A question about : May 2012 Grocery Challenge
Hi everyone,
Welcome to the fifth Grocery Challenge of 2012 
If your new month starts early feel free to join this thread, or if you're still working on your March budget, then keep on posting in the:
April 2012 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!
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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 Ј1 a week or Ј20 a week. If you are currently spending Ј200 a month don't suddenly drop it to Ј100 - you'll never do it but if you cut Ј20 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 Ј80 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 Ј80, 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. |
By request, here is Spiggles wonderful helpful post
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We all have different budgets that suit our households. The most important thing to remember is that you set yours according to your needs and finances. It can take time to get to where you want to be too so don't knock yourself out if you go over in the first few months. We are here to support each other and it is not a competition.
I thought it might help to outline where we've come from and the top tips I've learned. When we started in March 2010 we had spent in excess of Ј600 in the previous month. The next step was to set up my own spreadsheet which is absolutely simple onto which I put all spends so that I have a continuous running total for the month and for the year. We initially set our budget at Ј280 per month and brought it down to Ј240 where it resides for most of the year it is occasionally increased to allow for extras e.g. Christmas to Ј260. The important 'tools' we found greatly helped and continue to do so now are: Stocktake cupboards, fridge, freezer - make lists and ensure that the older products get used up first. You'll be amazed at what you find squirrelled away and it will help with your shopping list as you'll realise that you don't actually need so much. Before you go shopping check staples - running out of milk, bread, butter, etc often leads to going into a shop for one thing and coming out Ј20 lighter. Always check these and if they'll run out tomorrow buy them the same time as getting other things. Always make a shopping list and stick to it - the supermarkets (sm) try every which way to get us to spend so having a list and strong resolve is the only way to beat them. Keep every receipt - and then note it down on your spreadsheet/spend diary so that you always know where you are. When tempted, ask yourself do you NEED it or just WANT it - now this advice goes with two things. Firstly, the things you see in store when shopping that APPEAR to be bargains - if you hadn't planned spending the money then its not a bargain. Secondly, the sm send us loads of vouchers for ЈX off a spend of ЈXX - if you had no NEED to spend ЈXX then have you SAVED anything??? Use my supermarket to compare prices (limited to four of the biggies) - The site may be used to actually do an online shop at whichever of the big four offers the best value or, if you have the time and sm availability, to make up lists for visiting each of the stores so that you can purchase all you need at different stores thus getting the best possible value. (I'd add, do a 'shop' virtually on this site and take the list you create on it with you, whichever one you shop at, it will help keep target prices in your head and allow you to spot bargains. MrM is not included but you can do a virtual list on their website so you know what you're going to be spending.) Always have a list - this is just as important when shopping online as shopping on foot. Use Approved Foods online (with a list!) - if you don't mind out of date things (ood) or you can search for only in date items. The only drawback is storing the goods as far as I can tell. Oh, and watch the delivery as it's done on a scaled charge for weight so keep an eye on it. You can of course do an AF order with friends, family, colleagues or like minded neighbours. Other GCers use Big Br*nds 4 Less too. Invest in a breadmaker - we have saved so much by making our own bread. The prices in the shops are extortionate for bread these days. There's loads of advice on this thread and others in the forum on this. Use the recipe lists - always posted at the front of a new thread. There are fantastic, tasty, healthy and economical recipes to use on them and there are a number of other threads on the forum such as Weezl's that will help you to eat well on a budget. Shop locally - the local greengrocer (or preferably market but I don't have one Grow your own - it's quite simple to grow some f&v at home even if it's only in pots on the patio. There are also supportive threads on the forum for this. Cook your own - making meals at home from ingredients is far more economical, often tastes better than shop bought and is probably far better healthwise. Meal Plan - this is something that others can advise on as we don't do it. I have a tremendous capacity for eating the same food over many days but presented in slightly different form. For example, we could buy Ј7 worth of brisket from the butchers and eat it as pot roast for a couple of days, sliced for sarnies, sliced with a salad, chucked into a casserole or shredded up and fried as crispy beef. Don't waste food - either only make what you need or use any leftovers for other meals/creations or freeze it for another day. Withdraw the cash you want to spend - and keep it in a separate purse. This can be particularly effective as you have the money in front of you reducing rather than spending with plastic which is so easy to lose track of. Very useful when you first start out. Don't go to the shops to browse - this can only lead to pain and hardship!!! Keep posting and reading the thread - there really is no better supportive, wise and inspirational place to be! I think I saw that somebody mentioned forgetting to read/post. I get around this by using the Advanced button to post, below the window where your text is displayed you will see Additional Options. In the Thread Subscription box use the dropdown to select either instant email notification (this is what I use) or daily email notification before you submit your latest post. Then you will get an email into your inbox from which you can click to the thread to see what others are saying. Always remember the sm is not your friend - it wants to profit from you and take as much of your money as it can coerce out of you! So, there you go as a starting point. Others on here will offer tremendous advice on meal planning. And don't forget, the only silly question is the one you didn't ask! See you all later, |
This had to stop, (there's only me and him and our two beautiful black cats) something which thankfully my OH completely agreed with so I have been lucky that he has been on board from the start. He gave me his debit card voluntarily and I still keep hold of it until he needs to get something for the home. At the same time we set up a system of pocket money (pm) at Ј15 each per week which doesn't count towards the GC and which we can each spend as we wish with no comebacks or complaints. OH predominantly uses his pm on his beer and I ferret mine away mostly. 
