Food budget disappeared!

uhuru_2

Hi all, not posted here before but I thought I'd have a look as my food budget seems to have disappeared this month! I have £45 left to last the rest of the month.

We are moving soon so I am saving up for removal van, certain items of furniture that we will need. Really could do with not touching my savings. Unfortunately, my car has been in the garage more than at home this month and I have had to have borrow from my food budget to pay the bills. I guess at least I know where the money has gone, I haven't just frittered it away.

I've checked my cupboards and at the moment I have enough to cover all main meals except for 6 days between now and the end of the month. Will need to buy some stuff for the kids lunchboxes and OH's lunches. I'm at home for the rest of the month so I plan to save a little from the main meals and add a jacket potato for my lunch most days. We probably already have enough cereal for breakfasts, just need to buy milk as and when.

Anyone got any ideas for cheap meals for those last 6 days and cheap but healthy lunchbox ideas?

Uniscots97

Not sure how many you are feeding but I bought 1kg of Tesco Value frozen mince for 1.50, to that I added 1 tin plum tomatoes, an onion, a squeeze of tomato puree (can use squirt of ketchup instead). This made 14 portions (hungry teenager portions). I used 4 portions for a pie and topped with puff pastry (you could use mash instead), the rest could be used for spaghetti bolognaise, add a bit of chilli powder and serve it either with rice or tacos. That would cover a few nights.

Pink.

Hi uhuru,

Welcome to Old Style! :hello:

Does your local supermarket do price reductions in the evening? I popped in last night on my way home from work and managed to pick up £30 of food for under £4. It's worth considering but you need to be disciplined and only buy things that you will definitely be able to use as part of your meal plan.

It's also worth having a look at the Grocery Challenge that we have each month....you'll get lots of advice, support and tips on cutting back on that thread.

For cheap meal ideas have a look at these threads:

Cheapest recipes???

Meal for two for 50p. Suggestions?

The Cheapest Healthy Meal Ever!

Feed 6 for £1.62

Cheapest meal

Your Cheapest Evening Meal.

cheap, easy family meals

Show Jamie How To Cook On A Budget Champagne Contest

Meal idea's under £1

I'll add your post to the most recent thread later to keep all the suggestions together. Good luck with the house move!

Pink

ceridwen

<<cough>> - and dont forget Weezl's thread;) (the USDA challenge one)!!!!