Saving on ingrediants?

leanne11

MinnieSpender,

Freezing meals seems like a really good idea. I guess you can freeze anything?!

I fly all over to be honest, USA, Carrabian, Africa, Hong Kong, Dubai, Sydney....ummm...other places but I cant think. I could have a look around some local markets if they are not too far from the hotels!

I always buy and toiletries and bits like that from America. SO much cheaper!! I never buy anything over here from Boots etc.


Leanne xx

MinnieSpender wrote:

Leanne - your job obviously makes it difficult to plan meals but if you have a freezer, you could make your own "ready meals" in advance. Next time you cook, double up on the quantities and freeze what's left. Just make sure that your bf doesn't eat the lot while you're away! :rotfl:

Where do you fly to? Are there local markets that you could visit to stock up on herbs and spices to add a little interest to your cooking? Could be cheaper too! And olive oil is cheaper in Italy if you ever fly there!

Your local herbs shop would be worth a look for cheaper teas too although it doesn't always follow that they are cheaper. It might be worth a browse around next time you're near a big city with a China town though.

Definitely check out your local farm shops too - you will at least be guaranteed fresh produce that way!

MinnieSpender

leanne11 wrote:

MinnieSpender,

Freezing meals seems like a really good idea. I guess you can freeze anything?!

I fly all over to be honest, USA, Carrabian, Africa, Hong Kong, Dubai, Sydney....ummm...other places but I cant think. I could have a look around some local markets if they are not too far from the hotels!

I always buy and toiletries and bits like that from America. SO much cheaper!! I never buy anything over here from Boots etc.


Leanne xx

Wow! Lucky you! I don't blame you for getting your girlie bits from the States - the prices are jaw-dropping compared to here! And how wonderful to have the whole world at your feet! You could start a Crew Club for Cheap Shopping among your colleagues!

As for freezing - I go by the maxim, if I can cook it, I can freeze it. There's nothing quite like the smug feeling you get on a hectic day as you walk past Sainsbury's thinking "ha! I've got fab food at home waiting for me!"

One thing I would suggest (if you haven't already got one) is to splash out on a slow cooker (you can get a basic one for around a tenner). Again, there are some wonderful links on the Old Style board for things to cook in them.

leanne11

Yes, seeing the world this way is the cheapest way to do it. I certaintly would not have seen not even HALF of the places I have visited as crew, if I didnt do this job. Its not all fun though. Stupid hours, lack of sleep, no mealtime routine, grupmy or rude passengers (sometimes!), and quite often, I just dont want to go away, and would rather stay at home in good old East Sussex. Oh Well. Not going to do this job forever. Going for a training position in 6 months, monday - Friday 9-5. and about £10,000 more a year in salary! So that will really help my debts out. I may even be able to come off my DMP with CCCS and take control of my finances again. (scary thought!).

All the crew are exactly the same. We buy all that we can in the states. Some crew come back with all sorts of household goods you would not believe! Crew with young children comes back each trip with a suitcase full of nappies!! So we all like a bargin there!

I'am interested in getting a slow cooker. I was having a look at the Old Style board last night, Some great ideas there. When I get back from Barbados on Saturday, I'am going out to get some cheap containers that I can freeze meals in!


xx

MinnieSpender wrote:

Wow! Lucky you! I don't blame you for getting your girlie bits from the States - the prices are jaw-dropping compared to here! And how wonderful to have the whole world at your feet! You could start a Crew Club for Cheap Shopping among your colleagues!

As for freezing - I go by the maxim, if I can cook it, I can freeze it. There's nothing quite like the smug feeling you get on a hectic day as you walk past Sainsbury's thinking "ha! I've got fab food at home waiting for me!"

One thing I would suggest (if you haven't already got one) is to splash out on a slow cooker (you can get a basic one for around a tenner). Again, there are some wonderful links on the Old Style board for things to cook in them.

brokenwings

leanne
i am a purser with BA ( long haul )
i meal plan - cook in batches and use every inch of freezer space i can find
i also live half in the uk and half in the usa so have to plan for two homes.
since i started meal planning and batch cooking ( even baking my own bread) my grocery and cleaning goods bill has shrunk to a quarter of what it used to be
if i can do it - anyone can
good luck

MinnieSpender

That's great news about the new job. A few of my friends have spent time as crew and they've all left now. There seems to be a time limit on how long you can go on, but what an experience to cherish!