) is usually cheaper as an option for fruit and veg (f&v) than the sm. Often the prices may look the same but when you look at the quantity for the same price the greengrocer will be cheaper. The same goes for the local butcher. Often you will have far more variety of meat available, advice on how to cook a particular meat can be offered and there is (for me at least) no comparison in terms of quality. We buy our huge FR eggs there and I'm yet to find an equivalent FR egg in a sm at the same or lower price. Obvioulsy if you have your own chicks/know someone who has chicks you can get them even cheaper again.
For quidelines on posting in this thread please read the second post in this thread.
For the Grocery challenge Recipe Index please see posts #3, #4, #5 and #6 on this thread.
For everyones totals, see post #7 on this thread
I hope everyone has a great month!
Zip
Best answers:
- 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) - Before using any of these GF or DF recipes please check labels as manufacturers often make changes to ingredients.
Main Meals & Side Dishes
Aubergine and Courgette Bake
Bacon and Cheese Fritatta with Tomato Salsa
Bacon and Egg Pie
Bacon and potato salad -Warm
Bacon, broccoli and pasta bake (GF and DF)
Baked potato pizza
Bacon and Onion Dumpling
Bacon and Veg Risotto
Bacon Roast Chicken with Potatoes (ext link)
Baked Beans (home made) ... Baked Beans (home made)
Baked Bean Pasties
Baked Bean Tart
BBQ Cannelini Beans with sausages
BBQ Sauce
Bean Curry (Slow Cooker)
Beef - Brisket
Beef Casserole
Beef Curry Dopiaza (Delia recipe)
Beef in Port and Stilton - SC
Beef - Sizzling beef strips
Beef Stifado (Jamie Olive recipe)
Beef - Stir Fried Beef and Onions with Brocolli
Beef Stroganoff
Beef and Root Veg Curry
Belly Pork
Bolognaise (Remoska) .Bolognaise (2) Bolognaise (3) Bolognaise (4) Bolognaise (5)
Brie Burgers
Brisket (Slow Cooker)
Broad Bean and Bacon Tart
Broad Bean Burgers
Burgers ..... Gluten Free HM burgers
Cabbage - Stuffed cabbage leaves
Calamari
Calzones
Carbonara ... Carbonara with cheese triangles
Cashew Curry
Cauliflower - Cheesy Cauliflower
Cauliflower Egg and Potato Curry
Cheese - Easy cheese biscuits
Cheese and Nut Loaf
Cheese and Onion Flan
Cheese and Onion Fryits
Cheese and Onion Pasties
Cheese and Potato Pie
Cheese Pie - School days recipes thread
Cheese Scones
Cheese and Lentil Loaf
Cheesy Bread and Butter Pudding
Cheesy dough
Cheesy garlic bread (ext lnk)
Cheese, tomato and pesto muffin
Cheesy vegetable bake (ext link)
Chicken Adobo
Chicken Bake
Chicken - Boneless bacon wrapped chicken thighs stuffed with philly (GF)
Chicken Cannelloni
Chicken - GF Chicken Casserole (slow cooker)
Chicken - Cheat's Chicken Cassoulet
Chicken - Chinese Chicken
Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Chicken and broccoli bake
Chicken and Bacon Lasagne
Chicken - Cheat's Chicken Lasagne in the SC
Chicken, Cheese, Ham and Brocolli Pie
Chicken and Chickpea Curry
Chicken, Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew
Chicken & Chorizo Gumbo
Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
Chicken and Chorizo Pasta Bake (ext. link)
Chicken Curry
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken, leek and bacon pie / pasties
Chicken and leek and philly pie (GF&DF)
Chicken and Leek Risotto
Chicken - Mango Chicken with Rice and Peas
Chicken - Monker's Honey and Orange Chicken
Chicken, mushroom and rice one pot
Chicken - HM Chicken Nuggets
Chicken - Parmesan Chicken
Chicken Prawn and Chorizo Paella
Chicken Risotto
Chicken - Rubber Chicken (thread)
Chicken - Spanish Chicken (slow cooker)
Chicken - Sticky Chicken
Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken - Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice
