I have literally no money!

BigMummaF

brokeinwales wrote: »

....
The whole food waste thing is a real bugbear of mine at the moment. My sister worked at one of the posher supermarkets a few years back and when they were throwing out some of the perfectly-good-but-past-it's-sell-by-date food, would often offer to take it home to feed her family, even if she had to pay for it - but it was always a straight no. Really annoys me that I go to so much effort to use every scrap of my leftovers (as I'm sure you all do too) and then shops and restaurants are throwing out hundreds of pounds worth of perfectly edible food every day.

There's all sorts of reasons why foodstuff is thrown out, but the major one is..if a trading standards officer happened to be at the till at the same time you went through with out of date stuff, the store WILL be sued big time!Another one of those rules that means well but has been abused so spoiled for the rest of us :mad:

brokeinwales

Tixy wrote: »

Hi biw, first time I've popped back on to your thread is ages glad to hear how much more positive you sound and how things are looking up.

I know what you mean about food waste - but I think it varies for different supermarkets, even from branch to branch. A Morrisons near my Mom has fantastic deals in the last hour of the day, I think they must have a manager who thinks like us about food waste. So they try to clear absolutely everthing on the last day in date. They sell all sorts of stuff for 9p, huge bags of rolls, cheese, meat, etc.
Better still they sometimes do £1 bags, where you can fill up one of their carrier bags with all the stuff going out of date (which is put on a couple of stands), my mom has had a bag crammed full of stiltons, blue cheeses, bread, cakes, fruit etc all of which got eaten, and a lot was suitable for freezing. Of course its always the luck of turning up to the shop at the right time but the shop staff seem desperate to help you take as much as you can, better than going to landfill. We should have more of that type of attitude in shops.

I gotta agree on Morrisons. I went there yesterday (I find late on Sunday afternoon is a good time for a lot of supermarkets if you're looking for deals) and got my dinner (stuffed peppers and feta cheese) for 19p! 19p! Awesome....

They also had big bags of potatoes going cheap. For all I see the value of planning ahead and making a list, I'm finding it actually pays to be a bit flexible when I go shopping - I've started to visit the bargain bin areas of the shops first, and then base the rest of my shop around the meals I can make with the knocked down ingredients. (It's sad, but I get really excited when tomatoes are reduced cos I know so many tomato based recipes...).

I agree, it'd be great to see a better attitude towards waste from the people in the shops (I think in general the general assistants, and the individual shop managers are often fairly positive on the whole thing (probably because they like a bit of cheap food themselves!) , it's the guys higher up the chain that are laying down rules that lead to food being thrown out.)

I sometimes wonder about the waste from clothes shops and the like as well, some of the high street shops turn around their stock so quickly, I wonder what happens to the stuff they can't get rid of in the sale. I'd like to think it goes to charity shops, but I'm not sure...

It's definetly something I've been thinking a lot about recently. Maybe because I've experienced having relatively little (for a Western society I mean), when it's plainly obvious there is more than enough to go round for everyone - it's just a matter of whether you can afford / are prepared to pay for it. It just makes you think.

Button21

To BIW and all who have subscribed to this thread....

you trully are inspirational people who have restored my faith in human nature! This thread is heartwarming, inspirational, humbling, happy and sad all rolled into one!.....in fact BIW, have you ever considered writing a book about your experiences?? I for one was hooked and had to read your diary from start to finish!

Thank you all.

Button x

BigMummaF

So what's happening with the LL--have you heard any more?

C.W

I have spent a significant amount of time reading this thread (when I should really have done other things) but I couldn't resist... It really resonates. I have nothing and am currently getting to the next payday by handouts from my mum. Fortunately I do have food in but it frustrates me that I can never get a handle on my finances. I think I have it sorted, or I've made changes to improve things, but then something goes screwy.

I work full time on minimum wage plus I am an Ann Summers ambassador (party rep) to bring in some extra cash. This should all work out OK then, but parties inevitably cancel last minute so the much needed injection of cash is no longer there. I have nothing to sell, or nothing anyone wants to buy, and bills going out that suck up most of what I earn (I'm on an IVA, plus paying back money to my mum that I had no choice to borrow when I was out of work for months due to an injury).

Reading this thread was a good reminder of what's important. I keep thinking when it's payday I can order things like organic veg boxes but, in reality, I can't afford organic even if standard food is pretty shocking. But at least there are plenty of big bags of grains, protein-rich foods like quinoa and beans that will just have to be the staple of my diet.

It's a shame this thread abruptly ended... it's like reading a book with the final chapter torn out! I'd like an update!

I hope everyone from this thread is doing well and that the changes I'm now trying to make have already been implemented by you guys and are doing much better

Verbatim

Hi CW
Why don't you start your own thread? Or prhaps a diary. I'm sure you'd get a lot of support here.
V

C.W

Verbatim wrote: »

Hi CW
Why don't you start your own thread? Or prhaps a diary. I'm sure you'd get a lot of support here.
V

I don't really feel my 'story' is that interesting to warrant a thread of its own. Generally just one of those slow-to-change and get a grip of my life, kind of things. It certainly does look like a very supportive community though

debtfree2014

C.W wrote: »

I don't really feel my 'story' is that interesting to warrant a thread of its own. Generally just one of those slow-to-change and get a grip of my life, kind of things. It certainly does look like a very supportive community though

Do it for yourself, your goals, achievements, your blips and anything else. Mine is quite boring but helps to get things down and focus. People have been so kind to read mine and comment and share tips.

X

C.W

debtfree2014 wrote: »

Do it for yourself, your goals, achievements, your blips and anything else. Mine is quite boring but helps to get things down and focus. People have been so kind to read mine and comment and share tips.

X

I take it it's another way of remaining accountable? If you write it down publicly (but anonymously) you're more likely to follow 'the plan'?

Candzjay

I could use some help guys- and after reading this thread it's restoring my faith in humanity! I've been out of work for the last 3 months, with no access to benefits yet - still waiting for an appointment mid October!! I have 57p in my account and virtually no food in the house. I've tried calling my bank (TSB) to ask about a temporary overdraft, but they've said no. I can't get to job interviews because that costs money for buses and tubes, and there's no food in the house. I'm so lost, I have no clue what to do