Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

freedom2011

apple_mint wrote: »

Would it be possible to use it like Marigold Boullion as a stock / flavouring to other recipes? I don't buy dried soup mixes so I'm not sure as to the consistency, but I presume it is similar to powdered boullion? Could it be used to cook rice in (for a home made savoury rice mix)?

That's a great idea, they would like that. Thanks so much.

freedom2011

itsallinthemind wrote: »

I'd probably have to use it myself too

Maybe make risotto with half stock half soup?
Make into a sauce for fish pie-not sure about this but it tastes nice on a plate with fish!

Have you tried adding anything to it, few herbs, potatoes etc? What is it that is not nice? Tastes synthetic or bland?

Thanks, they will like it in both risotto and with fish. I've got some stale bread & a bit of Parmesan left so I could sprinkle over top of both. Think it's the syntheticness (think ive just made that word up) as I usually make all my soups from scratch but I was tempted as it was a bargain. I knew someone on here would be able to give me some inspiration.

My only worry is how to keep up with this board once I'm back at work on weds as I am addicted!:rotfl:

Savvy_sewing

cw18 wrote: »

You can download OpenOffice for FREE from here, and that will run the 97-2003 version of the spreadsheet. I believe quite a few people on here run it that way, and I set a friends laptop up with the software from there and my spreadsheet yesterday, so have seen it working (Some first foray into the world of spreadsheets for him )

Off to download it now!:T

never_too_old

rainbowcattail wrote: »

Breadmakers - just looking at how much we spend on groceries and bread caught my eye, (to be fair its mainly me, im a bread monster) and wondered if a breadmaker is a good idea. Are they hard to use? Does anyone who has got one think its worth it?

ta
x

i took advice of someone on here and placed a wanted ad on freecycle as lots of people do have them lurking in there cupboards. i was lucky enough to get one yesterday in great condition with an instruction book(these can also be downloaded) ever so easy to use and so far no complaints,not sure how long it lasts or how it freezes.:D

itsallinthemind

freedom2011 wrote: »

Think it's the syntheticness (think ive just made that word up)

My only worry is how to keep up with this board once I'm back at work on weds as I am addicted!:rotfl:

Nothing wrong with a bit of neology :cool:

I think it will settle the next few days as the world returns to normal and everyone has said hello

Failing that-Block me, cut your reading time down by half :rotfl:

itsallinthemind

freedom2011 wrote: »

Thanks, they will like it in both risotto and with fish.

Actually I just thought, I would be more inclined to add the soup towards the end, considering how long risotto can take. Tinned/Packets of soup can get a nasty taste if cooked for too long or over heated?

(I hope you can still read this )

lily288

Evening everyone,

I've had a good frugal day today.
I made a chicken curry with reduced chicken that I got yesteday and will have enough chicken left for another two meals or three if I really stretch it out not sure what they will be yet proberly something with pasta and something with potatoes as have loads of both, any ideas?
Also I had another NSD.
So glad I have started to post as I have lurked such a longtime and just starting to post really helps focus the mind lets hope I can keep it up, really want to get out of my overdraft and pay my cc off once and for all

ceridwen

itsallinthemind wrote: »

As for the candle, I feel your pain, I did it a few weeks ago. So annoyed with myself. I got the last bits up by putting greaseproof paper down and running a warm iron over it, took a few goes.

Which has just reminded me of a task that I have been putting off and putting off - ie figuring out how to remove candlewax stains from the top of a pine chest of drawers.......:o

It never really occurred to me that the candles I had burning on top of this chest of drawers were spilling wax droppings onto the top of it - because I had a cloth laid down across the top and the wax was going straight through that....

Its far from being a cheap chest of drawers:whistle::silenced: - so I really must try to get the top of it sorted out at some point. I've made sure it cant happen again - by having a sheet of toughened glass cut to size specially and laid on top of it. But - errr...just HOW do I get out the wax marks that are there now and restore it to its "former glory"?

All suggestions welcome please...

Sorting_it_out

Hi all

Can I join in with this one please?

My circumstances are a bit unusual so am not able to do a SOA yet but would like to put £5000 as my target for the year.

I rented my house out a few months ago as my kids have left home and I needed to downsize due to a serious downturn in my self employed income. Unable to sell I resorted to renting it out and decided this was the perfect time to do some travelling on the cheap. The income from the house covers my mortgage and insurance etc with around £200 a month to clear off my debts (£14550). For the next 3 months I'm going to be doing volunteer work in various places in Europe which provides me with board and lodge so my only outgoings will be transport plus a minimal amount of spending money. However, in April I am hoping to find seasonal work in the sun and then I will also have to find accomodation, buy food etc. but by living frugally I'm hoping that I'll have spare income to put towards paying off my debts so that by the end of the year I will be in a much better position than I am now.

I think it will be easier for me to be frugal in a new place than in my normal environment. Fingers crossed anyway

Good luck to everyone :j

itsallinthemind

lily288 wrote: »

Evening everyone,

I've had a good frugal day today.
I made a chicken curry with reduced chicken that I got yesteday and will have enough chicken left for another two meals or three if I really stretch it out not sure what they will be yet proberly something with pasta and something with potatoes as have loads of both, any ideas?
Also I had another NSD.
So glad I have started to post as I have lurked such a longtime and just starting to post really helps focus the mind lets hope I can keep it up, really want to get out of my overdraft and pay my cc off once and for all

I find you do not need a lot of chicken if you add it to pies, pasta bakes or pasta dishes and risotto as you can bulk it up with veggies. Also as a pizza topping you do not need a lot, if you have say mushrooms needing using up. Don't forget your soup

Talking of which, you probably do not have a tin of creamed sweetcorn, but sweetcorn and chicken chinese style soup does not use much at all.