May 2008 Grocery Challenge

shaz_mum_of__2

As the weathers turned good thought i would share some summer tips

1. make your own ice cubes when they are ready transfer into a plastic tub and refill that way you will have a good supply
2. make your own ice lollies wilkinson,woolies,pounstretcher all sell lolly moulds you can make without in any pot(old yoghurt pot) just allow to frreeze slightly before adding the stick or it will fall over
3. buy ice cream and cornets, sauce etc then you wont be bankrupt everytime the van comes round(lidl do nice neopolitan ice cream wafers individually wrapped for about 10p)
4. stock up on barbecue stuff when on offer and freeze(rolls steaks sausages etc) then you are ready for a last minute barbie
5. having a barbie? make it bring a dish/salad/bottle etc most people understand
6. cocktails and punches are good for large events made using stores own spirits,juices and mixers in jugs no one will ever know
7. If you must buy everthing for a big event go to a butcher and ask for a discount(do this for your monthly meat too and group friends orders together)
8. Own brand suncare is just as effective as designer stuff
9. plant a tub/tray/row of salad leaves if you can grow nothing else grow this. A 50p pack of mixed seeds will give ten times more leaves than is in the ready prepared stuff
10. picnics can make even a trip to the park seem like an adventure and you can feed the ducks too
11. i buy most of my condiments and dressings etc at home bargains and B&N about 30p each seems to be the average for branded products

Enjoy the summer

Shazx

Mrs._Irwin

Hello everyone!

No sign of the baby yet I'm afraid! But thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. I've been trying most things - had four curries last week, have been having raspberry leaf capsules for the last two or three weeks and have eaten five tins of pineapple rings this week, according to my spending diary!
I was thinking of booking tickets to something for tomorrow night, as that should guarantee he makes an appearance, but that's not very MSE. I may go into town though, as getting stuck on public transport in heavy traffic should have a similar effect!

I've updated by sig, and in addition to a small Tesco shop and all the pineapple, I've been spending a lot on ice lollies. Which is very silly, as I bought an ice lolly making kit from Lakeland last summer. So we picked up some Innocent smoothy :eek: BUT it was two big cartons for £4 in Tesco, which will work out cheaper and healthier than buying Magnums from the 'convenience' store. I know that if I made myself lollies out of value dilute juice I would eat them and then go to the shop for a Magnum anyway.

Hope everyone is making the most of the weather (it's supposed to get nicer again tomorrow) and that everyone who needs to feel better does so soon!

Mrs. Irwin
xx

mark55man

Hi everyone 1/3 through the month and only £160/£595 through the budget, but am running low on everything so may need a big shop at the end of the month.

having a bit of struggle with meal planning as we are on low carb diet a bit bored with our usual choices - (no carb = practically no spuds, pasta or bread) - got a few Patak curry sauces half price at Mr T so will try a tour of the subcontinent this week with 1/2 price lakeland chicken !! Any ideas for low carb - interesting - and cheap food gratefully received.

Have a good weekend - am trying to make it NSD, but my family has other ideas

shaz_mum_of__2

Here are our last 2 nights dinners made wth all the leftovers in the fridge plus a few storecupboard bits


Special fried rice



corned beef bake



and something for the weekend




Shaz

tq16

Not having great month, account looking dreadful, not helped with nice weather (not that I'm complaining) - but meal plan gone to pot, my oh not convinced by ideas of bol and casseroles in the sun! spent £22.20 + £56.26-must try harder and will attempt making own lollies as dd3 asking lots and hate always having to say no we don't have enough money. Will update signature still hoping to come in on budget this month. fingers crossed

tq16

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Here are our last 2 nights dinners made wth all the leftovers in the fridge plus a few storecupboard bits

wow they look yummy :-)

Flylady_Flower

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Here are our last 2 nights dinners made wth all the leftovers in the fridge plus a few storecupboard bits


Special fried rice / corned beef bake / and something for the weekend

Shaz

They look great, especially the corned beef bake - what were the buns and do you have the recipies please?

Thanks
Den x

Phoolgrrrl

I'm taking the alcohol our of the budget! OH spends £10 a week ish on beer and it's messin the money up. So we have decided to each pay for our alcohol separately. He is doing better tho, bought bushmills on offer and going with the on offer beer. Still think we will be over but have meat for next month.
Got hobnob ingredients today and have to make cake for BIL so baking tonight.
Also had a bit of a splurge on cheese at tesco on way home! But can offset that with the fact we havin a weekend in and no take away as we used to.
We are doing better than before but it seems we have plateaued (sp?). Still £150 is what we each used to spend a month so some achievment. Should be able to give up saturdays

Shaz - how do you make your special fried rice please?
Also can you get frozen stir fry veg?

Rowan9

Well done everyone - you are keeping me inspired!
I ordered my veggie box for next Wed - went for the small one this time as they have stopped the winter box now and not sure OH would eat some of the things in the summer box. I also went for a bag of apples and one of pears. Not a great apple eater but I know they are good for you!
Had a NSD yesterday and one earlier in the week. I'm wondering whether i can try the NS week sometime. Not next week though as Oh will be back Sun or Mon after being away on 2 work trips and I will want to be taken out!!
w

Flylady_Flower

Just a quick update for siggy. Just come back from Asda's as didn't have time this evening to shop around in Lidl's/Farmfoods, etc first, so have overspent - £32.93:mad: only wanted to spend £25 as hubby not paid all his wages this week, now need to cut back on some other stuff...

Still, saved £5.30 off the bill as brought 'Whooops' pork chops, lambs liver (yukk, but DH loves it) and a bag of parsnips, plus saved £1 per tub on Utt Butt as half price (brought 2 and froze 1) 2 packs of cheese for £5 (DH loves strong cheese so treated him as it was on special) and 2 quiches (one for tonight and froze other one) for £3 (can't cook too good, but aim to try harder:p )

So, total spend for month so far is now £49.03 - will start needing to store up soon so DH had better get paid more next friday!!!