Now & Then: 14-20 March '05

Curry_Queen

It's really good to get encouragement and support here so don't worry about posting so much greenlogo, it all helps

My good savings of last week have been blown out the water a bit this week as I've resorted to buying take-aways twice now, but I'm really struggling with depression at the moment and it's not easy making or sticking to plans

I have been good today and bunged a chicken in the slow-cooker though which should run to making 2-3 meals ... if I can motivate myself to organise the leftovers :rolleyes:

greenlogo

Cheers guys - I was just so excited because I can't actually remember the last day I didn't spend any money, and I was out the house from 6.55am until 11:15pm yesterday.

Curry_queen - Well done with getting organised with the slow cooker today. Depression is a nasty thing (after all, if you had a migraine you wouldn't feel bad about not cooking because you weren't well, would you?) and it sounds like today is your day to be pleased with yourself - I am on your behalf anyway. :T

Cullumpster

Hi Guys


THEN: Shopped at Tesco's and spend £100

NOW: Went to Aldi's and spent £50 :eek:


THEN: Cooked whatever i could find in the fridge/freezer or if not buy a takeaway.

NOW: On Sunday afternoon i cooked enough different types of dinner for the whole week and put them in the freezer, so hopefully this week we can eat like kings and still save money ! :j

Mrs_Thrift

Hear, hear to everything greenlogo said to you there CQ. Keep working at it, and fighting that monster that is Depression. I found that when I thought of my Depression as something that was trying to get me I felt more able to fight it than when I had considered it an integral part of me.

And greenlogo, you're doing so well, it's really inspirational. I've even been inspired to post my own little changes, hehe!

Now: Went round Asda with Mr Thrift last night getting as many things as possible from the Smart Price or Asda's own brand. We started with the lowest price and worked our way up if it just looked too cheapy (always checking that they were indeed cheaper than the brands because sometimes they're sneaky!)

Then: Would go straight for the brands and only go for the own brands if it seemed extortionate.


Now: Looked around the shelves more for alternative ideas - we found bags of mixed spices, etc. that you add water to to make a paste for curries. Not as cheap as starting totally from scratch, but quicker and easier as it doesn't require a recipe or measuring, and will do about 4 or 5 meals for two of us I reckon, for 40-odd pence each bag.

Then: Bought the usual things we always bought, which included ready made sauces in jars, which would only make one meal, for about £1.50 - £2.00.


Now: Have started making two pasta bakes / curries / casseroles, etc. at a time and putting one in the fridge or freezer.

Then: Made one huge meal and ended up throwing loads away. I now make it just a wee bit bigger but divide it into two and it's just enough to fill us up but not too much to leave leftovers from.

halloweenqueen_2

Good for you greenlogo! Keep posting!