December 2008 Grocery Challenge
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Guidelines for posting on the Grocery Challenge thread.
What is the Grocery Challenge thread?
This is a thread where people who are taking part in the Grocery Challenge can post for help encouragement and support and talk about anything related to grocery shopping. We ask that you try to keep on topic and post things that are relevant to the challenge.
Posting grocery budgets and spends for the month
Some people like to post their grocery budget and final spend for each month. If you wish to be included in the master list then please post these in red and in a large font as this makes it easier for the volunteers to keep a record of everyone’s totals.
Number of posts
In order to make the thread easier to read it would be helpful if users would try not to post multiple posts in quick succession.
Chat
Chatty posts that are relevant to the Challenge are fine. Irrelevant chat or posts simply saying ‘Good morning/Goodnight’, ‘just popping on to say hello’, ‘I’ve sent you a pm’ etc aren’t, as they clutter up the thread and may be removed to make the thread easier for others to read. Unfortunately the board guides simply don't have the time to pm users individually when posts are removed to keep the thread on topic. If your post has been removed and you are unhappy with the decision, please feel free to send us a pm.
If you want to say thanks to another user please use the thanks button and please post any chat not related to the Grocery Challenge into the Daily Thread or use the pm function.
No Spend days (NSD’s)
A number of people like to record that they have had a no spend day. Again to reduce the number of posts we would ask that rather than post just that you had a no spend day you record it in your signature and/or add it to a post that is directly relevant to the Grocery Challenge.
Pictures
Please keep these relevant to the challenge. While photographs of produce or cooking are great, pictures of semi-naked men or large clip art aren’t.
Bargains
Please don’t forget to check out the Grabbit and Shop but Don’t drop boards for any bargains and the Discount Codes 'n Vouchers (online & offline) board to see if there are any current vouchers around.
Questions about recipes, freezing, techniques etc
These don’t always fit into the Grocery Challenge. There are a number of threads where it may be more appropriate to ask questions. There is a wealth of information available on the Old Style board so please do a search to see if there is a better thread for your question. For more help with searching see here or feel free to send a private message to a board guide who will be happy to help.
Useful Links to threads on the Old Style board
Quick Questions thread
Recipe thread
Cheap recipe threads
Don't throw food away challenge...
The Complete Cooking Collection
Old Style Daily thread General chat about Old Style (new thread started daily)
Flylady thread Cleaning thread (new thread weekly)
Enough is Enough (decluttering)
Lose weight the Old Style way
Finally if you are new to Old Style and want help to find your way around, this thread may help: Welcome to Old Style and there is some excellent practical help and advice on posting on MSE chat forums in this thread: Unofficial A-Z (Look here first)
What is the Grocery Challenge thread?
This is a thread where people who are taking part in the Grocery Challenge can post for help encouragement and support and talk about anything related to grocery shopping. We ask that you try to keep on topic and post things that are relevant to the challenge.
Posting grocery budgets and spends for the month
Some people like to post their grocery budget and final spend for each month. If you wish to be included in the master list then please post these in red and in a large font as this makes it easier for the volunteers to keep a record of everyone’s totals.
Number of posts
In order to make the thread easier to read it would be helpful if users would try not to post multiple posts in quick succession.
Chat
Chatty posts that are relevant to the Challenge are fine. Irrelevant chat or posts simply saying ‘Good morning/Goodnight’, ‘just popping on to say hello’, ‘I’ve sent you a pm’ etc aren’t, as they clutter up the thread and may be removed to make the thread easier for others to read. Unfortunately the board guides simply don't have the time to pm users individually when posts are removed to keep the thread on topic. If your post has been removed and you are unhappy with the decision, please feel free to send us a pm.
If you want to say thanks to another user please use the thanks button and please post any chat not related to the Grocery Challenge into the Daily Thread or use the pm function.
No Spend days (NSD’s)
A number of people like to record that they have had a no spend day. Again to reduce the number of posts we would ask that rather than post just that you had a no spend day you record it in your signature and/or add it to a post that is directly relevant to the Grocery Challenge.
Pictures
Please keep these relevant to the challenge. While photographs of produce or cooking are great, pictures of semi-naked men or large clip art aren’t.
Bargains
Please don’t forget to check out the Grabbit and Shop but Don’t drop boards for any bargains and the Discount Codes 'n Vouchers (online & offline) board to see if there are any current vouchers around.
Questions about recipes, freezing, techniques etc
These don’t always fit into the Grocery Challenge. There are a number of threads where it may be more appropriate to ask questions. There is a wealth of information available on the Old Style board so please do a search to see if there is a better thread for your question. For more help with searching see here or feel free to send a private message to a board guide who will be happy to help.
