stocking up while I can

cornishchick

my OH is currently on sick pay. this will be full pay for another 3 months, due to lymphoma, then down to half pay.
so I am stocking up while we can afford it.

so far
tea bags
coffee.... cant do with cheap stuff lol
sugar

Bbeans, 4x4 packs
soaps
washing powder
toothpaste.

any suggestions on stuff that will last would be greatfully recieved.

also cooking for the freezer to stock up.

thanks a mill

quintwins

I'm sorry to hear about your husband.

Thats a rather small list, i would stock up on cereals, pasta, and rices soon as the price will go up, also meat of you have the freezer room.

Other suggestions would be

tinned fruit and veg- value is fine, tinned potatoes are 19p and can be eaten as a side or used to pad out currys ect, value carrots are 20p i use these in casaroles, mushy peas at 4p at the mo none of us like mushy peas so no idea what there like, value tinned peas are ok to bulk out meals and tinned sweetcorn is yummy.value tinned tom are ok for making sauces but own brand passata is cheaper you get slightly more.

jars of sauces, ok i normally wouldn't suggest these but if your hubby gets very ill you may welcome a quick cheaty meal, and it's still cheaper than a take away, tesco do a value curry for 20p and sweet and sour for 23p

Tinned rice and custard, value ones are very nice.

Pulses, beans and lentils, dried tend to be cheaper and keep for ages.

flour, if you make your own bread bread flour is good to have in, i only buy sr flour now as i found i used it more and never had a problem using it in a recipe that required plain flour, also things like yeast and baking soda.

uht or dried milk if you can drink it, i use both in yogurt making.

Theres a stockcupboard thread on here that has a really long list but these are just a few of the things i would get.And don't for get the sugar for that coffee.

faerie~spangles

I'm so sorry to read about you husband.

Only stock up on things you know you will use.

No point in wasting money and storage space buying things you will never use or will make you miserable having to eat.

Have a look on http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/ for stock items you know you will use.

Also http://www.rosspa.co.uk/

I'm sure other's will be along shortly with more suggestions.

ETA: google ebay for washing powder

Barneysmom

Hi quintwins, I'm sorry to hear you hubby is so ill.
I know exactly what you're going through and the stocking up of food is an excellent idea, I've done it myself and it pays dividends.

Not just for cash flow, but it saves time when you need to be at home looking after him instead of being down at the supermarket.

So, stock up on anything you can possibly think of.


Tinned stuff like toms, soups, beans, etc.

Bathroom stuff like soaps and shampoo. Now would be a good time to re-evaluate and get gentle nonchemical stuff like baby shampoo (the supermarket's own stuff is fine)

Very likely if you do make your own bread you might find you haven't got the time or inclination while you're looking after him, don't feel guilty about it just buy bread and don't worry about it.

There are more imprtant things going on the baking bread right now.

Mouthwash, get the non-alcoholtype - Colgate do one that's the same price as the alcohol based one so that's ok.

Stock up on loads of pasta as it'll keep, and rice.

Tins or packets of custard so you can start building his weight up with stodgy cakes.
Porridge is good too.

ginnyknit

I have been stocking up on the 6p instant custard from Mr T - its yummy, not at all like it used to be. I fill my poorly OM up on hm cakes with lots of roughage in them as sitting about plays havoc with your tum so dried fruit, baking ingredients. A pack of lentils is handy to bulk up winter stews, as are porridge oats, make twinks hobknobs, porridge and bulk up mince. Hope this helps.

Maybe you could pop on the preparing for winter thread too and see if there are any ideas to keep you both snug and save the pennies there too.

Barneysmom

Don't forget though and I know it's going to be really hard financially - it has been for me too - you can't just think of the cost.
With a serious illness like the one your DH has, nutrition has to be your primary concern. So although you have to be on a budget, you have to get as much fresh and healthy produce as you possibly can.

Butternut squash soup is incredibly healthy and does make a good few portions if you chuck in a couple of carrots and a handful of lentils and it tastes beautiful xxx

maman

So sorry to hear your news.:)

I understand that cooking for the freezer will save you time later butI think it's more effective on freezer space if you buy meat now, portion it up and cook it when you need it.

prepareathome

Hi Mill,

Am so sorry to hear about what you and your husband are going through.

Here are some threads that might help

Who Doesn't Have a Storecupboard

Preparing for Winter

If you want to chat this thread is for that but plenty of tips mentioned as well

Make Do and Mend for Tougher Times

All the links take you to the first page of each thread.

Sending you hugsxxxx

JayJay14

Above all make sure you have all the benefits you are entitled to. My brother has just found out he could have been claiming Disabled Living Allowance for the last 3 months - no-one bothered to tell him until his palliative care nurse told him and he got it through this week.
Don't assume that because OH has a job that he isn't entitled to such things.

Make sure that you stock up on things OH really likes, no point in having a storecupboard full if he is feeling down after tratment. Nutrition is good but calories are often more important when having chemo and the like (Bro has been told to eat as much junk food as he can and drink Guiness by his specialist - it also gets him out to the pub which is good for him in other ways at this time)

Good luck with it all and huge (((hugs)))

bossymoo

Hi,

So sorry about your oh illness. It's such a worrying time.

I would look at what sorts of things you normally like to eat, and look at things that need minimal prep and effort, as these illnesses can be so tiring. For all the family (it's the worry, you see).

I found when my dh had cancer last year, the time he was in hospital I just lived on sandwiches and copious amounts of tea. I didn't have the heart for anything else.

Sincerely wish him a speedy recovery.

vanoonoo

hiya - with regard to your husbands pay - are you claiming all that you can from the state? you may find you are eligible for DLA whilst he is being treated and possible carers allowance and also council tax relief - slightly off topic for this thread I know but worth checking out - contact your local CAB and see if they can help, also the staff at your treating hospital should be able to help with ideas and see if you can get a macmillan liaison assigned too (if you havent already). apologies if you are already doing all this! good luck xx

when my mum was having treatment for her cancer she had to eat lots of white bread, white pasta and white rice to help guard against upset tummy from too much wholefood, so bizarrely at that time slightly more processed foods were better for her (this was advice from her consultant your situation may be different).