June 2008 Grocery Challenge

MRSMCAWBER

Morning all

A NSD for me today

I still don't need a thing :T ..have just taken some balls of tortilla dough out of the freezer ..doing southern chicken and hm coleslaw in them and having them with salad..and hubby will take the same for lunch tomorrow.

I have decided that as of the July grocery challenge im going to tighten our belts further... im still buying food we don't really need .. i think my problem is that i set a budget and then im almost starting to see it as a goal -getting as close as i can without going over:rolleyes: ..so next month im going to have a bash at not setting a budget ..then just buying what we need. I know that sounds a bit odd..but i think i will spend less that way..
Once all the veggies are ready ..it will save us a fortune.. so far im getting all my salad leaves, chard, spinach, watercress, pak choi and a few beans and peas out of the tubs:T ... but in about 7-10 days the 1st broad beans will be coming off, followed closely by some potatoes.... the cumbers and tomatoes are looking like they are going to be belters... 1 tomato plant now has over 100 flowers/buds on it..and signs of more coming ..and i have loads of tomato plants... so im going to be roasting and blitzing the extras for pasta sauces/casseroles in the winter;)
i have lots of cumber flowers and baby cumbers on too...ooooh im easily excited

well i had better get off...think its a x stitch day for me... looks like it might even rain :j we are in need its been over 80 all week ..in the evenings at that :eek: and i have been getting frazzled scuttling up n down the garden with the watering can :rotfl:

OrkneyStar

Well I managed my NSD yesterday. Weather was a bit unsettled, windy and showers so had a day in the house, knitting, playing with DS when he was awake (sleeping more right now as teething!) and cleaned house from top to bottom in the morning- well pleased. Not sure if today will be NSD as have to go out to Physio in the morning and maybe baby clinic in the afternoon, might walk although its raining! Dinner last night was curry, rice and naan, all made previously so just heated up (except the naan). Planning to make the naan as detailed on here next time. Ok, hope all well and managing to stick to their budgets.

skintscotslass

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

Dont shoot me, i went shopping in M&S:eek: However i am loving the fact they now do whoopsies, they had tons of stuff reduced! I got 12 pints of milk for 3 pounds(sorry pound sign not working) all safely stashed in freezer, lots of yummy rolls and fruit loaf and quiche all down to 50p each:beer: Spent 15.72 but think i did quite well:D Mr T shopping coming tonight so going to be really tight towards the end of the month:o

Oooooh!!! When did that start?????

ETA - I've managed 5 NSDs in a row. I need to go to a Nationwide Branch which involves a trip into Edinburgh. So I may need to spend money on bus fares or I might see if my Dad is going into town

WelshWoofer

Hi,
Justa quick update to the sig - 80p spent yesterday despite my vowing not to spend anything! All were bargains though - 2 x Cadburys choc desserts reduced to 11p each and 58p on a 6 pk of Walkers crisps (and I only went in to the shop to use the cashpoint!).
It could have been worse!

Boyfriend cooking tea tonight so that's free too! He usually does tons so hopefully there'll be some left for tomorrow's lunch too!

Have a good day everyone -

by the way has anyone seen any panic petrol buying yet? Need to get some but if there's no mad rush I can leave it for a day or two.

Girl_least_likely_to

Hello All :wave:

Gosh, haven't been on here for over a week :eek: . Hope everyone is ok and doing well on the challenge, I'll catch up with all the posts later

I've done a couple of shops, £52.06 in morrisons last Friday and £11.28 in aldi yesterday. I have a packed freezer and fridge and will be ok until next week when I'll need milk and f&v.

I only have £42 to last me until the end of the month. I have a £6 off a £60 spend coupon for Tesco which needs using up before the 22nd. Really don't know if I want to miss out on a £6 saving or go over budget? I've already used my 1st coupon a couple of weeks ago and bought stuff I didn't really need just yet to take advantage of a £9 off £60. I think I see what offers they have and see if it's worth it. I have another coupon too, but that doesn't run out until July. It never rains........

Mrs M - you potio looks amazing. I'm sure tesco's will be in touch with you soon to place their order

newmoneysaver_2

razra wrote: »

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Going to try Jamies bacon and courgette pasta for tea with my first homegrown and picked courgette:T

Razra - I had this on Sun, but with bacon & mushroom as I didn't have any courgette. I was yum & very quick!
Hope the bruises get better soon LOL.

I'm hoping for a NSD, so fingers crossed.

gunsandbanjos

skintscotslass wrote: »

Oooooh!!! When did that start?????

ETA - I've managed 5 NSDs in a row. I need to go to a Nationwide Branch which involves a trip into Edinburgh. So I may need to spend money on bus fares or I might see if my Dad is going into town

M&S started doing whoopsies about 2 months ago, i very rarely go in as i'm always tempted by the bakery bit:o I got a good haul yesterday though.

annelouise_2

Afternoon all,

After almost throwing the dud cucumber and tomato pots out as a no show I have 3 seedlings poking through this morning.:T

Have put compost and gravel in my long planter and watered it ready for the courgettes to go in but they too are looking yellow and sad - maybe I'm killing them with kindness?????
Have sourced some shade and have moved all pots into that and have checked directions and will follow them to the letter.Next lot of courgette seeds are coming up and may go into planter sooner we'll see.

Have no baking to do today as I need toffees for krispie bars and that'll be next in my repertoire.I've got a HM caulicheese grill in oven and still 2 more left in freezer.

Police were blockading our petrol station this morning - more panic buying I think.....

Have a good one.

annelouise :rotfl:

dutchy

Hello to all!

I'd like to join in with this this month if it's okay. The problem is, I have absolutely no idea how much I spend each month, so from June 1st I've been writing down everything I've spent. I have just a couple of small questions; is it just food and drink, or do I also include toiletries, cleaning products etc? And what about booze? Not an essential, I know, but something that does seem to find it's way into my basket with alarming regularity!! :beer:

One week ago I made a biggish shop at Mr. T's and spent £62.80, or £77.50 with everything included. I'm now finding there are one or two little things that I'm wanting but not really needing. So I have this internal conflict going on of wanting to go and buy them but knowing I could do without them.

I cook mostly everything from scratch, although keep some freezer stuff as we both work shifts and don't always have the time or inclination to cook! I usually bake my own bread, and have worked out this equates to around 30p per loaf, so much cheaper than buying it (and much nicer too!).

I think the greatest improvement I could make would be to meal plan, and I intend to get my head around this soon., But meanwhile, I'll see how this month goes. Here we are, almost half way through June, and I've spent less than half my estimated budget, so I think I'll manage okay.

By the way, I love having No Spend Days, and sometimes try to challenge myself to see how many days I can go without spending; just a little game I play!!

Good luck to all of you nice people on here! You are all a true inspiration! :T

Groetjes,

Dutchy xx

Frugaldom

MRSMCCAWBER your garden looks brilliant! I hope everything flourishes and brings you a plentiful supply of fresh veggies this summer, well done!