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Butterfly_Brain

You could try just living off OH's income and just bank yours in a high interest account, that way if he is made redundant and has to take a lower paid job, as my OH has you have a little nest egg behind you to see you through the tough times.
Try changing to value brand items, some of them are really good - Aldi always has their super six fruit and veg offers.
As for the kids take them on picnics at local beauty spots, or when mine were little and we were struggling more than we are now( when we had just got our mortgage and two small kids); put a paddling pool in the garden - surround it with sand and pretend you are at the seaside - it is amazing what you can do with a few plastic fish and a piece of dowel and string.
Try making eating out a once a month treat, especially now that the summer is nearly here - eat al fresco instead like we did last night - we had a nice mediterranean salad with chicken, stuffed mushrooms and a cheapo bottle of wine with a good friend and her partner, it really was a lovely evening and didn't cost much.
The best advice, is that when you go shopping always write a list and keep to it, and if tempted by offers, ask yourself do I really need it or is it useful - if not pass it by.

Linda32

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

Try changing to value brand items, some of them are really good -

Thats what we do, Sainsburys Basic range etc. About 95% of my supermarket shopping is the basics range wether it be Tesco, Sainsburys or Asda and its all really nice and tasty. There was a tip on here a few months ago where you drop down a range just to try it out, for instance if you buy Hienz Beans then try Sainsburys own just to see if you can tell the difference. Or if you already have the own brand try the basic range.

Cleaning wise, Tesco Daisy range is really good.

At the weekend we always make one day for going out, which included lunch in a cafe/garden centre etc. It does make it special as we plan it and look forward to it.

wee_me_4

Went to aldi today and got lots of lovely cheap fresh fruit n veg n some other bits n bobs that we will use. Then headed to asda for whoopsies (dont know what you southerners call them but thats the reduced stuff going out of date!) which i can freeze.

Especially like idea of living off hubby's income n banking mine x

Trinny

wee_me wrote: »

Went to aldi today and got lots of lovely cheap fresh fruit n veg n some other bits n bobs that we will use. Then headed to asda for whoopsies (dont know what you southerners call them but thats the reduced stuff going out of date!) which i can freeze.

Especially like idea of living off hubby's income n banking mine x

Hi Wee-me and welcome:D

There are two of us in our household and we have decent jobs but i am here as i believe in not wasting the earths resources and in reducing waste and being OS so that the environment is protected. I also believe that living simply can bring priceless experiences into your life ( see thriftlady's signature)

I shop at Waitrose - others do too - but i have a fair trade, organic, free range attitude, we car share to save the planet, we grow our own veges because nothing tastes better, and because we prefer to know that there are no pesticides involved.

We are all here for different reasons - i am also here as i have no grand parents - and i dont want the priceless OS legacy to be lost at my generation.

Make yourself at home - others have said, you need a goal, for us it was finding out that stuff is just stuff really - and that other things are much more important

Trin

wee_me_4

Hey Trinny

With regards to you saying you grow your own veggies, I'm trying to grow cos lettuce but having a problem with aphids - any suggestions?

I'm doing my best to try and go greener but find organic products so expensive (esp meat). I'm fortunate that I can walk to work every morning. After having DS I feel that my priorities have changed and the guilt has kicked in that i do not do enough - any ideas for green household hints would be greatly appreciated x

Kantankrus_Mare

I hate waste and by having my allotment, I feel Im doing my bit.

Everything I can possibly compost goes into one of my 6 "daleks" at the allotment and as I work in a restaurant with plenty of waste salad and veg peelings. my daleks certainly dont go hungry.

I am also rewarded with nutricious compost once a year for replenishing my land.

Win win all round.

You could try this on a smaller scale and it would be beneficial if your serious about veg growing.