Low spend July for food?

[Twinklestar2]

I'm on a thread on the style and beauty board about spending as less as possible on style and beauty products in July. It got me thinking - would anyone be interested in doing the same but for food?

I'm so guilty of popping into the supermarket for something and somehow spending £30-40 on stuff I don't really need when I have a a kitchen full at home!

I thought we could share recipes and ideas and get creative about using stuff up that we already have. We could share menu plans and how much we've spent in a month.

Anyone in?

[Sherbetdip1]

Calzone - mmmm sounds fab, and very easy! Thanks !

[Twinklestar2]

Another supermarket shop! But we are having people over for a BBQ so we needed to spend.

I am spending so much on fresh fruit but my 11 month old needs fresh food. Can't believe how much more I am spending and I really do try and buy yellow sticker stuff too.

[annatha]

Twinklestar I'm the same with my 8 month old. She loves fruit so I've been buying lots of summer berries to share with her but they're so expensive. I'm getting some frozen berries this week and have started buying whatever fruit is on offer and whatever she isn't keen on I'm making into purrees to add to plain yoghurt or porridge. Tinned fruit is ok too as long as it's in juice and not syrup and it's a fair bit cheaper.


The mince experiment was a massive success! DH has been out all day so I've been cooking like a woman possessed. 1 pack of mince made enough bolognese for 4 greedy adult portions and 2 portions for my dd, and the other pack of mince has made 2 huge cottage pies which I estimate around 5-6 adult portions and 2 for dd. My freezer is happy and I'm really pleased to have stretched the meat, it's really unusual for us! I did them in the slow cooker and they taste so much better than usual and are jam packed with veg and lentils. Result!

[Twinklestar2]

Thanks for the fruit tip annatha. It really was getting quite expensive!

Well done on stretching out the mince!

[BasinHaircut]

I'm a bit late to the party here but can I join? I've been having a freezer/cupboard month!

Loving the corned beef hash recipe! Might have to give that one a go, even though I'll have to buy corned beef to do so.

I bought a slow cooker about a year ago, tried to cook risotto in it and failed, and it's been sitting in a cupboard since.

Will write up my meal plan for the rest of the week later

[BasinHaircut]

Had a bit longer than I thought is here is my meal plan:

Tonight: batch cooked spaghetti Bol from freezer
Weds: home made falafel in pitta and sweet potato wedges
Thursday: batch cooked chicken curry and rice
Friday: sweet chilli sausage pasta

Saturday we are throwing a housewarming BBQ so will obviously need to do a big shop but I'm already planning how to
Make the leftovers last all of the next week! Should just need some veggies.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I have some cooked new potatoes to use up tonight, so have halved them and put into individual foil trays, will top with pizza toppings from fridge/cupboard, so tomato, anchovies, olives, capers, cheese and bake in oven and serve with the rest of the bag of watercress and some sliced beetroot, have frozen other beetroot and bookmarked a curry to try with it.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Well it went down a storm, hope it's ok to share a photo.

[Twinklestar2]

Welcome basin! I'm still using up stuff from the bbq we had last Saturday.

Great pic brillohair!

[annatha]

Brillohair that looks delicious. Basin I love my slow cookers, because dd is usually happiest to play on her own in the morning it's good being able to prepare dinner as soon as I've had breakfast and by the time its ready I'm knackered and can just plate up. I ended up buying a second one so whenever i do stews or curries I make double and do one for the freezer. I joined a Facebook group called 'slow cooked wonders :)' and its got some great recipes on.

[annatha]

2nd budget weekly shop today too and we spent £51 so closer to our £50 goal. That included cupboard staples like gravy, stock cubes, sugar and a months worth of nappies too so definitely an improvement! Sadly we've had to fork out for a new garden strimmer so our savings for this month have been spent, but at least we've shaved off money where we can.

[Twinklestar2]

Top up shop today of fruit, milk and nappies. Spent £31. Really pleased as £20 was on nappies.

[Twinklestar2]

Another top up shop yesterday of £30. Really want that to be it until 1st August but baby needs his formula.

Tonight I'm making curry using a spice mix I've had in the cupboard for ages.

[forumdonkey]

Again late to the party, but to the mushy pea poster, next time how about a pea and mint risotto? Blend the mushy peas with garlic and mint and a bit of olive oil for a paste for rissotto.

[Twinklestar2]

£60 spent yesterday! Will have to tot up what I've spent this month.... Don't think its going to be pretty!

[annatha]

We were doing well until SIL unexpectedly came to stay for a couple of days last week. Shes a fussy eater so we ended up having takeaways and trips to tesco for snacks every night she was here and completely overspending. Its amazing how easily we can stray from the meal plan and grab a takeaway, I really need a few alternative backups in just in case. Overall we've done really well this month though, its the most cooking I've done in ages and we've eaten better and spent less too. Back on it for august!

[Twinklestar2]

Since the £60 the other day I haven't spent anything .

I do need toilet roll and a few bits for the baby but will go to Superdrug instead of the supermarket!