June 2008 Grocery Challenge

SEASHELL

Been reading the May GC thread and really want to give it a go in June.
I've just had to give up my full time job so we'll be living off oh wage and whatever I can make doing bits and bobs so things will be tight.I have some really bad habits I never make a shopping list just fling whatever we fancy into the trolley.We buy too much and end up wasting alot to my shame:o I have a full freezer that never gets touched except to add to it(although I listed the contents today,can probably get the month out the freezer alone)
I have an oh who only eats certain foods and a 2yr old with a cows milk allergy.I'm not fussy what I eat so I'm really up for the challenge but will need lots of help:D
We normally spend at least a £100 a week on a big shop plus top up during the week:eek: (I know it sounds really bad)
My budget for June will be £300 for 2 adults and a 2yr old (still in nappies)
I know it's alot compared to most of you guys but my aim is to keep going lower
Thanks for letting me ramble on;) Any advise is most welcome
x

lil_me

When defrosting milk, I usually do it in the sink incase it leaks or the bottle has been cracked, only ever had one which must have split (I probably dropped it when it was frozen) but what a mess it made! Oh and if you need it quick, fill the sink or a bowl (easier to reuse the water for plants watering/washing etc- especially for those on water meters it's money saving aswell as 'greener') with cold water which helps it defrost quicker.

For those who use very little milk - personally I don't like whitener or dried milks in tea/coffee, one way to get round this and waste less is freeze milk in icecube trays, then just pop into bags once frozen. I even use them from frozen sometimes when I forget to defrost some, in a big cup it helps cool it straight to supping temperature. After sharing this tip with a friend who lives alone she now freezes milk in cereal bowls to use for brekkies.

I really wish we had as good whoopsies here, I occasionally get when I would call a good bargain which is 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4 of the price max but that's about as good as it gets. They seem to just reduce things a little from the morning here, people buying over the day. Sometimes when there is a 2 for £5 offer for example they only reduce it to £2.50 each but people still buy thinking they're getting a bargain-strange!

SEASHELL there are loads of recipes and advice online for lactose intolerant children for example http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/lactose if you check your local library (most have a search facility online) they will probably have or be able to get in cook books which specialise in allergy/intolerance. I remember one I had was called Milk Free Cooking. If you search on Amazon for the book then check the library. Much cheaper way of finding these specialist books.

Jaycee1972

Hi, can I join in please?

My budget for June will be £120 which is for me, my 20 month old boy and 2 cats. I have quite a bit in the fridge/freezer/cupboard as I have been shopping today so I am hoping that the £120 will be enough. It needs to include food, nappies and toiletries

I did sign up for the March one but it all went to pot. Since then I have separated from my hubby so things are a bit tight and I really need to keep track of my spends so wish me luck!

Good luck to everyone else

Jane x

angelatgraceland

Mrs M Please put me down for £280 for June

annie123

Well, need to get back on track in June, nearly £80 under in April and over £100 over in May:eek:
Did end up unexpectedly looking after my dad for 2 weeks....heath problems, re stocked his fridge freezer and cupboards, but seems that DH and kids emptied kitchen then moved onto takeaways:rolleyes:

Cant seem to get the hang of moneysaving summer cooking

Find winter cooking cheaper and easier to batch cook and freeze.

Any ideas or tips that I may be missing gratefully received:o

Mollymop5

8 pages already.Oh my!

chocolateteddy

Hi all June starts on friday for me.
I have just managed to get from the library that book mentioned last month 'How to feed your whole family a healthy balanced diet with very little money, and hardly any time... unless you count a garlic crusher!!'
It is brilliant I assumed from the title it was an older book but was published 2007, very helpful I'm going to buy my own copy.

Have found even though I overspent in May my outgoings are reduced and now my freezer is getting empty I can fill it up better. (before unless the fridge and freezer were full I panicked- despite then thinking but what can I cook tonight!!) I shop more times in a week but only buy what we need and it is cheaper than guessing what we might need and then wasting it when it is not used!!

Good luck to everyone for June and thanks for all the great recipes esp the twinks hobnobs my 3 can't get enough.
Going to try and cook tortillas this week to freeze

good night all

tiptoes

annelouise think this is the thread you where looking for:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=826963

MRSMCAWBER Yeah my DD has £3 a day and I've no idea what it goes on as she will come home and make herself bacon butties or raid the fridge when she come home at three. then will ask for money for sweets and drinks when she goes out with friends later, so most days she has £5:eek:

We've also argued tonight as she believe I'm far to strict as I have her come in at 8.30 and her friends are allowed out till 10pm, at 12:eek:.

2007newleyweds

New to this and if you can see by our signature our spending is going out of control and we need all the help possible.

I'll keep you posted as to how we get on
:eek:

Flylady_Flower

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Afternoon all

Just made the spinach and bacon bread i have been threatening to make for a while ...so thought I'd share the recipe...i will post the original recipe and add what i changed as i only made 1 just incase we weren't keen

Im thrilled that the spinach outside that was bolting hasn't gone to waste ...not sure how clear the pic is... but the piece that was cut has somehow vanished :whistle: I think it would be lovely with a nice bowl of HM tomato soup mm
hope its of use to someone

Thank you Mrs M, it looks scrummy - plus a way of getting them to eat spinach without them knowing, he he:rotfl: I love tricking them, little things eh!