How to survive on an absolute minimum income - Tricks I learnt :)

kiss_me_now9

bedpotato wrote: »

Your soup recipe is basically just onions and water. :eek:

Most french onion soups are... just soften off the onions, add off the boil stock, stir and let simmer.

I_luv_cats

1) WALK.
I try to walk at least one way, where time permits and about an hour's walk

2) LEARN TO COOK.
I have a couple of Student cookbooks so sometimes get cheap ideas. (even use to get times for boiled or poached egg!)

3) COOK CHEAP BUT YUMMY FOOD!
I buy some veggies/meat or fish and carbs and go from there

4) VALUE BREAD

The lowest I go is normally Mrs. M. StoneGround 79p? BUT mostly it's a Granary and an instore bakery farmhouse/Granary or a tasty offer! (can't stand cheap bread - yuk yuk) I have a breadmaker too so good to make own

5) RICE

I find long grain rice cheaper in Continental stores

6) STOP BUYING CHICKEN

I buy chicken breast and turkey breast (basics or deals)

7) BUY PORK LOIN INSTEAD!

I might buy a pack of pork loin steaks as part of a deal but I limit red meat consumption.


9) NEVER SPEND MORE THAN £10 ON A NIGHT OUT

I tend to keep an eye out for Showfilmfirst/Newspaper etc. Theatre/Film and Opera previews/shows.

10) GOING OUT FOR DINNER? USE YOUR HEAD

I look out for Pizza Hut £5 pizza n pasta or pre-show deals or eat before/take food from home.

11) VALUE LOO ROLL

I tend to stock up and have enough until a branded deal comes along .

12) NEVER GO TO THE SUPERMARKET HUNGRY

It is very rare for me to sway from a list unless it's in my interest i.e. a MOC / MOV / offer

13) VALUE SQUASH AS A SUGAR RUSH

Can't stand Squash and sweener /extra E numbers in cheap squash.

14) CHEATS FIZZY DRINK

Rarely but as too many teaspoons of sugar

15) KEEP THAT HEATING OFF UNTIL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

I try to limit the heating to bath and washing night unless exceptionally cold. I have a snug rug @ the ready too!!

16) KEEPING WARM WITH NO HEATING AT NIGHT

Meow snuggles under the duvet so can get hot


18) VALUE vs NICE

toothpaste (can't stand, I bought loads of Aquafresh 3 for 1)
loo roll (branded on promo)
crisps (waste as small bags, don't buy often but tempted by offers)
tortilla chips (yuk)
cream cheese (yuk)
veg (yes, size, shape, ugly for me as cheap)
tinned kidney beans/sweetcorn/tomatoes
stock cubes (don't buy too salty)
bread / cakes (yuk)

But personally, I find I need to buy nice cheese/beans/meat/sauces. If you go completely value you'll go mad (make my own sauces)



21) DO YOU REALLY NEED INTERNET?

I haven't really paid for mine as cashbacks/free periods. Get deals with BT LR

V_Chic_Chick

Forgot to mention the Beyond Baked Beans series of student cookbooks - they have, quite literally, taught me to cook. There are veggie / budget / normal versions.

In terms of basics, I tend to go for basics ranges when there can be little variation in the quality anyway - things like oil, rice, pasta, veggies, stock cubes, tinned tomatoes. However, I always buy free range eggs for the sake of my conscious (I had pet chickens for years), and things like sauces are a lot more variable in quality.

Also, if you want to make your own pasta sauce -
1 onion, softened in a frying pan
Two tins of chopped tomatoes, added to the frying pan, simmer to reduce until it has taken on the consistency of pasta sauce.
Add any spices / herbs you have that you think you might like: I quite like chilli, chinese five spice (NB NOT Schwartz Perfect Shake), dried herbs. Plus any veggies you have that need eating up.
It is enough for two very generous portions / three normal ones, and should cost no more than 85p to make, plus spices / extra veggies (which I'm assuming you already have in)

marvell-kid

DON'T USE HEADPHONES WHILE CYCLING!

My cycle is through a large park so it's safer than cycling on a road.

Another general tip to add here is keep bread in the fridge.

Unfortunately this is actually a misconception. If you keep bread in the fridge, it goes off quicker. In the freezer is the place you want to store your bread (if you have room) - But its not readily available.
This link will give you a good reason why you shouldn't keep bread in the fridge.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080703111220AAoftKB

Beetlemama

I don't see hot water bottles anywhere....? I love my hot water bottle, DON'T use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket.....I have two, a pink one and a blue one (like you care) and I put one of where my shoulder/ribs will go and one down where my feet will be. Last kettle of the night makes them with my coffee to take to bed. And if you should get student-drunk and pee the bed you won't electrocute yourself, lol

rev_henry

marvell-kid wrote: »

My cycle is through a large park so it's safer than cycling on a road.


Unfortunately this is actually a misconception. If you keep bread in the fridge, it goes off quicker. In the freezer is the place you want to store your bread (if you have room) - But its not readily available.
This link will give you a good reason why you shouldn't keep bread in the fridge.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080703111220AAoftKB

Ah I shall let you off then

Interesting about the bread, thanks.

System

marvell-kid wrote: »

My cycle is through a large park so it's safer than cycling on a road.


Unfortunately this is actually a misconception. If you keep bread in the fridge, it goes off quicker. In the freezer is the place you want to store your bread (if you have room) - But its not readily available.
This link will give you a good reason why you shouldn't keep bread in the fridge.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080703111220AAoftKB

Thank you!


I argued with my flatmate for a year that you shouldn't put bread in the fridge! I was right! mwahahahah


Good idea for a thread OP

Beetlemama

The bread thing is probably ok for clean new houses, but left on our counter for a week it would be a big hairy green blob. We have so much mold swanning about, the fridge is the only safe place.

Decluttering

What a great thread, thanks for all the brilliant tips everyone

pioneer22

1. Get a part time job /endthread.