Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 2

tumptyteapot

silvasava wrote: »

Tumpty - your loaves look scrummy - did you use a breadmaker or are they your own 'knead'?

Thank you :-) They are all my own work, but I used the overnight sponge method so it was a pretty easy knead, you put half the flour, all the water and the yeast in a bowl and mix it up so it is like a batter - leave overnight then add the rest of the ingredients in the morning and knead it then. And I am pretty angry right now which makes for good bread :-)

cw18

For only the second time ever (I think), I've filled my cash ISA for the year :T

And I've put the whole whack in today !!!!

Got a letter from a company pension scheme a few months back, saying it was being wound up. I had several choices available to me, which were to basically transfer to a company scheme with my current employer (not in one, so that was ruled out), into a personal pension scheme of my choice (don't particularly trust them ), transfer into a personal pension scheme with their nominated provider (ditto lack of trust!), or cash it in. As I have two other preserved pensions (both final salary schemes) and an AVC that runs alongside the second of those, I decided to cash it in. Deadline for sending in the form was early last month, but they didn't say when they money would be paid.

Logged into my bank account this evening to check something else, and the money arrived today Was about to move the bulk of it into my linked savings account, when I suddenly twigged I'd not put anything into my ISA (also linked up) this year and had more than enough to fill it..... so it's now all done :T OK, so mine isn't rated a 'best buy' or anything - but at least it's in an ISA now which means I can look at transferring it to a better one at a later date should I want to



Oh! And the chap I thought was building himself up to asking for a meet has done so tonight

redglass_2

Winchelsea wrote: »

Yesterday I was very busy - went and helped at an arts & crafts group for people with various social/MH problems, which I enjoyed. Went to Mr S and got a little bit of shopping - first day of putting my staff discount in a jar. Bought the Big Issue, which I usually try to do. When I'm skint I sometimes don't, but always have a word for the lads and lasses, as it must be horrible to have people passing by and treating you as if you're invisible.

Went to the bank to jiggle money between accounts, then came home for lunch via the flower shop - picked up my beautiful bouquet from DD1, which they'd tried to deliver on Sun while I was still in Birmingham.

Eventually had lunch at nearly 3pm(!), then went to see DH. He had been quite agitated apparently, but was asleep when I got there, but soon woke up and was quite alert, helping himself from his sweetie bag, which he can't always do.

Went over to Bristol to see DS, and he cooked me a nice meal. Then I went to Greenbank WI, and did my other spend of the day - £1 raffle donation!

So apart from food (different budget) I spent £3 yesterday - though did use the car which brings petrol fill up day slightly closer - couldn't face standing at bus stops in the dark as I usually do (to use my free granny pass), mainly because I was very tired. Had a little lie-in this a.m. - and in fact am still in my jim-jams! Shower, here I come!

Winchelsea - you seem to have an amazing amount of energy for someone who's got a granny pass! :T Respect!

rubytuesday

I should have added my spends weren't frugal but having my roasting tins sorted and nolonger perilous is such a joy!

Winchelsea

Thank you rubytuesday and redglass for your nice comments.

DH was awake when I went in this afternoon, but was not very good on the talking today. Sometimes he can say a phrase or two that I can understand, but today he was mumbling but I have no idea what he was trying to tell me. It must be s frustrating for him - dementia is a horrible illness.

I have had a lovely evening - went to the theatre to see Derek Jacobi in King Lear - absolutely amazing. The £24 ticket was a Christmas present from DD4, so have been looking forward to it for a long time. Shrieked with delight when I opened it as I'd read its brilliant reviews when it was on in London, and so wanted to see it, but hadn't realised it was coming here!

No spend day apart from 40p tea money at my knitting group this afternoon - used the bus pass this evening, and took a bottle of water.

miss_empty_piggy

Winchelsea wrote: »

Thank you rubytuesday and redglass for your nice comments.

DH was awake when I went in this afternoon, but was not very good on the talking today. Sometimes he can say a phrase or two that I can understand, but today he was mumbling but I have no idea what he was trying to tell me. It must be s frustrating for him - dementia is a horrible illness.

