Tonight we had leftover tuna pasta and veg. The rest of the week looks like this, roughly:
-toad in the hole with veg
-peanut butter noodles
-bacon, veg, tomato and soft cheese casserole
-bolognaise or chilli
-leftovers

I bought some groceries yesterday and today. Today's ones were all reduced. I bought more bread to freeze. Grocery spending is now at 22.45 for the month so far; I've got shopping arriving on Tuesday late afternoon.

I found a bag of wholegrain rice in the cupboard. Everyone likes it, so that's good.

Tomorrow won't be a NSD because I have to pay for SG's snacks at nursery.

Today I'm baking some biscuits with SG. We can have them as snacks for a few days.

I broke a rule: I ate out. Hubby wanted us all to go to the local pub for lunch. I said I'm trying to spend as little as possible this month, so he suggested I take J to the local cafe for some one-to-one time instead (we're going to the pub next month for my birthday). I spent 7.80 total and that included bringing some food back for hubby and SG.

I also spent 1.40 on reduced naan breads (froze those), reduced mince pies and bread (half in the freezer).

I'm defrosting some hummus to have on a sandwich at work tomorrow, and I'll defrost some fruit for breakfast.

Spending:

Groceries:9.84
Transport:9.40
Utilities:20.00
Eating Out:7.80

NSD: 3/21

Tomorrow should be better.

That works out quite nicely, since that's what I've been doing. Today I used up the last of some sad veg to make a soup (that'll be our dinner) plus I made pancakes, scones and flapjacks - although I must have used too much golden syrup because they fell apart. We're going to have them with milk now, like granola.

I think we've used up most of the good stuff now, which is why I did some baking today. I need to think about what I can put together for work on Saturday.

I spent so long in the kitchen today. I've been nowhere.

NSD: 3/21

My bank balance, that is. It's really bad. Payday is on Friday so it'll be better then.

We ran out of bread so I bought a few essential items today to last: eggs, pack of rolls, yogurt and fruit.

Now spending is:
Groceries:8.44
Transport:9.40
Kids:3.50

NSD:2/31

Hmm,more on transport than food. Interesting.

I was working today. I bought a few groceries afterwards. Spending is as follows:

Groceries:2.94
Kids: 3.50
Transport: 4.70

No Spend Days: 2/31

For a change today, when I finished work, I didn't buy an energy drink or chocolate. I usually buy this most days.

Yesterday I ordered shopping online from Tesco. I found the cheapest delivery slot (2.00 next Tuesday). Came up with a meal plan for next week too (I'm roughly copying from a meal plan I found online from another blogger: thrifty Lesley)

Had a quick look at how much dried pinto beans cost. It was easy enough, there's only one brand. I'll be trying Ceejay's recipe at some point.

Yesterday went well. Although, I have leftover steak pie and potatoes because I made too much. We'll have them today.

I'm going to make some rice and beans today. I've never made it before. It can be lunches during the week after work. I found some recipes that I might try:

http://www.thekitchn.com/budget-but-not-boring-8-fresh-ways-to-eat-beans-rice-for-dinner-201467

I'm also going to make some soda bread. I found a packet mix in the cupboard. Again, I've never made it before.

We're out of porridge and onions now. I'll need to replace these because I use them in so much.

Not much else to report. I'm not going anywhere near a shop today.

I only got the daily email from Mrs Frugalwoods half an hour or so ago. Never mind, I'm still attempting the challenge.

Today has been a NSD. I've making lentil soup later today, and a steak pie for dinner later. The soup should do us a few lunches.

I found some quinoa in the cupboard that I forgot I had, so I'll need to remember and use that. I'm basically trying to use what we have in the cupboards.

I need to decide on the rest of the meal plan for this week.

Happy new year everyone!