June 2008 Grocery Challenge

OrkneyStar

angelatgraceland wrote: »

I got my eco ball from Kleeneze and the soapnuts or soap pods online from ebay. I dont know why they are getting stuck inside stuff?(hope we are talking about the same thing). I put about 6 soapnuts in a pop sck(knee-high or stocking) and tie a knot in it. Drying any of these items between washes is not necessary-they only tell you to do that so that you dont store them away wet and then they would go yucky. Just pop it in your next wash and leave it to dry out when the washing is finished for the day.

I have been using the bag that came with the soap pods and it does not work very well. TBH I prefer the Eco balls but think I will use the soap pods too, just might find something more secure to put them in. I dry the Eco balls as I am sure it said you are supposed to let them dry, although yours may be different (mine are not Kleeneze ones- I think the Kleeneze ones are cheaper ?).
hth
PS Am not supposed to be back on the comp but am waiting for my BM to bleep- made another oat bread loaf, if it works will post recipe. I remember how yummy this was when I made it before mmmm smells delish!!!
Another NSD over too, yippppeeeee!!! Only til Fri to finish my MSW (starting with a M-F, 5 day) then pop to Lidls/COOP on Sat- have made a list and estimate we don't need much, really just yogs, fruit etc and some mince.

hamish222

My first month this month and had decieded to budget 50 quid a week but changed to 200 for month as work shifts and hate shopping when n/s (7 nights next week). So have bought in enough for this week and plenty for next few weeks. Will just need buy f + v and milk / bread etc. Went shopping today and bought my first ever whoopsi. I never budget and never buy anything near sell by date normally. I estimate that I would normally throw away as much as I eat which is awful. I normally never cook. Live on takeaways and expensive pre packed meals. If I am having potatoes and veg I buy the ready prepared Ms ones. So decieded that needed to turn over a new leaf.
Bought loads of reduced meat - 2 packs lamb mince , 1 pack beef mince , lamb shanks , lamb chops , pork steaks, pork chops, lamb joint and steaks. All for just over 12 pounds. Also stocked up on cheese and juice as half price. Have stuck to my meal plan for last 3 days and made a dinner. Made corned beef hash tonight and hubby loved it. He was delighted to get a proper dinner. Also been taking cereal / sandwich to work instead of spending about a fiver a day on a sandwich and coffee. I am looking forward to sticking to this as when I worked out how much money I squander I was shocked to realise that people on here could probably feed about a family of 20 never mind me hubby and 2 cats.

June Spent 54.12 / 200

cookinmummy

Just updating my signature as went and got bits from Mr M in the end - so spent £11.29. But, this did include buying bulk. They had reduced the Hovis strong flour to 85p and were selling countrylife unsalted butter at 2 bars for £1.60.

Bit annoyed as orignally I went to Lidyl for first time EVER today. You guys mention it on here, and we have a new store so thought I'd get my bargain hat on. Only to discover their trolleys don't allow for two small children! So - I had to turn tail and hike the kids back into the car and Mr M got lucky. Are all Lidl stores like this?

BTW use eco balls to and I find them pretty good too.

OrkneyStar

cookinmummy wrote: »

Bit annoyed as orignally I went to Lidyl for first time EVER today. You guys mention it on here, and we have a new store so thought I'd get my bargain hat on. Only to discover their trolleys don't allow for two small children! So - I had to turn tail and hike the kids back into the car and Mr M got lucky. Are all Lidl stores like this?

