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Seriously look at your spends! I was horrified
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We have been making our own pizzas (even the dough!) recently and the kids loved it. The husband makes the dough and we pop it in fridge or freezer and then we can just add the topping etc. Its so much nicer than takeout.
sarah xDFW Total £21,800 to clear by Dec 2022
MFW Total £184,950 £179,066 to clear by 20350 -
We have the most amazing Indian takeaway in our town, I could eat it every night! We have cut it right back and have only had one so far this year :T
I make our own pizza bases too and am attempting indian cooking (it's not the same though) but good old mum (me) ends up doing all the work, thats the joy of a takeaway, not the taste so much, but the not having to do anything part.
I'll be honest, there's nothing beats a takeaway and a bottle of wine at the end of a long day when you've done loads and the kids have left you frazzled, I really, really miss it!:(0 -
We do our own chips and mushy peas when we have Fish and Chips - saves £4.20! Sometimes do our own rice for an Indian take away.
I'm trying to 'do something different' for Saturday nights. We've had homemade beef burgers and fries, chicken fajitas, Steak and chips. The kids are really taken with Lasagne, which to me is more work than necessary after making a bolognaise, but they enjoy making it. Having enchiladas this week - yum yum0 -
it can be a good idea for one month to write in a diary everything you spend on everything(even a 50p newspaper),you might be surprised even horrified on exactly where your money goes,it certainly made me think
i stopped buying papers saved me over £240 a year,stopped buying cigs and started to roll my own and saved £1000 (yes £1000)a year plus a number of other savings all from taking the trouble to keep a diary for one month ,inc stopping the once a week takeaway saving £7500 -
Have you considered trying recipes from the take away secret book?
There's a thread on here, will dig it out for you
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2665259
HHx0 -
Wow, that's some spending. We only have takeaway once or twice a month and even then, thats if I haven't got the energy to cook (have m.e. so have bad days and hubbys not great in the cooking dept).
I recently bought The Takeaway Secret book from amazon - mainly because of the recommendations on here. Haven't tried it yet but the recipes look so simple and easy. Covers italian, chinese, indian, even good old fish and chips, kfc type chicken and mcmuffins.
I also buy aldi basic stone baked pizza for 99p and put on my own toppings that I have in the fridge. More pennies saved.
May be worth a go.I got there - I'm debt free and intend to stay that way. If I haven't got the cash, it doesn't get bought. It's as simple as that.0 -
Mcdonalds is my down fall and having a drive through about 5 minutes from my home isnt good! I would hate to look at my bank statements plus any that Ive bought with cash!!
x Debt free once - Back again | Current debt: £2479.50 - January 2025 | Make £2025 in 2025 #11 - £41/£20250 -
This thread has made me feel hungry!
The takeaway recipe book is fantastic!
Definitely agree that a spending diary is a really good idea, really made me pinpoint where my money was going - lunch at work was a big one - £3 or £4 a day soon adds up...Sealed Pot Challenge - No. 117
Bank of Mum & Dad - £3150/£10,000 (£6850 to go) Bank of In Laws - £4600/£12,000 (£7400 to go)
MFW - MFD - [STRIKE]5 Apr 2029[/STRIKE] 5 June 2025 : AIM = NOV 2019 (back up aim = MAR 2023)0 -
I did this last year and was horrified. Now as a 'treat' I will drive to Asda and buy one of their fresh pizzas and a bottle of coke- less than a fiver and much nicer.2014: My hardest financial times ever as I complete my degree, and begin a Masters in September. I can do this!
:j0 -
Looking at my spends over the weekend (through one half opened eye squinting at screen!) really opened my eyes to random spending.
Multiple tescos shops (big shops plus almost daily visits to the extra store) as well as mcdonalds, pizza and scarily £16 costa lunches whilst at work. Then I throw the food away from my fridge because Ive been eating takeaways.No wonder I havent had a holiday in years.
Needless to say Im working on sorting it out and becoming more aware of my spends.
I will definitely be taking lunches to work from now on - started today and may have a takeaway on a friday to try and make transition from current chaotic situation to a planned treat (all within budget of course)0
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