50p a day til christmas, healthily?!-Weezl's next challenge (part 2)

meanmarie

Enjoy your hols ISOM!

SusanC_2

Elfinwings wrote: »

So, last night I watched the second (recorded) episode of Economy Gastronomy. I was *amazed*. I think you get so used to frugal living that I can't even comprehend the level of spend that must be "normal". Even their economy reduced weekly budget was 4 times our budget for the whole month! I admit they were a family of five and we are only two people, but per person that still works out to 5.5x our budget per person. I think they could learn a thing or two form this thread! Having said all that, it was a very interesting programme and I applaud the families for making changes which to them are life-changing. One step at a time, eh! They will be on here before you know it...

What has anybody else thought of the programme so far?

Elfin.

I find it beyond comprehension that a family (unless they are a huge family like the Duggars) can spend £17k a year on food - we don't spend that much in total on everything. The "economy" budget was more per person than we spend on the three of us and although I do try to be frugal I would say there's a lot more I could do to save money on food. I think really the title "Economy Gastronomy" is a bit of a misnomer as it is not really economy cooking - it's more cooking instead of buying loads of stuff premade and that is how the money is saved.

I think what they've done with the families so far is good and I don't think it would have been helpful to try and get them to go further than that in the short term as it would've probably been too big a step for them but it's a shame they didn't at least discuss other things (so for example instead if sticking rigidly to the list, checking out the reduced items or special offers and substituting ingredients where appropriate or stocking up on certain special offers). They probably did pitch it right for the families concerned though as they seem to have found the changes sustainable - there's no point in an extreme change which can't be maintained.

I'm hoping that later in the series they might do some families who aren't such big spenders already.

I did pick up the odd useful tip but was a bit :eek: when they were talking about "cheap" cuts of meat which were over £10/kg. I might pay up to £7 for a nice lamb joint or even occasionally splash out as much as £8 or £9/kg on fish but other than that I generally wouldn't consider anything more than £5/kg. I think it's just aimed at a different type of person.

Elfinwings

In_Search_Of_Me wrote: »

havent seen it tbh - keep meaning to! Am off tomorrow on a weeks hol to yorkshire...v exciting! hoping to rendevous with shaz! Hope you all have a good week! hugs fr my best boy weezl!

Have a wonderful holiday :j:j Hope the sun shines for you.

E.

Elfinwings

SusanC wrote: »

I find it beyond comprehension that a family (unless they are a huge family like the Duggars) can spend £17k a year on food - we don't spend that much in total on everything. The "economy" budget was more per person than we spend on the three of us and although I do try to be frugal I would say there's a lot more I could do to save money on food. I think really the title "Economy Gastronomy" is a bit of a misnomer as it is not really economy cooking - it's more cooking instead of buying loads of stuff premade and that is how the money is saved.

I think what they've done with the families so far is good and I don't think it would have been helpful to try and get them to go further than that in the short term as it would've probably been too big a step for them but it's a shame they didn't at least discuss other things (so for example instead if sticking rigidly to the list, checking out the reduced items or special offers and substituting ingredients where appropriate or stocking up on certain special offers). They probably did pitch it right for the families concerned though as they seem to have found the changes sustainable - there's no point in an extreme change which can't be maintained.

I'm hoping that later in the series they might do some families who aren't such big spenders already.

I did pick up the odd useful tip but was a bit :eek: when they were talking about "cheap" cuts of meat which were over £10/kg. I might pay up to £7 for a nice lamb joint or even occasionally splash out as much as £8 or £9/kg on fish but other than that I generally wouldn't consider anything more than £5/kg. I think it's just aimed at a different type of person.

I couldn't agree more. I am hoping the will do an episode with a veggie family too soon, that would be interesting. It would also be interesting if they dod another series in six months or so, revisiting the families, seeing how they got on, and taking things to the next level with them.

On another note, I made pizza dough in my breadmaker last night with great success. For some reason I had always done it by hand before, but this was much nicer!
I think we should all make a TV series, called Economy Gastronomy Max or something!

Confuzzled

my little one couldn't understand why i wasn't bothered to watch economy gastronomy then i told her about their budget and broke it down to how much per week per person they got

she sat their mouth open, obviously gobsmacked..their weekly budget per person is well over ours for TWO people and we eat fairly well! considering that she is just shy of 8 and she realises how ridiculous some of the spending limits are set at she seems to be picking up on the OS mentality quickly! :T

one show i have been watching with her is 'how the other half live' and it's been really good for us both. for me it's good to see people that are poor getting a helping hand (we aren't quite as bad off but that's by serious diligence on my part and a bit of luck) and for her it's been a lesson in helping not pitying people. she also rightly complained about that woman selfishly spending money on the laptop (she already had a computer too!) but overall she's been pleased with how everything has gone for everyone and she even rightly guessed why it was a good thing to spend that last couples money on moving out of london... i was so proud!

poohbear59

Last night my sons came home from work and found a pan cooking on the hob. Wondering what was for dinner they lifted the lid and found a pan of fish heads simmering. (Sorry veggies and vegans) I told them we were now so poor that was all we could afford!

I made fish stock to go in the freezer for when I need it, and fed the fishmeat from the heads to the dogs. I have never seen them eat so quickly. It was mixed with ultra cheap dog food.

The rest of the fish is now in the freezer awaiting a fish pie or fish cakes.

Re; EG on TV. They definitely could learn from everyone on here. I feed 5 or sometimes 6 adults on a fraction of their paired down budget.

fedupandskint

Lesley_Gaye wrote: »

Hi FedUp

here is the recipe. It is from the Cranks Recipe Book. I have adjusted it a bit, so here is my version

Mushroom Stroganoff, serves 4

I have also remembered another recipe that I really like. Mushroom Ragout from Nigella Lawsons How To Eat

This is very good with all the things that the Stroganoff is good with (mash, rice, polenta, noodles, jkt pot topping) plus it is fab with a piece of chicken or anything else as a side dish

Hi Lesley,

I've finally written these recipes down and I'm making the Ragout for tea as it sounds gorge! Can't wait! It must be a while since I last looked on this thread as I did a search and found them!

Elfinwings

Confuzzled wrote: »

one show i have been watching with her is 'how the other half live' and it's been really good for us both. for me it's good to see people that are poor getting a helping hand (we aren't quite as bad off but that's by serious diligence on my part and a bit of luck) and for her it's been a lesson in helping not pitying people. she also rightly complained about that woman selfishly spending money on the laptop (she already had a computer too!) but overall she's been pleased with how everything has gone for everyone and she even rightly guessed why it was a good thing to spend that last couples money on moving out of london... i was so proud!

Hi Confuzzled, that sounds interesting - when is it on?

Confuzzled

Elfinwings wrote: »

Hi Confuzzled, that sounds interesting - when is it on?

sadly this weeks program was the last in the series, they only did 3. i'm hoping they'll do it again though. it was on channel 4 though so you could try watching it online on their equivalent to bbc's iplayer

Seakay

Hope your cat is fully recovered now Twinkle, and hope that ISOM had a lovely break.
Shaz, have you been to Harrogate yet? If so how did it go?
Have finally sorted myself out with a pushbike from our local council "borrow a bike" scheme, so am trying to work out some (flattish!) routes to some blackberry bushes so that I can do some OS puds ands preserves this autumn. Hopefull the energy expended will make up for the calories to be consumed!