Tips and Quick Questions on “How To Start Being Old Style”

bexster1975

Hi Schrodie

I don't know much about old style eating (there are far more knowledgeable people on here who will assist you). They might want to know how much you have for actual food shopping each week as it sounds like £60 has to cover more than this. Don't be daunted, see it as a challenge (doing anything else is pointless anyway if it is a situation you can't rectify). I know lots of people on here who can work wonders. There is even a thread to feed a family of four for £60(?:o) per week. (I think thats what it was, maybe even less). Anyhow, I will read your thread with interest and try to pick up some tips.

Sorry your circumstances have left you having to do this rather than choosing to.

bexster

schrodie

bexster1975 wrote: »

Hi Schrodie
There is even a thread to feed a family of four for £60(?:o) per week. (I think thats what it was, maybe even less).
bexster:)

Thanks for your kind post. Where will I find the above thread as I'd be very interested in reading it, I'm a bit lost in this part of the site!

BitterAndTwisted

This site has recipes that will feed a family of four for £100 a month. I don't see any reason why they couldn't be adapted or modified to feed one.

http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/


If you have time you should keep an eye open for the times of day when your local supermarkets mark down their bakery produce, veg and meat.

Batch cooking and freezing in one-person portions should save you lots, especially if you're exploiting the supermarket whoopsies mentioned above.

Start by keeping a spending-dairy so you examine and scrutinise every single penny spent. This can be quite sobering and may suggest areas that you can cut down on or even cut out altogether.

I've just spent the last year managing on £65 a week JSA and paying all the necessary bills on my own, so it can be done but you've just got to be completely ruthless about distinguishing between a "need" and a "want".

You should invest in some thermal underwear right way if you don't have any because that will allow you to either do without the heating or only having it on for a very short period in the depths of winter. My quarterly gas bill for between last December and February (the coldest winter for 30 YEARS!) was £65. It wasn't much fun but I had no choice

mrs_motivated

Hi and welcome to the OS forum, you have come to the right place as everyone is helpful and friendly on here..

I am sure that you will be fine - and there are loads of ideas for cooking / shopping etc .

it sounds odd, but you will see once you start OS shopping and cooking and other money saving ideas - you will start to enjoy it and will probably eat healthier and the whole money saving thing will become addictive!

bexster1975

Hi Schrodie

This is the link (hope it works!)
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2729955
to the thread containing the link posted bt B&T.

Lots of great tips and ideas. Some forum members sometimes take part in competitive frugality!!:rotfl:

Lots of great people and great ideas to eat well for £100 for a family of four per month!!:eek:

I confess to being nowhere near this good:A

bexster

schrodie

£65 quarterly bill!!!! My problem will be a 3 bedroomed semi but I'll take B&T's good advice and invest in some thermals. I'll have to dig out my slow cooker and it's market day here tomorrow so a trip down it I think is in order. There a Netto store in our town that I've never been in so there's another place to go

Many thanks again to all it's appreciated.

bexster1975

schrodie, old style preparations for winter will help you keep your place warm (get a cup of tea, it is a LOOOOONGG thread!!)

Loads of great ideas here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2714253

keep posting, asking and sharing your finds/ideas.

If you have a Lidl or Aldi near you they are also excellent discount stores. Of the big ones, I find ASDA cheapest overall but if you shop for offers and have a few close by you can get to, shopping round is always best.

Mysupermarket.co.uk will give you a list of the offers in each store.

bexster

Butterfly_Brain

schrodie try going to the market just before they close, you can sometimes pick up a few bargains.

I find that Aldi are a lot better than Netto (especially since Asda bought out Netto) If you are lucky enough to have a lidl near you pop in there too.

Poundland have Branston beans four pack for £1 at the moment.

Farmfoods are cheapest for bread and milk and Iceland is worth a visit as well.

Have porridge or toast for breakfast and make your own soup and bread etc.

Just use Stardrops for cleaning and use a smart price/basics washing powder and use white vinegar as a softener.

Here are a few links that may help you.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1157641

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/346783

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/168963

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2629551

BitterAndTwisted

schrodie wrote: »

£65 quarterly bill!!!! My problem will be a 3 bedroomed semi but I'll take B&T's good advice and invest in some thermals. I'll have to dig out my slow cooker and it's market day here tomorrow so a trip down it I think is in order. There a Netto store in our town that I've never been in so there's another place to go

Many thanks again to all it's appreciated.

Angel, the key is to only heat the one room that you're actually in. It makes little sense to heat bedrooms twice a day when no-one's sleeping in them. The only caveat to being so very miserly with the heating is that YOU MUST NOT EVER DRY ANY LAUNDRY INDOORS! That's just asking for trouble (and misery).

As well as some thermals it might make sense to pop to your local charity shop and maybe invest in a couple of men's fleeces. I believe that I wore two at all times last winter.

foxgloves

Hi & welcome. If you visit the Old-style forum regularly, you'll soon pick up loads of ideas. People often post about bargains they've found & tasty frugal recipes so you'll be among others living in a similar way and among friends.