How to keep busy at home.

merlin68

I need ideas on how to keep busy at home from now until january, i need to save for holiday in october half term plus 3 bdays and xmas.
However my friends keep asking me out for lunch with them every day near enough, how do i say i can't afford it,then i get bored being stuck in all day and all my frugal plans go out the window.
I'm doing an ou degree and sometimes get cards to pack but this isn't all the time. The house is clean. As i keep on top of it.
Also need a menu plan for £60 a week which has to include £10 on special dog food as she has pancreatitis and can't have normal food. Which leaves £50 for food. For 2 adults and 2 teenagers plus 2 cats and 2 bearded drgons. Thanks.

chanie

What about inviting them around for lunch, instead of going out? You could suggest holding a mini 'Come Dine with me' competition. My sister records 'The Real HOusewives of Miami/Orange County/New York' (or whatever) and watches that with her friends over lunch.

If you want to meal plan, why don't you start baking during the day or making more meals from scratch? You could spend an afternoon googling recipes using limited ingredients and put together a folder of foods you want to make.

fuddle

I make sure I make my meals daily, gives me something concrete to do. If I'm really struggling i'll bake something nice.

I'm a crafter so I always have a practical thing to do that I enjoy.

There's always something to be done in the garden weather permitting.

Meal plans and shopping lists is a big time filler.

I manage my budget of around £50/week - although spread over the month by meal planning. Good wholesome meals and scratch cooking. I freeze as much as I can so I don't go out to the shops and spend on wants rather than need. And with bread costing a small fortune now, I make my own for about 50p per loaf.

viv0147

Hunt on here and on the internet for money off coupons and vouchers you will find quite a lot of free samples on facebook if you haven't got a printer I suggest you get one it is not only a nice hobby but also money saving and it will give you a very good reason to listen for the postman

blossomhill_2

Voluntary work, I have 3 voluntary jobs and dovetail them in between my own work/interests; if you have time on your hands then that is a luxury that not everyone has and this would be a good way to spend it as it helps others

Malfiore

Hi

Following on from what Chanie said, you could do things for lunch like a picnic in the park or, if you or your friends have kids, you could go blackberry picking for example and make pie or crumble afterwards for everyone. My mum does 'Come Dine With Me' with her friends - they set a budget and then decide who will do each course and of course drinks It's pretty cheap and she always has fun.

Meal planning like fuddle said and how about working through a cookbook, a new recipe every day or every other etc.

Telling your friends that you are saving for a holiday and so can't spend much money should be fine, most people at some point need to stop spending for a while for whatever reason, and if they want your company every day this means they will accommodate your needs

I am taking up cross stitch as another hobby and I always have a book on the go to keep me busy. Also, are you able to volunteer or something like that? It doesn't have to be a charity shop if you don't fancy it, you could volunteer at the RSPCA or walk dogs, spend a day in a nursing home speaking to the residents etc.

Hope that helps a little and there are loads of threads on meal planning/budgeting. I use the supermarket sites to put what I want in my 'basket' so I know how much I will be spending and to keep on eye on what items have gone up or what is on offer.