I'm eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge

cherrypies

oh and I don't know if this is any use to anyone, but I noticed in Tesco last night that the large packets of Rich Tea biscuits were only 14p each, seems extremely good value to me, you couldn't bake them for that, not worth switching the oven on! They're only 35 cals each too and low sugar.

Also for those of you that bake, I think the Silver spoon caster sugar is mispriced, the 500g bags are £1.25 but the 1kg bags are only 99p!!! I'm pretty sure this should be £1.99 as I've never seen caster that cheap for a kilo, might be worth stockpiling a few bags.

Ilona

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

Illona - just started to read your blog at about 11 and have just stopped now as it was getting so late! Fascinating. I have a question though - one of your tips was to stick a label on return envelopes that you sometimes get and don't use. Sometimes I get a reply paid envelope with stuff and deal with it over the phone. If I stick a label over the address can I then send it and the postage is paid?

Hi. The 'business reply paid' envelopes can only be sent free of charge back to the business which supplied it. They pay Royal Mail a licence fee for this service, plus the postage for every one they receive back. There is a Licence Number printed on the envelope which identifies it with the company. Sorry if I didn't make this clear, it's the envelope which is free not the postage. You still have to stick a stamp on
Glad you like my blog
Ilona

Lynsey

cherrypies wrote: »

Lynsey, we live on the Isle of Man

Thanks, hubby has a cousin that lives there.
Surprised with your limited choice of utilities (gas).
I'm very impressed with your MSE thinking, you seem very well organised and know of quite a few cheats/tips. You will have to work a little harder than most I suppose and good luck - your effort and knowledge will pay off for yourself and your family.

Lynsey

cherrypies

Thank you! I do my best, so far I've managed to stay at home for almost 2 years with my youngest which was my objective as it's time you just can't get back, really feel for people who have to go straight back to work after having a baby, it must be so very, very hard.

Utilities are a right pain in the bum, we have Manx gas and the Manx electricity authority and thats that, unless you have a farm and install wind turbines, don't think my neighbours would appreciate a few of those in our garden ;-) Thanks for the encouraging words :-)

VfM4meplse

Had an unexpected spend yesterday - was expecting heavy snow again last night (which didn't happen). Was travelling to my parents, couldn't get through to them to ask what was actually needed and ended up spendiing £10 at Lidl...out of which I would say all of £2.60 was essential (bread, milk and bananas). It turns out they both did the same, so we now have 3 loaves of bread, and 12 pints of milk in the fridge, as well as plenty of proper food. :eek:

If I were at home, I would have made do from the freezer! Oh well, won't shop on Saturday as planned now. Instead will take some food home when I return on Sunday afternoon, the bread and milk is going straight into the freezer.

recovering_spendaholic

Illona - thanks for the info re: reply paid envelopes - thought it was too good to be true!!!!!

Had a quick tidy round and am off to Tesco in a minute. I have about £20 in vouchers and coupons so am hoping to spend only about £20, which should get me a good big shop. I don't really need all that much stuff but the lure of the £5 off £40 gets me every time!!

I also need to go to Aldi for some cleaning stuff and some fruit and veg. I don't know if it is just me but I have gone off some of the things which I used to really like - the ketchup tastes horrible now and the beans (which were my favourite beans) were a bit mushy and didn't seem to have the same taste. I have also found that the washing liquid (Almat) doesn't seem to be as good. I suppose they might change the manufacturers they use but I defo think that they aren't as good!!

Haven't had any breakfast yet, as I just don't feel hungry - lunch will be defrosted sausage casserole which I froze in individual portions and tea tonight will be chicken biryani using leftover chicken - I got this HUGE chicken in Tesco for £5 and still have over half of it left in the fridge and it really does need using up. When I have made the biryani I think I will make the rest into a chicken and veg pie for the freezer and the make chicken and barley soup with the carcass. I love chicken and barley soup - its my very favourite!! Neither kid will eat it though so that will also have to be frozen in portions.

Better start to tackle the housework!!

VfM4meplse

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

I don't know if it is just me but I have gone off some of the things which I used to really like - the ketchup tastes horrible now

Have you tried the version with chillies? I can't see myself going back to Branston / Heinz now!

Btw, have just seen this link on the website: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2012/02/sainsburys-takes-esteps-to-stop-food-waste?utm_source=forum&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=box . It might be a revelation for some, but won't even warrant a batted eyelid from regulars on this thread!

Lynsey

VfM4meplse - your link is coming up with an "error" message?

cherrypies - just put my meter readings in today and gas was £88 for period 03/01 - 10/02 (approx £15 per week) - roll on summer!!

NSD and may not even venture out - been shredding loads of stuff and sowing some seeds (French marigold).

EDIT: Just printed off some Kingsmill coupons for 50/50 bread - next time they are "whoopsied" I'll use the coupon and probably get it for free - birds will be pleased.
Coupon only for 30p HERE - valid until 31/08/12 - prints BIG though!!

Lynsey

cherrypies

Lynsey, very jealous of your £15 per week gas bill, but yes, roll on summer!!

Kirri

Opened the halloumi for lunch with my roll, was saving that for a more substantial dinner really but never mind.

Still no idea what I fancy for dinner, I've now got halloumi and curry paste open but I can't really be bothered to cook today... feel like something light and quick..

Spent a little in Asda and Morrisons, really don't like Asda and getting fed up of Morrisons as well, they both never seem to have much quality organic food in and if I'm buying VERY little I would prefer it to be nice stuff despite the budget!

Spent so far in Feb £11.21 on food and £15.02 on fruit/veg but I have only bought replacement storecupboard items, I haven't yet bought any more meal items at least and no junk! The kitchen is getting a little tidier - I have a long way to go though!