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

Doom_and_Gloom

schrodie wrote: »

Please be gentle with me because I've never had to do this sort of thing before but circumstances have now dictated that I have to live off around £60 per week and as I've never had to do this before it's somewhat daunting as how the heck I'm going to manage it with respect to food and other expenses. Any pointers as to cheap but wholesome menus, food buying and how to basically save as much as I can without freezing to death of the next few months would be very gratefully accepted.

Thanks.

What does the £60/week have to cover? Does it have to cover electricity, gas, transport(bus/train/car/motorbike), food etc?

As to food I agree with BitterAndTwisted about that site. It is amazing as it's cheap and the recipies taste really good - although I can only comment on the vegan option. To keep the food budget down my partner and I buy alot of reduced foods, supermarkets cheapest (yes the basic/smart price stuff) or if cheaper the deals --> last time we went shopping we got 4 tins of beans for £1 instead of 4x29p=£1.16 and we also got 4 tins of tomatoes for £1 instead of 4X31p=£1.24 so a saving of 40p from just those. Doesn't sound like a lot but it does add up over the weeks believe me.

As for a breadmaker I got mine at a charity shop for £20. I've only had it since the begining of August but it's most likely paid for itself already (or very close) . It's made white loaves, wholemeal loaves, fruit loaves, pizza dough, dough for rolls, jam etc (I made sure I bought one with a jam function). However if you have the time and can doing bread by hand would be cheaper.

Rebekah24

I dry indoors, I just keep the windows open in the bathroom!! ...it is chilly... but better than no ventilation

Good luck with everything, everyone has given ace advice

pixie1

Hi All,

Over the years whilst been a member here Ive always tried to be OS but for one reason or another it hasnt always worked out. This time round it has to work!

Ive had a change in my circumstances in the fact that Ive had to change my job due to abuse in the workplace. This change has its has its pro's and con's.


Pro's
Im not longer in an environment where I dread speaking due to the verbal abuse I have experienced (this has lead to a boubt of depression and over spending trying but failing to make myself happy)

My new jobs is on my doorstep, i will be home within 15 mins rather then the 1 hr plus commute

Less working hours, i will now be working a 37.5 hr week rather then a 40 hr week

Con's
Yes youve guessed it = Less money!

So whilst in the past I wanted to be OS, Im now at a point where I need to be.

My new journey begins with having breakfast at home (never had the time before as i had to leave the house so early due to my commute) and taking my lunch to every day (I tried to do this and it worked most of the time but i got out of the habit during the last few weeks). Im also going to join the store cupboard challenge as I have lots of things that need using up.

Once I get on top of all these things, i think i need to learn how to Fly if you know what i mean!!

I hope these changes and my job change will bring comfort and fulfilness

Pix

Pitlanepiglet

Good luck Pix and well done for getting out of a nasty job. Not OS advice, but don't forget that kind of behaviour is always about those dishing it out and not about you. Keep remembering that.

Olliebeak

Hi Pixie - Big deep breath hun, sit down with your OH and discuss your finances, where you're at NOW and where you both WANT to be. Then make a JOINT PLAN on how you're going to get there. You both need to be committed to the same plan of action - I've found that most men will only commit to cutbacks when they can understand how they personally will benefit in some way.

A cupboard and freezer inventory is a great way to start to make inroads into using up what's already in there - may be an absolute eye-opener :eek:. You should manage to save money in the first month just by doing that. Just make sure that the money saved doesn't then get frittered away on unnecessary luxuries. Maybe buy some 'necessary Christmas presents' with it, to get a head start on that budget. Out of what's in your cupboards, can you 'earmark' any of it for your Christmas Stash? If so, get it out of the food cupboard straight away and into a hidden box - but not so hidden that you forget all about it the week before Christmas, like I did one year . (I've still got two Christmas Puds from last year :rotfl:.)

NOW would also be a good time to perhaps to re-assess what you need to do about Christmas. You don't have to go EVERY Christmas work event (that is if your work is still having them this year) and you might want to have a second look at your Christmas pressie list. Are you over committed on that budget? We're concentrating on children this year (grandkids, nephews/nieces), over 18's are getting lottery tickets inside their cards (sorry but some older nieces are earning nearly as much as I am now!) and, of course, my mum who is now 80 - omg not another cardigan/pj's/dressing gown!

Have you tried the 'downshift challenge' when doing grocery shopping. We all have the 'treat stuff' that we like to put into the shopping trolley - but there's always an acceptable alternative. Personally my 'thing' is good coffee. Nowadays, I buy the cheapest that I find 'acceptable' (ASDA Gold) for everyday use, but will get my real preference (Douw Egberts) when it's on special offer for an occasional 'special treat'. Just try alternatives to some of your preferred brands - NOT all at once though. And NEVER try to drop from 'Premium Range' straight to 'Cheapie' - cos it just won't work. You need to 'acclimatise' your taste-buds first .

Have you checked out any options of Utilities - can you find any better deals? - not always the most obvious works out the cheapest, so be careful. If you don't want to swap, then can you get those bills down a bit - paperless billing? DD?

If you're looking at 'fly-ladying' - remember baby-steps - start with the 'shiny sink'. I find that starting the day by looking at an empty shiny sink gives me a REAL morning boost :j.

Good luck to you both - love Ollie xx

lucylema

Hi Pixie,

My circumstances have changed also with regards to work. It is only hubby who is working at the moment. We have not long moved into a new house which needs some decorating doing. I have some money saved which i am intending to use on the decorating and them its save save save all the way. New Year New Start! I will do a list of the cupboard and freezer and whatever is left over it christmas.

danemi1

I always used to shop in Tescos or Morrisons but we are deperately trying to save at the mo so I started getting the odd thing from Lidl and then more and more - now I do most of my shopping there - OK I am not keen on the shop itself but as long as you are careful what you buy - my word my shopping bill has reduced no end and I come out with a full trolley - I buy lots of fresh stuff veg and meat etc. Only thing I have noticed is you some days of the week are better than others with the veg - sometimes it can be brilliant esp the bag of fresh tomatoes really firm and juicy - occasionally I have hit it on a not so good day and then ahve gone to nearby tescos instead for veg. 99% of the things I have had have been just as good as Tescos but for a much better price - worth a try!

[Deleted User]

midnightraven3 wrote: »

i am the owner of a beloved panny
but
after reading on here about the artisan method of breadmaking, my panny is in a cupboard:eek:
i NEVER thought i would say that

can someone cleverer than me find the thread for schrodie please?:D

you whack it all in a big tub
mix
done
and it stays in the fridge for up to a week
no kneading no nothing

so hold off buying one and keep an eye on freecycle for one also

OS living becomes a joy
honestly it does
and the only thing you will look back and think is "why didnt i do this years ago!"

True here too:j I make four loaves of 'no knead' bread at a time. Simple as anything, very economical - and will save £70! An alternative present could be buying in the store-cupboard essentials you'll need to start making your OS recipes:)

rosieben

midnightraven3 wrote: »

... can someone cleverer than me find the thread for schrodie please?:D ..."

not sure about the more clever bit but Artisan Bread in 5 minutes

Schrodie what does your £60 a week have to cover?

adelight

Good luck pixie1, you're definitely in the best place to learn
Making breakfast at home is easy, a bowl of porridge is cheap and quick, you can freeze a batch of scotch pancakes to toast when needed, scramble eggs in the microwave. And making lunches just takes getting into the habit of doing them the night before.