Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Hi
do you have space for another little one please???

I fell off the frugal bandwagon quite spectacularly and am now playing catch up. My being unemployed now isnt helping but im awaiting BRT so finding a job is a no at the minute.

I basically cover basic bills with money I get in (water, council tax, gas, electric and food) the hubby pays the rent and everything car related.

I had a wake up yesterday and realised that in the last week I had spent £40 on things I didnt particularly need and so have left my bank card with my mother in law with £80 on it - this is all the money I have to last me until the 29th April.....i havent paid the NTL which was £75 and in my realisation realised the 'junk' id brough could of part way paid for it.

I had bargains in a charity shop yesterday - brand new shoes for my daughter that still had the BHS £18 label on for £3.99, two dresses for £3.99 and a top for £1. I also got my son a red fleece to wear to school.

But no more. There is food in the cupboards although I may need milk and lunchbox stuff, but my mother in law is under strict instructions to not give it to me without a valid reason.

I have lots of socks to darn, clothes I can remake so I will dig out my sewing machine tomorrow and a pile of material thats just 'there'....i also have a few things to sell. Plus there is wood and perspex panels in the garden so im thinking some kind of makeshift greenhouse to keep me busy in the garden But I am way behind.

I will also shamefully admit I have ised my dryer way too much despite having a new rotary line put in by the council 5 months ago :-( need to change this but welsh weather is unpredictable at the best of times!

Hester - hello lovely! Long time no see! Hope all is ok with your eyes at the hospital.

So I look forward to talking to you all and picking up tips

X

vhalla1478 wrote: »

Hello again, Everyone and welcome Sammy;
One of the strategies I used was to keep busy, although with two children that won't be a problem.

Hi Viv!
Thanks for the welcome.

I think my promise to myself will be to try and end the month with £20 still in ny bank account. For the last few years I have had onky pence In there at the end of the month. Then if I manage ill move the £20 into my credit union account which means I have to physically go to town to get it out.

Im good with distractions - bar the two kids and two dogs,
on a monday I go to a workshop in the school that helps me to learn ways to help my daughter with her speech
on a wednesday morning I volunteer in the local foodbank, wednesday evening I am a parent helper with the local cub pack
and as of april 30th in the mornings on a thursday I am taking part in a foodwise change for life course to learn about portion sizes etc

Think I might visit the local library too as they have a family tree buikding course for free as well. Plus the gardening :-) I should be fine :-)

Hello & welcome Sammy, do you still blog? I used to follow you but lost all my links when I changed pc's.
Thanks Vhalla, I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.
Hester

Evening everyone
I am getting very good at this minimising lark!
Does it bring me joy? no! toss it out then!
Do we need it, do we use it?
Have I worn it in the last year?

Still having our spring clear out. A neighbour asked today how long we have lived here? nearly 26 years.
Minimising today = books, papers and photos.
Vanity case in bedroom.
Managed to fill over the last x2 weeks,the large be green wheelie bin.
Paper and card, few plastic bottles.

Little ironing to do and then dinner.

Have a clutter free evening.

Evening All,

Well the gales turned to rain here so that put paid to any gardening, but I've finished ironing my summer clothes - I'm probably a bit previous if the weather continues like this.

As promised, here is a recipe from the 1980s - I re-discovered it when I was looking for something else to do with the elderly noodles I have in the pantry - it's quick, easy, tasty and cheap!

Noodles with Salami serves 6

100-125 grams Italian salami. 175 grams frozen petits pois, 450 grams noodles, 40 grams butter, 200ml single cream, sea salt and black pepper.

Take the rind off the salami and dice small. Cook peas and keep warm. Cook noodles in plenty of boiling water until tender, drain and return to the pan. Stir in the butter, cream, chopped salami, peas, salt and pepper and serve.

And here's a recipe for some irresistible orange cakes (sorry, Folks!)

Small Orange Cakes - makes about 10

100-125 grams unsalted butter, 100-125 grams caster sugar, grated rind of small orange, 3 tbsp. orange juice, 2 beaten eggs, 100-125 grams sifted plain flour, pinch of salt.

Heat oven to 190 degrees/gas mark 5. Cream butter, add caster sugar gradually, continuing to cream until you have a smooth mixture. Stir in the orange rind, then the juice, followed by the eggs, then the flour and salt. Have a tray of small cake tins rubbed with butter, and divide the mixture between them. Bake for 15 minutes on the top shelf of the oven until domed and firm in the centre. Take out of the oven and leave to cool for 2-3 minutes, then loosen round the edges with the point of a knife and place on a rack to cool.


I'm going to have a lazy evening watching tv - Antiques Roadshow from Belton House, near here and then Poldark.

Have a good evening, All.

Viv xx