June 2008 Grocery Challenge

linzmac_2

denisefowler wrote: »

Ohhh, could someone PLEASE tell me about these veggie boxes and how/where you get them from,
Ta very much,

Denise, I just did an internet search for 'veg box and area i live in' and it brought up websites of companies that deliver in my area. Otherwise, you could try this website, where you can search for veg box schemes by county. HTH!

I love getting my weekly delivery!

Linz

linzmac_2

Morning all!

Well, I was meant to be getting my Asda delivery this morning but they phoned just before 9am to say that the 12 x 6 packs of dog food (£2 each) I had ordered were out of stock :mad: and did I want something else. I had only really placed the order coz the dog food was cheaper than usual and thought I might as well stock up on that and some store cupboard stuff while I was at it so I just cancelled the order as didn't really NEED any of the stuff urgently and was eating into July's budget already and MrS (which is only 2 mins away) are doing the same dog food on 2 for £4.50 at the mo so will just get it there instead.

Was thinking about it last night and have changed my sig again and taken some off my spends coz most of the whoopsies I bought in MrS the other night are in the freezer to use next month so I will take that money (£15.84)out of next month's money as soon as I get it. Hope this isn't cheating but as I won't use any of it this month I would rather take it out of next month's and stay within budget this month...it's all psychological really but hey!

Now just need 11 :eek: NSDs to get me to the end of the month intact (well, have £2.50 for emergencies!)! MrsM, you are my inspiration!!:beer:

Linz

Sosh

Just a quick update, as I've just been to Mr S for a few bits and spent £2.04. I won't be spending anything this weekend as I'm off to the caravan just as soon as the BM is finished. Also, Mum is taking the family out for Dinner on Sunday as I'm getting baptised and confirmed that day, so I won't have to do any cooking. :j

Apparently, the dispatches program on C4, Monday is all about the cost of food today. Might be worth watching. I went to Asda yesterday to pick up some more dessicated co!!!!, since last month, it has increased from 11p to 45p :eek:

have a good weekend everyone.

FelineFantastic

linzmac wrote: »

Denise, I just did an internet search for 'veg box and area i live in' and it brought up websites of companies that deliver in my area. Otherwise, you could try this website, where you can search for veg box schemes by county. HTH!

I love getting my weekly delivery!

Linz

DeniseF- thats the site I looked at and I chose Sunrise Organics from it because their site listed all the different boxes and their contents which was important for me- I called them and you can then change/ amend your weekly order based on how much you want etc. I have ordered fruit too to save me shopping elsewhere (always a bonus!) I will let you know what its like- the chappie answering the phone was really really helpful though so I am hopeful it will be great.

Anitaj73

:eek: It's taken me all morning to catch up on the posts since i posted yesterday morning about the bread flour :rotfl:
Thanks to angelnikki chocolateteddy & greent for the advise on the flour my mum is picking me some up from MrS today so will hopefully have my first loaf over the weekend :j
I still don't have a BM so will be doing all by hand i so hope it works ....fingers XX

Gonna go look on that site for the F&V boxes that would save me going into the shops when i don't really need to :rotfl:

2 NSd for me now, need more if i'm going to come under budget

Right need to go get my pasta on the go for tuna pasta for lunches for a couple of days if the kids don't demolish it when they get in from school

Have a good day everyone & <<hugs>> to those who need them......Like me

Anita xx

Lula-Hula

Hello everyone,

I can't keep up with this thread !

Did a Mr.T shop yesterday & spent £55.26 & not many savings to be had ; only toothpaste & lula loops on bogof. £40 of that was on actual groceries, £9.11 on toiletries & £6.07 on household cleaning stuff.

I now have £30. to last til July 1st & I am determined to do it. We're well stocked on cleaning & toiletries so £30 for just food should be ok as long as I keep the fruitbat supplied with apples, bananas, kiwi, strawbs, plums etc. etc. etc :rolleyes: she'll be happy.

I think I'm going to change my plan for next month : try & get all the cleaning & toiletries for the whole month in one go :eek: then can budget weekly just for food which means I only have to do Mr.T once a month & can use local shops & try out farmers market too.

