Countdown to Freedom

SJ1

Hello

Thanks for the swift response. I do buy cakes and treats (a lot of them (like you) in the last couple of weeks!) but make cakes too and have made biscuits, I do have time for this as there is a day that I don't work as my children are still quite small and the kids love helping (i.e. eating uncooked cookie dough or cake mix - ugh!).

I am toying with the idea of buying a slow cooker, I think that it would really help to avoid buying pizza and garlic bread for the children on busy week nights as I could have something that they could tuck into when they get home and then we could tuck into later. What has put me off is that I don't work from home, I work at my workplace rather than home if that makes sense. So when would I put the cooker on?, I suppose I could prep the night before and then put it on in the morning. I do batch cook sometimes on my day off but I have a small freezer so I can't freeze lots. I can work from home but I don't tend to, for me it is better to be in the office. Is there a particular cook book that you like, I have economy gastronomy which I really like and have recently purchased kitchen revolution which is also good.

There is certainly a lot that we can give up. I allow £50 a week for bits and bobs. I think I am going to get that out but try to put £40 aside and see how I do.

I agree with you on the gifts. I can't give someone something that I don't think that they will love but managed this year to purchase something for all relatives (except my mum who has special privileges! ) for about £15 so was really pleased with that.

Hmm ok, going to crack open the cookbooks and start a menu plan and see how far I can trim it. I internet shop to avoid extras as I am not good at avoiding the traps unless I literally chant my way around the shop! Wish me luck and thanks for the enthusiasm back..

SJ

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SJ, definitely buy a slow cooker, but check this site for recipes as the books which come with them are useless. You don't need food wallowing in masses of water, you can really use them in different ways and they are fab. I often put the stuff in at night, then turn it on in the morning. I will have to learn how to put links in here as there's a great thread in here somewhere.

Good luck and let me know when your diary is up and running and we can follow each others progress. Best wishes
Tilly

SJ1

Hi, ok going to push the button on the slow cooker, JLewis are doing a really nice one that will do porridge as well! I like porridge but it is just too much faff when trying to get out of the house before 7am! The thread would be fab as there are no really good books out there, I have looked too - this has also put me off! I am not the most computer literate person but if you can highlight literally the web address on the appropriate page then ctrl c (once highlighted) and then put the cursor in your message and press ctrl v then it should cut and paste the link.

There is no doubt a better way, but that is how I would do it!!

Best wishes back

SJ

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SJ1, I will find the link and get it to you. On the porridge front (am apologising to all those who make this the right way....) I pop 1 espresso cup of oats, 2 espresso cups of milk into a bowl in the evening, sometimes adding cinnamon, or nutmeg etc. in the morning I ping it for 1 min 40 seconds and that's it - fab, quick and I eat it most days. So sorry to anyone who thinks this is a dreadful way to make porridge but for me it's healthy, quick and makes sure I eat breakfast.
Night, Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

SJ1, in my slow cooker today part 2 - is the name of the thread but my technical skills have failed this evening. Good luck, Tilly

FairyLight

Hi Tilly! Just popping in to have a little look at your thread - looks brill!

Re: slow cookers, we have one and I'm really pleased with the amount you can do with it - you can even do up joints of meat etc and they fall off the bone. I would tend to do the mixture up the night before and pop the bowl part of the slowcooker in the fridge, then pop it on low in the morning before we go out? Means you aren't left prepping in the morning or leaving meat etc out overnight. Never heard of doing porridge this way put I would second the quick ping in the microwave approach.

Impressed by the amount of time ahead you've been meal planning, I gave it a go earlier and managed one weeks worth lol, not quite so great!

SJ1

Sorry, slow tonight, do you microwave it then? I have done this but it always seems to erupt in a rather dramatic fashion! Is the putting it in the fridge the night before a time saving technique or some kind of sneaky anti eruption technique??! Will have a look for the thread.

Thank you

SJ

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SJ1, fridge the night before for porridge is simply as its too busy in the mornings. I don't cover it, just ping but if I 'pinged' for longer than 1 min 40 sec then it does erupt...

Good luck, Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hiya fairyLight, have a go at the longer meal planning approach. Grab your cookery books, arm yourself with your freezer and larder list and get going. I find it really therapeutic now and enjoy including new recipes each week. Good luck Tilly x

SJ1

Hopefully this will work as I think that this is it

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2197233

There are 124 pages!!

SJ