Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

Kittikins

Wow JackieO, that's like a whole week's shopping list right there, lucky you

My attempt to have a NSD on Saturday failed, but yesterday was good and today will be marvellous too, although I am looking at the AF website....naughty Kittikins!!

meg72

I would usually go shopping today but have so much still to use up, due to eating less and going out that I am going to try and see how long I can go without spending any money on food.

So today is Day one NSP.

[Deleted User]

Just done my last shop for this month and have £28.31 left over.As I am going away in three weeks time instead of drawing out my normal £100.00 for my food purse I am going to use my left over lolly from July to by any odds and ends until I go away that way i have a 'free' £100.00 for September whan I come home again
I stayed to fdinner last night at DDs as she had a smallish chicken which we had with salad.There was not enough left over for her tribe so i came home with it and later on today I am going to strip the carcass and cook it down for stock then freeze, and the left over meat I will make into a curry and portion up for my freezer.I also had some left over cooked wedges that I will chunk up to go into the curry to 'bulk ' it out a bit with a tin of chopped tomatos and maybe a handful of lentils I think I should be able to get at least three/four portions individually frozen for use later,my DD knows I won't waste anything that I can turn into a meal.I'm pleased that I have managed to only go to the shops three times this month and I have been using stuff from my storecupboards to streeetch the meals a bit.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi JackieO, I have really enjoyed reading your posts and it shows how shopping becomes a habit often. I think the art of menu planning and taking a list with you, helps to change this habit. My menu planning has relaxed over the last month as I have switched meals due to the glorious weather, however, because I have planned for so long now, I am not over spending. It's the 3 legged stool scenario: larder, freezer, shopping.

The kids are now looking at left overs differently. We had some sausages left the other evening, so the following day DD made a pasta salad (school hols) and chopped the sausages up for it. I felt quite proud of her.

Have a fab holiday, Tilly

taplady

just had a quick catch up with you all:)

we are off on Monday for our first holiday in our campervan:j:)

I'm taking quite a bit of food with me so we dont have to spend a fortune eating out although I have saved a bit so that we can have the odd treat.

Once we are back I will be back to fasting - want to squirrel some more dosh away for more holidays.

I havent been doing particularly well lately and have beem spending all my budget whereas a while ago I was managing to save a bit of it. I shall have to try and follow JackieO's excellent example of being frugal:T

we did get some carrots from the garden and I've prepared them and frozen them in bags.

Keep up the good work everyone x

meg72

I managed last week to not buy any food at all, I would have needed milk but had a free offer from Milk and More, two free pints a week for a month.

I am going to try and do the same this week as far as I can.

rosebowl

Hi everyone

Need to start sorting out my freezer again - went of the rails afew months back and got back into my old habits of going to the supermarkets on a daily basis...

so today i have been off work and sorted out my freezer and done myself a meal plan using what i have in.....

Today is day one of NSD.

beebuzz168

I just wanted to post a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread.

I read a lot on the MSE forums, though don't post that often but I have read every single one of the posts on this thread and I can honestly say it has revolutionised the way I'm thinking about spending my money.

I was already fairly happy with our monthly food spend, but I am now managing to plan purchases more effectively, meaning fewer trips to the local shops, and the inevitable "extras" that get picked up whilst there. It's normally a need for milk that gets me through their doors, and once there who knows how much I might spend!

I'm now popping in to Mr S's for my milk which, for me, means I am far less likely to buy others bits and pieces.

I'm starting to food plan, albeit only a few days ahead at present, but am consciencely (sp?!?!) making sure everything is being used up.

I'm baking jam crumblies on a far too regular basis!! Though yesterday I made a "healthy" batch with a filling of grated apple, sultanas, cinnamon & a little bit of honey. Absolutely delicious if I do say so myself!

It isn't only food shopping I'm adapting though, I'm being far better at making my lunches so my purse is staying firmly in my bag. And I've been creative with ideas for outings with my 18 month old so we are spending very little through the week (the garden centre that sells tropical fish now has a very regular visitor, as does the library!).

I am absolutely loving feeling more in control of where my money is going and seeing the benefit to our bank balance and I honestly don't think I would have seen the light without this thread.

I am aware that I am gushing now, so will stop, but thank you thank you thank you!!

taplady

afternoon all, thought i'd pop in and catch up with how you are all doing - quiet here atm!

My grocery spending is in need of a firm hand:D been spending all my budget again.

On the plus side I did make a huge pasta bake for tea last night and froze 2 leftover portions.:T

I really must try harder - trouble is I've been merrily going round the supermarket without any sort of a list:eek: it stops here!

I shall try harder this week.

rigsby1967

lilian1977 wrote: »

Hi all - just thought I'd let you all know about a recipe I found the other day - uses very few ingredients but could easily be jazzed up. I had it for tea last night with fried plantain on the side but you could use banana or any veg really (the recipe uses brocolli!). It was DELICIOUS - so moreish. I added paprika to the sauce.

http://www.jennaseverythingblog.com/2010/07/02/arroz-a-la-cubana-warning-not-a-real-recipe/#comment-10895

Sorry for the silly question but what is spaghetti sauce , do you make it or buy it?