expensive then.

:rotfl: I love these things, of course the woman of the house would be exhuasted too after black-leading the grate and red leading the doorstep and doing the washing in the dollytub, keeping her hair tidy and a clean pinny on the go. Just in time to show an interest in how the husbands day went.:rolleyes:

UKroseblue

Hi there.

Can i join in please? I know we're two days into March already but i didn't spend anything yesterday and feel really motivated.

It is the first time i have joined in any of the challenges but want to 'go for it' so pop me down for £160.00 for the month for me, 12yo daughter and dog!

Thanks.

teedy23

been doing a bit of a stocktake in the freezer and I believe I have enought to keep me going this month. Going to Lanzarote for a week on the 6th so that will help with my month (and my blue skin). Wont need milk till then, maybe just bread and potatoes, so it,s looking good sp far. Not spent anything yet.

teedy23

cherrypie556 wrote: »

Hi all Can i join too?
We are a family of 6, Me, Hubby, 4 kids aged 6,3,2 and 7 months. Want to have a monthly budget of around £250 (if thats poss?) Just done an online shop (better for me as not tempted by things on display) and spent £60. I do have to buy 2 lots of napppies but do by tescos own so thats cheaper. I make all baby food myself. The problem i think im going to have, is making job lots and freezing them. Now i think this is a fab idea, but my youngest is the clingiest child ever and refuses to go down for any length of time, making preparing and cooking meals extremely hard! Hubby buys his dinner each day, won't take a packed lunch (men!) so he has about £3 a day but mostly his tips pay for it so not eatting into the budget to much.

Me and the kids eat anything and everything, so has anyone got some quick, easy nice recipe ideas for me? I ve just bought veg and entils to make a big chicken broth type thing. Does everyone make their own bread? would it be worthwhile investing in a breadmaker do you think?

Any other tips would be great!

Vicki x

Hi cherrypie and welcome. You will find masses of great and cheap recipies on this thread to help you. Just scroll down the threads on oldstyle and have a peek. Tie your baby to your baby to your back (dont know the age of course) and away you go. Lots of us make our own bread, and it,s getting more popular, so might be a good idea to source a breadmaker. Try your local freecycle website, you might pick one up for eemmm. free.:o

budgetaddict

Jacks_xxx wrote: »

:T If the blasted driver would carry the crates another 15 feet to my kitchen it'd be even easier, but you never know which one you're going to get, and some of them seem to think that's my job even though it says "Delivered to your door, Your Fridge door" on the side of their vans!
Love Jacks xxx

OH My God = Are tescos supposed to deliver to your fridge?????!!!??????
I've had a bad back for a few weeks (although much better now) so had to get shopping delivered, as hubby2b wouldnt come with me, and the driver watched me struggle take it out of the crates and into the kitchen. HOW RUDE :eek: :eek: :eek:

teedy23

iRememberSleep wrote: »

I need recipes for Lentils (Veggie or fish*no meat DH does not like meat*)

Hi I remembersleep. Have you tried the cookingby numbers website? Just google it, it will prompt you from there.;)