Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

apple_mint

I've had a couple of spend days - not big one's but I do need to get my spreadsheets up to date. I've popped into Tesco's two mornings running as their white bread flour is 50p a bag at the moment. Got some on Monday morning but OH said to get some more (he's the household breakmaker) as it's such a good price. We pop it into the freezer (wrapped in a plastic bag) for 24 hours and then store it in a second fridge we keep in the garage.

Last night OH made some more bread rolls to go into the freezer (for packed lunches) and I made a batch of roast potatoes in the remoska (to go with evening meals later in the week).

I've actually menu planned this week. I've now got large enough range of batch cooked meals in the freezer to have something different every night. I need to keep on top of this by doing at two more different meal choice batches every weekend. It takes a bit of effort but it's lovely coming home knowing that we have a nice meal ready to heat though.

never_too_old

enjoyingfinancialchallenges thinking of you i know how hard it is not to have loved ones with you, you miss them 24/7 but anniversaries are even tougher.

SandraScarlett

EFC - what a sad day for you. It must be so painful for you, and you're not unburdening yourself by telling us. In fact, I think it has the opposite effect, as it makes us all treasure what we have.

Love and virtual hugs (love that expression!) winging their way to you at this difficult time.

xx

ceridwen

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

Oh dear, its so hard to try and keep everybody happy in life and why we worry I just don't know, as I've said before none of us try to offend anybody else and sometimes it just happens but it more to do with the person who feels offended than the one causing the said offense. Reading that back I'm unsure if anybody else will make sense of it but I know what I mean anyway.

X

I know what you mean too:).

I do know that there are people in the world who actually seem to enjoy being offended. It seems really odd to me to be that way - but I DO know someone In The Real World who it is absolutely totally a waste of time to try and "step on eggshells" in order not to offend them. The second you've dealt with one issue that is offending them for no good reason (because no-one else would be offended by it) - they dream up another thing to "feel offended" by. Deal with the second issue - and they dream up another one....and so it goes on.

I've stopped running round in circles trying to pacify them now - as I know they are absolutely bored stiff and spend time dreaming up these "things to be offended by" list and nothing is going to stop them adding and adding things to the list determinedly - instead of finding a "real" hobby iyswim.

CRANKY40

EFC Just wanted to send you some hugs xxx

23rdspiral

hi, i'm sorry i dont have time to catchup and am barging straint in with a question before dashing out to work

??? can whoever was making crutons from nice rolls please remind me what to do! i've got the end of a nice polish loaf that's going hard and i've cut it into chunks... (i guess i fry them in oil?) BUT my real question is not covered in Delia - there'll be too many just for dinner... can i freeze them ?? and do i freeze them as bread chunks or after they are fried??

sorry for the rather lame question. thanks for any help.

Kerry_Woman

Sending hugs to people who need them at the moment.

Still trying to keep an eye on my spending. Keeping a diary of what I spend seems to helping at the moment. Did spend more on the food shopping at the weekend, but hoping some of the things in the freezer can be used next week. Got some temp work for the next couple of weeks, not a lot of hours, but every bit helps. Have sorted out 2 of my savings accounts. Closed one, put that money into my ISA and transferred my other one to a better saving rate. Got to sort out my ISA next month.

rubytuesday

Well I'm quite sure Erme does not go out of her way looking for offense It is genuinely down to her religious convictions. Anyway I hope she's ok.

Anyone heard from Naula?

wrenlegs

Spiral - Id freeze the bread chunks before frying

OK. Well, we filled up our cash ISA which feels good and I am about to post off an old national savings book which will net me £50 (whoop!). Ive had a further 2 spend free days and STILL havent used the phone for chargeable calls My 4 yr old is now obsessed with closing all doors to keep the heat in and is an expert at reminding us all about not having appliances on standby.

My next plan of attack for Friday is an ebay session I am enjoying the decluttering as part of my financial overhaul. Proper spring cleaning!

never_too_old

afternoon
my day today has been a bit of a rollercoaster.after droping dd2 at school i raced 5 miles or so to pick dd1 up to take her to hospital for 9am.Managed to grab a free parking space:j got to her appointment at dead on 9, saw registrar who looked in her ear( lots of problems and ops since she was a baby now 19) she had peforated her eardrum about 2 weeks ago and we were lucky to get back into the hospital system. she has polops, not sure of spelling which are coming through hole in eardrum which could prevent eardrum healing. we go back in 2 weeks and if not healed in 4 weeks an operation will be needed:(
then had to go to ds to wait for a man to come his flats operate a permit system so let a note to say where i was and that i had just gone to get a permit, ran up 3 flights of stairs not easy, came down to see a van by my car , thought it was the electrician i was waiting for so said hi, he then informed me he had clamped my car:eek: i explained i had let a huge note sayong gone for permit and time and showed him permit and luckily he removed clamp, he said im supposed to wait 10 mins but couldnt be bothered to wait around.
Had good news about dd2 bf.s car is going to cost us £130 so im very relieved:j
warning light was coming on in my car for clutch/brake fluid so spent £10.99 on some and then realised it wasnt humanly possible to reach where it was supposed to go, went to a lovely small garage and he pulled out something similar to a turley baster with a little plastic tube on it and filled it for me,i gave him £20 for his trouble as i would have had to pay a fortune no doubt if gone elsewhere.
so all in all a hectic and eventfull day,
next problem for the future is if dd1 needs a op how do i cope with dh not being able to be told as the two of them are estranged and she doesnt want him to know:eek:but i will leave that dilema for another day . sorry rant over.
x