May 2008 Grocery Challenge

mikeD

victory wrote: »

Another thing, made pastry as you said angel made pasties with the shortcrust pastry but just got them out and they have all split, any reason? There is filling everywhere....Thanks

I used to have that problem as I always followed DW's method of sealing pastry edges with milk. Then I read that beating an egg and using that as a seal worked much better and if used as a wash over the pasties gives a beautiful golden finish to the cooked pastie. Bake in the oven on the middle shelf at GM5 for about 40 mins or until firm.

Good arternoon all. Had a couple of NSD's until today but had to get some tatties today as making a Shepherds Pie for dinner (Delia type). Made a veggie one at the beginning of the week, and although didn't have all the ingredients my DW said it was very nice, which when translated into everyday language means it was supercalifragilisticexpealidoshious!!!:j, or words to that effect.

Off to update siggie

Love the FM

chocolateteddy

YoungBean wrote: »

savingfortravel
Planning for June? Eeek! Im still a little unsure on how to plan for this week, let alone a month!

This is my first month as well, I can't imagine planning for a month, but take a few days at a time and hope to increase it. I find bulk cooking helps as costs less to make (gas wise) and always have emergencys in freezer to avoid having to pop down shop.
I make pizza dough in the breadmaker (does 3) freeze one portion, then make a batch of tomato sauce base, freeze what I don't use in small tubs, freeze mozerella balls then grate them (yes It does work) Then when I think help tea tonight:eek: I have pizza ready in less time than it takes to pop out to asda to buy one!
Girls love it DD6 takes the cold leftovers to school for packed lunch next day.

I'm sure the first month is just a learning curve and a shock at what you do spend. But it makes you think and waste less so that must be good. I may even come in on target that would be a bonus:T but I still have two weeks left on my month and that includes 1/2 term eek I am also thinking of giving up on school dinners for DD9 as they are going up to £2 a day after summer holidays. (doesn't come out of grocery budget) And because other DD has packed lunch she ends up with 2 cooked meals a day.!! So I think grocery budget may have to increase to accomodate it. Off to update signature as been to asda today. Ran out of sugar(been baking too much!!!!!)

teedy23

Youngbean ! welcome to the OS, never mind the friends laughing, when your going a lovely holybag with the money you've saved from GC [EMAIL="you@ll"]you'll[/EMAIL] have the last laugh.

angelnikki

Welcome to the challenge YoungBean :hello:

YoungBean wrote: »

My budget for the month is going to be £140. Thats £35pw and that is to feed 2 adults.

That budget sounds quite low for the first month to me. I know some people on here manage it but prob not straight away.

How much do you spend a week currently? I think for the first month of the GC it's best not to set a budget and to just keep all your receipts for your spends instead. Doing this you'll find you cut down a bit anyway. Then at the end of the month you will have a realistic idea of how much you're spending now. From that you can work out how much you want to cut it back by next month. I think if you're spending £70/week now and cut it back to £35 that will be a really drastic drop. It's best to do it gradually so that you stick at it and dont get demotivated from trying to reach an unrealistic budget.

Good luck with your first month

Nikki
x

catnap53

Just checking before I decide whether to venture out. Would normally be out now, but DD is away at Guide camp, so didn't need taking to drama. We usually shop while she is there or on the way back.

Last weekend was not too good, went to the F&V shop in the city centre, but the soft fruits didn't look too healthy, hot weather, I suppose and no refrigerated area. Called in at Costco on the way past, saving petrol on a special trip. Just wanted strawberries, grapes and a chicken. I did not NEED the 12 pounds worth of cheese, nearly half a litre of vanilla extract, and most of the things that made the total 56.29. Then when I got home DH had been to the local shop on his way home from work and bought 2 half batons French bread at 89p each:eek:

The rest of the week was OK until Friday when I ran out of time to make something for lunch and had to buy a sandwich, decent staff discount so only cost 1.81.