Having a NSD day today

lula

greent

Well, just had my Mr A order delivered - had some dodgy substitutions which I sent back, weren't worth even the matched price. I had ordered 18 bags of flour (special offer to split between me & a friend) to take me well over the £50 to use a free delivery code from MSE:money: - BUT they only delivered 1 and gave me a small bag of gluten free as a substitute. Driver & I couldn't find this, so when I found it after they left (unclear from delivery note as to size and didn't state it was g-free) I phoned and got a refund - and the bag was split too (total mess!). Lack of flour took me under £50 for the e-voucher, so I checked that as well and I'm still ok - they've given me the free delivery :beer:

I've included a takeaway and some snacks bought whilst out in this month's spend total - and it includes spends on some silicone bakeware & some muffin tins and a skillet/ pan, so they won't be repeated - so all in all I think not too bad! I haven't inc the 2 meals out we've had - as that is a very rare occurence and is therefore 'treat' money as opposed to GC budget:D

Whilst I've spent loads compared to most (all?) others:o , I'm still personally chuffed, as around this time last month I'd spent over £600. And my cupboards are still fit to burst and one freezer is full (the other around 2/3rds full) - so I could spend even less next month:rotfl: :rotfl: Now I just need to inventory the freezer and menu plan - eek!

Ooh - it's almost like getting extra money - what with that and DH finally claiming £2.5K of expenses owed to him from a year ago, we're actually in credit! Yippee!!!! (don't even begin to wonder why he doesn't claim tehm more often - I have no idea - but he has large balances on CCs and pays interest every month as a result - dumbo that he is!! He still has around 6-7 months worth to claim, so I'm hoping he'll do that soon and make a large dent (maybe even get rid of? - fingers crossed!) in those balances!

Right - now to get ready & off out for a girly lunch with friends - I will include that in the GC when I get back:D

HUgs and best wishes to all who need them - I still haven't learnt the art of note taking as I read all the posts:o - but I recall there's some congrats in order!


GT

debbym

Been too busy packing to post so far this month and it is already up to 110 pages! Blimey you lot have been busy .. I hope you are all snapping up the bargains.
Have only had time for 2 big shops so far -bills were v scarey as you can see. Also have started keeping a price book of the stuff we buy every week and found out about a little trick of ASDA's...
Start of June veggie oil £2.95 for 3 litres
One week later £3.48
Yesterday £2.98 with Huge rollback stickers on it sneaky huh - worth thinking about every time I've stocked up on stuff cos it must be cheap cos its on rollback:mad:

Jaycee1972

Hi all

Ok, I have gone over on my budget. I have spent approx £135 (rounded it up as I lost track of what I spent at work last week. It will be less than £1 out) instead of the £120 but it was a bit of a guess as this is my first month doing this challenge. Still a few days of the month to go but should only need milk and maybe fruit/bread next week.

The £135 does have a couple of bottles of wine in and I hadn't really thought about whether the budget included alcohol or not - maybe I need a separate budget for that :beer:

I have done better than usual I am sure in terms of meal planning and spending at work but can still do a lot better. I cannot believe how hard it has been to resist buying stuff that will 'come in'. Even yesterday, knowing I had already just about spent my budget I still bought some of that Dove summer moisturiser because it was half price so that was £2.49 I don't need and also a couple of things from the whoopsie fridge which I will struggle to use or that I am eating extra to needed (like cake;)).

Anyway, you are all an inspiration and I will try my best not to spend between now and then end of the month and join you again next month. I will get the hang of this if it kills me lol!

By the way, does anyone have any suggestions for some stir fry veg going out of date. I know the obvious thing is stir fry but I don't really want to eat it today so, something that will keep? I have tinned toms, coconut milk, curry powder, chilli powder, elmlea I could use. What do you think? Would it freeze when cooked?

Thanks
Jane xx

Flylady_Flower

Quote:
Originally Posted by linzmac
Denise, I just did an internet search for 'veg box and area i live in' and it brought up websites of companies that deliver in my area. Otherwise, you could try this website, where you can search for veg box schemes by county. HTH!

I love getting my weekly delivery!

Linz

FelineFantastic wrote: »

DeniseF- thats the site I looked at and I chose Sunrise Organics from it because their site listed all the different boxes and their contents which was important for me- I called them and you can then change/ amend your weekly order based on how much you want etc. I have ordered fruit too to save me shopping elsewhere (always a bonus!) I will let you know what its like- the chappie answering the phone was really really helpful though so I am hopeful it will be great.

Hi guy's,
thanks for the update - I went on the site you mentioned Linzmac, and it's really cool, got loads of info on it - checked out 'Sunrise Organics' FelineF, as they looked the best to me too for my area.

I'm not too sure about prices and stuff though - what are your feelings on it? I know I can get cheaper in Lidls/Tesco but quality obviously not as good and I know I will be tempted if I go in there anyway, so am thinking I will give it a try for next month - it will def make us eat more f&v

this seems to be in all boxes so anyone know anything good to do with chard? do I treat it same as spinach?

Thanks again guys,
Denise