It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

kidcat

I add honey to caramelise my roast veg and just drizzle it on about twenty minutes before I serve.
I usually throw some peppers, courgettes, red onion ad mushroom in a baking tin drizzle olive oil over and roast for 30-40 minutes as a mediterranean style veg dish, I serve it with just about anything, goes down well.
Otherwise veg is simply steamed and served au naturale as it were. Am cooking valentines dinner this evening and we are having asparagus wrapped in parma ham with hollandaise sauce for starter. But apparently bacon works just as good.

Primrose

I've also been away from this thread for a while so it's nice to pop back in. I find home-made soups are an absolute Godsend for economy meals, especially if you add some tinned beans of some variety or other, and want to "posh them up" for the carnivores with some chopped fried bacon, ham from a ham hock, or chopped up frankfurters or Mateson's smoked sausage.
I think heavy fuel bills will be a big issue for many people this winter. I'm glad I've now got myself used to wearing extra layers and turning the thermostat down. I'm thankful to be retired now. I really feel for all those who are continually looking over their shoulders fearing redundancy will happen at any moment and wondering how the bills will be paid. We've suffered three redundancies in our household over the years and it does leave you with a lingering fear of insecurity, even in good times. You know you can never let down your financial guard.

charlies-aunt

Thanks Kidcat - I'll give that a go tomorrow. Our veg is usually served plain during the week but I like to try and push the boat out for sunday lunch....perhaps I should say "paddle a small canoe through a shallow puddle" given the current budgetting regime!

Carrots were very expensive in the supermarket this week - 79p for a small bag so I am planning to have a rummage through our neddy's carrot sack (£1.50 for 10-12kgs) in the morning to rob a few to add to the mix

kidcat

charlies-aunt wrote: »

Thanks Kidcat - I'll give that a go tomorrow. Our veg is usually served plain during the week but I like to try and push the boat out for sunday lunch....perhaps I should say "paddle a small canoe through a shallow puddle" given the current budgetting regime!

Carrots were very expensive in the supermarket this week - 79p for a small bag so I am planning to have a rummage through our neddy's carrot sack (£1.50 for 10-12kgs) in the morning to rob a few to add to the mix

Aldi are selling chantenay carrots for 39p a pack atm if that helps.

Zend

I know what everyone means about times getting tougher. My husband had to finnish work in November due to severe stress. We are now living on less than half of the money that we used to have. We are just greatful that OH has a works pension, he is too young to get state pension. I went on a bread making course last week and came home with 9 loaves of bread that I had made:j. I will be making my own bread from now on.

annscullamus

I'm so glad it is not just me! I don't mean I am glad so many others are struggling even more, it is just good to know that others notice and understand. That way threads like this have such value to us all.

I have cut down hugely on meat, and as I am lucky enough to have a small woodburner in the kitchen, to be honest I have lived in my kitchen when not teaching, for the last 2 months, sitting in the easy chair and bringing the laptop with me. I have bought an Efergy monitor and been horrified when I see the jumps in usage when appliances are on. I watch DVD's on the laptop, and iPlayer TV, and it uses approx 180 watts throughout the house (that is with all the other things ie fridge and freezer and telephone on) - if I use the TV and Sky Box it jumps up a whopping 160 watts.

I cooked a budget Chilli, with grated carrot and oats today on top of the stove, and a kettle now lives on the top all day.

My daughter and partner arrive tomorrow, so much more use of everything - she thinks I am slightly eccentric - but still appreciates the odd £25 I give her to help her out - I keep telling her how to economise but largely deaf ears at the moment!

So please keep on with all the ideas, I need to trim things down further, and I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel as yet.

jamanda

I'm trimming budgets too at present. I'm redundant with little chance of getting a job due to being 57, even though cv/quals are excellent. DH long term temp job finishes around April, and then we really are in trouble. Growing as much as I can and stocking up on good offers as far as poss. Better placed than many due to large garden and OS way of life, but still scary when you've worked all your life.

What I can't understand is why everyone else (apart from my Mum) can't see what is coming. I nag my daughter as much as I dare to try to get her OS orientated, so far with little success. I worry for my grown up kids far more than us, because they haven't a clue how to cope when things get tough, even though they are very intelligent.

If anyone has seen a young woman with 3 kids going round the supermarket with an old bat on their shoulder muttering "you could make that/do you really buy those?" - it is I.

Edit. Reading back I sound a right miserable old bat. In reality I rather enjoy beating the prices and the challenge of the game, although I prefer to do it voluntarily rather than by necessity.

Hardup_Hester

Hubby has a new job, we are really hoping this one is permanent, so things aren't too difficult at the moment, but I'm not letting up on my stranglelold on our budget. The car is really struggling now but without it I can't get hubby to the station to get to work. I'm saving up for a new (to us) one.
My DD has 2 children & by 12th of the month she's run out of fresh fruit & veg, she gets paid on the 18th, so I try to take fruit & veg round for her that week.
Not sure what will happen with the garden this year, as long as I can grow a few bits I'll be happy.
Hester

jojotoo

I have been reading this thread for all your wonderful tips and ideas. Since I was made redundant my whole attitude to spending/frugality/cooking and so on has changed, if I'd taken this approach when I was working we could have paid off half the mortgage I'm sure. I think jamanda your daughter will only 'get it' when the time is right for her despite your best efforts. We still need to reduce outgoings further each month so am planning what to grow on my newly aquired allotment, keeping all my receipts to see how much I spend on food etc, menu planning and having at least 4 no spend days a week.

BigMummaF

kidcat wrote: »

BigMummaF - we recently had a registered Gas fitter fit a cooker for £30 so its worth calling around for prices from smaller independants. It only a few minutes work so £30 is an appropriate price to pay I feel. I know that our freecycle group regularly swap numbers for good tradesmen so it may be a way for you to find someone good.

I've looked for all the variations of free cycle in our area &--like the wonderful bargain shops many folk have access too--they do not exist around here
We are getting a L!dl which could help, as our next closest is 8 miles away in the back of beyond on a commercial estate, but Ald! is forty+miles further down the road. We have a fairly decent sized MrT locally & a MrS about 3 miles but other than Wilkos, 2 99p shops & a £ whatever, that's about it. Our closest farm shop is a pain to get to without a car so any potential savings are lost on the petrol as the stuff doesn't last--quality wise--more than a few days. I sound petty but it really is more than a limp lettuce or crinkly carrot I'm talking about!
I'm at the 'just looking' stage with the cooker so I've time to hunt out any possible deals, but then I can't help thinking those poor fitters are struggling to make ends meet too. I do so wish the food prices were lower but that will affect the farmers...where on earth will it all end?