Useful Links to threads on the Old Style board
Quick Questions thread
Recipe thread
Cheap recipe threads
Don't throw food away challenge...
The Complete Cooking Collection
Old Style Daily thread General chat about Old Style (new thread started daily)
Flylady thread Cleaning thread (new thread weekly)
Enough is Enough (decluttering)
Lose weight the Old Style way
Finally if you are new to Old Style and want help to find your way around, this thread may help: Welcome to Old Style and there is some excellent practical help and advice on posting on MSE chat forums in this thread: Unofficial A-Z (Look here first)
0
Comments
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Hello everyone,
Welcome to the last Grocery Challenge of 2008. :hello:
If your new month starts early feel free to join this thread, or if you're still working on your November budget, then keep on posting in the November Grocery Challenge.
As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time. Remember that this is not a competition....it's designed to take you and your grocery spending to a level you are happy with.
If you are new to the challenge I have quoted the advice from Galtizz below which will help you get started.
Please post into this thread for help and advice and support at any time. Good luck to everyone taking part!Originally Posted by Galtizz
I have said this before, but for all the newbies to the challenge;
For the first month I took a guess at the budget but I really had no idea how much I was spending.
I found the best thing is to have a guess the first month but SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS (and yes, that does include the ones from the local shop when you run out of milk ), then at the end of the month add them all up and have a look if you were on budget, if not, it doesn't matter because your budget was a guess. For the next month you can use the total of your receipts and take a bit off to get a realistic budget, just shave off as much as you think you can, it could be £1 a week or £20 a week.
If you are currently spending £200 a month don't suddenly drop it to £100 - you'll never do it but if you cut £20 a month off for a few months you'll get there eventually without feeling you're missing out on anything.
You might think you've done everything you can in the first month but someone always comes up with a new idea and, if you try it you often find you save a bit more (unless you are SarahSaver who is an expert at this and could only save more if she turned her back garden into a paddy field and lived on rice ) In the first month I thought, I'm planning meals, I couldn't possibly save any more, but then I started double cooking and freezing, and making soup instead of buying it in tins.
I've been doing this since Feb but only saved ALL of my receipts last month, it has given me a much better idea of where it is all going. Budget for next month is £80 for 2 of us, I'll start on 30/4. I could probably save more, by eating different foods but I can afford to live on £80, I have saved a lot of money since Feb. and I don't waste food or money any more. So I'm happy with my budget.
For guidelines on posting in this thread please read the second post in this thread.
For everyone's targets and totals for the month please read posts #3 and #4 on this thread.
For the Grocery challenge Recipe Index please see posts #5 and #6 on this thread.
I hope everyone has a great month and can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.
:rudolf: :xmassmile :snow_laug :xmassign: :snow_grin :xmastree: :snow_grin :xmassign: :santa2: :snow_laug :xmassmile :rudolf:
Pink0 -
Monthly
Allegra £250
Allie23 £180
Almar £550
Always Happy £230 £310.50
Andrinaperry £300
Angelatgraceland £325
Annie123 £300 £206
Baileysbabe £700 £734.63
Barneydee £300
Barneysmom £180
Beemuzed £250
Beki £75
belfastgirl23 £200 £220
BestPud £350
*Big Bird* £350
BigMummaF £300
Big Smoke £65
Biscotti 800chf
Blairweech £80
Blissfullydebtfreewannabe £75
Brokemumofthree £200
Bullet £330 £417.02
Brummiebabe £400
Candy Girl £130 £130
Canidothis £200
Caroline73 £10 a day
Carolt2 £180 £200.82
Casperthefriendlyghost £40
Catnap 53 £250
Catznine £250
Cherry Pie £100
