would you stock up ur storecupboard or save the money?

michmar72

Hi

If I have spare cash and something that I use that is for the cupboard or freezer is reduced, I always stock up, not on full price items, those I only buy as I need.

Good luck xx

madvixen

Congratulations on the job hun, that's great news.

Personally, I'd save some of it and then use the rest to stock up the storecupboard/freezer. Keep an eye out for reduced to clear meat and freeze it, things like mince and whole chickens are especially useful as they will make more than one meal.

Good luck

Linda32

I only have a temporary seasonal job as well, which will end around October if not earlier.

I don't do much bulk buying really, only Value washing powder which comes in big bags and 9 rolls of toilet roll.
I do buy savings stamps in Sainsburys, Tesco's and Co-op for shopping and presents at Christmas or when I choose to use them. Not necessarily for "Christmas Shop" as we don't have alot, but for food shopping when I'm not working.

I tend to save money as cash for when I'm not working.

wantabetterlife

Hi ILE, great to c u back posting again. Welldone on the job, this should make things a bit easier for you. How did you get on with the grocery budget last month?
Oh almost forgot.... i would do both. The security of knowing you have an emergency fund is important

marywooyeah

yup I'd stock up - if you can afford it buy a slow cooker (argos have one for £7:49:http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9367847/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/Trail/searchtext%3ESLOW+COOKER.htm) and then stock up on tins in the store cupboard.

I often make a stew with 2/3 sliced potatoes (you could use tinned new potatoes), a chopped onion, tin of kidney/haricot/butter beans (either/or for variety), 2 tins of chopped tomatoes, a couple of carrots and some mint), leave on low while I'm at work and that makes me 2 or 3 meals really cheaply both in food costs and electricity, as it costs less per hour to run a slow cooker than to leave a lightbulb on.

there is a big slow cooker thread on the old style board aswell to give you some ideas.

Toonie

Due to my work patterns I have differing wages every month, the oddest pairing is August and November as due to the summer holidays my wages are double in August what they are in November. So what I do, is put a third of the extra money into my savings account, a third gets put into my Christmas/birthday account and then a third gets spent on "store cupboard meals". For example I will buy various beans, tomatoes, tomato pur!e, suet, yeast, tins of fruit, dried pulses and grains and flour. I will also buy things for the freezer including butter, pitta bread, peas, frozen chips and oven chips.

By splitting my money like this I know that when things are tight I have the mainstays of meals (the pulses, tomatoes and so on) and I can use what little money I have to buy mince or some such to go with it. The fruit is also useful as it means I can make a quick pudding with the flour and it feels like I'm still getting treats when times are tough.

ILoveEoin

Awwww ur all lovely ppl with ur nice & lovely comments:)

i have only started this job last week so i am waiting on my 1st wage! i am super excited bout it:) (i am that annoying person in the office who very happy & singing to myself because i am earning money wooooo hooooo)

some really brillant ideas, i do like the idea of spending and saving i am lucky that hubby wages cover the bills so it lovely to actually have money for food! i suppose dont want to waste it and when job finishes that we are back to square one.

meritaten

ILoveEoin - its very sensible of you to look on this wage as 'spare' money. Its very easy to fall into the trap of making 'your' wage part of the household income - and when it ends, its badly missed! IYSWIM?
Having worked only temp jobs for over thirty years - I found this out the hard way! in the begining I used to panic if I was out of work! then once it clicked that my income was actually 'surplus to requirements' I paid for the 'extras'! that way I didnt feel under so much pressure and didnt feel guilty at all the 'treats'! (took me a while to persuade OH the same - and it was only because I HAD to take a couple of years off work he finally understood what I meant about not RELYING on my wage).
saying that - I have worked for minimum wage and for a few memorable years I earned part-time the same wage my OH earned working full-time! I dread to think how we would have coped when that job ended if we had relied on my wages!
Enjoy your new job (while it lasts) and also enjoy the fruits of your labours! While stocking up and saving is important, dont forget that Treats are important too - Go out and have that meal in a nice restaurant, Go to the pictures, Go and have some FUN!

quintwins

nice to see you posting again ILE

i would stock up and save, espicially with you having it so tight awhile back, value pasta and lasange sheets are currently half price in tesco, i would stock up mainly on dry,tinned, packets and reduced foods that can be frozen, i would also take a look at approved foods (who have free delivery this weekend, they tend to do this from time to time) and out shortdated sites -which i can't remeber at the mo someone will be along after me to tell you them all.

[Deleted User]

I too would have a good look at what essentials you can stock up on for the 'lean' times that won't go off or have a long date on them I suppose I think I would divide it up so a bit gets stashed away a bit goes into the store cupboard, and a wee bit is left for you and OH to have a treat with ,it doesn't have to be big, maybe a bottle of wine, or a nice meal that you don't normally have.
If you can manage it some pubs do really good two for the price of one meals or a 'Early bird meal' but do treat yourselves, and treat it as a pat on the back for getting a bit extra into the household coffers.In this day and age every penny counts and as we all know sometimes it has to be streeeetched to breaking point ,so a little spare cash tucked away where you maybe can't get it too easily (I have a building society account that is three miles away and hard to park near) so what goes in there often stays fo awhile (usually christmas)Then I forget about it as its such a pain to get it out
Pasta,rice,pulses herbs etc are all good cupboard standbys that will make a meal when times are thin, with the addition of onion or eggs when required.Check though your freezer and see is you can make some room for some 'whoopsied 'items I have a ham hock in mine that I will get out next month and make ham and pea soup and lots of sarnies and salad with. I bought it reduced to a quid in February so it doesn't owe me anything, but I know I will get several meals out of it .

Pork is quite cheap at the moment in comparison to other meats so it may be worth getting some pork loin if you can and freezing it .It not only makes a nice roast but sliced cold is delicious in sandwiches or a salad.Good luck with your job and hopefully it lasts for a while yet to come
JackieO xx