June 2008 Grocery Challenge

Lucifa73

SAV3R wrote: »

Hi, Had delivery this eve from mr T. Spent more than I should really, but needed fruit n veg, dairy etc, decided to stock up on a few other things at same time to try and stretch further between shops. I keep saying this but never seem to last as long as I plan to. On a plus side the cupboards are pretty full and freezer not looking too bad either. For the first time I found a code for £6 off my shop, was not confident about it working but it did, yay.....I am going to keep trying and will eventually succeed. My shopping habits are changing, maybe a little slower than other people on here, but I am taking in all the advice. Thanks.

Made fruit biscuits (these are my favourite) and chcocolate ones for kids. Also made choc chip muffin mix, tried this as a traybake, not sure what I think, pieces very uneven in size. The mix rose a lot in the middle but not around edges, I did, however, get 15 pieces rather than 12 cakes.

When you spread the mix (unless its really liquid but muffins should be okay) in the tin make it shallower in the middle then the edges and will get a more even result. You can do the same with sponges to stop a peak forming. Also make sure the edges of the tin are greased so there's nothing to stop the mix 'climbing' the side of the tin.

HTH

Luc73

Chuzzle

Hello

NSD for me yesterday, spag bol for tea stretched with extra carrot and some lentils. Is it me or does anyone else find red lentils make it a bit gritty? I did rinse them first, did I over cook them or not cook them long enough (20 mins). Should be another NSD today as I'm at work and can't spend anything! Not sure what to have for tea tonight, I sort of meal plan (well Sunday is roast, Monday is roast leftovers, Tuesday is Sausage, Wednesday is Meat free, Thursday is Mince, Friday is Fish and Saturday is Pick n Mix!) This way I know roughly what to cook but it is very variable and can be adjusted to suit us.

Mouche our butchers do chicken mince but they do a minimum of 3lb at a time as it doesn't mince well if you only want 1lb, we do have to request it though as it's not something they seem to have ready done. Might be worth enquiring again.

naomi20yellow

I've been to this website lots of times but this is my first post so probably got lots to learn. My month starts on payday which is the 24th. So last month I spent £207.61 for two people grocery shopping , no pets or kids. I think this is too much even though I was actively trying to spend less. My biggest mistake is that come payday I usually go over the top and buy in lots of goodies. For June I want to spend £160 on food. I still want to eat nice things though and also I've been on a lower fat diet since January as a lifestyle change I want to keep as I've lost a stone. However I find most often the lowfat versions of things just cost so much more money, like sausages x3 cost than ordinary ones. My partner and I have almost no spare/pocket money, we don't eat or drink out, don't have new clothes and the only thing we do have is our food, so a nice evening meal is the highlight of the day for us. We live on a boat so have no mortgage or utility bills other than bottled gas, mobile phones, waterways license and coal in the winter. The only thing we can cut down on is food. I've decided to join the challenge because I think now I've made it public, I'm more determined to stick to £160 budget. Wish me luck. Naomi

OrkneyStar

naomi20yellow wrote: »

I've been to this website lots of times but this is my first post so probably got lots to learn. My month starts on payday which is the 24th. So last month I spent £207.61 for two people grocery shopping , no pets or kids. I think this is too much even though I was actively trying to spend less. My biggest mistake is that come payday I usually go over the top and buy in lots of goodies. For June I want to spend £160 on food. I still want to eat nice things though and also I've been on a lower fat diet since January as a lifestyle change I want to keep as I've lost a stone. However I find most often the lowfat versions of things just cost so much more money, like sausages x3 cost than ordinary ones. My partner and I have almost no spare/pocket money, we don't eat or drink out, don't have new clothes and the only thing we do have is our food, so a nice evening meal is the highlight of the day for us. We live on a boat so have no mortgage or utility bills other than bottled gas, mobile phones, waterways license and coal in the winter. The only thing we can cut down on is food. I've decided to join the challenge because I think now I've made it public, I'm more determined to stick to £160 budget. Wish me luck. Naomi

Good luck and welcome on in! I am doing this challenge for the first time on this thread but have been setting my own wee challenges for ages now. Most of the time I come in ok, but not always lol There are some great tips on here and I am finding it really friendly and helpful :T
Let us know how you go with it and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't hit the target straight away, every step is a step in the right direction and we all have the odd blip here and there (well I certainly do).
Take care,

Lucifa73

victory wrote: »

