Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 4

FrankieM

Afternoon,
I'm just back from town. Tried to go to the library to return books but its closed for some kind of refit. Did do my grocery shopping, though. Spent £132 in Tesco and £5 in the farm shop for a sack of spuds..I'm going to have to move some money around to cover the extra I've ended up spending. But, on a positive note that's all my Christmas food and hopefully enough meals to see me till the end of the month.
I'm not going to be able to do a big stock up before the new challenge starts but I'm sure it will work out.

In regards to food. I find eating less helps me drop weight. I just struggle to stick with it, though this year I'm hoping to focus on 3 meals and smaller portions and getting some exercise in too.

thriftylass

taka wrote: »

I absolutely hate people being rude and "sizeist". There is no need for that kind of disrespect at all. :mad:

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I agree, also because it affects people of the all sizes. If you're thought to be too thin (although my BMI is normal yet on the bottom of that scale) you're met by prejudice too, like you're not eating enough. My genes definitely affect my body shape but not my weight as that is pretty stable over long parts of my life (although I weighed 2.5 stone more then now years ago for about 5 years after highschool when I was a student).

tryingtodobetter

lyndasharp wrote: »

TTDB, if your Argos item is available at the central Swindon store I could collect and send it to you?

Thank you so much for the offer but unfortunately it is out stock at that store too.

NYK- Thanks for the heads up, luckily DH is knowledgable in that area as he studied Agricultural Management and keeps up to date with ll the new legislation as he loves the subject even though he no longer works in it.

Hope everyone has a good day

TTDB.x.

shaz_mum_of__2

I cannot wait for christmas i am so excited!!

My only spend to day was for 3 A2 sheets of glittery card £2.70 to make party hats for xmas dinner guests , will be making them next week with my DS and my 4yo nephew

Also off to a pantomime next week too which was a gift given some christmas cutters to make cookies with the kids too

Frankie we make wine but red is harder than white(never has the body of shop bought) and if you haven't got any equipment it may be cheaper to carry on buying it some of the tea wines are nice and i think there's a link somewhere i will look for it

Vixstar

Thrifty Be very glad the bank noticed the small amounts as apparently there is a scam where if the small amounts aren't noticed the thief takes a much bigger amount.

Am another who sees Xmas decs as heirlooms, althought the ones for my tree are sortof themed - sants, trees, snowmen, reindeer - I buy a new one or two each year or in any sales and hope I will have them forever.

grandma247

taka wrote: »

I think a lot of people these days have somewhat dissociated themselves from what is in food (and from food preparation too), and have no real idea of what exactly a proper portion of something is. They may be eating too much while believing they are eating a health balanced diet unfortunately.

P.S. I'm a scientist too!

I so agree about portion sizes. I got a shock when I found out a portion of potatoes,rice or pasta is what will fit in an icecream scoop :eek:. I was under the impression we should all eat more of these things for the fibre.

FrankieM

I made chicken pie and chips for tea. No leftovers, which is a good sign.
My soup and ciabatta last night wasn't as successful. It all tasted nice but there wasn't enough and my bread wasn't ready on time and then was a tad 'interesting'. Last time I did the soup I did it with cheese and onion pasty/pie things so I need to make sure I do something like that next time.
I've been scouring the boards looking for a cake or slice recipe but I seem to be lacking ingredients...bummer. I'm not sure what to put in the children's lunch boxes now.
DH has been talking about doing certain things to the house, I'm not sure what that means in regards to moving. I wonder sometimes if he forgets what we've talked about or if he just ignores what I've said if he doesn't like it. Some days I can see why some women just gather a load of cats!!

Blairweech

BigMumma - I don't think a size 12 is big at all To be honest, I would consider that a nice size.

Not much going on here, car is being fixed by darling OH tomorrow. Sausage and mash for tea (did offer my lift-to-work dinner, but he had to go, so all on my ownsome). Chucked a potato in the voen at the same time, so tomorrows lunch will be potato, beans, sausage and cheese nom nom

looby-loo_2

We buy a Christmas bauble for my DD2 every year, it is a tradition now, she would have been 19 this year. Even my eldest DS checks to see all her baubals are there when he comes home for Chrstmas.

Only three days school to go but had a letter today to say I have an authority department audit straight after Chrstmas (like OFSTED for a department) so that's the end of the Christmas holiday for me. Trouble is I was going to go in and catch up with lesson preparation on Monday and Tuesday and bring home the moderation to do at home but that will get pushed to the back of the pile. But I'm determined the children wont miss out so I'm staying late tomorrow and Thursday. I normally stay till 6 o'clock but school is open till 7.15 so that's a help. Sorry for rant.

18 months to go is my aim - then I'll go part time with no responsibility and I will have time to teach the children!

FrankieM

Morning,
I made some 'chocolate concrete' last night. The recipe is on weezl's thread and it seems to have been successful. Considering I'm not very good at baking, I'm quite impressed with myself.
DH picked a few reduced items from the co-op and also some alcohol. Thankfully he used his own money cause ours is now all gone!

I'm doing a veggie pasta bake for tea tonight. DH is going to Germany and taking DD2 with him. They are back on Saturday, so a few veggie days can be put in the menu! I think I'll also make some garlic bread with the leftover poppyseed loaf from breakfast.

Its raining here today and I'm tired so a 'stay at home' day for me, which means a no spend day. YAY!
Oh, I just remembered I gave DD3 £2 for the school Christmas dinner. Her last one as she goes up to High School next year. Apart from that...a no spend, more because now I really do have no money!

Hope you all have a good day and are enjoying the last days of this years challenge.