August 2009 Grocery Challenge

Hi guys, got my first shop in today, total cost of £27.41 plus £9 for the taxi! under budget but still...I hate having to pay for transport!!

I am determined to grow the stuff that weighs the most...would get the bus that way and be saving money all over the place! any tips for starting to grow my own veg??

anyway, couple of the bargains include iceberg lettuce for 15p, and my cooking bacon for £1.13, tons of it!!

Im off to update my sig, and try to find ways of cutting down on the travelling money!

Evening everyone

Tonight for tea we had risotto with some leftover cooked chicken from a roast that I'd frozen, some chopped bacon, leftover green beans chopped up small (grown in our garden), spring onions (from the garden) and a tiny courgette also from the garden! DD12 cooked it which was nice for a change.:j

This is the first year I've had a go at growing veg and yesterday I picked two huge tubs full of french beans which I've blanched and frozen along with some broccoli that I've grown too. The tomatoes are still green but we've got loads of carrots, parsnips and lettuces growing well. If you've never grown veg before I'd encourage everyone to have a go as it's saving us lots of money so far.:T

The freezer's starting to look bare and goodness knows what I'm going to do for our evening meal tomorrow. Probably leftovers with everyone having something different!

Good luck everyone.

Well, I had my first internet/online shop of the month yesterday, which came to £53.43. It wasn't great, but it *does* include a lot of extra stuff like moisturiser, conditioner, washing powder etc. My full list is as follows:

• 1 Burgen Soya And Linseed Bread 800g £1.11
• 1 Punnet Apricots Each£1.49
• Green Seedless Grapes 500g Pack Each £1.00
• Tesco Sweet Celery Hearts Each £0.64
• 1Red Peppers Loose Each Class 1 Each£0.60
• Courgettes Loose Class 1 £0.35
• 1Loose Red Onions Class 2£0.211
• Tesco Jalapeno & Red Pepper Houmous 200g £1.14
• 1Tesco Celery Fruit Nutsalad 300g £1.09
• 1Tesco Black & Green Olives With Feta 100g 1.19
• 1Tesco Finest Potato Salad 275g Each £1.09
• 1Tesco Salad Selection 400g X£1.00
• Unwashed Rocket Salad 60g £0.69
• 1Tesco Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich Filler 250g £1.31
• Grated Parmesan Cheese 50g £0.85
• Rowan Glen Biological Low Fat Scottish Natural Yoghurt £0.20
• 1Finest Chicken Chasseur 400g £4.00
• Tesco Finest Red Cabbage And Apple 300g £2.69
• Tesco Finest Red Thai Chicken Curry 375g £3.75
• 2Batchelors Cup A Soup Special Mushroom Granules 4s £2.52
• 1Tesco Uht Skim Milk 500ml 0.44
• 1Encona Thai Sweet Chili Sauce 142ml£0.85
• 1Innocent P / Apple Banana & Coconutsmoothie 1 Litre £2.96
• 1Marques De Leon White Wine 75cl £2.83
• Ibuprofen 200mg 16 Caplets £0.32
• Paracetamol 500mg 16 Caplets £0.20
• Tea Tree Conditioner 500ml £0.99
• Large Cotton Wool Padsdouble Faced 50 £0.60
• L'oreal Dermo Exgentle Eye Make Up Remover 125ml £2.19
• Dove Body Silk 300ml £4.63
• Silk & Delicateshandwash £1.03
• Tesco Value Food Bags 50's £0.30
• Tesco Value Batteries Aaa 4pk £0.70
• Cream Napkins 33cm 50pk £0.74
• Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream 125g £2.49

I know that seems high, but there is a lot of non-food stuff in there as well. I have a rule that I try not to do any other shopping during the week, although I might do a little light shopping at the weekend for something nice for tea. I try to buy all my toiletries and cleaning supplies and booze online as well in this shop. This will also provide all my lunches for the week as well.

Happy for any tips - there is a lot of expensive food in there, but I am trying to eat healthily as well, and lose weight. Yikes!

Great thread, am really enjoying this challenge.

Hi, I need to re-join grocery challenge!!!!!!!!!! have failed miserably in the past and have been way to busy to even look on here for months. We have a household of 9 people at present plus one dog! (and any one else that happens to land on the doorstep and require feeding) i am desperate for some help and advice from all you money savings experts on how to feed everyone healthy foods without spending too much money!!

Morning All,

MrsGibbs1503 - thanks for your comments re: pampered chef. Will see how little I can get away with spending....:rotfl:

Honey39 - You might want to try shifting down a brand from the Finest range - that'll save a bit. Also the prepacked salads/sandwich fillers etc. work out fairly expensive. Definitely worth checking out your local market for f&v and also making your own s/w fillings - nicer, tastier and so much healthier!!

I spent another £5.88 yesterday in MrS on water softener powder, evap. milk, green beans and 2L of pep$i plus some sweets for the children. Have also made a list of things to take to Norfolk to see us through the week breakfast/packed lunch-wise, plus a couple of meals in. Came to £22 so not too bad. Will get these items at MrT later on this week.

When we get back we will still have 7 days to get through so need to leave some money in the pot for that. I have no idea how people spend so little on groceries (£32!?!?!) - I make all of my own food, except for the odd fishfingers/dippers meal when the children have a friend over. I also buy value brands and whoopsies (if they are something I know I'd use) where possible. Still trying to keep to £400 per month for me, DH, DS1(10), DD(7) and DS2(5) plus our spaniel.

Have a good day everyone.

Coxy
xx