Memorygirls - Make Do and Mend

Firewalker

Michelle,

I might be wrong but I seem to recall that there is no VAT on food apart from cooked food (eating out and take aways). Also the increase will affect small items very slightly so the thing worth doing is to buy only really big items you intended to buy sometime next year - these will have to be bought before January.

I am much more concerned about the 25% cut across departments - this means education (primary and secondary) which usually has long term negative consequences - personal and societal.

Firewalker

Memory_Girl

scrooge2008 wrote: »

You'll be fine, you've got a big cheque coming .

That's right!!! Any day now - LOL

cha97michelle

Firewalker wrote: »

Michelle,

I might be wrong but I seem to recall that there is no VAT on food apart from cooked food (eating out and take aways). Also the increase will affect small items very slightly so the thing worth doing is to buy only really big items you intended to buy sometime next year - these will have to be bought before January.

I am much more concerned about the 25% cut across departments - this means education (primary and secondary) which usually has long term negative consequences - personal and societal.

Firewalker

We shop at costco so not on all food but on some. Mainly non-necessity items. Although things like sanitary protection gets charged it. I think it might affect food prices though as will there not be more costs in getting it into the shop? MAybe i am reading it wrong? That is why i talk to DH before i go off on one. He usually reigns me in when i am wrong.

recovering_spendaholic

Brilliant news MG!!!!!! I am really thrilled for you. I wish I had half your drive!

Ihave well and truly fallen off the positive thinking wagon yesterday and today - TOTM I think. I have been reading the Secret though and today sent for some (quite expensive:o) natural progesterone cream which is supposed to work wonders for bad PMT and periods - I hope it helps!

I have three cake orders to fulfill tomorrow - not a lot of money but it will go into the sealed pot anyway and may lead to something more.

I look forward to hearing more about your new schools - it's a real pity that you didn't get the schools two years ago - I was the HR manger in a big office which closed down and we really struggled to get rid of all of our filing cabinets, desks, photocopier etc - I rang round loads of schools and no takers - in the end we had to pay someone to take the stuff!

SmlSave

I'm so happy for you re: the school (s)!

and yum to the strawberries

Buffythedebtslayer

OO Excellent News Memory Girl, very pleased for you and the kids xxxxx

Memory_Girl

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

!

Ihave well and truly fallen off the positive thinking wagon yesterday and today - TOTM I think. I have been reading the Secret though and today sent for some (quite expensive:o) natural progesterone cream which is supposed to work wonders for bad PMT and periods - I hope it helps!

I have three cake orders to fulfill tomorrow - not a lot of money but it will go into the sealed pot anyway and may lead to something more.

I look forward to hearing more about your new schools - it's a real pity that you didn't get the schools two years ago - I was the HR manger in a big office which closed down and we really struggled to get rid of all of our filing cabinets, desks, photocopier etc - I rang round loads of schools and no takers - in the end we had to pay someone to take the stuff!

Do you not think its much easier to be postive when your hormones are playing along????????? No way I could be this go-getting just after the babies for instance. Anyway - getthat in balance and we expect to see you on telly as the next "Queen of Cakes":T

AS for gifting bits fo the school - you have no idea how great people have been. I find the secret is to be really certain of what it is you really need - and somehow it always appears. The entire school is "Second-hand" in so many ways:rotfl:

Memorygirl

Memory_Girl

I'm rotating between doing two Mind Maps that need to be in the post this afternoon and

........ filling up my Brand New to me chest freezer with "ready Meals" made from what i have in my Cupboard. So a getting organised, Store Cupboard challenge.:p

So far the requests are

Potato gratin
Potato gnocchi
Bubble n Squeak cakes
Frozen Roasties
Tattie Scones
Stovies
Veggie bake
Tattie Soup

........... and can you tell I've got a sack of spuds needing using up

After that various flavours of ravioli (depends what in the fridge) - perhaps a mince round or three and some veggie cheese bakes (a la Gregg’s) after, well maybe some soup bases from any veggies left in the bottom of the fridge.

After that I have a whole repertoire of curries that are dead cheap – but somehow I never feel inspired to cook curries when the weather is hot – which is barmy really when you consider where they originate from.:cool:

I need to check whether things like polenta freeze - because I love a couple of griddled slices with a green salad for lunch.

And of course some “nice bread” – the stuff with bits in it that the kids are not so keen on.

I’ve also got some Chinese dumpling wrappers in the mini-freezer. At some point I will investigate what to do with them and get cracking.

Its 26 weeks till Christmas so I'm aiming for 6-12 portions of everything to trim our food bills to the bone – especially as the green stuff is beginning to peek through in the garden and will soon be ready for nibbling on:j

How low can she go?????????????

Memorygirl

dfw844

Hi Memorygirl,

I used to read your 71p and three nappies, and since you went quiet I often wondered how you and the boys were doing. I'm so pleased to find that you have started a new thread! I've spent the last couple of days catching up on all the goings on.

Many congratulations on finding a new home for the school! Your hard work and determination really paid off.

You've also been inspiring me. It was my day off yesterday and instead of lying in until 10:30 (terrible I know, but I think of it as a little treat and I do love both my bed and the peace and quiet!), I got up at 8:30!!! Yes, 8:30. (I'm normally up at 7 for work, it's only on my day off I think this is early). I arose to the smell of fresh baked bread, as thanks to you I had dusted off the breadmaker and put it on the night before. I then proceeded to do two loads of washing (I only ever usually do one per day, pretending that's all I can fit on the washing line), but seeing you do 4 the other day made me realise what a silly spoilt brat I am! I made a lovely spinach and ricotta lasagne for tea, and now I have tested out the recipe and like it I will certainly batch cook some for the freezer. I also put some music on and used your 15 minute rule to get the house look super tidy. And when I ran out of milk I cycled to the shop instead of taking the car (I don't know what that's got to do with you, I was just in a very positive mood!).

So I guess what I am saying is, you are an inspiration, and, you make me feel so lazy!

Keep up the good work.

Oh, and have you thought about Christmas cards to sell at your parties? I enjoy freestyle embroidery and ribbon embroidery, and you can make some wonderful cards. Or cross stitch if you like that. I'm thinking of special family cards rather than selling 50 for people to send to everyone, if you know what I mean.

xx

Memory_Girl

:eek::eek:OMG DFW884!!! You have had such a productive day yesterday. There must have been something in the air because I packed 28 boxes of Montessori Materials yesterday too - boy did I sleep last night.

The Mind Maps are done and in the post. I wonder why I always leave these until the last minute to do?????? I always seems to be chasing a deadline - but I think I secretly enjoy the adreneline buzz.

My freezer now has 9 portions of potato gratin - and a huge ashet of mashed potatoes are cooling ready to be made into gnocchi and frozen (will also be tonights tea).

If I can gather up the energy I will peel some more potatoes and make some veggie bakes later - but I feel the garden calling me - which is a shame because what I intend doing is heading off to the school after lunch to do some more packing.

I will get this school into boxes if it kills me (and it might)

Memorygirl