The commonsense thread

fuddle

An interesting point was made earlier on in the thread about the idea that OS is based around the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' theme when, myself in particular, bounce around from idea to idea in a bid to make myself into this super OS woman when in reality I sometimes think it makes me even more nervous about our future. I read and I take part, mainly for the solidarity and to learn but when I read the stories from women in our yesteryear and watch programmes from Wartime Farm and Turn Back Time:families I realise that it was a case of head down and get on with it nothing like I am doing now.

Re-evaluation time I think, and calm down.

Popperwell

Perhaps I'll add any idea/tip eventually but I think most of mine have been mentioned and you are all doing a pretty good job coming up with ideas:)

I do think many of us are using/returning to a mindset similar to those who had a simpler lifestyle and our meals are what I call comfort food, tasty but good. What we remember from in many cases our childhood.

Those who struggled through the great wars and/or those who really did have to make do and mend because money was tight. I have no family/friends so I have to do it alone but more than ever perhaps people are realising how important family are again and are watching out for each other and trying to live near each other again(unless they have had to move away because of work)

At least half of what is in a supermarket is not needed and is mainly a treat. Foodwise I wonder if we could see most of the population returning to a handful of shops...a greengrocer(fruit and veg)baker(bread and cakes)and a butcher(where there is a variety of cuts of meat and poultry)sometimes not found in a supermarket, cheaper cuts of meat that are just as tasty but need cooking longer.

Not forgettiing doing a lot of HM meals rather than buying a prepared meal.

Karen_

Not sure winter preparation needs to start in August either:eek:.

Just saying:o

fuddle

It did for me Karen. I have to budget so need to spread things out over months. The things that needed replacing have almost been replaced now. Had I not spread it out over the summer I would have to replace more than pyjama's this month.

I started my winter preps in the spring if I'm honest. I knew I had a lot to do if I wanted to get my heating bills down.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Ummm.....


How about:


It hasn't miraculously turned into something of good quality that you need just because somebody's stuck a yellow price ticket on it.


If that BOGOF really such a good deal - or could you get the one you actually need for half price?


NEW! IMPROVED! Generally means NEW! HIGHER PRICE!


Putting it at the end of the aisle doesn't mean it's a bargain. It just means they want you to think that it's a bargain.

If you have to carry your shopping home or money's tight, never use the fullsize trolley in the supermarket.

Sort out the odd sock bag before you go to the supermarket/clothes shop.

All the hair styling products and colours in the world mean nothing if you don't brush or wash it often enough.

The fancy toothpaste and brush is useless sitting on the bathroom shelf.


Just because they do them in different colours, it doesn't mean you need all of them.

There are only so many ways to cut a vegetable. And they require one good knife, not the assistance of 300 pieces of plastic.

and, my number one -




Are you buying this because you need it or because you are trying to fill the empty spaces in your heart?

Popperwell

Karen_ wrote: »

Not sure winter preparation needs to start in August either:eek:.

Just saying:o

Hard to believe it's less than 100 days to Christmas(sorry to mention that):(:o

bearcub

Hi, can I join in just briefly, because this is such an excellent idea for a thread.

My suggestion is that, if you have them nearby, that you investigate your local butcher, fishmonger and corner store grocery, rather than assume that Mr T or Mr A is cheaper. I know that some local shops can be VERY expensive, but we have a fairly large 'poorer' area (sorry if that offends, but I cant think of a better way of putting it) at one end of the village. Both the butcher do fantastic cheaper cuts of meat, and will often cut EXACTLY the size portion you want, rather than what is already displayed. Ditto the fishmonger for fish. They can also recommend a cheaper cut, and/or a more thrifty way of cooking it. Just don't be ashamed of asking for their help - they need your custom as much as you need their help. Corner stores often have cheaper brands of tinned and packeted goods, that compare favourably with supermarket own brands, too.

Justamum

Popperwell wrote: »

Hard to believe it's less than 100 days to Christmas(sorry to mention that):(:o

I really, really don't like Christmas

Tiglath

Popperwell wrote: »

I do think many of us are using/returning to a mindset similar to those who had a simpler lifestyle and our meals are what I call comfort food, tasty but good. What we remember from in many cases our childhood.

Very true. A few years ago (coincidentally during the Labour 'economic boom') I'd be trying the latest way to make a Thai curry and tiramisu as part of an urban professional couple living the life blah blah. I bought endless food magazines and very expensive ingredients in search of the perfect recipe collection to prove I'd made the grade (even if it was only in my own mind) - and ended up still living on takeaways several times a week. Now the norm is something like meat + 2 veg and the odd steamed jam pudding! My sister is consciously raising her daughters in that nostalgic vein, and we often swap remembered recipes.

I'm considered quite oldfashioned in that respect at work - they can keep their wild rocket, pomegranate and shaved Parmesan salads and the latest Pret's sandwich that cost them £7/day 5 days a week. I'd much rather have a reheated portion of my own shepherds pie. I even keep a jar of Bisto Best in my desk. I'm unleasing my inner OS goddess and I love it Once I'm able to grow my own veg again next year, there'll be no stopping me, and my friends seem generally to be heading in the same direction foodwise, along with more traditional skills like knitting, clothes-making, quilting etc. Maybe it's because we're all in our 40s and 50s. It makes me feel connected to the past which was for me a worry-free and stable childhood - it definitely has an emotional element to it, and I do think women by and large set the 'tone' of a family lifestyle in a practical sense (ably supported by their menfolk in many cases).

Tiglath

Justamum wrote: »

I really, really don't like Christmas

I don't like it either - a lot of fuss over nothing IMO.