Anyone want to join me on my $100 per week food challenge

[astarra]

My usual budget is $150/week, my week is Tues-Mon.
This week spent $94.87  

Robyn, if your vege garden goes anything like mine it will save you heaps!!!! I don't think I'll have to buy tomatoes, zucchinis or capsicums all year - by the time I run out I hope next years garden is producing!!!! We also have a lemon tree, an apple tree, a cheery tree, a plum tree and a blueberry bush.............

[obbie]

We have a macadamia tree, 2 apple, lemonade,2 lemon, plums, 2 lychee,
avocado, 2 mulberry, banana, manderins, comquarts, passionfruit vine.

now planting veges.

[gertbysea]

Uni, when things are tough and tight, as they are, that's when you budget. ( The recession we had to have...)

That is why we buy great quality food bulk, and freeze.
Also, as I buy my fish direct from the boats, its cheaper.

Buy a whole cow 220 kilos at once, and freeze.
Hopefully my vege garden will save us $$$ too.

I can't afford meat at $20-$25 a kilo.

Robyn

Where  you finding meat that cheap?  I saw some lamb for  $38.99  in  Woolies yesterday.  So called 4 star mice was $12  a kilo.  I do not know how families manage.

At least you have lemons, lemonade, lemon curd, lemon pie etc 

Gert

[Merlin]

I confess I was doing well until today. I had so far spent $67 this week but I received an email today from my kids school requesting me to make a meal. I am one of the volunteers who make meals to stock the school freezer to distribute to families in crisis eg newborn in the family, illness in parents/children, sudden unemployment of breadwinner etc- you get the idea. The parents club  runs this service and I think it is wonderful- any of us could be in that situation one day! Also, there is the Great Australian morning tea next week as well so I had to grab some provisions to make an apple tea cake as well as the huge pastitsio I made today to go to the school.  That along with usual groceries meant I spent about $70 today so all up $137- close but no cigar. On the bright side, I won't have to go shopping  for the next few days as there is enough pastitsio for the weekend and I will make two apple cakes- one for us and one for the school so will get extra mileage out of those ingredients. There's always next week!

[fundj&e]

what a great way  to help out the community when in need

[DizzyGirl]

Merlin, if you are cooking food to give away for a good cause, I wouldn't count that in your grocery bill. Just my thoughts.

I love what your school is doing. Such a great way to teach children about helping those in need. Good on ya. Be proud

[obbie]

Merlin, you are so wonderful, what a great idea.

I used to bake cakes, and slices each week for our school tuckshop to sell, but we arn't allowed to any more. All food must be baked at school.

Now I bake cakes for the bowls club instead.

Robyn

[astarra]

I agree Merlin, what a wonderful thing to do for the community. While none of us want to find ourselves in that situation (well maybe apart from the new baby one   !!!) we never can tell what is around the corner.  
I agree with DG here, I don't think you should count that as your groceries, but it is not up to me.....

[Halex]

Merlin, of course the food you are cooking to donate is not counted. What a great idea the school has thought of. Well done for cooking for them

Just count what you have bought for the family.

H

[mcmich]

It's a donation. The children are learning by example here. Great practical lesson in giving.

[judydawn]

I've heard of church groups and mothers' groups doing this but never heard of a school getting involved.  What a great, charitable idea and good on you for participating Merlin.

[Katiej]

What a wonderful thing to do Merlin 

Today I've spent $18.60 at the butcher, $15.95 on fruit & veg and $57.35 at the supermarket, total $91.90.
I only do the Supermarket shopping every fortnight, so the $57.35 is for 2 weeks really. 
I shop every second Friday and menu plan for the fortnight.

All we will buy next week is milk and fruit & veg.

JD I can't believe you are mixing powdered milk into LL milk 
I'm glad I'm not heading to your house for coffee this week!  Good work on the budget though 

[judydawn]

  Katie, it tastes surprisingly good.  I picked up the wrong LL milk last time (semi-skim instead of skim) and it's a bit too creamy for my liking.  The powdered milk cuts the creamy taste and it's much better and it will get me though another non-shopping week which is what I am after.

[Katiej]

I can't imagine it JD.  I've never used powdered milk and my only memory of it is as a child my Auntie used it and the smell made me feel sick.  I can't even go long-life milk either (or low-life milk as I've heard it called!).

I must be a milk snob 

[Cornish Cream]

Merlin you are a very special person to volunteer for such a good cause.I think it's wonderful idea for people in crisis