Chicken with Cannellini Beans
Chicken with Garlic, Cider & Cream
Chicken - SC Chicken with herby sauce [GF and DF]
Chicken and Potato Curry
Chicken and Vegetable Slice
Chicken or Quorn with Ginger and Coconut Milk
Chicken in Garlic and Mushroom Sauce
Chicken in White Wine Sauce
Chicken - SC Chicken with chorizo and bacon (gluten and dairy free)
Chickpea Curry
Chilli....Chilli (2)...Chilli (Remoska) .....Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
Chilli Bean Tortillas
Chilli Chicken Ramen
Chilli Cheese Crostini
Chilli chicken with jasmine rice (BBC food)
Chilli-Lime Meatballs
Chilli Meat Loaf
Chilli Pizza
Chilli, Tomato, Butternut Squash bake
Chinese Stir Fried Noodle or Fried Rice thingy
Chinese Pork Balls & Sweet & Sour Sauce
Chinese style cabbage
Chorizo, Haddock and New Potato one pot
Cobbler (topping) see below for Minced Beef with Cobbler Topping
Coconut Curry
Coconut Rice
Cod - Crunchy Topped Cod
Colcannon
Coleslaw ... Low calorie spicy coleslaw
Coq au Vin (SW)
Corned Beef Hash - MrsMCawber's recipe ... Corned Beef Hash
Corned Beef Pasties
Corned Beef Stew
Courgette Fritters (1) Courgette Fritters (2)
Courgette Pie
Courgette and Tomato Layer Bake
Courgettes - Quick Courgette Lasagne
Couscous with chorizo & chickpeas (ext. link)
Couscous salad
Cowboy Hash
Cranberry & Soy glazed cocktail sausages
Creamy Chicken and Potato casserole
Creamy Lentil and Rice Dish (Khircheri) (BBC website)
Cumberland Pie
Curry - Bhoona Curry in a hurry LOW FAT
Curry - Fruity Chicken Curry ........ Hurry Curry
Curry - Goan Prawn Curry
Curry Sauce
Dahl
Dairylea Cheese Triangles ideas
Diet Coke Chicken
Duchesse potatoes
Dumplings - Mushroom Dumplings
Egg and Lentil Curry
Faggoty Pea Stew
Fajita Seasoning
Falafel burgers ... Falafel burgers
Feta and Potato Patties
Fishcakes
Fish Pie and Fish Pie
French Toast
Fritatta
Fusilli with Broccoli
Gammon and Leek Crumble
Gammon in a herb sauce with mustard mash (GF and DF )
Gnocchi - Baked Gnocchi
Haddock - Grilled haddock on lemon leek and pea rice
Haddock and Pea Risotto
Ham- Glazed Cranberry Ham
Ham Hock (slow cooker)
Ham Salad (sandwich filling) external link
Harry Potter Stew
Homity Pie
Hummus and Garlic Pitta Breads
Hutspot
Indian curried pork patties recipe
Individual chicken pies
Individual Potato Pies
Jambalaya - Cheap and Cheerful Jambalaya
Kale Hash (Boerenkool Stamppot)
Keema and spinach pilau
Lamb curry and paratha
Lamb Hotpot
Lamb Stew
Lamb Tikka
Lasagne .... Lasagne (2) ......Lasagne Mock Lasagne ... Lasagne with sausagemeat .....
...............Vegetarian Lasagne ... Chicken and Bacon Lasagne
Leek and Cauliflower Puree
Lemon Chicken
Lemon chicken with basil and tagliatelle
Lemon potatoes
Lentil Shepherds Pie
Liver and bacon pate
Liver and bacon saute with potatoes & parsley
Liver and onions stir fry
Lobby (stew)
Main Meals and Side Dishes continue into next post - Before using any of these GF or DF recipes please check labels as manufacturers often make changes to ingredients.
Main Meals and Side Dishes contd.
Macaroni Cheese
Marrow - Veggie stuffed marrow .... Stuffed Marrow
Meatballs .... Meatballs Spanish Style
Meatloaf (1) Meatloaf (2) Meatloaf (3)
Mediterranean Mince and Potato 'Pie'
Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta
Mince - 1 recipe/2 dinners
Mince & onion pie
Mince and Totties and Dumplings
Minced Beef Curry
Mince - Indian Style Mince with Potatoes and Peas
Mince - Mexican Style Mince
Minced Beef with Cobbler Topping
Mini Goat's Cheese, Pear & Walnut Quiche
Mock Goose
Monday Pie
Moroccan Inspired Braised Chicken (ext. link)
Moussaka
Nettle Pasta
Nonya Laksa
Onion Bhajis.... Onion Bjahis
Onion, Cranberry & Blue Cheese Tart
Open top 'pizza' pie
Oxtail Stew
Pasta - Bacon Pasta
Pasta - Cheesy Pasta, Broccoli and Bacon Bake.