I think our local Lidl only has the trolleys suitable for one baby up to 9kg or the ones suitable for one baby/toddler over that weight, although I will check next time I am there. I had a similar problem when DS was only big enough to fit in the small baby seats (the up to 9kg flat ones) and the local COOP only had the trolleys that he had to sit up in. Mentioned to the manager, apparently they had some ordered, arrived now we no longer need them lol! I was amazed in Lanarkshire to see Tesco trolleys that the whole car seat could be slotted on to!!! We don't have them here and that would have made my life a lot easier a few months back!

ifonlyitwaseasier

loving the idea of fresh baguettes now, Thank you Mrs M

savingfortravel

Hi everyone!!
Finally caught up with the thread.
JayJay14 - Thanks for your message.
Searching-me-Hope you feel a bit better soon. We're here for you.
Ess-six and Queen of String-Thanks for your encouraging messages too.
Dink1-How's your OH? Mine is quite upbeat about things at mo.
Another NSD for us, am exhausted as been up since 4.30am stressing about a play I was directing at school (wrote it as well!). It went really well, children performing were aged 4-7 and acted brilliantly, speaking so well. A few funny, unplanned moments, but that's what the parents love.
Hope to pop to Mr T tomorrow and am going away for a girlie weekend in Suffolk on Friday.
Take Care All-Keep up the good work.
SFT

cookinmummy

OrkneyStar wrote: »

I think our local Lidl only has the trolleys suitable for one baby up to 9kg or the ones suitable for one baby/toddler over that weight, although I will check next time I am there. I had a similar problem when DS was only big enough to fit in the small baby seats (the up to 9kg flat ones) and the local COOP only had the trolleys that he had to sit up in. Mentioned to the manager, apparently they had some ordered, arrived now we no longer need them lol! I was amazed in Lanarkshire to see Tesco trolleys that the whole car seat could be slotted on to!!! We don't have them here and that would have made my life a lot easier a few months back!

Thanks OrkneyStar. Maybe I should complain to the manager.

Yes - our Tescos has a very good range of seat combos for the kids (including the car in front of the trolley that a toddler can sit in beeping the horn and a seat in the trolley for a baby/toddler!) - we are very hi-tech in Perthshire! LOL

Sadly - Mr T isn't always the cheapest!

mumzyof2

Good Evening everyone, I spent today in Mr M the following

99p on 10 black buckets (to grow poatoe and tomatoes in)
89p greaseproof paper
1 tomato 19p :O
soda crystals 44p (yes i found them)

total £2.73

In quality save i spent:

27p on a drink for me
Baby wipes 59p

Total 86p

£3.59 spent today

My total is adding up quite fast and seen as tho i havent done a real shop yet and been buying bits n bobs.
Mum just made me do a tesco online order for when she comes on sunday and with her stuff she is taking back with her and my shopping for week as she is staying it came to £46.06 but had a £6 off a £40 shop so its now £40.06 and that with delivery.

Does anyone else find tesco delivery charges dear? I wouldnt of shopped there if i hadnt of got the £6 off ecoupon as that to me if classed as free del


Millies cookies in the oven (i think thats the name) LOL

Sosh

ragz wrote: »

I was meant to have leccy man round yesterday to change meter, they didn't turn up by 1 so I called and complained, I'm getting £20 compensation!

Snap! As my bill is due, they said they will deduct it from my bill, but i will be double checking that they do.

I felt very excited today when I noticed tiny shoots appearing in my veggie patch. I know I'm months behind the rest of you, but Woo Hoo, I'm finally on my way :j

I've just finished reading the posts about school cookery lessons and I'm really shocked. I'm a teacher and in my school, the kids are taught how to cook from scratch. Many a time, I've had kids turn up in my lessons with delishious smelling food they've just cooked. The older kids have to budget plan.

I guess it depends on the facilities available. I'm lucky that my school is very well funded. Food tech even have their own restaurant for 6th form to practise in. They do a 3 course meal for £1.50 once a week, it certainly beats the canteen.

Rowan9

Went to Morrisons on the way home from work and parted with just over £19. They have less than half price spaghetti (both long and short) so I bought 2 packs. They also had reduced tinned tomatoes and red salmon (tinned). Bought frozen lean mince for the first time so |I hope it's good. Frozen fish + some other things. Hope not to have to go shopping for a while now. We'll see. I wonder if I will make this month's challenge as it's only 4th!
w