Minimum outlay year 2007

Topher

A tip from Shirley Goode that's a bit time consuming, but helps reduce waste, is to grate unused celery base into soup, or to peel and dice cut-off stalks such as brocolli or cauliflower. I also triangular-cut out the thick stems from outer leaves that I would normally discard, sometimes these are O.K. diced but if really tough, I peel them, then dice them. The inner leaves of cauliflower have a good flavour, and can be cooked with the heads, the outer leaves can be cleaned & trimmed in the way I describe for soups that are going to be blended.
I must admit that usually time takes priority and I don't always do all of this, but I have been at rock bottom financially when food wastage HAD to be cut to a minimum.
T

SusanCarter

Flymouse wrote:

do you remember that tv programme "Pay off yr mortgage in 2 yrs"? just noticed it's on this thurs 11th BBC2 7.30PM, reviewing how the people who took part got on. I found it quite interesting last time so will tune in.

I saw that last year as my husband happened upon it one evening and called to me saying, "I'm watching this really good moneysaving programme which you would like!" He really liked the "accumulator principle" which was great as it's something I'd talked about before (although I didn't have a name for it) but he never really appreciated what I meant and the significance of it until they did it on the TV.

Incidentally, how much has anyone managed to cut their expenditure down to? Excluding rent/council tax, I reckon we're spending about £7000/year for two of us. Has anyone else managed to cut back further and if so how?

Topher

2006 would be a difficult year to comment on, as my adult son was living at home for half of it, and paying £40 per week "rent" and there were other similar fluctuations and sudden expenses.
I currently have the capacity to have £7,200 annually not taken up with tax, savings (for pension & endowment shortfalls) and bills including food and petrol (which I'm aiming to trim down) Last year, I saved about £5,000 of that.
This year I'd like to get as near as possible to saving all of it.
T

Flymouse

SUSANCARTER our expenditure is roughly the same as yours, that includes running a small car. I used to spend much more a few years ago when i worked full time & had a larger car. I spend virtually no money on going out as the price of pub drinks seem extortionate but i'm lucky my main interests gardening, walking etc dont cost a lot. I dont go shopping for the sake of it, get lots of stuff from car boots & have several holidays each year but camping so they dont cost a lot either but i still enjoy myself. I'd like to get my spending down even further but it's tricky, i suppose i could go to the supermarket even less than i do now. Like the other folks on this thread i'm trying to think about everything i spend (do I really need it/ can i make it/ mend it/ get it cheaper) ,cut down my petrol as much as poss & walk whenever possible. I batch cook when i can & we grow our own veggies. I suppose ultimately it depends on your lifestyle , mine's quite modest but I've never felt deprived, I love the simple life! one thing's for sure; I'm determined to spend less in 2007 than i did in 2006, setting myself goals like that help me to focus. Good luck!

apple_mint

Flymouse wrote:

this sounds good! i make soup using veg but i'd never thought of using the stalks etc that normally go in the compost bin - apple-mint do you put this in a blender afterwards or just cook it in the pan & eat it "chunky style"? I should imagine there's just as much if not more nutrition (ie vitamins etc) in the stalks & leaves.

I've made it both ways Flymouse - blended and chunky and both are delicious. When I add pearl barley I don't tend to blend it as I love the texture of the barley with the chunky soup. I always think it a shame to throw away something that I've paid for the whole of and has so much nutrition in it. I chop it reasonably small and then simmer the soup for a little while. My Gran would be horrified at what ends up in kitchen bins nowadays.

Flymouse

thanks apple-mint, the soup stocks in my freezer are running low so I'm going to try this with the next lot of veg trimmings I have left over, I've got some pearl barley in my store cupboard!

pink_fairy_7

Hi Topher

How's it going?
I'm finding not buying stuff leaves so much more money in your purse and in your bank account! The kids are asking for something other than porridge for breakfast though:D

pf x