Pasta - Cheese and Onion Bake
Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus
Pasta - Cold Pesto Pasta Salad
Pasta - Lemony lentil pasta
Pasta with Tomato Sauce ....... Pasta and Sauce
Pearl Barley Broth the old way
Pease pudding
Pizza / Pizza Base Recipe / Pizza Base / Pizza - Home Made Pizza
Pizza Toastie
Pork - Barbecue Pork; . Barbecue Pork
Pork Burgers with Salad
Pork Cheeks - Braised in Red Wine - In Cider
Pork Chops marinated in a HM BBQ sauce ( GF and DF)
Pork Kofta
Pork - Creamy Honey, Mustard & Cider Pork for SC or Hob
Pork - Sweet lime, soy and chilli pork
Pork - SC Pork, mustard, honey and apple (GF and can be DF)
Pork - SC Pork in Honey, Mustard and Apple Juice (GF&DF)
Port - Tropical Pork and Peppers (GF & DF)
Pork and Beef Meatballs
Pork Pasties
Pork Ribs - cooking and sauces
Pork Steaks in Mustard and Cider Sauce (SC)
Pork Yuk Sung
Potatoes - ideas
Potatoes - Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes
Potato, Bacon and Onion Hotpot
Potato bake
Potato Cakes
Potato,Chorizo and Cheese Quesadilla
Potato Kebabs
Potato layer bake - with cheese, leeks and stock
Potato layer bake - with cheese, onion and white sauce
Potato layer bake - with chorizo and bacon
Potato layer bake (Teisen datws)
Potatoes - Lemon Potatoes
Potatoes - Roast Potato Rosti
Potato Scones
Potatoes - Twice Baked Potatoes
Potato Wedges, Home Made
Prawn and Chickpea Curry
Prawns and Peppers with Saffron and Rice
Quiche
Quiche Lorraine
Quinoa
Refried Beans
Rice and Peas with Mango Chicken
Rice: Summer Rice Salad.....Rice Salad
Rice - Monday Night Rice
Risotto:. Easy Risotto with Bacon and Peas .. Risotto - oven baked
Roasted peppers stuffed with savoury rice
Roasted Vegetable Tart
Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous
Rosanna Sauce
Rumbledythumps Rumbeldethumps
Russian Salad and Russian Salad
Salmon Broccoli and Potato Pie
Salmon and Dill Fishcakes
Salmon - Thai steamed salmon
Sausage and Apple One Pot (GF & DF)
Sausage and Bacon Casserole (SC)
Sausage and Bean Cassoulet
Sausage and Bean Chilli
Sausage Bean Stew
Sausage, Black Pudding, Bacon & Bean Stew
Sausage Casserole - Sausage Casserole - Sausage Casserole - Sausage Casserole
Sausage Cassoulet
Sausage Leek and Apple pie
Sausagemeat Hash
Sausage Meat Patties
sausages - Spicy Sausage Casserole
Sausages - Sweet Chilli Bangers....Sweet Chilli Sausages (SC)
Sausage Stew
Sausage and Pasta
Sausage and Potato Roast
Sausage and Rice bake
Sausage and Stuffing Plait
Sausage and Tomato Spaghetti
Sausage and Vegetable Bake
Savoury Crumble
Savoury tarts - pastry-less
SC Sausage and Bacon Casserole ( GF & DF)
Scotch Eggs
Shepherds Pie
Smoked Mackerel and Rocket Fishcakes
Smoked salmon soda breads
Smoked Salmon - Tagliatelle with Smoked Salmon
Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti Bolognaise ...Easy Spaghetti Bolognaise
Spaghetti with courgettes, tomato and brie
Spicy Bacon and Tomato Pasta
Spicy Bean and Lentil Loaf
Spicy Bean & Sweet Potato Stew
Spicy Meatballs with Pea Pilaf (GF)
Spicy Mushroom and Bean Chilli
Spicy Sausage Pasta
Spinach pancakes
Steak and Kidney stew/pie filling
Steak Sauce - Quick Steak Sauce
Steamed Oriental Buns
Stifado see also SW recipes below
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffing - MrsMcawber's recipe ... Stuffing
Suet crust pie with quorn
Super Tasty Bacon, Bean and Sausage
Sweet & Sour Chicken/Pork
Sweet Potato Balti
Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pie
Sweet Potato and Pea Curry
Sweet and Sour Sauce - Easy Peasy Sweet and Sour Sauce
TexMex Skillett
Thai green curry
Toad in the Hole....Mini Toad in the Hole
Tofu burgers
Tomato paste (external link)
Tomato sauce for Pasta Batch cook recipe or Tomato Sauce
Tortellini - Easy Cheesy Tortellini
Tuna and Sweetcorn Lasagne
Tuna Fish Mousse
Tuna Fishcakes
Tuna Lasagne
Tuna Pasta Bake........Tuna Pasta Bake (2)
Turkey Burgers (GF and DF)
Turkey and Bubble and Squeak Pie
Turkey Pasta
Turkey Pasta Cacciatore
Vegetable Casserole
Vegetarian Bean Curry
Veggie Chilli and some variations
Veggie Haggis
Vegetable pie (using leftover veg)
Vegetable Samosas
Vegetarian Lasagne
Venison sausage stew
Walnut Sables
White Fish with Spicy Beans and Chorizo
White Sauce
Yorkshire Egg And Bacon Pie
Yorkshire puddings .....
Slimmers World Adapted Recipes
12 speed/trumpy soup SW
Balsamic Braised Beef SW
Black Pepper and Lemon Chicken Goujons SW
Braised Lamb Shank SW
Cheesy Bacon Lasagne SW
Cheese Topped Minced Beef and Potato Layer SW
Chilli Beans (SW)
Frittata/Tortilla SW
Leonslaw SW
Luxury Cauliflower Cheese SW
Marinade - Sticky Ginger Pork Marinade SW
Mechado Beef Stew SW
Mushy Pea Curry SW
One Pot Beef and Red Wine Pasta SW
Ox Burger SW
Pork - Slow Cooker Chinese Pork SW
Slow cooker Goan pork curry SW
Spanish Rice with Chicken and Chorizo SW
Stifado (2) - SW
Slimming Eats SW recipes (ext link) - Before using any of these GF or DF recipes please check labels as manufacturers often make changes to ingredients.
