It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

mardatha

I don't think he's a lady, I think he's a he !

mummysaver

Afternoon all!

Have been away from MSE for ages as no pooter!

Was looking at my emptying cupboards the other day, as have been using up odd bits and bobs and running it all down recently, now need to consider what I need to stock up on and start hunting out the good deals again, as a start I popped into Asda for some basics this morning and got value passata in cartons at 25p, which is a real bargain I think, and sugar was also cheap in there too today. Need to get organised and get stockpiling tinned and dried stuff again, and restock flour too. The understairs cupboard is due for a mass empty and declutter, so will have plenty of storage space, also need to do some restocking of the meat freezer and ready meal freezer (HM ones, not shop bought!)

The thing I have noticed though is that a lot of the basics that shot up in price seem to be falling again, which is great news for those who cook. I really don't think we would have survived without cooking and shopping wisely though, which does beg the question why don't they teach it in schools!

Bill wise we seem to be on an even-ish keel at the mo, and have managed to afford our yearly exotic holiday - well camping in Cornwall anyway! Thankfully my kids enjoy barbequing and playing cards in the evening, and are quite happy with sarnies or pasta for lunch and messing about in the pool or on the beach, so it should be cheap as well as fun!

I am finding that a lot more people are admitting that they have very little money now, a while ago it did feel somewhat like being a member of a very exclusive club! Now if meeting friends for a night out everyone suggests meeting at one of our houses for a drink and perhaps some food first, rather than the pub and a restaurant, which means that everyone can afford to go as when out you can choose whether to have a glass of water, or just pay for the film and take your own nibbles or whatever, which sounds like a small thing, but it is a change! Also more and more people have been asking for grocery shopping tips and about mealplanning, not that I'm an expert, but most people know it's an obsession of mine!

So whilst things are tough, it does seem that friends are changing their ways to take into account the economy, and thankfully we are all still managing!

Hippeechiq

Slinky wrote: »

If you do get a scooter of your own, could you make it a talking point - decorate it with go-faster stripes, show some of your own personality in the design, try and make it a positive thing rather than a negative thing, that it's giving you back some freedom, but showing that you're still young and with-it?

What a lovely post Slinky

gailey_2

I really need to get DH liking HM bread, he doesn't like it at all (isn't really a bread fan and just wants something to hold his sandwich illing so actually prefers it tasteless as supermarket owns is!) but I'm not sure I can continue to afford the stuff he eats, it just keeps going up and up it's the only thing he's fussy on though so perhaps I just let that one slide...

I have visons of everywhere you turn in your house hiding pasta.
We big pasta eaters so definatly need to stock up more.

My hubby hates my homemade bread too :ohe says its too heavy.
Hes plain white bread or farmhouse.
I like whomeal, brown and seeded batch my fave.
I buy bread mixes from lidls so works out 50p a loaf but need to do from scratch to bring costs down.

At all major supermarkets the value bread seems to be 49-55p a loaf.

iceland did have 2 for 1.50 a loaf on kingsmill.
Not sure if farmfoods got good deal.

The cheapest reductions on bread always seem to be on on fresh bakery at end of day.

My local co-op/somerfeild always seems to have best reduced prices on bread usually under 50p a loaf 50p for branded stuff.
We have huge chest freezer so always chucke few loafs and reduced rolls in there. Tescos can be good too.

always try evenings and sundays best.
Also smaller shops like tesco express sometimes have good redictions as not as muc footfall. In fact theres a couple of tesco extras near me attached to garage that always got tonnes of reductions as they dont seem to comprehend the quantity ordered or whats in demand in that type of shop.
Having worked in food retailers case sizes can seem mad for smaller shops hence why end up with great reductions at about 7pm.

Spent last 2hours with daughter walking round lanes foraging.
Got tonnes of greengage plums and I think damson plums plus blackberries.Got some odd looks very few foragers round here all the more for me:D.

Spotted few apple trees but apples seem too tiny to eat.
The one huge tree I couldent reach at all im so short.
Blackberries annoying to pick as biggest and best always at back end up with thorns and getting stung just takes ages to pick lots not as satisfying as the plums and the cherries but will soldier on as relying on blackberries for hm jams this xmas.

Mummy saver pasaata vale was 25p morrisions but nearly always out of stock but dont think its same weight as my 45lidls carton.
I need decutter so I can stockpile.

Maybe we should start up separte thead on shopping board about price comparion for basics like eggs, milk, flour, tinned tomatoes called the even tougher grocery challange.

Our freinds and family moan they broke they either exagerrating or not really cutting back whatsover.

Lindy loo-I buy/sell prams for profit. Once it goes over 100 its very pricey ebay fees roughly 10percent of selling price plus paypal on top and had few really weird ebayers.Just soo much hassle.

Cant belive half 7 and still light babes just woke up 4year old awake but hopefully tired after 2hour walk and hubbys over mil.
Might make hm pizza tonight as just fancy one.

wigglebeena

mardatha wrote: »

I don't think he's a lady, I think he's a he !

I don't know why I thought he was a she, had just been labouring under that impression... Still funny though!

The_Thrilla

mardatha wrote: »

I don't think he's a lady, I think he's a he !

Yes, I got that impression as well.

wigglebeena

The_Thrilla wrote: »

Yes, I got that impression as well.

Aah, I know you're a bloke now TT! No slight intended on yer machismo...

I love a bloke in a pinny.

mardatha

How d'you know he's wearin a pinny ??

lambanana

gailey wrote: »

I have visons of everywhere you turn in your house hiding pasta.
We big pasta eaters so definatly need to stock up more.

It's almost like that when they have the offer on at Mr M's! On top of every cupboard and some under the bed I do love pasta though...

DH finds HM bread too heavy also and it triggers his acid reflux issues, he likes those awful warburtons soft white sliced rolls best but they're £1.45 for 12 now :eek: I try to pick them up when on offer/reduced and freeze them. I suggested not having sandwiches for work but he didn't like that idea either...men :rotfl:

ginnyknit

mardatha wrote: »

How d'you know he's wearin a pinny ??

He is an ardent MSE'er of course he wears a pinny, we don't ruin our clothes do we:rotfl:

On the foraging topic, I take my Dh's pickup thingy - you know saves you bending down to get things you have dropped then you can get the fruit that others can't reach without being covered in scratches!

I found Dh loves the foccaccia made in the BM - mainly cos Im new to this bread maker business and havent made much else thats really good yet - and it slices well and keeps longer. He says if I stop buying bread he will be happy if I make that instead - am shocked. This is the man thought the 5 a day was pudding chips peas and gravy with a pint of coffee when he was a builder