Need some help.......how do I work out whats best?

LoopyLinz

Hi Guys

I need some help. We are on a very very tight budget food wise for the next two months. Basically I am off once again because of my stupid Arthritis and will not be getting paid.

I have made a list of everything we have in and have tried to meal plan as much as I can from it (I have to admit its not realy one of my strong points!) and I am trying to now make a shopping list and work out where will be cheaper for us to get certain things. We have Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Iceland. I am using mysupermarket to try to work out the difference in the prices between Tesco and Asda but Im really no sure how I do it as the quantities arent always the same. Am I best to look at the price per kg?

Thanks
Linz xox

wssla00

Price per kilo is ok, but i would go by the amount of people. So if for example there are two of you, chances are a large pack of chicken would cost you more than a small pack as you wont use all of it iyswim.
I'm off too at the mo- aren't auto immune diseases the bees knees- NOT!
I find online shopping better because it stops me adding things to my basket i don't need, and as i dont have a car the delivery charge is cheaper than getting a taxi there and back.
Iceland are pretty good for frozen stuff and lidl does a nice HUGE lasagne for a couple of quid. Easily does 6 portions.
Get well soon and take it easy

LoopyLinz

Hi wssla

Big thank you for your quick reply. Auto immune diseases are definately just great......I dont think!! But sure I guess you just have to learn to live with it. Have a moto that I will not be beaten, stubborn maybe but Im not letting Arthur (thats what we call it!) take over! Lol!

You know it hadnt even occured to me that half of the stuff I was adding to my shopping list was larger packs/portions than we would need! Thank you!! I think I will have to have another look. Im thinking Iceland is going to have to be my friend for the next few weeks! Am planning a little cookathon for Saturday, might take me forever to chop veg and half of it may flyl over the kitchen but Im thinking that if I have a few meals prepared at least we wont be tempted to just get a take away........which we simply cant afford to do.

Im thinking things like spaghetti bolognaise and lasagne can be batch cooked (right??) and frozen? Am pretty stumped as to what else I can do this way but Im sure I will think of something.

I am also going to buy and cook my first ever chicken :eek: am thinking we could get quite a few meals out of this........despite the fact Im not really sure how to cook a chicken.......or in fact what Im supposed to do with it afterwards :rotfl:

Linz xox

Pink.

Hi Linz,

Sorry to hear you aren't well at the moment. These threads have lots of ideas for batch cooking:

Cooking for the Freezer..

Batch cooking ideas please

This thread has advice on cooking a whole chicken:

how to roast a whole chicken?

And this thread will help you to save money by using the leftovers to make other meals:

Rubber Chicken

Pink

LoopyLinz

Pink-winged wrote: »

Hi Linz,

Sorry to hear you aren't well at the moment. These threads have lots of ideas for batch cooking:

Cooking for the Freezer..

Batch cooking ideas please

This thread has advice on cooking a whole chicken:

how to roast a whole chicken?

And this thread will help you to save money by using the leftovers to make other meals:

Rubber Chicken

Pink

Thank you so much Pink. Im a bit of a novice at the whole cooking thing (am kinda learning as I go along.........lets just say my mum was never destined for Master Chef!) and tend to stick to the same things that I know ho to make but I am definately going to read these threads.

Trying to look at the lack of money as a positive thing! Not only will we be eating healthier but will be good practice for the future hopefully

Linz xox

wssla00

LOL I am currently suffering the toils of steroids. Oh the joys lol.

A good recipe for mince can make a base for chilli, spaghetti bol, lasagne, cottage pie etc.

fry Chopped onions and Garlic in a pan and add some finely chopped celery and carrots. Add mince and brown and add a tin of chopped tomatoes (if it isnt wet enough, add some water, by filling up the tomato tin and add to the dish). Bubble until it is totally cooked. Leave to cool and freeze.

For lasagne you need a white sauce lasagne slices and cheese

White sauce:
3 TBS butter melted into a pan add 3 tbs plain flour make into a kind of browny glue and add milk to your desired consistency

then layer

For chilli, add chilli flavouring mix or chilli powder to your base

for cottage pie, add baked beans, and a couple of tsps of gravy powder and mash on top

Enjoy. Why not go into the library and order Jamie Olivers ministry of food which has loads of recipes, and they only charge you 50p to order a book and its yours for a couple of weeks. Will give you loads of ideas!

stef240377

Having arthritis myself i find that using the slow cooker for meals is alot easier than struggling to get down to the cooker, using the slow cooker means i can use cheaper cuts of meat, bulk up with veggies and know you are getting closer to some of the 'good' foods the promote for well being with arthritis. So that one may help keep the shopping bill down.

[Deleted User]

stef240377 wrote: »

Having arthritis myself i find that using the slow cooker for meals is alot easier than struggling to get down to the cooker, using the slow cooker means i can use cheaper cuts of meat, bulk up with veggies and know you are getting closer to some of the 'good' foods the promote for well being with arthritis. So that one may help keep the shopping bill down.

That's a good idea stef:T