Cakes, Biscuits, Sweets, Snacks & Desserts
All in One Apple Cake
Almond Cakes
Apple Braid
Apple Charlotte
Apple Cinnamon Cake
Apple Delight
Apple, Lemon and Honey Tart
Apple - Microwave Autumn Apple Cake
Apple and Orange Fruit Cake
Apricot Flapjack bars
Baileys Chocolate Truffles
Bakewell Tart
Banana butterscotch pudding (ext)
Banana and Honey bread pudding
Banana Cake (bread)
Banana Ice Cream
Banana and lemon drizzle cake
Banana Muffins (wholemeal) (1)
Banana Muffins (2)
Banana Muffins (3)
Banana and Oat Cookies
Banana and Walnut cake
Banana and Walnut loaf (Gluten Free)
Banana Ginger Parkin
Biscuit recipes (Owens3116 thread)
Blackberries - Grated Blackberry Bake
Branflake cake
Brownies
Bottom of the Cupboard Bars
Bounty Balls
Bran Fruit Loaf
Bread & Butter Pudding ... Bread Pudding
Bulk pancake mix
Buttercream topping
Butterscotch squares
Caramel Shortbread (Millionaire's Shortbread)
Carrot Cake
Cheesecake - Misers white chocolate cheesecake .... Lemon Cheesecake
Cheese n marmite twists
Chocolate Beetroot Cake
Chocolate Biscuit Thins
Cheesy Biscuits
Chocolate and Pear Upside Down Pudding
Chocolate Brownies
Chocolate Concrete
Chocolate Coookies - Cheap and Easy
Chocolate Courgette Cake
Chocolate Crispies
Chocolate Custard (easy)
Chocolate Fridge Cake
Chocolate fudge
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Chocolate Krackolates
Chocolate Log - gluten free
Chocolate Mousse Trifle
Chocolate orange muffins see also Muffins
Chocolate Pancakes
Chocolate Pots
Chocolate pudding (1) (microwave) Chocolate Pudding (2) (microwave)
Chocolate pudding - self-saucing ......Chocolate Self-saucing pudding (ext link)
Chocolate Stuff (see also Tiffin)
Chocolate Trifle
Chocolate yoghurt cake
Christmas cake - baked bean tin size
Christmas cake - Vegan Christmas cake
Coconut Balls
Coconut Cake
Coconut Flapjacks
Coconut ice
Coffee Cake
Coffee Fudge Frosting
Cookie Dough
Cornflake Tart
Courgette Tea Bread/Muffins
Cranberry And Chocolate Brownies
Currant Loaf
Custard Cookies
D&DD's Apple Braid
Date, Nut and Oat biscuits
Date & Pecan Balls
Dorset Apple Muffins
Easy Syrup Sponge Pudding
Eggless Chocolate Cake
Fifteens
Flaky Bars
Flapjacks and Flapjacks and Microwave Flapjacks
Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Fruit Cake .... Fruit Cake
Fruit and Mascarpone dessert
Fruit Mincemeat Drops
Fruity Pancakes
Fudge Tart
Ginger Biscuits (ext link)
Ginger nut biscuits (ext link)
Gingerbread Men (1)....Gingerbread Men (2)
Ginger Raisin Crunches
Ginger Refrigerator Biscuits
Gluten-free Chocolate Log
Gluten-free Ginger Biscuits
GF & DF Free Biscuits - Peanut Butter, Ginger and Plain
Golden Syrup Tart
Healthy Snack Bars
Honey Frosted Buns
Honey Crunch Bars
Ice Cream - slimmers world - Mint Ice Cream
Iced Buns
Impossible Coconut Pie
Jam Buns
Jammy Buns (1) ...Jammy Buns (2)
Jam Roly Poly
Key lime pie
Krispie marshmallow bars
Lemon and Cranberry Muffins
Lemon and Lime Cheesecake
Lemon cakes
Lemon Curd Cake
Lemon Curd Ice-Cream jenid's / MoneySavingDiva's
Lemon Drizzle Cake
Lemon Flan
Lemon Madiera Cake (easy and cheap)
Magic Lemon Pudding
Malt Bread
Malt Loaf
Mango Cake
Mars Bar Cake (Nigella Lawson's website)
Marshmallow Crunch Bars
Marshmallow Squares
Mascarpone and Lime Torte
Mascarpone Ice-cream
Melt in the mouth (GF and DF) Chocolate cake
Meringues
Microwave sponge puddings(Spotted Dick) Microwave sponge puddings
Millies Cookies
Milk Jelly
Mince Squares
Miini Krispie Christmas Puddings
Muffins: Basic Recipe / Chocolate Orange Muffins (1) / Chocolate Orange Muffins (2) / Fool proof Muffins / Gingerbread Muffins / Kiwi Muffins / Sticky Date Muffins / Strawberry Muffins (1) / Strawberry Muffins (2) Toffee Apple Muffins /
No fat sponge
Nut, Apricot & Choc Chip Biscuits
Oatmeal Biscuits (Be-ro Website)
Oaty Pancakes
Oaty Shortbread Biscuits
Orange and Poppy Seed Cake
Palmiers
Paradise Buns
Parkin
Peach Cobbler (Slow Cooker recipe)
Peanut Butter Cookies .... Peanut Butter Cookies (without flour)
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peppermint Creams
Petits Pots au Citron (Little pots of lemon)
Pineapple (or Peach) Pud
Pineapple, Fried
