Live on £4000 for a year - Part 3

Frugaldom

Hello people, can you guess that I've worn the stickers off my keyboard again? Numerous typing errors are beginning to take effect but, thankfully, my 's' and 't' are well apart when typong addresses that end in 'shire' :rotfl: Food and Good will be interchangeable until such times as I replace all the little seld-adhesive letters that I've had stuck on the keys. This is about the 4th lot to wear out and it's a bit annoying that I can't just order some new letters for the laptop! How thoughtless of the manufacturers not to consider the consequences of typists with long nails! :rolleyes:

It's the start of our summer community festival today, so we'll be watching them release all the ballons after judging of all the fancy dress classes. The town (read as street) is mobbed, with cars parked all the way along both sides and the road closed off in preparation for the crowning of the queen. Better still, the sun is shining! :T

I'm not planning on spending anything today and will probably go out into the garden to do more weeding. Friend is arriving tomorrow for a few days holiday, so I have some frugal day trips and picnics planned in between keeping up with work.

Milliemonster, I'll add your name to post one and you can work out if the £2000 for 6 months is feasible for you. The grocery challenge on the Old Style thread is also really helpful, as it ties in nicely with this one. Hope you have fun with the challenge and don't panic if it all goes astray - think of it as practice for next year.

Janey51

Hi everyone.
Not feeling too good today inspite of the valium, Baileys and Maltesers. Having real problems eating and am worried I drop below 8 stone.
My son is here this weekend and my friends have been great. But there are so many forms to fill in and people to speak to when someone dies.
Frugal is my first name at the moment. I am scared to spend anything until I know what is happening about the house and how much money I will have coming in.
I wrote to the Landlord on Wednesday just to open communications. She actually travelled all the way from London to attend the funeral and my darling friend pointed out she was wearing a Chanel suit :rolleyes: I wouldn't have recognised one anyway.
I think they are maybe giving me some breathing space but I need to know where I stand as our tenancy was very much tied in with my DH working for the owners as and when.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Boomdocker

Aww Janey, hugs to you and fingers duly crossed. xx

Frugaldom

Janey, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you with regards to the house situation and form-filling. Things have to work themselves out eventually and, even if you do have to move, it's not the end of the world, it'll just be another new beginning. That's how I try to think of it each time I need to move or switch jobs, otherwise I'd be round the twist by now. Hugs from all of us here and don't forget we are all here for you, no matter how small or how silly a thing may seem, if it's something that any of us can do to help, then drop a subtle hint or a blunt PM

Mollymop5

Janey I'm sure things will work out for you.I had a friend who worked as a gardener on an estate and his house came with the job.when he died no pressure was but on his wife to move.She knew she would have to at some point so after a few months looked for a small cottage to rent herself.
It was nice that your landlord took the time to attend the funeral.She seems like a decent one and must think alot of you and Tom.
Like Nyk says someone is about this thread at most points during the day or night so please keep writing and PM any of us should you need to.
Have a virtual hug from me

sophiesmum_2

Janey (((Hugs:heartpuls))) We will all be keeping fingers crossed for you, hope things are sorted out sooner rather than later. Please try and look after your self health wise, as you say there is so much to deal with and it will all feel so much harder if you aren't in good health to begin with.

Marru

Janey, I tried to find a very special smiley for you but this was the best I was able to find. Lots of hughs for you. That is all I can say. Do try to look after yourself.

Frugaldom

Hi guys 'n' gals, I need some help and advice pleeeeeeeeease
I need a menu plan to cover lunches & dinners for 4 for a minimum of 3 days and no meat.

AMy gallivanting friend (the one who accompanied me to the Isle of Man) is arriving tomorrow afternoon in time for dinner and will be staying for a few days. Can anyone suggest what I can make for mealtimes that will suit everyone? I don't have quorn or shop bought vegetarian stuff and I'm not going to be in town between now and then. I have loads of food in stock, as I'm doing Sophiesmum's stockpile challenge alongside this challenge and the grocery challenge. Friend knows all about the challenges, so I'm trying to be inventive without DS knowing he's eating vegetarian. I'm doing lasagne for tomorrow's dinner, which can be served up with crusty bread & salad, plus I'm making a fruit trifle for desert using up blackberries, blackcurrants and raspberries in raspberry jelly. (Hope it lasts until tomorrow night!) I've got some hobnobs baked and will batch cook a tomato & vegetable sauce in the slow cooker tonight so I have spare for chilli or bolognese, but what else can be done from store cupboard items that will avoid the need for buying quorn or soya products?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and/or simple recipes

Boomdocker

What about shepherdless pie - ie shepherds pie made with lentils and veg instead of meat? I tried it sceptically and loved it. I did have beef gravy with mine though which is a good compromise for the meat eaters you could do seperate gravies maybe.

Frugaldom

Boomdocker wrote: »

What about shepherdless pie - ie shepherds pie made with lentils and veg instead of meat? I tried it sceptically and loved it. I did have beef gravy with mine though which is a good compromise for the meat eaters you could do seperate gravies maybe.

Thanks for that, sounds worth a try as I'm sure she said she cooks quorn in oxo, she just doesn't buy or eat meat. Potatoes aren't a problem as I just dig them from garden. do you soak the lentils overnight?

I now have the slow cooker on with carrots, onions, peppers, mushrooms, celery, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and some crushed garlic. This will give me enough sauce for making the lasagne and probably enough left over for a pasta sauce. Friend enjoys her herbal teas, so we'll have a choice of lemon balm or mint from the garden. I really like the lemon balm one, so quick, easy and refreshing!

Clues for recipes:
Non-meat ingredients I have in stock:

Rice - various varieties
Pasta
Lasagne
Spaghetti
Bulger wheat
Cous cous - various varieties
Lentils
Split green peas
Split yellow peas
Broth mix
Chick peas - tinned
Mixed beans - tinned
Tomatoes - fresh & tinned
Tomato puree
Peppers - frozen
Onions
Mushrooms - frozen
Carrots - tinned & frozen
Potatoes (just dig them as I need them)
Peas - tinned & frozen
Sweetcorn - tinned
Corn on the cob - frozen
Celery - frozen
Salad leaves/lettuce - from garden
Rhubarb, oranges, lemons - fresh
Grapes - frozen
Sultans
Flour of all types
Eggs
Cheese

I found a really simple, frugal recipe on Weezl's thread for a chocolate dessert made from store's own brand cooking chocolate and saver instant custard, both of which I have in store cupboard - must try that out, as it sounds delicious! Mmm... imagine that served with some whipped cream on top? OOPS! I got distracted again! I'm supposed to be on here looking for the tabbouleh recipe someone suggested a couple of weeks ago. How come I never have any problems thinking of puddings, cakes and desserts? :rotfl: