Quite pleased with myself

sugaJen

Hi every1,

Here we have me a stay at home mum, 2 kids in full time school (have school dinners Im on income support so its paid for, thankfully) and 1 in half day nursery.

Decided to go old style today, been to-ing and fro-ing from the comp all day looking up recipes an taking note of what I have in cupboards/fridge and Ive done my meal planning and a rough shopping list and priced it up on asda.com, Ive planned breakfast, lunch and tea with pudding its comes to £33.24 Im quite shocked at that although this is the bare essentials for the meals no snacks of any kind, including fresh fruit, which I intend on getting from the open market, but on the other hand some of the stuff can be bought in home bargains, like the jellies, and other things like my frozen yorkshire puds (Im a yorkshire lass but cant cook 'em to save my life) I can get in farmfoods for probly half the price.

When I devised my list I decided not to take the food I have already into account so that I have something to fall back on if my attempts at cooking from scratch go drastically wrong!!!

Oh and it doesnt include cleaning products and toiletries which I mainly get from Home Bargains anyway so I dont pay the rrp.

Sorry for rambling but I cant believe planning would save me so much money, fair enough its time consuming but who cares when it saves money, Its perfect I have loads of time and not enough dosh.

Jen

ziggy2004

Well done!!!!!:T :T :T :T

I am so happy that I have found this board hope it is as good for you as it is for me:rolleyes:

X Anne

moggins

Hello Sugajen, welcome to OS

Trow

sugaJen - I find that once you get into it, menu planning ultimately saves time - you don't have that 'what will we have for tea - oh no, I don't have any tinned tomatos, think of something else type moments.

Well done on your brilliant start.

BTW - its worth persevering with yorkshire puddings as they are SO cheap to make. Instead of small ones, have you tried making one big one? It's easier as the oil doesn't lose it's heat while you fill all the small tins. (You do heat up the oil first I take it...?)

sugaJen

Thanx for all ur replies,

Trow, yes I heat the oil first, was thinking after reading your post, I have a new cooker since I last failed making yorkies, my new 1 has a glass door so I wont have to open it to see how they are doing, thats probly why they have always "died", <----cant think of another word to describe them!!!

tootles_2

I have a problem with yorkies too, I use batter mix from Tesco at 11p a packet for two of us I use half the packet, i egg and just under half the liquid. Its the only thing like that I do buy everything else I cook from scratch.

oops_a_daisy

well done sugarjen - and I must admit I cheat too I buy a batter packet mix from Asda basically because I am lazy and also we drink goats milk and they dont turn out quite the same

sugaJen

I think im gonna have to have another go, Ill buy the frozen ones but try to do them myself 1st, then if they go wrong I can shove the reserves in so we dont go without (even tho my son is a human waste disposal, he'll eat anything, Im yet to find something he wont!!!)

Jen

[Deleted User]

Welcome sugaJen, you have made a great decision by coming to this site.You will find no end of folk who will help. If you get stuck just ask, people here are really helpful, and there is no such thing as a daft question.
When I married over 40 odd years ago I exploded boiled eggs:eek: we all have to learn though and it just means one little step at a time.You are lucky in having a son who will scoff anything, it helps with the errm...disasters that we all have at some time or another
Well done you on having a go though, and keep trying.:rotfl:

Chipps

Hi sugaJen & welcome to OS!

Well done with the meal planning. It does take a bit of time to do, but when taken over a month or whatever, probably less than the time wasted in wondering what to eat. Also, using the money you have to its maximum potential is just as much of a job as going out & earning money.
As JackieO says, one step at a time is a good idea. And do ask questions on here - someone is bound to have a suggestion.. or two... or three..!! Remember that anyone who does have the answer probably only found it out by making a number of mistakes & messes on the way, so don't get discouraged when (not if!) you make some too!!!

Have fun experimenting!!!

moggins

LOL JackieO I've done that with the boiled eggs at least 3 times I put them on, log on to MSE and then forget all about them. I've taken to putting the kitchen timer right next to the computer