Pineapple Sponge Cake (using tinned pineapple)
Plum Cobbler
Raspberry Frozen Yoghurt Ice Cream
Rhubarb and Orange Jelly
Rice Pudding ....Rice Pudding in the Slow Cooker
Rock Buns
Scones ... Scones
Scotch pancakes
Spiced Apple Bars
Spiced Christmas Cookies
Spiced Christmas Muffins
Spiced Marmalade Cake
St Peter's Mud Pie (no cooking required)
Sticky gingerbread
Sticky toffee apple crumble
Strawberry Muffins
Teacakes
Toffee Apple Tart
Tiffin (1) Tiffin (2) (see also Chocolate Stuff)
Treacle Toffee
Twink's Hobnobs
Weetabix Brownies
Weetabix Cake
Weetabix Fruit Loaf
Welsh Cakes
Wonderbites
Xmas Pudding Loaf
Xmas Pudding Scones
Yoghurt: Homemade yoghurt; Slow Cooker Yoghurt; Flask Yogurt; Yogurt
Yoghurt Cake (the easy way) - Soups
12 speed/trumpy soup (SW)
Bacon and Carrot Soup
Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Brocolli and Stilton Soup
Carrot and Lentil Soup
Carrot, leek and butterbean soup
Carrot, parsnip and lentil soup
Celery Soup
Celery Soup (2)
Cheats Minestrone
Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup ... Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup
Courgette & Tomato Soup
Cream of Tomato Soup
Curried Parsnip Soup
Gammon and lentil soup
Ham and Lentil Soup
Honeyed Carrot Soup
Iced cucumber soup
Leek and Lentil Soup ... Leek and Lentil Soup
Leek and Potato Soup
Lentil - Golden Lentil Soup
Moniker's Leek and Potato Soup
Leek and sweet potato soup
Minestrone Soup
Moroccan Chickpea and Broad Bean Soup
Onion Soup
Oxtail Stew + Oxtail Soup
Parsnip & Apple Soup
Pea Soup
Pea & Ham Soup
Pumpkin Soup
Red Lentil Soup
Real Tomato Soup
Red pepper, carrot & lentil soup
Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Soup
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Spicy Carrot and Tomato Soup
Spicy Lentil Soup
Spinach Soup
Spinach and Avocado Soup
Split Pea and Courgette Soup
Sweet Pepper and Tomato Soup
Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash
Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup
Tomato Soup ... Also see this thread
Vegetable Soup .... Vegetable Soup
Vegetable Soup (quick and easy)
Bread
Bagels
Baguettes
Banana Bread
Banana Bread
Banana Bread
Banana Bread - Gluten free
Banana Bread - Gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free
Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Bread) Bara brith teabread
Basic Bread
Basic white bread recipe (makes a 2lb loaf)
Bread - Mrs McC's recipe for Remoska
Breadsticks MrsM's / angelnikki's (No Salt Recipe)
Chapatis
Cheese, Onion and Herb Bread
Cheese and Parsnip Loaf
Cheese & Potato Bread
Cheesy Bread Rolls
Chewy Soft Flour Tortilla
Chilli Corn bread
Chocolate Bread
Chollah
Ciabatta
Courgette Flatbread
Focaccia
Fruit Bread
Garlic Dough Balls
Herb Quick bread
HM Bread
Irish Soda Bread
JJ's Herby Cheese Bread
Lahmachun
Malt Bread
Malt Loaf
Naan Bread .. see also .. Curry Queen's ...... Mrs McCawber's ...... OrkneyStar's
Oatmeal bread
Quick Herby bread
soft bread rolls
Soft white baps (ext link)
Super Seedy Bread
White Bread with plain flour
Bread Recipes for Bread Machines (ext link)
Pastry
The best mince pie pastry ever
Pastry economics
Making pastry
Basic pastry
Flaky Pastry (BBC Food)
Dips, Jams & Chutneys and Drinks
Alioli / Traditional allioli
Apple - No cook Apple Chutney
Bean Pickle
Beetroot and Apple Chutney
Broad Bean Dip
Brown Sauce
Chilli Jam
Compost Heap Jelly (using fruit peelings)
Chutney
Elderberry cordial
Feisty Rhubarb Relish
Jams & Preserves
Lemon Squash
Miser's Marmalade
Onion - Caramelised Onion chutney
Onion Marmalade
Piccalilli - Diva's pick a lilly
Pineapple Salsa
Riata - Mint, yoghurt and Cucumber Dip
Red Tomato Chutney
Spiced Apple Chutney
Tomato/Chili Salsa
Tomato Chutney
Tomato, red onion and chilli relish
Mango Chutney
Wine .. Wine
Xmas Chutney
and last but by no means least: How NOT to make marmalade
Useful OS Threads
The OS Starter Pack
The Complete Vegetarian Collection
The Complete Cooking Collection
and loads more in the Old Style Indexed Collection
Black Saturn's Evening Meal Planner
Batch cooking ideas
Cheapest recipes? links to various OS threads, thanks Pink!
