Getting to know you........

emmbee123

Hi all

Just wanted to say that I have had my epiphany today, I was shopping in a well known supermarket and realised when picking up ready made pastry, that I could make the same for pennies compared to spending a pound on the ready done stuff (which doesn't taste as nice as fresh anyway). It just made me think of how much I have thrown away over the years for the sake of laziness.

I'm a busy single mum and full time(ish) student and don't have the money to throw away. I suppose I have kind of been Old School for a while in some ways (the baby has washable nappies and we never have any food from a jar/packet) but I never realised how far things could go without changing too much.

I've had a bit of a lurk today before picking up the courage to say hi. Just wanted to say thanks for inspiring me with ways to avoid waste, recycle more and hopefully save some money.

Emm

Tenyearstogo

That's my way of thinking too. I've always been a bit OS but I've decided to make more of an effort recently too.

It's requiring a bit more thought but I'm getting there. Good luck.

karen_g

Just wanted to say welcome and hello!

You are right...you can save a lot of money by making small changes, I find batch cooking saves me loads of money and also time on making individual meals, for instance I'll do say spag bol for 12 people even though there are only 4 of us then freeze the rest for later in the month. This works well with loads of meals!

Good luck.

meritaten

Welcome! even a little bit of OS goes a long way! but beware! it can become addictive and before you know it you will be growing spaghetti, and knitting your own computer covers......lol! joking of course!
this is a brilliant thread for all those tips you wish your mum and gran had told you!

booter

:wave: Welcome emmbee123! The epiphany happens to us all sooner or later! As meritaten says, it can become addictive (loving the knitted computer cover idea :rotfl:). You'll soon know if you're an addict - I was explaining how to clean windows OS to my niece & partner the other day, and I caught her rolling her eyes - I'd also been advocating the use of lemon juice, Stardrops and soda crystals. I think I may have OD'd on the OS :eek:

sonastin

It really is addictive. I've caught myself looking at other people "wasting" money and wondering why they are being so foolish. Take my mum for instance... she isn't short of money but between looking after my nieces and grandmothers, she doesn't have a lot of time for herself. She lives alone so is usually cooking for one. It is entirely her perogative to use convenience foodstuffs but I keep finding myself trying to educate her on ways to achieve the same effect without having to spend the money by just spending a little bit of time. I forget that once-upon-a-time she was trying to teach me this stuff!

It sinks in a whole lot easier when you have the epiphany and figure it out for yourself though!

[Deleted User]

I just too blooming mean to spend money on ready made stuff I think I have the mindset that says "I could make that myself for half the price" and usually do.It is true and batch cooking is the way for you to go if you have a busy life.A morning's cooking and freezing will fill your freezer up and give you more time during the week to relax if you come home and just 'ping' your own ready made meal from the freezer and at a fraction of the price.I have been teaching my eldest grandson to cook for himself and a few weeks ago for around £4.00 we made five portions of veggie curry and five portions of chilli.he took them home and took a portion into work every day for his lunch,he was so pleased with himself as working in London it costs a fortune to eat out.40p for lunch made a lot of difference to his weekly budget

robedha1

Hi Everyone,

Just popping in to say hello and introduce myself. I'm a single 30 something with no kids. I work full time in a call centre (not sales). I'm in the process of buying my first house and I'm getting loads of tips from these boards on how to save money and declutter my flat in preparation for the move. It's all a bit scary but I can't wait at the same time.

emmbee123

Am pleased with how this week has gone.

Meal planner worked brilliantly and rather than replacing my nasty spray cleaner I got a load of white vinegar and bicarb (stardrops coming with online shop tomorrow). Did my windows and mirrors with vinegar and newspaper earlier and they are gleaming (and streak free). Washing has never been so soft (i think softer than with a bottle of it). Am planning to make some laundry detergent this weekend too.

Had a busy week with Uni (two essays due in next week) but have started with a little craft project. I need some throws for my sofas and didn't like the look or price of those in the shop. I have cut the baby's old clothes into 4" squares and am planning to patchwork them to make something not only cheap but also something which will remind me of my daughter as a tiny one and be unique to us.

Seakay

Welcome to OS and congratulations on a brilliant idea for a patchwork throw - that will be a real heirloom item! Don't forget to show us a photo ot the finished item and/or the work in progress!