Got my total now and only have 55.83 from the challenge till the 30th when I next get paid. Will definitely go over, but going to try some damage limitation.

Next weekend we, DS, DD will meet up with eldest DD who lives 270 miles away, leaving DH at home. We will staying in a college room, no catering facilities, but can buy meals! There is also a lovely coffee shop that is hard to resist. We try to take cereals and snacks with us to contain the cost a bit, but it is likely to cost us about 150 pounds for food. There is the option to camp there, and we have done that sometimes, and that gives us a bit more flexibility to cook, but the weather was so bad last year (kids were camping, I was offered a room with friends) we decided not to risk it. I don't mind camping with all mod cons and electricity supply, but that isn't availble. I am getting too old to sleep on the floor now anyway.

Can't decide whether I should leave him some prepared meals. Last year I left bought ready meals. If I don't leave anything he will go to the chippy every day, which he did a couple of times anyway last year and wasted the meals he 'couldn't find' in the fridge.

He has just come in now, thought he might have got some milk as he used the last for his breakfast, so that means I will have to go out.

Just milk.....just milk......just milk....just..

carolt2

Good afternoon everyone,:hello:

Quick update, went to MR T yesterday for my mum and also got some stuff for us. Have added it to this months GC but the things will be used for next month.

Also went to Asda last night for the cravendale thats on offer, got 4 bottles and again bought a few other things.

Total spend £20.87.

Signatue updated.

HM lasagne for tea tonight, a request from OH.
Fortunatley i had one stashed away in the freezer;)

savingfortravel

Hi everyone!!

Chocolate Teddy/Young Bean

From what I've read most people prefer to meal plan weekly. Some decide on the day. I think these people are very creative and make amazing meals from all kinds of ingredients.

Some people have children/diets to consider which makes weekly planning a better option.

I am used to planning ahead because of my job and for the rest of term I may get home late and then mark/write reports. So if there wasn't a plan it would be ready meals/takeaways every night.....

Our rough monthly plan also means my boyfriend and I both know whats going on. He loves his meal planner and we both can look out for whoopsies/BOGOFs which may help too.

If we have a rough amount we'd like to save each month it inspires us to beat the system/supemarkets etc... Which is good fun.

You just use whatever system works best for you.

Good luck, I still feel like a newbie myself...

SFT

Sosh

Glad to know that i made you smile with thoughts of my marker pen, thanks Jennybee for confirming that I'm not the only "mad" one :rotfl:

Welcome Youngbean. This is my forst Month on of gc and I've learnt loads. I think setting a budget of £140 might be a tad harsh for your first month. Try to work out what you normally spend, then cut that down by 10%. If you set your first target too low, you might get discouraged and give up.

I was at my Mum's earlier reading her copy of the Sun. They are doing a feature on the credit crunch next week which will include £30 moc for Mr M. There isn't a Mr M near me, but for those who do, it might be worth having a look at the sun on Monday.

Off to mark a few more tubs now. :rotfl:

tattycath

Hi everyone. Well were half way through - well done so far!!!
I managed to get a few bargains at Asda the other day:
Joint of beef was £4.21 I paid £2.10
500g Minced beef was £1.64 I paid 0.82 (so I got 2 packs)
Undyed smoked haddock was £2.12 I paid £1.06
So we slow cooked the beef joint the next day and put all the other stuff in the freezer and I saved £4.81 (I think)
I also got 2 half price steak pies (family size) from my local tesco last week... They've gone-did 2 meals though. Amazing how the mindset changes when doing these challenges. Last weekend OH said what did I fancy for tea and I said, I dunno but seeing as though we're going to tesco I'll let there reduced section decide and I got 2 cheap meals (pies, fresh veg etc) for about £6 (and that was to feed 4 and the veg covered 3 meals).

savingfortravel

Great Work Tattycath!!! I love that idea!!

Off to a birthday BBQ :eek: . At least we don't have to worry about tea.

SFT