Clowe1 £318.15
Coco2972 £200
Coolmum66 £180 £111.52
CraftingQueen £400
Cranky40 £150 £148.01
Dazzle21 £300
Dink1 £300 £332
Donnajt £275 £252.54
Echelon101 £65 £6.50
Essex-girl £450 £475.11
Eveie189 £400 + £500extras
Fedupnow £133.93
Fertyskids £350
Findingmyfeet £400 £363.08
Flaire £250
FlatEric £250
Flubberyzing £50
FluffySox £100
Forasmuch £250
Free in three £120 £250
Frugal mouse £150
Frugalswan £180
Galaxy863 £250 £230.92
geek0 £120
Gillaman £100
Gilly1947 £250
GunsnBanjos £175
Halia £200 + £50 extras
1Hannah £250
Highland Fling £150 £146
Hollysan £400 £457.03
Huxley £250 £283.08
Ifonlyitwaseasier £150 £95.31
Inamess200 £450 £501
IZoomZoom £250 £370
jackiegibbo £220 £219.50
JackieO £50
Jackie W £250
Jackk £200
JAMMIEDODGER £300
Jayne £250
JayJay14 £180 £178.98
JennyBee £200 £206.92
JulieMK £100 £118.96
KAAT_LADY £200
Kamcauliffe £120
Karb £450
Kayharcombe £400 £390.64
Keld £500
Kippers £300 £294.43
Kindlesgirl £300
Kitty £450
KiwiSaver $240 $111.98
KJ*Daisy £350
Kookgekje £300 £400
Lainz £100 £85
Laurenjs88 £100
Lee Barton £250
LeLLe £150
Lil me £350 £289.38
Lingo Jingo £160 £82.43
Little Miss Thrifty £300 £238.62
LizzieAnne £400
Lola34 £300 3325.77
Lucifa73 £200
Lucycat £350 £376.77
Macwah97 £300
mama67 £200 £193
Mardatha £200
Meanmarie €300 €276.94
millieJo £350 £420
MoneySavingDiva £340
MoneyFritter £90 £97.44
Money saving Hornet £400
Moniker £350 £341.27
Mr & Mrs T £250
MrsMcawber €100 €70
MrsMck £300 £299
Mrs Miser£280
Money Penny £230
Mrssnowy £230 £248.63
Msgnomey £300
mummy gems £350
Mummy2mygirls £350-6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.50 -
Nancy888 £200 £171.49
Nats04 £115 £170
Natty68 £250
NewlyFrugalMumOf3 £120
Nickynoo08 £130
nimbo £170
Northern_Star £200
nykmedia £50
Oligeo£400
PerryWinkle £350 £350
Philsmum £160
Phoolgrrrl £120 £90
PinkJen £120 £129.47
Pink n Fluffy £400 £456.28
Pip-Squeak £150
Pitlanepiglet £300
Poffigirl £400
Pollysg £150
Procrastinator £250 £300
Prophecy-grrl £250 £198.44
Puffier £450
Queen of string £200
Rach £175
rachelmk £150
RavyLesley £450
Redmel1621 £400
Reventon £275
Rockie4 £200 £215
RosieBen £80
Russet red £400
Saffouri £220
Savingfortravel £200 £45
SAV3R £450 £489.90
Scenic route £100
ScotSaver £350
September blues £60
Sharronej £220
Shelly1977 £120
SisterCas £400 £452
SmellyOldSock £300
SmlSave £300
SoulBalm £275
Sparklymessgirl £160 £166
Sunny Donny £225 £280.96
Sylvan £350 £459.40
Taka £146.20 £147.35
Tango £800
Tashja £300
The Bees £300
the_cat £350
TOPAZ £332
Turbo5019 £180
Wmf £200
Wyrdsister £90
ZLS1984 £160
Weekly
Ashia £15
Cuddlymarm £40
Madsmum £100
Penny-Pincher £70-6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.50 -
Microwave Recipes
Main Meals & Side Dishes
Baked potato pizza
Baked Beans (home made)
Belly Pork
Broad Bean Burgers
Chicken Cannelloni
Chicken - Sticky Chicken
Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken with Garlic, Cider & Cream
Chilli
Chilli Cheese Crostini
Chinese style cabbage
Cobbler (topping)
Corned Beef Hash - MrsMCawber's recipe
Cranberry & Soy glazed cocktail sausages
Creamy Chicken and Potato casserole
Curried Parsnip Soup
Curry Sauce
Diet Coke Chicken
Duchesse potatoes
Fishcakes
Fish Pie
Ham and Lentil Soup
Ham Salad (sandwich filling) external link
Iced cucumber soup
Individual chicken pies
Lasagne
Lemon Chicken
Lemon chicken with basil and tagliatelle
Meatballs
Meatloaf
Mediterranean Mince and Potato 'Pie'
Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta
Mince & onion pie
Minced Beef Curry
Mini Goat's Cheese, Pear & Walnut Quiche
Monday Pie
Moussaka
Naan bread - see 'Bread' below
Open top 'pizza' pie
Parsnip & Apple Soup
Pizza / Pizza Base Recipe
Potato layer bake
Quiche Lorraine
Real Tomato Soup
Sausage Casserole
Sausage Meat Patties
Smoked salmon soda breads
Spaghetti with courgettes, tomato and brie
Spicy Bean & Sweet Potato Stew
Spicy Carrot and Tomato Soup
Stuffing - MrsMcawber's recipe
Suet crust pie with quorn
Super Tasty Bacon, Bean and Sausage
Sweet & Sour Chicken/Pork
TexMex Skillett
Thai green curry
Toad in the Hole
Tofu burgers
Turkey and Bubble and Squeak Pie
Turkey Pasta
Turkey Pasta Cacciatore
Vegetable Casserole
Veggie Haggis
Bread
Bagels
Baguettes
Bread - Mrs McC's recipe for Remoska
