im rubbish at being thrifty

[Deleted User]

Hi there I am looking at 70 up the bum at the moment, and having been brought up during and after WW2 when in the late 1940s and early 50s when the austerity was far worse than today you could say I had a bit of a head start:) My Mum had to raise three children with rationing and several disadvantages (her OH was away a lot of the time during the hostilites).So money was often tight. OS takes a long time to master, and don't fret about the breadmaking, as I can't cook bread for toffees, and I have a bread machine that sits on top of the cupboard in the kitchen and stays there.:D

I am happy to buy my daily bread (although not daily), in Icelands, as I found the perfect bread for me that costs a pound a loaf and freezes well (Burgen soya and linseed)its brown and seedy and exactly how I like bread to be.Its also pretty reasonable for a seeded loaf. As I live alone one loaf a week is more than enough for me as I freeze in portions what I am not using(makes it last long as I only have four slices at a time in my bread box) As for the cooking part, have a go at perfecting one meal a week to how you like it. I know sometimes you think why am I bothering, but learning to cook one thing at a time until you get it just how you like it is well worth it .Cooking is all about trial and error I still can't make decent boiled rice so I give in and get the boil in the bag stuff (or just eat less rice :)) I make a mean sheps pie,but then again I have had years of practice.If you can afford it, buy some of delia's cook books or borrow from the library, or check out charity shops.She is probably about the easiest cookery expert to follow with basic cooking skills Often its just having the confidence to have a go. Have you no pop-in parlours near to you where perhaps you could chat to an old dear (someone like me ) who would be more than happy to help you with some tips.Folk love to pass on bits of help as a rule, and little old ladies like me love to help folk who for whatever reason are finding their way around the kitchen fraught with problems,makes us feel useful as well:)

Great idea to go to a few cookery lessons,no one is born knowing how to do things and we have all had our disasters (I once blew up boiled eggs ,but thats another story:))
Its really baby steps and one day at a time.By the way even at my age I haven't a clue how to use a sewing machine and I doubt I ever will but I can knit for England, and have taught lots of my granddaugher's friends who think its 'cool' to knit .I was taught by my Mum whilst we sat in the shelter I think she thought it would take my mind off of the whizz bang noises going on outside :)So find an old dear and ask, as its only by asking you can learn .You made the first step by asking here,we will always help you out and no question is daft or soppy,why should it be, we have all been where you are now In a years time look back and see how much you have picked up,even from this forum.Good luck honey and do keep trying its so satifying when things work well
Cheers JackieO xxx