Weekly food budget - No freezer

astonsmummy

Hi
I'm trying, again! to be more OS and i'm struggling, along with a new diet - following Weightwatchers as i have the books. I have a few questions

*How much shoulld my weekly food budget be? it's just me and DS who is 2, he has 4 packed lunches at nursery a week but doesnt eat sandwiches.

*I dont have a freezer so cant cook and freeze so only cook small meals, so i'm a bit stuck on things to cook that fit in with WW plan. and i'm unsure if i can buy meat that will last a few days befor it will be cooked - can this be done?

*We generally dont eat dinner at home on saturdays and sometimes sundays, so which day would be best to get the weekly shop?

TIA xx

angchris

hiya tia:D id say it would be best to go shopping on a mon as you are out sat/maybe sun meat normally has a couple of days use by date on them so you would be ok up till wednesdayish maybe cook a chicken midweek to do you meals till the end of the week you can always knock up a quick curry or something with the leftovers and jacket spuds n beans or whatever you like to fill it with on a friday. we always have 1 meat free day a week just to stretch the finances a little further maybe friday could be your "green" day or is that slimming world? best of luck im sure you will be fine

astonsmummy

Thanks, my name isn't tia, it means thanks in advance - bless! xx

nursemolly

i thought your name was TIA too!!!

taplady

I would find it hard to live without my freezer! Why dont you have one? is it lack of room? If its financial try freecycle where you may get one for free!:D

victory

not having a freezer would surely make you have to go and shop more often thus increasing your weekly budget?

Bargain_Rzl

I'd agree with the others - if it's lack of space I can understand it (I didn't have a freezer in my last house - luckily I was only there for 8 months!) but if it's financial, you should be able to pick one up from your local Freecycle for nothing, and I'd bet that the running costs (£20/yr?) would quickly be offset by the money you could save by (1) being able to buy stuff reduced to clear and freeze it, and (2) cook in large batches and freeze extra portions.

astonsmummy

Hi,
I dont have a freezer coz i cant afford one, none ever come up on freecycle or if they do they are snapped up, i might just go buy one with my wage next week but then t would leave me skint, it's well annoying as i always cook from scratch anyway and end up chucking things away.

Bargain_Rzl

Why not just place a wanted ad on Freecycle, rather than just waiting for one to be offered? Most Freecycle groups have a rule where you have to have offered at least one item before you place a want ad, but after that, why not try your luck?

Smiley_Mum

Is there a local HomeStart/NewStart place nearby. It is a charitable organisation which takes donations of household goods so they can make up starter packs for people who have been homeless and are now going into their own accommodation. Might be worth having a look.

Do you have a local Community newsletter, sometimes there is listings in them for charitable organisations where you may be able to get low cost fridge/freezer etc.

There might be something in this link that would help...

http://www.morethanfurniture.org.uk/links.php

anguk

You could have a look on Ebay to see if anyone near you has one up for sale.