So, as my mum is here long term we sat down and thought about a reasonable shopping budget. Obviously she wanted to contribute to her share being here this long. So we've come up with £60 a week. Sounds loads! That's £20 per adult well with bubba's portion shared in amongst that! It's including household stuff such as toilet roll etc that we all use too.
It's actually been quite easily to stay within budget. Some weeks we've spent the surplus stocking up on tins or teabags. Last week we decided to take a chunk off the next five week's budget and put it towards a big online shop to do a monthly shop of tins, UHT milk, cereals etc. We also took advantage of some items on special offer that keep well or have long dates and meat from the freezer. It's great for the bulky and heavy items that mum and I can't carry home from the shops. Also saves trying to battle the supermarkets etc at weekends when hubby is not working.
So our actual weekly amount to spend is £40 for the next four weeks, normally starts from a Monday. As mum and hubby were out yesterday with the car, we started this week then and did our little top up shop :) our biggest expenditure remains fruit and veg! Bubba just loves snacking on it, often pointing to the fruit bowl! If you sit down with any fruit, he'll steal it!
I tried to come up with a meal plan for this week, but it's a busy week so it's trying to think of ideas that won't take up too much cooking time as I've two days at the hospital and two days with visitors. Although I've always been a fan of my slow cooker, it's really been the most helpful thing. I can prepare dinner in the morning before fatigue and pain get me. It takes a lot longer than it did before. My mum is very good and will help do the chopping etc, although I'm adapting to only having one good hand ;)
I will try and finalise the week's plan later, probably whilst waiting at the hospital over a cuppa (and sneaky cake) and try and publish later. It's not the most exciting one due to the busy week!
Must try and get some sleep, busy day ahead!
Sunday 26 January 2014
Happy New Year!
Firstly hello, wishing everyone a happy new year!
It's been some time since my last post. I went back to work in August for three days a week. Then I had an accident back in September with a neck injury. Nothing broken or too serious. I have nerve damage to my hard and foot which doctors are positive will get better in time. Needless to say things have been a bit 'tricky' here with cooking and shopping. We did spend a lot of junk/ready made things/takeaways as well as not using food to its full potential when managing to cook. Was tricky for hubby after a long day at work to try and take care of me and the bubba. I also spent a further four weeks in hospital over November which messed any budget/healthier eating plans up! Being in hospital for so long costs a fortune! Not for me as such as luckily we have the wonderful NHS, but the extra petrol (not so local hospital due to cuts), car parking, grabbing food here and there as hubby was back so late from hospital to make tea and make lunches. But anyway back to here and now....
The bubba is getting a very big boy now, 17 months. He learned to walk whilst I was in hospital. He now runs about like a mad boy! He's very cheeky! He has a very healthy appetite too. Luckily he isn't fussy with his food, although he goes through his stages of favourites and where he doesn't want certain things.
We have been very lucky as my mum came to stay in November and is still here! She's has been a great blessing and helping me with lots in the house, especially cooking! I've been able to try and get back to home cooking (and cheaply). It's been hard to get out to the shops as I can no longer drive, but I now have an electric scooter meaning I can scoot to our local shop which happens to be a (very small) Sainsbugs for small amounts of weekly top ups. Def saves money no going on impulse trips to big supermarkets. Although the amount of great whoopsies is smaller :( still, I am just grateful to be able to get out and choose my own bananas.
Also, I'm now just over 36 weeks pregnant with our second boy! So we are awaiting his arrival too!
Since the new year we have come to a decision on our food/grocery budget. Hubby and mum are still following slimming world. I am their personal chef and advisor it seems ;) I'm loosely following it. Meals are all SW friendly really, I may just supplement with a few extra 'goodies'.
So now I am back, I hope to post a bit more on how we are getting on.
It's been some time since my last post. I went back to work in August for three days a week. Then I had an accident back in September with a neck injury. Nothing broken or too serious. I have nerve damage to my hard and foot which doctors are positive will get better in time. Needless to say things have been a bit 'tricky' here with cooking and shopping. We did spend a lot of junk/ready made things/takeaways as well as not using food to its full potential when managing to cook. Was tricky for hubby after a long day at work to try and take care of me and the bubba. I also spent a further four weeks in hospital over November which messed any budget/healthier eating plans up! Being in hospital for so long costs a fortune! Not for me as such as luckily we have the wonderful NHS, but the extra petrol (not so local hospital due to cuts), car parking, grabbing food here and there as hubby was back so late from hospital to make tea and make lunches. But anyway back to here and now....
The bubba is getting a very big boy now, 17 months. He learned to walk whilst I was in hospital. He now runs about like a mad boy! He's very cheeky! He has a very healthy appetite too. Luckily he isn't fussy with his food, although he goes through his stages of favourites and where he doesn't want certain things.
We have been very lucky as my mum came to stay in November and is still here! She's has been a great blessing and helping me with lots in the house, especially cooking! I've been able to try and get back to home cooking (and cheaply). It's been hard to get out to the shops as I can no longer drive, but I now have an electric scooter meaning I can scoot to our local shop which happens to be a (very small) Sainsbugs for small amounts of weekly top ups. Def saves money no going on impulse trips to big supermarkets. Although the amount of great whoopsies is smaller :( still, I am just grateful to be able to get out and choose my own bananas.
Also, I'm now just over 36 weeks pregnant with our second boy! So we are awaiting his arrival too!
Since the new year we have come to a decision on our food/grocery budget. Hubby and mum are still following slimming world. I am their personal chef and advisor it seems ;) I'm loosely following it. Meals are all SW friendly really, I may just supplement with a few extra 'goodies'.
So now I am back, I hope to post a bit more on how we are getting on.
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