DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 8

Time_to_face_the_music

Grand_Benders wrote: »

I have a slow cooker, but am definitely just in the 'casseroles' category. I hadn't really thought of doing chicken. Do you really just put it in and leave it? No butter or anything to 'lubricate' it?

I need some inspiration!

Chicken or any joint of meat cooks beautifully in the slow cooker and generally falls off the bones, it's so tender. Sometimes we fry some onions and other bits and bobs of veg, carrots and celery are popular, and put those on the base, then sit the meat on top. You can then make delicious sauce or gravy with the strained and defatted juices.

Another tip for slow cookers is that they are perfect for baked potatoes, just brush the skins with a little oil and put them on the base.

Oh and if you like Greek food, we use ours for stuffed vegetables, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines etc.

All good stuff and so easy to come home to

Allypops

I'm off to look at slow cookers. The mention of greek food got me thinking of Kleftiko and Stifado....yummmmmmm

Time_to_face_the_music

We now have a battery and a car that goes. Thanks very much for the good wishes

grant1wish wrote: »

Afternoon all,

Hope everyone is well. Just transferred a tenner from my current account to the new one I have set up and it all seems to be working fine. For the first time in 3 years I am not frightened to log on to my bank account and check my finances as I know exactly what I have and when my Direct debits are coming out etc... You would not believe the relief I currently have regarding this. Many a time I have just not been able to log in knowing that it was going to look bad.

Still a long way to go though, DMP application not even been received by CCCS yet. If it all goes through I think I will be the happiest man alive. Already I am sleeping better.

Just need to give the wife some more time to come to terms with it all, we are still extremely volatile. She is adament that we are going to get debt collectors knocking and lose the house. This isn't going to happen is it?

G1W

Great news on bank transfers working.

It's great being able to look at your bank account and see it in credit, we still get a huge buzz from every bank statement.

In 8 months we have not had one debt collector knocking at our door and the phone calls stopped after about 6 weeks maximum. As soon as the creditors receive a payment or two, they all settle down quickly.

lizzy23 wrote: »

she'll come round, my DOH keeps texting me when the post comes, todays offering a very reasonable letter from Barclaycard, he had exactly the same fears, about bailiffs coming and taking the house etc, at the end of the day its unsecured debt, and they have no claim to our homes

I used to worry about every letter, now I read them, check no-one has sneaked any more interest on and file them. Done and dusted!

stuart1976 wrote: »

Hi All.

Could do with a pick me up right now.

Although the DMP has been set up and everybody seems to be accepting it, the wife seems to think things will never change and I can't seem to get through to her that by going into a DMP will help.

We keep having rows regarding trying to budget for the month with regard to food shopping, petrol, etc.

I keep trying to explain how our budget will have to work for a while but she can get very defensive as if I am accusing her of overspending, but I just need her to get onboard with the monthly budget idea. All she keeps saying is that it will never work and feels like saying F*** IT to everything.

I know the first couple of months will be hard when first doing the DMP and changing our spending habits will be difficult.

I'm trying to stay positive but hate the rows. :(:(

Does she think she will have a problem staying in the budget? Or does she just not like the idea of budgeting at all?

We try and get all of our DDs out of the way, then work out how much we have left for the month and share it out into weekly amounts. We then make a meal plan for the week and stick to that when we go shopping, if you don't have a strict list, it's so easy to just buy little extras that really add up.

Fingers crossed that when she sees the debt coming down in a couple of months, she will see that it really can and does work.

Time_to_face_the_music

Allypops wrote: »

I'm off to look at slow cookers. The mention of greek food got me thinking of Kleftiko and Stifado....yummmmmmm

Both work like a dream in the slow cooker. We used a shoulder of lamb for Kleftiko and the meat just fell off the bone!

Go and buy one Allypops .... or ask HH to borrow one of her collection

Allypops

Mentioned wanting to get a slow cooker to DH. He didn't look too keen until I mentioned Kleftiko - now he thinks it's a great idea! Thing is it will make me want to go on holiday to Cyprus!

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Allypops wrote: »

Mentioned wanting to get a slow cooker to DH. He didn't look too keen until I mentioned Kleftiko - now he thinks it's a great idea! Thing is it will make me want to go on holiday to Cyprus!

I am a firm believer that you can't beat coming home for a Lamb Shank after a tough day at work.

Check Delia's recipe out! http://www.deliaonline.com/community/yourrecipes/maincourses/Greek-Kleftiko-cooked-in-a-slow-cooker.html

Enjoy

HHx

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Time_to_face_the_music wrote: »

Both work like a dream in the slow cooker. We used a shoulder of lamb for Kleftiko and the meat just fell off the bone!

Go and buy one Allypops .... or ask HH to borrow one of her collection

Jealous twinny? What's mine is yours!

I know I'm a slow cooker bore but I love it, love it love it.

HHx

Time_to_face_the_music

Hopelessly_Hopeful wrote: »

Jealous twinny? What's mine is yours!

I know I'm a slow cooker bore but I love it, love it love it.

HHx

I bet you have got a spreadsheet comparing attributes of your multitude of slow cookers

My pulled pork is brined and ready to slow cook tomorrow. We can't wait :j

Hopelessly_Hopeful

stuart1976 wrote: »

Hi All.

Could do with a pick me up right now.

Although the DMP has been set up and everybody seems to be accepting it, the wife seems to think things will never change and I can't seem to get through to her that by going into a DMP will help.

We keep having rows regarding trying to budget for the month with regard to food shopping, petrol, etc.

I keep trying to explain how our budget will have to work for a while but she can get very defensive as if I am accusing her of overspending, but I just need her to get onboard with the monthly budget idea. All she keeps saying is that it will never work and feels like saying F*** IT to everything.

I know the first couple of months will be hard when first doing the DMP and changing our spending habits will be difficult.

I'm trying to stay positive but hate the rows. :(:(

Sending a hug over

Have you got your wife to read these pages?

Not wishing to be rude but have you given her some specific responsibiity eg food shop budget or do you go through budget and spending log together? Protecting people by not involving them and over burdening yourself doesn't given them a chance to get on board etc.

Hope that helps and things start to get better soon

HHx

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Time_to_face_the_music wrote: »

I used to use mine a lot then found out we have a slow cooker setting on the oven!

Ooooh posh

Anything else you forgot you had like a space husband?

HHX