Breadsticks MrsM's / angelnikki's (No Salt Recipe)
Cheese & Potato Bread
Cheesy Bread Rolls
Chewy Soft Flour Tortilla
Chocolate Bread
Courgette Flatbread
Focaccia
Garlic Dough Balls
Herb Quick bread
HM Bread
Naan Bread .. see also .. Curry Queen's ...... Mrs McCawber's ...... OrkneyStar's
Oatmeal bread
soft bread rolls
Super Seedy Bread
... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
Dips, Jams & Chutneys
Alioli / Traditional allioli
Christmas Chutney
Elderberry cordial
Jams & Preserves
Pineapple Salsa
Tomato Chutney
Cakes, Biscuits, Snacks & Desserts
Apple delight
Apple Charlotte
Apricot Flapjack bars
Banana and lemon drizzle cake
Banana and Walnut cake
Banana Ginger Parkin
Branflake cake
Bounty Balls
Bran Fruit Loaf
Bread & Butter Pudding
Bulk pancake mix
Caramel Shortbread (Millionaire's Shortbread)
Caramel Shortbread (2)
Cheese n marmite twists
Cheesy Biscuits
Chocolate fudge
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Chocolate Krackolates
Coconut Cake
Cookie Dough
Courgette Tea Bread/Muffins
Cranberry And Chocolate Brownies
Currant Loaf
Custard Cookies
D&DD’s Apple Braid
Date, Nut and Oat biscuits
Eggless Chocolate Cake
Fifteens
Flaky Bars
Flapjacks
Gingerbread Men
Ginger Raisin Crunches
Golden Syrup Tart
Honey Frosted Buns
Iced Buns
Impossible Coconut Pie
Jammy Buns
Key lime pie
Krispie marshmallow bars
Lemon Curd Cake
Lemon Curd Ice-Cream JeniD's / MoneySavingDiva's
Malt Bread
Marshmallow Squares
Mascarpone and Lime Torte
Mascarpone Ice-cream
Millies Cookies
Muffins: Basic Recipe / Chocolate Orange Muffins / Gingerbread Muffins / Kiwi Muffins / Sticky Date Muffins / Strawberry Muffins / Toffee Apple Muffins
No fat sponge
Oaty Shortbread Biscuits
Peanut Butter Cookies
Scones
Spiced Apple Bars
St Peter's Mud Pie (no cooking required)
Sticky gingerbread
Sticky toffee apple crumble
Teacakes
Twink’s Hobnobs
Weetabix Brownies
Weetabix Cake
Wonderbites
Yoghurt: Homemade yoghurt, Slow Cooker Yoghurt
Yoghurt Cake (the easy way)
Top Tips & Links
Grocery Challenge Top Tips
How to feed your whole family a healthy, balanced diet... (Webook)
Laundry Washing Gel/ Gloop, Fab conditioner, vinegar.....
List of conversions
Love Food Hate Waste website
Show Jamie How To Cook On A Budget Champagne Contest... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
:j yipee new month:j
couldn't resist being first to post.....childish? yes! its nearly xmas0 -
Just wishing you all the best for the Christmas GC month!
I am lurking for the rest of the month (so this is my first and last post!).
Welcome any newbies, and hello to all the 'oldbies' :wave:.
May you have a wonderful GC month and festive period.
x xErmutigung wirkt immer besser als Verurteilung.
Encouragement always works better than judgement.0 -
OrkneyStar wrote: »Just wishing you all the best for the Christmas GC month!
I am lurking for the rest of the month (so this is my first and last post!).
Don't you dare make this your first and last post.........you have lots of experience and advice to offer to everyone on this thread!
Pink0 -
:hello:to everyone
I'm going to spend another month just watching you all do so well, before rejoining in January. I still have elder DS home for another week, then he's back at work for a week before coming home again for just over a fortnight over Christmas -- so I've no idea what my "budget" should be for the month, especially as we've not yet decided how to play Christmas Day.
I do, however, plan to keep records of what I spend as carefully as my energy/will-power allows -- so I'll hopefully have something to base further 'visits' from elder DS and next Christmas on !!
I've got a tentative figure to come back with in January, but it depends on how close my estimates on future income are...... I'll hopefully know by then (or not long after), so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed I don't have to have a radical re-think if it comes in at much lessCheryl0 -
Okay, I am in for £250. Finding this a tall over, espcially since my dry goods order has already been delivered for £118. Gives me £30 a week ... tough, but I'll try.:o0
This discussion has been closed.
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