Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi US, I do wonder how we are managing to keep the spend so low, but I am tracking every penny spent, so I know it's accurate. Just goes to show how full the fridges and freezer were/are.

Both fridges have been cleaned and stuff put back in neatly - I am feeling like a domestic goddess - that won't last long sadly :rotfl::rotfl:

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi MRN and Bufger, I've joined MFP and it is really helpful for focussing the mind on exercise as well as calories.

I am doing my utmost to keep my walking going every day, do Shred at least twice a week and use weights every other day. I have a couple of goals in mind but the main one is to feel strong and fit.

I want my BMI to be in the middle of the healthy range, by end of summer :T

Tilly x

ajmoney

Tidy fridge, tidy mind!

Thanks for your help with the spreadsheets. I now have meals planned until the end of the month, I know what is coming out of the freezer when and I even have shopping lists programmed into my phone so I can't forget to make a list. The only thing that may get in my way is Mr AJM :rotfl: I have even programmed in a meal out each week :j

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi AJ, I think you'll see a big difference in your shopping bill. I saw a programme on BBC a few months ago about how people actually shop. A person had a camera fitted to capture where the eyes were focussing and it was amazing. I can absolutely understand how people spend more than they intended.

Good luck with your plans.

Tilly

moneycurious

boooooo i spent more that i intended , got caught out with the reduction shelf.... £18 later . Give in you win!!

BUT i swear we only need milk next week!!!

LauraWxx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Hi, after much experimentation I've found that monthly planning gives me the best £result.

I use a spreadsheet with dates, activities, what to take out of freezer and when, menu plan and any relevant cookbooks. It's not complicated but clear and helpful.

I bulk buy meat from costc@, have a day a month batch cooking, use both ovens, slow cooker and wok, so it is a busy day, but this saves me literally hours each week.

Managing the meals in this way has saved us between £40-50 per week. I do bulk buy cat/dog food and now loo rolls and washing powder etc. Everything else is included in weekly shop.

My personal view, is that we get into a habit of buying set patterns of products each week and have full fridges and freezers but don't work through them systematically. I know we used to do this and those days have gone. During 2012 we cut our food bill and make everything from scratch, which if you batch cook is as quick as a ready made meal. Overall, I don't go into a supermarket apart from once a week, otherwise the budget would go out of the window.

Currently I am aiming to only buy fruit and milk until last Saturday in January, on day 12 of no food shopping spends. I have £10 in my purse but reckon £5 is enough.

Mr T makes loads of bread and rolls, cakes etc so the kids lunch boxes are always fairly interesting.

I hope that helps and good luck with your plans.

Tilly

Sorry not being rude just don't get on here much at a weekend.
thank you for your notes, I would like to aim to get to a month meal planning at a time...starting off with 2 weeks and working upwards!!:D

Could I be cheeky and ask to have a a copy of your meal plan spreadsheet as well please??
Not a problem if not, i just think it might get me thinking about planning for things I haven't yet thought of! I will inbox you my email address.

I like the sound of batch cooking day and I assume it would be wise to time this just after the 'big shop'. I did a big batch cooking day on saturday and managed to get a lot of lunches etc into the freezer. Looking foward to working through the freezer and then having this turn into a regular cycle of clearing the freezer down.

Thank you again, you explain things very well!!:A:A

ajmoney

LauraWxx Tilly's spreadsheet has already helped me, I have our meals planned until the end of January and just have a few meals to buy for. Next month I will try to do some more batch cooking.

Tilly Do you store food in plastic containers in the freezer? We need to buy some tubs as we don't have enough for a day to day basis nevermind when I start batch cooking. Shame my slow cooker is not as big as yours, if we lived closer you could borrow my smaller one and vice versa.

I am getting really excited about all our meals now as is Mr AJM so thanks, just over a year ago I was still quite a fussy eater so this is really enjoyable x

MissOptimistic

Hi Tilly, I have a chest freezer as well as he usual 3 drawers in m fridge/freezer combi. I would love to batch cook/meal plan to try and cut down our grocery spends but lack of inspiration is my problem. In the week I am cooking for myself and 3 children (2 teenage boys 13/15 and my DD age 6) as hubby works and lives away in the week. Fri-sun are family meals for the 5 of us. Hubby is a meat eater with very traditional tastes and the boys have to be bribed to eat any kind of veg. DD is like me and will eat anything. Ideally I would like to cook meals at the weekend which will stretch to make further meals for me and the kids in the week. Any help, ideas or advice you could give me would be so welcome Tilly - thank you

lulabelle1

ajmoney wrote: »

LauraWxx Tilly's spreadsheet has already helped me, I have our meals planned until the end of January and just have a few meals to buy for. Next month I will try to do some more batch cooking.

Tilly Do you store food in plastic containers in the freezer? We need to buy some tubs as we don't have enough for a day to day basis nevermind when I start batch cooking. Shame my slow cooker is not as big as yours, if we lived closer you could borrow my smaller one and vice versa.

I am getting really excited about all our meals now as is Mr AJM so thanks, just over a year ago I was still quite a fussy eater so this is really enjoyable x

Sorry to butt in..... I used to use plastic containers but found that I would always run out and they take up lots of room. I now use freezer bags - they are great as you can write on them and manipulate them in to any shape you like to fit in around the other things in your freezer..... If you try and make them as flat as possible then they will defrost much quicker....

Mortgagefreeby50

Ajmoney, are you anywhere near the midlands? I bought a pack of 500 or 1000 takeaway tubs from Costco and have zillions left! Or I can post if you PM me?