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

[gertbysea]

Best thing I have done as well. Once again, thank you H.

Gert

[EmeraldSue]

I know I've been over the last couple of weeks as I've run down the meat in my freezer, and I've had to buy replacements and I had to stock up on fruit and veggies when we got home from holidays. I just haven't had time to analyse my dockets. I'm hoping I can do this soon. I might just work out the average for those weeks.

[Halex]

Yes just do an average.

Whats really good is being able to realise why you were over budget, sometimes it might just be that your out of coffe, tea, evvo & basics. They alone could be around $100.

I know last week was failing to menu plan.

H

[Halex]

Gert, whats your  freezer like these days?

I still have a few tins of curry sauce, have to start using them again.

H

[gertbysea]

My freezer is kept at about half full. I am finding this new one much harder to manage than the lovely upright in the side by side. Putting in round things is a nightmare is tend to use fresh chickens and roasts. In any case I really do not need a big freezer as I have to go to the shopping centre to pick up the  mail anyway. I don't need to buy in bulk and avoid the bulk meat wholesalers except when they have a really good deal going. Shopping for two is easy to manage and by not buying large amounts I am actually saving.

You are right about the budget going over when you need coffee beans which I do now at $38 a kilo. I save my good EVOO  for foodI need to taste of  it I otherwise I use rice bran oil which was in special recently for. $19 for 3 litres! That is a big saving for me.
 
Gert

[droverjess]

£66 yesterday at Aldi.
Included a padlock for the back gate, some specs cleaners for DH and a large magnifying glass for him!!!!

We've had better meals since I got organised and am cooking more. Have got potato masher and rolling pin unpacked etc.

I go shopping with a list, might buy something else but then write my menu planner when home. Have swopped tomorrow and Saturdays meals over as not backin time to cook chicken.

Having beef fajitas tomorrow and am marinating skirt from freezer tonight.

Taking billy tea and ham rolls tomorrow and banana cake.

Not sure what will happen when working on call as temp nanny!
See how the boys manage.

[gertbysea]

That will be interesting DJ. Can't wait to see how you like being a Nanny.

Gert

[Halex]

Gert, i know what you mean about the freezer. I use it for frozen veg, bread, & few frozen sauces & pastes in the right top drawer. Bits & pieces for school lunches, anything I need to grab quickly. Chester &  Jester  look after my meat.

H

DJ, good luck nannying.

[Mama Fergie]

I need a new freezer for bulk meat as I don't have enough storage for that purpose. I like to cook and freeze as having a big family means we often have unexpected  dinner guests so it very handy to have pre cooked meals on hand.
I don't like freezing fish much prefer buying it fresh from the fishmonger to cook on the day.
Will try to organize myself and start on this challenge after I come back from New Zealand. 

[Jude59]

I'm still budgeting happily . I have an upright freezer inside, which is kind of like a frozen pantry and a chest freezer in the garage for meat etc.  I prefer most seafood fresh too but do regularly buy whole salmon because it freezes very well, also prawns.  They are so handy to have.  When are you off to NZ Mama Fergie?   We  leave next Thursday for a few days in Queenstown then off to catch up with  family etc.

[droverjess]

Gert, I've done it before, but when younger.

Thanks Hally

[Mama Fergie]

I go to Queenstown on 21 st November until 2nd December Jude. My DH is going next Friday night and arrives back 2 nights before I go with my mum. He is going on his annual golf trip with his friends. There are a few nice courses in the Queenstown area and of course it's a stunning place. How long will you be there for? Are your family in the south island?
Yes I agree salmon freezes well as do prawns but everything else I would buy on the day.
Hope you have a good trip 😄

[gertbysea]

I know someone in Cairns who babysits for an agency. She is very popular and as this is a tourist town gets lots of work . It is very lucrative. I mean VERY lucrative. I don't believe how much she makes. It certainly is  a bonus for a pensioner. I would rather have wasps up my a** than baby sit children of any age. 

Gert

[droverjess]

LOL

[astarra]

I love kids...... mostly!