6000 meals under 50p in 2010; feeding your family on a low budget

phizzimum

I think Mark has made this clear from the start that this is his personal challenge - it's not a competition. he is choosing to focus publicly on one aspect of his spending ie meals. he used to spend more, now he spends less - result!

that what this thread is about - encouraging mark, and to paraphrase him "some recipes, some banter", which we all enjoy.

maltesers_2

Perhaps it sounds silly but I don't think I've come across a 'personal' challenge thread on OS before. I thought all threads were to help others as well. Now I can understand why it doesn't matter about nutrition, too much cheese etc which got mentioned earlier because it doesn't affect anyone else. The challenge is simply and only about as many meals as possible at 50p and under for Mark and his family - Right?

I think the simplest way to do it would be to have a set menu weekly, fortnightly or monthly of the already tried and tested meals and, only change if and when you come across a bargain which will beat the budget.

VenusFlytrap_2

Maltesers - have your daughter and grandson checked their benefit entitlement recently? Obviously I don't know any details of her disability, but my mum is severely disabled with MS (wheelchair/bedbound and unable to work since the mid 90s) and until she went in a nursing home recently was entitled to almost £500 p/m JUST in Disability Living Allowance (DLA) plus Income Support of £140 p/w AND her rent and council tax were paid too - but she did have to contribute towards the cost of the carers who visited 4x daily.

She was NOT on the fiddle, she was just paid the highest rates of the benefits she was entitled to because of the severity of her illness and she had a decent social worker. Has your daughter contacted Social Services or the DWP (Dept. Work & Pensions) at all? I think you can also check benefit entitlement online, through the official DWP website.

I know it can seem like an ordeal, filling out forms and disclosing personal stuff, but it's worth checking to see if there is any extra help out there - there certainly should be for someone in your daughter's position, particularly if your grandson is still a young child.

Sorry if you think I'm being nosy and should mind my own business, but you seem a bit upset from your posts here. HTH

And apologies to Mark for going a bit OT on his thread - I'm still following avidly and think you're doing great!

phizzimum

maltesers wrote: »

Perhaps it sounds silly but I don't think I've come across a 'personal' challenge thread on OS before. I thought all threads were to help others as well. Now I can understand why it doesn't matter about nutrition, too much cheese etc which got mentioned earlier because it doesn't affect anyone else. The challenge is simply and only about as many meals as possible at 50p and under for Mark and his family - Right?

.

I do know what you mean..."diary" threads are quite common on other boards but OS does tend to be more general. I've noticed that quite often new threads are merged with existing ones - nothing wrong with that, I understand that the board guides are trying to keep things manageable. And I guess most questions have been asked by somebody before so they don't want repetitio. but it is nice to follow through on what one person is doing. having said that, I think the exchange of ideas does help us all - I've picked up a few new recipes from this thread.

just my two penneth!

phizzimum

Lesley_Gaye wrote: »

Hi Phizzimum, yes it is in Heathfield high street and the bashed box is a great source of bargains - maybe I'll see you in there!

now if the bargains disappear you'll be blaming me!

shaz_mum_of__2

I think i will just stick to lurking on here from now on but Mark i wish you and your family luck

Shaz

maltesers_2

VenusFlytrap wrote: »

Maltesers - have your daughter and grandson checked their benefit entitlement recently?



And apologies to Mark for going a bit OT on his thread - I'm still following avidly and think you're doing great!

Thankyou for for interest. She was in hospital most of last year consequently lost her job and in the meantime her son left school. Because of this all her benefits changed and she has to pay back quite a lot (both benefits and csa or whatever called to ex) and her income has reduced a lot. She is out now and dealing with it - starts a part time job monday but will still be £10 worse off than she was but she would rather work if she can. When she is well she copes well but when she is not we get no help from social worker or CPN due to patient confidentiality. however, we're used to it now.

Sorry to interrupt thread.

VenusFlytrap_2

Hey maltesers - have PMd you so as not to derail this thread anymore.

Hope the folk who've said they're just going to lurk from now on, don't keep to their word and DO carry on posting - this thread has been a bit of a rocky ride but it's also been very informative (especially on the 5-a-day subject!) and as others have noted, there's a nice exchange of recipes and banter going on. Mark and other posters have answered the queries some have had about the challenge and it rules very well, so let's all just be mates and carry on as before! I'm still waiting for someone to post another cake recipe as yummy as the carrot and apple one!

rubytuesday

Here's a very cheap and tasty receipe.
Pitta Bread Pizza
One or two pitta breads per person ( they are filling)
Cottage cheese
Grated Cheese :j Yah bring on the cheese!!
Sliced tomatoe

You can cook them in the oven or under the grill. If grilling lightly grill one side first.
Cover pitta bread with cottage cheese
then add sliced tomatoe cover with grated cheese cook.

NJW69

I do an alternative to the pitta bread pizza. Spread one side of the pitta with tomato puree, add chopped onion, mushroom, sweetcorn, ham and then top with grated cheese a sprinkle of herbs and grill.

You can add anything you want to use stuff up.

You can also do sweet ones with chocolate spread, chopped fruit, marshmallows etc etc.