Sorry, can't edit for some reason, that should be I've gone from stupid amounts per week to slightly over a weekly amount per month.
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Sorry, can't edit for some reason, that should be I've gone from stupid amounts per week to slightly over a weekly amount per month.
Hi fionas
Any chance you could post your Vegie chilli recipe? Sounds awesome with the sour cream and tortillas
Also your veg risotto?? I love the idea of using leftovers in pastries too. I'd like to try both of these
I really struggle with keeping the grocery shop low. I went today and spent about $140 and there's no way that will last me the week. Def need to sub to this thread!
I just did a trial shop online, to see how much I spend, and I wanna cry.
Not sure if I should "live it up "while I can (another month or so) or get use to the tight budget now. What do u ladies suggest?
Once you see budgeting as a game BD, it's really quite fun. But then, I really like maths and I really like saving money so I'm literally thinking how low can I go.
Ginger, I don't follow a recipe for my veggie chilli, I'm a make it up kinda gal, so this is in no way precise but here goes.
Fry 1 onion and 1-2 cloves garlic in oil
Add chilli (I use 1-2 teaspoons of the tubey things)
Add 500g mince (in my supermarket this costs $3-7 depending on how lean you want it)
Once that's browned, add a tin of tomatoes (I buy the 69c tins now instead of the $1.39 tins, no difference)
I might add 2 tins of tomatoes actually.
Add one tin of kidney beans (I think these are $1.29 but I might be wrong on that) If you like your chilli really beany, you might want more.
I also usually add 1-2 zucchinis, sweetcorn (frozen, fresh or tinned) and mushrooms.
I usually cook mine for a couple of hours and add some sultanas about 15 mins before the end BUT, you could probably cut down that cooking time by adding the veggies earlier to make sure they're softened.
But, it's not the sort of recipe you can really stuff up!
That usually gives me enough to feed me and DD1 (DD2 is super fussy and she might just eat the tortillas) and usually another 3 freezer bags of leftovers of 1.5 cups of chilli each which again, are enough for 1 meal each for DD1 and I.
You can either do the same with the leftovers and serve them with tortillas/sour/cream and avocado or over a baked potato or with some rice or with wedges.
Will come back with risotto recipe.
I would start looking for ways to save now. Gradual changes might be less of a shock to the system :):
I'm like Fionas, I like to see how little I can spend in one month. And I did this in one swoop, after dithering for a couple of months. Wasn't a shock, but I wanted to do it. I had a goal in mind. (Aaaaah, DH and his new goals that make my life so much fun.)
Worth starting now, and squirrelling away any spare housekeeping money. If you can't do it the first month, you are fine. You can get practice in for when you need this skill.
Was talking with hubby tonight after watching extreme couponers, its sad that in nz/au they don't really do coupons anymore.
Doesn't have to be the same degree as some places in the states ( though it would be great if they did) but it would give families who really struggle, a way to feed the family and save money.
Or for the keen ones- to give to charity and help others in need.
I will start with the kids, ignoring their begging for treats.
Getting more organised seems a big part.
And keep track better of what we need vs want.
I had got us to a monthly shop of basics/ staples. Meat and veg on top but not on a tight budget.
Might remember my tofu recipes again.
- if you have a China town near you- or Asian shopping, their supermarkets often have cheap stuff in them. Canned goods, eggs etc.
Asian cooking uses parts of the animal we may not think to eat.
I make "dog bone" soup. Buy a bone the butcher normally has for dogs, get him to cut it up. Boil it for a few hours, alone or with carrot onion celery and its a great way to get extra nourishment into the kids (fussy eaters)
chicken feet make great soup and stock for risotto.
Oh my gosh, i so need to do this. We are a family of 2 adults and 3 children one being a teen and one atoddler andwe spend stupid amouts on food. And then still have to go back during the week. We have just moved so now pay a lot on rent so need to cut the food bill down.
But how do i do this while still buying enough to feed the starving man a teen? I did come to check out the sites that were posted but are now gone can someon pmme ones that have helped them. Oh and iam a cooker so dont mind making things from scratch if ithelps saving lol.
Gosh fionas your doing great so hope i can too :-)
Livinthedream you just saved me heaps with your Crazy Clarks tip!
Didn't know we had one nearby but was in our closest town, saw one and thought of this thread!
So:
Loreal hair dye for $7 - I normally pay $15 for Garnier
Fab washing powder $2 - think it's normally $10
Facial wipes $1.50 - I normally pay around $7.50
Sweet chilli sauce 89c - guesstimate would be $3 in supermarket
Garnier hair conditioner $2 - normally around $7 I think or $3.50 on special
And I got a $2 DVD for DD - that's cheaper than $4 in the opp shop!
They also had Huggies wipes (64 pack) for $1.50, should have bought those too.
How's this going? I've been cutting down on grocery spending too. Surprisingly I think we are eating better than before....
:
Hurrah!!
Glad it works for you :)