Morning:D just milk needed today, no pay yet, moving in two weeks so the freezer is being emptied, there seems to be so much in it though, does anyone know if I don't get round to using the frozen pastry jusroll, will I be able to take it to the new house with me and re-freeze it? It is not as if I can make pieswith it as I can't freeze them because I need to empty it not fill it up again:D

Is it puff pastry? If it is you could make palmiers with it - roll out the pastry until about 5mm thick. Scatter over sugar for sweet ones or cheese/herbs for savoury ones. Roll over lightly to press into pasrty. fold one long side to the middle and the other to meet it then fold in half. Cut into 5-7mm thicknesses lay on a baking sheet and sprinkle (spread out cos they grow) and bake in 180C over for 10-15mins until golden. Lovely with a cuppa (savoury ones nice with soup too) and keep well (if you can keep your hands off them) in airtight container.

Or ask a friend/neighbour/family to put it in their freezer for you if they live nearby?

OrkneyStar

mouche wrote: »

OH had the day off yesterday - I asked him to pop down to the butcher and ask if they do chicken mince (since we can't have red meat and we do love our mince). They don't do it but they do all kinds of marinated chicken and OH came back with 3 packs for £5. Not planned for obviously!! When I...ahem...objected, he said he'd pay for them from his pocket money which seems a bit unfair and won't really give a true picture of how much we're spending on food will it? So I've given him the money and hopefully we can last till the 14th on what we have at home. I *think* we have enough veg and we certainly have enough chicken, but might need to top up on fruit.

Have you thought about pork mince or turkey mince? Our butcher does pork mince, I don't eat it but DS gets it with tatties and carrots. Cooks well and actually looks quite appetising too. Also our Somerfield sold Turkey mince (we don't have Somerfield anymore) and I am sure other big stores would sell this too. Turkey is leaner than chicken but a similar taste.
I had the same thing with OH buying satsumas and saying he would get them from his treat money but I insisted it come from the grocery budget so we are getting an accurate figure for our spends. Recently OH came back from Glasgow with cakes/biccies my mum supplied and I did not count these as she got them as a present and I would not normally buy that many. Anything that comes from our house funds and is spent on grocery is counted, iykwim....will stop waffling now lol

mouche

Ruthibe73 wrote: »

Hello



Mouche our butchers do chicken mince but they do a minimum of 3lb at a time as it doesn't mince well if you only want 1lb, we do have to request it though as it's not something they seem to have ready done. Might be worth enquiring again.

Thanks Ruthie - I'll do that! I daresay OH was too busy salivating over the marinated stuff to ask properly. Though he did do two loads of washing without me asking him to so I can't be too angry.

OrkneyStar - good idea about the turkey mince. I don't have a Somerfield nearby but I have practically everything else (Sainsbury, Tesco, Asda, M&S, Co-op, Netto, Aldi) so SOMEONE must stock it. Will do a recce this weekend - it's so nice to have a new neighbourhood to explore!

dink1

Hi Guys,

Today will be a nsd (hopefully) gonna wade through a mountain (not kidding) of ironing. DS1 asked why I am never on top of it. He has now been put right and sees the error of his ways! cheek of the kid!
Not sure if it s just this challenge but had gradually conge through all my cupboards and sorted stuff out! Anyone would think I am pregnant! I am soooooo not (I hope!)

Mouche - OH's what can I say, know exactly what you are saying! trying hard to train mine and failing bismally!

Victory - Hugs know what it is to have to consider money

SFT - well done you on doing the play. Please your DH is upbeat mine has an interview next week to praying hard!

Searching me- hope you are feeling better soon hun.

Queen of string. - pleased to hear your OH had work yesterday it all counts doesnt it!

MRs M - you are amazing keep the recipes coming! PLEASE!

MRs Irwin - congratulations!!!!!! hope you are enjoing this special time. Before kids I would value chocolate over everything now it swings between chocolate and sleep :rotfl: !

Naomi20yellow, lovelaura28 and Rossrumble - Welcome guys the peeps on here are really supportive and give great hints to keep the cash in your pocket not the shops and a newbie myself (2nd challenge) and believe me it is addictive.

queenpig

Gosh this theard does build up quick lol I cant keep touch. So had to skim though again, but will try and pop on a few times a day to see if anythings changed, I'd hate to think I miss owt lol.

Hubby needed to get bananas said the were £2 something so will just say £2 for argument sake .

Got a pizza in last night for the £12 you can grumble (well £11.50 but greed guts here had to have a large garlic sauce lol)

Tea tonight is a fry up lol.

moo2moo

Had to stay at school until 9pm for a meeting so treated the DDs to fish and chips by way of an apology. £4.00.