New and in need of help.

EllieA_3

Thanks they are great idea's!! thanks ... now to work out how to make bubble and squeak?!

We've already done the entitledto route, but because my wages are still good we didn't fall down to the next bracket, my husband was the lowest earner so i suppose we are lucky it was him and not me, but you know how it is, you live to your means and when your means drops it can be an adjustment.We arn't low income but we are just stretched beyond our means at the moment.

We dug our own hole abit because we just ignored it, i've spent the day canceling the extras sky TV etc till we great straight. We arn't into losing our house territory or anything but if i didn't get things sorted now we where going spiral.

moemum

Hi I am sorry you are having such problems:( hopefully your luck will change soon:) For things like bread/flour/sugar etc especially for baking to use up little bits and pieces, is there a lidel or aldi near to you? I find they are very cheap compared to mr t etc. There are loads of threads on here with very kind helpful people who offer support, practical, a friendly ear, and even a hug or two when needed! The recipe threads have really shown me what can be got out of very little:)
Sorry to run on like this..
take care
moemum

sulkisu

Hi Ellie

I would also recommend posting on the 'debt free wannabe' forum. If you complete your SOA (statement of affairs - it is basically a list of your income and expenditure) online and post it up on DFW, you will get lots of good advice on how/where you can cut costs and save money.

jexygirl

Hey Ellie,
Chin up hun, you had your "lightbulb moment" thats a good start I think Whatever the outcome, the experience of this will live with you in so far as being a bit more aware of what you spend, everything for a reason right
You have lots of yummy things in and there is a miriad of great meals you can make I'm sure, tho I am a bit too drunk(for a change) to focus on your list, and even if I wasn't Im no guru, there are lots of people on here who will help more than I can, just wanted to offer a word of support, and maybe tomorrow when I can focus I will have a look! Initially I see lots of soup / broth stuff / carbonaras / fishcakes / pasta bakes / stuffed chicken breasts / rubber chicken can last 3 or 4 days and you have 3 whole ones / burgers turning into spaghetti meatballs with tomato sauce / puff pastry turning into quiche /tarts / wellingtons with various fillings / roasted veg as accompaniments, all teamed with fancy mash / couscous etc. You will probably eat better than when you didnt worry about food / money! Its all good
Hope it all works out for you guys
Hugs
Jex

EllieA_3

I have the gammon joint cooking as we speak, it's quite a big one so i'd like to make it strech any ideas using the ingredients above?

I''m thinking maybe using the stock and scraps for soup with some carrots,onions and soup mix, maybe a bean/bacon cassarole for today with bubble and squeak (not sure if they go together having never had/made bubble and squeek) but i think i could squeeze another meal out of it?

msb5262

Hi EllieA,
Sorry for your troubles. You sound as if you've got your head well screwed on, girl!

Another meal from the gammon...how about using less gammon in the soup (it will be fabulously meaty-flavoured anyway) and keeping a bit more for the next dish?

I'd mash some potatoes, then mix in the chopped up gammon and a chopped onion you've softened in oil, and perhaps an egg. Shape into rounds, flour lightly and fry until golden brown on both sides.

Or you could do pasta carbonara with chopped gammon instead of bacon bits.

Or a posh toastie with gammon scraps and cheese inside - serve with soup or a salad.

Or a tomato/onion/leek sauce for pasta, with gammon scraps stirred in?

Or make a cheese sauce from scratch, add gammon bits and serve over pasta or rice?

Or make a risotto or pilaff, with the gammon as the main protein?

Just a few thoughts. Best of luck with it all.

MsB

[Deleted User]

EllieA wrote: »

Thanks they are great idea's!! thanks ... now to work out how to make bubble and squeak?!

We've already done the entitledto route, but because my wages are still good we didn't fall down to the next bracket, my husband was the lowest earner so i suppose we are lucky it was him and not me, but you know how it is, you live to your means and when your means drops it can be an adjustment.We arn't low income but we are just stretched beyond our means at the moment.

We dug our own hole abit because we just ignored it, i've spent the day canceling the extras sky TV etc till we great straight. We arn't into losing our house territory or anything but if i didn't get things sorted now we where going spiral.

It seems to me you've already made a great start. You've faced up to the problem and also cancelled Sky TV:T:T The people on here are marvellous and you'll find that saving-money can become fun and rewarding in more ways than one.
Lots of luck on your 'journey':)

EllieA_3

Ok tea yesterday was managed, i had some leftover bolognaise from saturdays spag bol, i added my tin of beans an chill and turned it into a chill with rice.

I cooked the gammon join, made ham/pea soup with the stock (enough for 3 lunches at work). 1/2 has been used with the Harricot beans, Tin of toms and some veg used for a beanie/bacony cassarole thing (just beans for the veggy). I think i should have enough (with bubble and sweak) for 2 dinners.

But i have 1/2 a gammon joint left, any idea's? pref for something freezable as i think it's time for a none gammon based meal

CCP

How about a gammon and veg pie? That would freeze well and, served with potatoes and veg, should give you another meal and probably some leftovers for lunch if you make a big enough pie. You could do a smaller one without the gammon for your veggie if you all want to eat the same thing.

Alternatively, you could use it in a pasta bake, which might be nice, too.

HelenKA_2

Don't worry about keeping your gammon in the fridge for at least another couple of days. You only cooked it yesterday so it will keep until at least Wednesday or Thursday. Though I would have it hot that day. I do a chicken and ham pie using up left over chicken and ham with a white sauce flavoured with half a stock cube and carrots and peas. You could either make pastry for it or use up one of the packets of puff pastry you have.