Cheryl's Spreadsheet (downloadable)
Complete Menu Plans Collection
Cooking for the Freezer
Frozen food safety - misconceptions
Grocery Challenge Top Tips
Laundry Washing Gel/ Gloop, Fab conditioner, vinegar.....
Meal building blocks for the freezer
Microwave Recipes
Mr Badexamples Cooking Index
Standard Abbreviations used in OS
Store Cupboard Lists/Ideas threads
Mothership's 2nd Purse system - check out these posts
My other purse
Purse/Bank
tip 1
2nd Purse
Bogofs etc
more info
kerri's Second Purse spreadsheet
External links
10 Great Tips for starting out with meal planning
Baking Mad (includes loads of bread maker recipes
Batch Bake Minced Beef Recipe
Canned Food UK
Cheap Family Recipes (our own Weezl's excellent site) and the Christmas Menu here
Crockpot365 - includes some gluten-free and some dairy-free recipes
CrockpotGirls
Easy and Cheap Biscuits (DowntoEarth forum)
How to feed your whole family a healthy, balanced diet... (Webook)
Jamie Oliver Recipes
List of conversions
Love Food Hate Waste website
Love Potatoes - includes weekly meal planner
Show Jamie How To Cook On A Budget Champagne Contest
Sprouting Seeds and Beans - Free Guide (PDF)
Home Made Dog Biscuits
Home Made Dog Biscuits (2)
Homemade Play Dough - New Joiners - please read the post by Spiggle - post number 1 - lots of great advice - Thank you
If you want to be included in the list please post your budget in red, if you want to update your siggy with your budget and not be on the list please post your budget in black - thank you
Annual 2011
166million Ј1300
Alwaysthebusybee Ј3000
Angelatgraceland Ј4000
bramble1 Ј1500
Doom-and-Gloom Ј1320
elizabunny Ј2450
freysamum Ј2000
hamish222 Ј3500
hazzie123 Ј3300
Jintyb Ј2300
kerridfw Ј1040
linz4383 Ј1020
LittleMissHappy Ј3600
ms-night-ryder Ј675
nannygladys Ј1200
new leaf 88 Ј1800
PennyGrabber Ј1680
Pip-Squeak Ј1800
pipersky Ј3345
Risingfromtheashes Ј1680
Rosieben Ј1200
Russetred Ј3800
tjak Ј3000
WonderfulLife Ј2400
Monthly
AlainaJane31 Ј150
Aldahbra Ј360
allie23 Ј150
Barbeduk Ј
Becks81 Ј
bodmin789 Ј
Bonglecat Ј250
muiscuitmad Ј300
Bumpmakesfour Ј600
Carmilla Ј250
cattysmum Ј200
cheapskate Ј
chelseabun Ј200
chocoholic-chick Ј
ClaireT13 Ј275
cleggie Ј
CoffeeQueen Ј120
coldcazzie Ј
craigywv Ј200
CRANKY40 Ј200
cuddlymarm Ј
daisy-butterfly Ј
debbym Ј
debtfreesomeday Ј200
Dex Ј
Dragoncry Ј180
DundeeDoll Ј600
elsiepac Ј
eveie189 Ј450
everTheOptimist Ј
EyesWideOpen Ј300
Fiasco55 Ј140
FlacosFloozie Ј190
flyingmamma Ј
Forever saving Ј300
fozziebeartoo Ј350
franby64 Ј400
Freakyogre Ј55
Fredula Ј
fuzzyfelt Ј250
GlasweJen Ј75
goldlightning Ј
goodlife wannabes Ј200
Gracie_1827 Ј
HappyTorty Ј250
HelenJelly Ј250
Hiddenidentity Ј200
JackieO Ј75
jarvo28 Ј150
jo101 Ј270
Karb Ј175
keencomper Ј280
KissyKissyKaren41 Ј275
Kittikins Ј100
kylieminoag Ј200
Livingproof Ј140
lovelife79 Ј
Masie M Ј350
Meanmarie €180
miffy257 Ј450
Mrs Addicted to Spending Ј320
MrsDoubleEwe Ј300
mrs-moneypenny Ј400
mrs mum Ј150 [fortnightly]
ms-night-ryder Ј56.25
mumofthetwins Ј
Need2bthrifty Ј
newroadahead Ј200
nimbo Ј120
Ninno820 Ј100
njk1012 Ј
nmlc Ј400
old and happy Ј
OS QS Ј120
Penny-Pincher!! Ј200
Piquant Ј
pixiechick99 Ј
Pixie Fairydust Ј200
Prophecy-grrl Ј150
queenpig Ј400
quintwins Ј70
rachbc Ј
Redly12 Ј150
S-Iam Ј150
saim Ј
sallybunny Ј350
Save Dosh Ј40
savingforoz Ј50
Sazdaz Ј
sb88 Ј
slbhill Ј140
sonastin Ј200
Soworried Ј400
Spending Vs Saving Ј60
Sue14 Ј130
Suffolk lass Ј400
SuperSally01 Ј250
tatabubbly Ј150
Teatime Ј250
the-cat Ј240
TheThriftyScrumoers Ј340
thriftmonster Ј350
thriftwizard Ј
thrifty-gal26 Ј100
totallybored Ј250
Twiceblessed Ј180
VickyVics Ј
Welsh Poppy Ј
WelshWoofer Ј150
Winchelsea Ј40
Winky, The House Elf Ј
xxlouisexx56 Ј270
zepsgal Ј200
Weekly
animalhouse Ј80
applepad Ј70
bodmin789 Ј50
Don'tknowanymore Ј35
elly2 Ј60
esmer Ј30
HomeMum Ј115
jpscloud Ј10
jumblejack Ј30
Justamum Ј90
lemmings1986 Ј15
kayjay1809 Ј100
kaymumof3 Ј30
kittywight Ј30
kkennedy Ј80
Mand#M90 Ј40
monz Ј30
MrsCD Ј75
mrsdwhite Ј45
mytimetoshine2012 Ј30
Penny-Pincher Ј70
Penny-Pincher!! Ј50
shoe string Ј160
skintmum2012 Ј50
spendaholic Ј35
SuziQ1962 Ј60
turbo5017 Ј60
weeclick Ј70 - Hi all, can't believe it's nearly May!