I got all my containers from pound shops - this is a really good way of stocking up and they don't have to be state of the art. It's quite possible to get a pack of four for a quid - that's your chilli sorted out then! You can find some really good bargains generally too, for example, packs of 12 washing up sponges for a pound, etc. I once bagged a huge jar of coffee for a quid because the label was Spanish - didn't affect the taste at all!

You'll find that money saving on meals becomes addictive. It's almost like a game eventually where you're constantly trying to undercut yourself. Have fun!

Batgirl

I love magazines too so joined quidco and signed up for loads of 3 for £1 offers, I also signed up for ideal home mag which i wouldn't normally read but i got £4.80 for it through quidco and this paid for the other magazines i subscribed to.

Godd luck

leanne11

Wow, half USA and UK? Thats a challenge. I have come accross a few crew at virgin who like half and half usa and uk.

I'am seriously going to start freezing stuff. We also have a bread maker but have gotten out of the habbit of using it. cost £100 so is stupid not to ise it really. Will get that out again.

Thanks!

brokenwings wrote:

leanne
i am a purser with BA ( long haul )
i meal plan - cook in batches and use every inch of freezer space i can find
i also live half in the uk and half in the usa so have to plan for two homes.
since i started meal planning and batch cooking ( even baking my own bread) my grocery and cleaning goods bill has shrunk to a quarter of what it used to be
if i can do it - anyone can
good luck

leanne11

I think the age limit for crew has increased. We have some ladies and gents in their 40's and 50's joining as crew. So,e have come across from other airlines, some are living a dream now their kids are grown up and doing it for the first time!

We dont have a pound shopwhere I live, but there is one nearby I think. We have a Trading4U which is quite cheap. I may try that!

MinnieSpender wrote:

That's great news about the new job. A few of my friends have spent time as crew and they've all left now. There seems to be a time limit on how long you can go on, but what an experience to cherish!

I got all my containers from pound shops - this is a really good way of stocking up and they don't have to be state of the art. It's quite possible to get a pack of four for a quid - that's your chilli sorted out then! You can find some really good bargains generally too, for example, packs of 12 washing up sponges for a pound, etc. I once bagged a huge jar of coffee for a quid because the label was Spanish - didn't affect the taste at all!

You'll find that money saving on meals becomes addictive. It's almost like a game eventually where you're constantly trying to undercut yourself. Have fun!

leanne11

I think the age limit for crew has increased. We have some ladies and gents in their 40's and 50's joining as crew. Some have come across from other airlines, some are living a dream now their kids are grown up and doing it for the first time!

We dont have a pound shopwhere I live, but there is one nearby I think. We have a Trading4U which is quite cheap. I may try that and get freezing!

MinnieSpender wrote:

That's great news about the new job. A few of my friends have spent time as crew and they've all left now. There seems to be a time limit on how long you can go on, but what an experience to cherish!

I got all my containers from pound shops - this is a really good way of stocking up and they don't have to be state of the art. It's quite possible to get a pack of four for a quid - that's your chilli sorted out then! You can find some really good bargains generally too, for example, packs of 12 washing up sponges for a pound, etc. I once bagged a huge jar of coffee for a quid because the label was Spanish - didn't affect the taste at all!

You'll find that money saving on meals becomes addictive. It's almost like a game eventually where you're constantly trying to undercut yourself. Have fun!

leanne11

Thanks, I will look into that! I'am terrible. I go into tescos and the first thing I come across is the magazines section!

Batgirl wrote:

I love magazines too so joined quidco and signed up for loads of 3 for £1 offers, I also signed up for ideal home mag which i wouldn't normally read but i got £4.80 for it through quidco and this paid for the other magazines i subscribed to.

Godd luck