Ok...I admit defeat, I need help. Can I play too?

aliasojo

Woo hoo......got some Stardrops stuff and some washing soda today. Someone must be looking out to help me as it's the first time I've seen the Stardrops bottle.....and I have looked before.

First load with the washing soda is on now. No idea if I used the right amount or not...the instructions were a bit ambiguous. Decided to follow RacyRed's 'adventures in life' thing. :rotfl:

Trow.....if you spend <£60 as a rule.........there's no way I'm listing what we spent last month. I would be singing from the rooftops if we spent that much. Lol.

Off to have dinner now......just thought I'd let you all know I'm on the path.

MaryMadz

Hi there, I've really been enjoying reading this forum but wonder could someone tell me what are soapnuts and stardrops?

MushyPeas

Hi aliasojo

rom reading your mortgage-pig thread I know you are someone who is up for a challenge, so why not join the monthly grocery challenge? I find it really useful to set myself a budget each month and I'm sticking to it at the moment!

Good luck with the stardrops MP

Rebob

MaryMadz wrote:

Hi there, I've really been enjoying reading this forum but wonder could someone tell me what are soapnuts and stardrops?

Hi

Soapnuts are nutshells that you use in the washer instead of powder to wash your clothes (yet to use my sample). Do a search for these as there are free samples to be had, mine cost me a s.a.e.

Stardrops is a cleaning liquid that can be used for alsorts. It comes in a clear bottle from the supermarkets or wilkos.

HTH

jessicamb

Judi wrote:

Nahh Jo, scrap what i said before, i now use Tesco foam bath and decant it into shower gel bottle. You get loads of foam bath for your money and it lasts twice as long. I am presently using Tesco magnolia foam bath in the shower gel my daughter uses...... she hasnt noticed at all!

Hi

I used to work in a factory that makes this stuff and the formulations are almost exactly the same (as are most of the branded stuff by the way). I'm not hot on what the ingrediants do because I was costing the products rather than developing them but shower gel has almost exactly the same ingrediants as bath foam but with more water in it (handwash is similar too).

garret1

Hi Aliasojo:wave:

I started a thread last week along similar lines to yours and have had loads of tips. i have made a good start on my shopping budget and some of the easiest things to do have been....
Buying stardrops...tracked some down yesterday:j
Cutting my dishwasher tabs in half (no difference to performance);)
Reducing how much washing powder I was shoving in the washing machine.
Not buying cheaper meat but less and padding it out with pulses...made mince and tatties tonight with half mince/half lentils and family said it was best they ever tasted. :T
Have put cheap bubble bath in handwash dispensers.;)
Oh and signed up for lots of freebies to cheer myself up:D

Good luck

Bxx

jo_b_2

Great thread, Aliasojo. It makes me feel better than I'm not the only regular around that isn't always that great at the moneysaving basics.

I've done the Grocery Challenge before and that was quite successful, but I do find that grocery shopping is one area that creeps out of control quite easily.

My problem is also mainly my OH. He's a really fussy eater. I'm veggie and he dislikes most vegetables. :rolleyes: My son eats really well though! It does mean that we end up eating different meals a lot of the time, which isn't particularly economical.

The grocery budget has gone out of the window this past month. I haven't been very well and haven't done a proper big shop for ages. The OH ends up nipping out to the supermarket most night, but he will only shop for one meal at a time and ends up buying loads of unnecessary extras as well because he is hungry. :rolleyes: Not really moaning about him, bless - at least he does his bit without complaining.

Anyway, just wanted to say that you are not alone in you Undomestic Goddess status.

gallygirl

Just wanted to stick my 4p worth (i.e. by 2p, get 2p free!) in.

I have started to use planning (am on my own most of the week so admittedly is easier). Instead of getting home & raiding the freezer I now find I'm actually looking forward to going home (90 mins plus drive so splenty anticipation and tummy rumbling!), and cooking something. Am amazed to (re)discover how quick cooking can be! Am eating far better for far less.

One tip I've started using if I'm going to Tesco's - I go on line 1st and check out what deals are on offer - don't know if I've just been lucky so far but they always have these in store also - I take this into account when planning for the week but still shop in store.

I also agree with all the other suggestions - get the family to nominate 1 night's meals etc.

Totally agree with chicken carcass - I usually bung in slow cooker on Sunday night with carrot onion & herbs, then will stick in fridge/freezer till working from home then make soup, also in slow cooker. I add different things every time, depending on what's hanging about - sure you ahve loads of thsi with a large family - this time had cabbage, so added that plus beans and spag (broken up) to make minestrone. Yummy. Added some chilli sauce to last flaskful this morning ..... (note to self, good idea but use less next time).

Finally - if in doubt bung it in the slow cooker - always smells so good the family will look forward to eating it. If in doubt tell them it's chicken/beef etc casserole - used to do that with my kids, 1st time they were reluctantly dragged along to an Indian they were amazed to find curry tasted just like beef stew....:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

MrsTinks

Well as someone who has brought 2 people from eating mainly take aways, microwave meals and anything easy (and often not healthy) to eating organic veg, low fat meat (chicken, mince you name it) and quorn and a LOT of fresh fruit then good luck doing it with 5 of you
I would say that we don't have the cheapest shopping list around but a lot of my impulse buying has stopped and the benefit to us both is tremendous!
For your OH then find out what fruit it is he eating and bulk buying as this will save you money. My personal view on fruit is if we run out I buy more. It's healthy and good for you and I'd rather we snack on fruit than crisps and cake

Slow cooker slow cooker slow cooker Really anything goes!!! Sausages, tough meat, chicken, left overs, veg, pulses, ANYTHING Always make stock from the bones (be it lamb, chicken, beef) and if need be freeze it. If you have dogs then it's a cool (and virtually free) treat in the hot summer months if you freeze some stock as ice cubes. My dog loves them! (I would say give them the treat out doors though... bit messy )
If you have too much stock hanging about then use some of the oldest to cook your spuds, rice etc in makes them extra yummy and hardly an effort

Let's face it... OS is becoming the latest fashion and I think we should take advantage of it when selling the ideas to our families and partners

henhog

jessicamb wrote:

Hi

I used to work in a factory that makes this stuff and the formulations are almost exactly the same (as are most of the branded stuff by the way). I'm not hot on what the ingrediants do because I was costing the products rather than developing them but shower gel has almost exactly the same ingrediants as bath foam but with more water in it (handwash is similar too).

The other day I noticed that Tesco's value baby bath and value baby shampoo have near enough identical ingredients!! :

I have stopped using my credit card to pay for my Tesco shopping, petrol etc to collect more points as I too found it too easy to buy too much that way. (I paid it off in full at the end of the month too). I suppose the best way is to bring cash to the shops and then you can only spend what you have. I haven't been brave enough to try this as I would hate not to have enough to pay for my shopping, (and what if there was the most amazing bargain that I just had to get?:D LOL) But seriously, I think if I had to pay for everything in cash it would really make me think twice about what I spend.