Long time lurker/reader and lapsed GC contributor
I would like to be part of the group please and give it another go in May.
I would like to try for Ј200 this month please.
Thank you to everyone who run this site and all those who contribute, I love it
Here's to a good May!
Pixie - I will stick with a Ј100 target - will update my own sig.
- Hi everyone. Like pixie, I'm a lapsed GC poster, but really need to get back on track
Can I join in with a target of Ј175 please?
Thanks - Morning!
My budget is Ј275.00 for May - runs from now to 23 May. For 2 adults, 2 children, 1 dog, all toliteries and cleaning.
1st spend of my May. Ј28.80 in Mr T's. No meals (except 12 sausages!) - just lunch bits and pieces, milk, cheese and breakfast things. Should last me well into next week. Freezer stocked with meals to last 10 days ish but need to do a proper meal plan today.
Got a Ј10 off Ј80 shop to be used by 7 May so will have to use that to stock up when supplies are low next week.
Will update signature.
Claire - My May budget is reduced this time as I will be away until the 5th so I only need Ј75.00 .I am also very much into 'fiscal fasting ' and try to only shop once a week.It works brilliantly as when you do go shopping you make sure you have enough fresh stuff to last a week. Its amazing how much I have cut back on by simply not daily shopping or 'browsing'
- Please put me down for Ј200 for 4 weeks to include diesel.
Im using up all freezer stuff we have in and intend to buy all meat/poultry/fish etc from Ocado using a Ј20 off voucher code to buy enough for the 4 weeks and probably having 4 x free meals such as egg and chips.
Thanks
PP
xx - This is my first time doing this challenge, I'm moving from a shared house to my own house, which means I will have to get everything restocked so probably not a normal month, but i have to be really careful to ofset the increase in rent. My family is 2 adults, a 3 month old baby boy and 2 cats.
I think I will go for Ј250 for everything in May I know I spend much more than this normally so the closer I get to the target the better off I will be. It's going to be very interesting, good luck! - Managed to go to W*rose today and only bought reduced potatoes and bananas, so a lovely small spend of Ј2.51. Very pleased with myself for doing that as before I would just have wandered round filling a trolley.
Tonight we are having bulgar with spring greens and halloumi. - OK, another lapsed GC-er here. Have been too busy to follow the thread and as a result I went Ј50 over in March and then Ј40 over in April (so far!). Determined to get back on the wagon and under budget. So despite following the calendar month, I'm starting here and setting my May budget back at Ј200. Mantra for May... MUST DO BETTER!
- I'm going to go for Ј100 in May, I have tons of pasta, rice, lentils, tinned tomatoes, cheese etc etc etc......and have got to get my silly spending under control!
- I've been waiting to join this thread this month if that's ok. Really need to keep our grocery costs down as they spiral out of control these days. We had it under control at one point and were doing well but took our eye of the spending and goodness only know how much we're spending at the moment.
I'm aiming for Ј200 for 2 adults plus one toddler for the month. My month runs from 25/4/12 to 24/5/12, so starts tomorrow - and we hardly have any fresh food in the house at the moment, so will need to stock up this week.
Here goes... - Carmilla - We are all here to support each other and pick up some great tips along the way, you'll enjoy it
Glad I'm not the only lapsee!
Could I ask you all about Stardrops? I've never bought it before but keep reading about how good it is. If I buy a concentrated bottle can I put a small amount in a spray bottle and water it down? How much can I water it down?
Also someone on another thread mentioned using vinegar as a dishwasher cleaner. But I'm not sure if I just tip the bottle in the machine and put it on hot, or doI need to do something else?
Thanks for your replies.
My challenge starts tomorrow, pay day (and my birthday )
Pixie - I will keep track via my signature but I am in for Ј310 this month. Good luck everyone.
- 589 reads