This weekend I am planning and purchasing for A FRUGAL MONTH when I hope to demonstrate to myself and frugal blogland that it is possible to eat on one pound a day for 4 weeks. This idea is not original and was STOLEN from "The Frugal Graduate" (still don't know how to make a link and give her the credit!)
What I am interested in, is how this can be done while eating a varied and interesting diet. It would be extremely easy to eat noodles one day and beans on toast the next 14 times. I also believe that it is important not to feel hungry, as there is nothing worse for giving you an excuse not to stick to a diet, whether it be for weight loss or fugality. ( I don't need to lose weight)
Sometimes it will work out as under a pound and sometimes over, but the aim will be to spend £28 on 4 weeks meals for one person. This includes a breakfast, lunch (packed or otherwise) and a main meal. I haven't included drinks as I reckon I spend a pound a day on cups of tea! and there are limits to what I will put up with.
What I have included is some meat product ( not a lot) and this could be replaced by tofu, soya or halloumi.
I will not use any of my stores ( I could live on them for a month without shopping!) Though I think it is reasonable to assume that salt, pepper, vinegar and basic spices - say garlic granules, chilli powder and Garam Masala that are in store can be used.
I have to admit at the onset that I am unlikely to eat nothing but these meals ALL the time, as we entertain quite a lot and we also have a weekend away fishing at the beginning of week 4. However I will still make the meals each day to show it can be done within the budget and freeze the meal for another time.Fair enough?
My Shopping List is - Rice; Pasta; Oil; Stock Cubes; Potatoes; Cabbage; Carrots; Onions; Tins Tomatoes; Tins Beans; Bread Flour; Yeast; Plain Flour; Eggs; Salad Cream; Gravy Granules; Cheese; Sausage; Lentils; Bacon Pieces.
So wish me luck as I hit Lidl and Sainsburys.
Back soon
Gill
I will be very interested to follow how you get on.
ReplyDeleteTo create a link, go over to your blog friend and copy their blog address (swipe and control C) when you write your post, see the word LINK underlined? click on that, paste (control V) the blog address into the box and click on OK.
Hope this makes sense ;-D
Interestingly I have just started this challenge myself! Today is the tenth day, and my average spend each day has been 70p each. I have used some 'yellow label' items,and I begin each week by shopping from my stockpile of stuff, bought at bargain prices. As I take these from the stockpile I put the money in a purse I keep especially to buy bargains with whenever I see them.
ReplyDeleteI will be fascinated to see your menus.
What a different way to look at this. In effect you are "buying" food that was very frugal, from yourself.. I love it!! I reckon I won't do as well. Though I bought the cheapest I could, it was all in a day, with no chance to pick up offers, which would have made my money go further.I only have £8.00 left,but shall certainly buy as cheap as I can with that.
DeleteI start tomorrow morning.
Gill
My menu doesn't include breakfast which we never eat. I've looked at various blogs where people have tried this challenge and I don't think I could do it if I was shopping solely from the supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have come across this blog
http://agirlcalledjack.com/
but she spends about £10 a week to feed herself and her toddler son. There are some interesting-looking recipes there.
It also helps that there are some good fruit and veg offers at the supermarkets at the moment and that there is a choice of five of them within two miles of where we live so I can access them all.
I've really enjoyed reading your blog so far, and look forward to more good recipes and cooking tips.