I have had a lovely evening - went to the theatre to see Derek Jacobi in King Lear - absolutely amazing. The £24 ticket was a Christmas present from DD4, so have been looking forward to it for a long time. Shrieked with delight when I opened it as I'd read its brilliant reviews when it was on in London, and so wanted to see it, but hadn't realised it was coming here!

No spend day apart from 40p tea money at my knitting group this afternoon - used the bus pass this evening, and took a bottle of water.

Am so envious that you saw Derek Jacobi. I bet it was fantastic. I love King Lear, what a wonderful gift. I hope that you had a brilliant time, sounds like you more than deserve it Winchelsea.

I have to go to London today, train is at 7am (about 20 miles away), won't get home until about 8pm tonight. DDs have had to stay at relatives last night so I can go - i miss them. I know that training courses for work are necessary, but it just is so disruptive and I hate having to shift the girls around so that I can go. It annoys me. Anyway rant over.

Hope you all have a wonderful day today. I look forward to reading all about it when I get on here tonight!!! (I'm addicted). x :rotfl:

never_too_old

minnie2 wrote: »

ok just a quick question!!!! what types of shopping is comparitable within the mr t and mr a price war? is it just branded products etc?

own ranges can be compared but its easier to stick to brands as you can see they are the same. its a gamble and takes a bit of effort and you have to keep checking mr t and mr a shopping basket, if you want i can pm you later when my results are in and explain it a bit more if i can
x

patentgirl

Morning all
NSD yesterday but need few bits today my turn for cakes at work and just put diesel in car before work couldnt believe it £1.40:eek:
Winchelsea you certainly pack a lot in your time glad you enjoyed your theatre trip what a nice xmas present from your DD
Tumpty love the look of your loaf can you post actual recipe you followed
Cheryl well done on your ISA managed to get mine done thisyear first time I have ever done that, keep us posted on your meeting
Ruby Tuesday that carving board looks lovely will have little look on that site later thanks love looking at kitchen bits
Missempty piggy hope today goes quickly for you have had plenty of those days as you say necessary but childcare is not taken into account

have agood day everyone x

tumptyteapot

The bread recipe (works out at less than 50p a loaf)

1kg strong bread flour
600ml water
2 teaspoons dried yeast
2 teaspoons of salt (recipe says 4tsp but I like it less salty)
2oz butter or a tablespoon of olive oil (optional)

In the evening put half the flour, all the water and the yeast in a big bowl and whisk up.

The next morning put in the rest of the ingredients and knead until it springs back when prodded and is nicely stretchy.
Put on a floured board or in an oiled bowl and cover with a cloth or a plastic bag. Leave until doubled in size somewhere not too hot (anything up to 3 hours depending on the weather)
Deflate it by prodding it and knead again lightly. Split into 3. I keep one third in a plastic bag in the fridge for later.
Shape the other 2 into rounds or whatever you like, place onto baking sheets (I sprinkle with polenta if I have any) then cover and leave to rise again.
Put the oven on as hot as it will go and put a deep baking tray in the bottom with some water.
Boil the kettle
Just before the loaves go into the middle of the oven slash the tops and sprinkle or spray with water
Put them in the oven then quickly pour the boiling water into the tray.
Close the oven and leave it for 7-10 minutes.
If the top is looking brown by then lower the oven to 170, lower to 180 if it is medium, 190 if it is pale. (these are all fan assisted oven temps)
Cook until the bottom sounds hollow when tapped and cool on a baking tray - resist the temptation to eat them warm because they are still cooking when they come out of the oven.

With strong white bread flour my bread came out fluffy, not far off tiger bread but slightly denser and a whole lot nicer. (I will get some rice flour so I can make the crust).

The book (River Cottage Bread) has more details, including how to shape the loaves to make them tight and rise better - also he uses the same recipe on here
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/river-cottage/episode-guide/series-14/episode-7

patentgirl

thanks Tumpty for recipe and instructions and link will start some of tonight