£50 quid for food for a month

 So, as you can imagine, weddings, children going to university and new wellingtons all require money. I cannot grow money, I've tried its just so unhelpful - plant a penny and you just get a muddy penny. So inspired by a few keen frugal chums - I've decided to challenge myself to mainly eat out of the cupboards during September and tightened our grocery budget to £50. Given the depth and variety in the stripey stores I'm sure we'll manage some interesting combinations.

We've loads in the freezers and the cupboards, lots of veggies in the tunnels at work (shh don't tell anyone) and so I'm hoping that we'll eek our way through the month - giving me the rest of our normal food budget of £200/month to spend on trips away OR wellingtons OR we'll blow it all on bonios for the hounds. 

Did you know Scotland issues its own money and has three issuing banks? Its quite fun looking to see which bank your money is from, well when you actually HAVE any money.

So you'll surely hear a lot about this spendthrift this month.

I'm sure we can survive on £50 this month for fresh bits and bobs like milk and some fruit, to stave away the scurvy.

Today's menu was -

The last banana (!)

Raw porridge with nuts, seeds and coconut shavings - with some Hazelnut milk

Cheese sandwich for elevenes or second breakfast if you like

Reduced chicken thighs for lunch with beetroot and spinach

First tea - soup and bread

Second tea - home made cheats sushi - with small bits of frozen fish from the freezer - a little goes a long way
(I generally repeat all meals, pays to be SURE you've eaten)

I love sushi. Especially when its cheap and home made.

End of Day 2 - No spends - £50 still intact.

I'm heading over to the work polytunnels tomorrow - to increase the courgette and tomato mountain at home. These might be useful for swapping for other ingredients.

You know just in case we run out.

A girl can dream, who'd have known a few illicit fishboxes could produce so many courgettes?

Really - not me. And, I really should have known better to plant four plants.

Oh and if you're keen for a wee neb at tomorrows tea - have a peek here at

This Wee Lass Eats

In my virtual scoffing arena.

So its 'winter' comfort food - its been a soggy day here, hardly salad weather.

And which me luck.

If you've any handy hints and tips to stop me blowing the budget - please leave me a link to your patch!

Or why not join in?

Edited to add, so we didn't make the £50 but what it did do was help me reassess my spending and curb those impulse spends. Sometimes trying something different works. My monthly spends are now nearer to £100 a month for a 2/3 household (all food, pet food and toiletries) - and I'm taking cash out to help me really stand there with my money in my hand. Its really helped me. So thank you all for the inspiration!