Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

lally666young

I would so love to do this, but it is impossible for us to do so. i have one child on a special diet and I have to go out every couple of days to get his food. I am gluten free, Hubby commutes and it is a long commute, other son eats for england and I have very faddy eaters. If I didnt have this probelm I would do this. As £80 a week on Fuel is killing us.

catznine

Lally - I know it isn't so easy with a young family, been there! Yes fuel is stupidly expensive isn't it? Jeff Yeager says to fill up your tank first and stock up on milk for the children and I guess you could include special dietery needs at well! Maybe you could do a couple of no spend days a week instead? Every little economy helps these days! Best of luck love!

lally666young

i called my husband and he spulttered out laughing. He was like what about Rugby, Hockey, tumble tots. Be serious angel. And then he went actually I havent told you this but the jeep takes 1 and a half tanks a week. Sadly we cant even drink milk. I have soya, then theres lactofree and Rice milk. See what chance have I got. It is a nightmare. I mean we have switched to Aldi for food and that saves a chunk. And we freeze food. I might have another go as we have 4 yes 4 cupboards full of dietary foods. So I will keep at it

Justamum

lally666young wrote: »

I might have another go as we have 4 yes 4 cupboards full of dietary foods. So I will keep at it

Can you ask for your gluten free food to be on prescription? That would help you financially wouldn't it? (I'm sure things like that can be got on prescription if you have coeliac disease)

FairyLight

Justamum wrote: »

Can you ask for your gluten free food to be on prescription? That would help you financially wouldn't it? (I'm sure things like that can be got on prescription if you have coeliac disease)

Yep, I'm in medical profession and prescribe gluten free pasta / bread / pizza bases quite often, although I have to say some PCTs are cutting back and only prescribing bread (the others are seen as a 'luxury') :cool:

modern_millie_2

Evening all,
well, change of plan, DD came home with spinach and cheese saying she had decided to make lasagne! She has invested in some student cookbooks and is experimenting. So, not to look a gift horse in the mouth, we had lasagne for dinner with some frozen veg, very good it was too. Chilli will now be for tomorrow and omelette Friday. Slight downside is milk is quite depleted now - will have to ration a bit.

Lally, that is a difficult set of circs for this sort of challenge, but maybe you could adapt it somehow. Know what you mean about the fuel - we are rural and try to combine journeys, but tomorrow for example OH has a meeting with his craft group about 30 miles away - no other option but to drive.

Catz, thanks for the info, I'll give the grapefruit a go in a couple of days when the fresh fruit has gone (I've put what's left in a smaller bowl so it looks less pathetic!). Mr MM has been quiet all day, thinking about dental costs I think!
I've dug out my knitting and also some fabric for patchwork. Hoping for another walk tomorrow, just too cold today.

catznine

Day 6 over and no spends! Phew! Nearly out of bread so made some scones, some cheese scones and some plain using up some milk that had turned! It really does make a heck of a difference, they are so light! Mine are never normally like this! More like stones actually! :rotfl: I must make sure to let some milk turn again so I can repeat this!




I haven't checked the yogurt yet, will be brave and check it tomorrow!

Good advice about seeing if you can get the gluten free products on prescription, I remember a friend of mine did that!

We had an old favourite meal from the store cupboard - tuna spaghetti casserole - Tin tuna, condensed mushroom soup for a sauce (except I used a packet of cream of mushroom soup and made it up using half the water) cooked spaghetti, combine in a large casserole dish, top with grated cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is golden and bubbling! Plenty of leftovers here for tomorrow. Should serve with salad but have none! Mr Catz requested the cheese scones for afters! Off to get him to eat some clementines now to balance things out!:D

5 a day - dried fruit in hm muesli, apple juice, banana, various veg (cabbage, leeks, onions, carrots) in left over stir fry that was lunch, clementines

Tomorrow will be day 7 the last official day but I might try to do another day! Depends how much we like uht milk!

Justamum

catznine wrote: »

Day 6 over and no spends! Phew! Nearly out of bread so made some scones, some cheese scones and some plain using up some milk that had turned! It really does make a heck of a difference, they are so light! Mine are never normally like this! More like stones actually! :rotfl: I must make sure to let some milk turn again so I can repeat this!

The canteen at a place I used to work had the most amazing scones. The woman who made them would leave a jug of milk out of the fridge overnight to go 'off'. I've never seen such risen scones as hers. You can get a similar effect by using a bit of lemon juice or vinegar.

[Deleted User]

well my seven days is up and not a penny spent.Today is also a NSD as I want to use up another wrap from the freezer instead of going to Icelands for a loaf Tomorrow I will buy some ffresh fruit and veg and bread but that's all that's on my shopping list I am only putting what's needed' on the list.I have seven weeks to go until my spring break so I am going to see if I can use up some more of my store cupboard stuff as I have such a lot stashed away.No sign of the third world war starting so I may as well use it up :):)Well done to the rest of you who are attempting this week I think its been a great idea to focus on what you have instead of going round the shops like an automaton.Years ago I lived on Mersea Island off the essex coast and if my OH was at work it was two miles to the nearest shop and 9 miles to town The bus service wasn't brilliant so I often had to make do with my food stores Doing this brought it all back to me how I could eke out stuff and streeetch meals with just a few tweaks here and there.
catznine what pretty cards well done on saving yourself a fortune I too make cards and can't believe sometimes how much they want to charge for them in the shops HM crafted cards are so much nicer I think and the person who receives them is always pleased that you have taken the trouble to make them

katieowl_2

Just had a quick look at Jeff's website and read this fom Jeff's wife...

"If you are what you eat, then my husband should be reduced for quick sale."

:rotfl:THAT is ME:j LOL I can't even choose something I want to eat unless it's reduced, I've been doing it for so long, I find the choice on the ordinary shelves overwhelming!

Thanks for posting the links - very interesting. I may join you in a weeks long fast soon.

Kate