January's Big Financial Freeze!!!

searching_me

OH was good this time ... his vices are haribo and crisps ... actually to be fair any snack .. he has a snack bag that if it gets low hes not a happy bunny actually i think the correct term is mardy git x

wannabee_in_credit

Just home from a visit to my friend's house - she certainly knows how to feed her guests and she makes the most fantastic food. I think I'd best stick with just free food for the rest of the day if I get hungry again (else the diet will be out of the window).
As I suspected we went shopping afterwards - the kids wanted to spend some of their Christmas money. But free parking and nothing bought for me means that I've gotten another nsd in. I'm home now, and the only things I'll be doing for the rest of the day is either housework, book marking or being on here. Nothing that should require any spending.
Incidentally, when my hubby goes shopping he normally comes home with ice cream and beer as well as everything I've asked for. I don't often send him tbh.

thriftylass

Ooh, just discovered Asda tech trade in. I wondered if I could sell my ipod or my old digital camera, but wouldn't get much for it on ebay etc. Might try them as the money seems ok, has anyone used them before?

kerri_dfw

Reporting another NSD here as we've decided not to use one of our planned days for going rock climbing followed by pub. We've budgeted for it as well! We're both feeling a bit ropey today, so a bit of a cat nap and then I'm going to list some books on am4zon. I have a load of old uni reference books, all IT related, so hoping for a few pennies from there.

Spoke to the OH today and he's agreed that anything leftover at the end of the week can be put half towards our annual spends (haircuts, clothes, car tax, etc) and half towards my cc debt. I pay a LOT more than he does at the moment as he's a student, but we need some reserves.

citizenkitten

NSK - my OH was a moped rider and he brother is a courier so I am well aware of the dangers of being a motor bikest, i think you are all very brave and to be honest slightly insane. Get Better SOON!



having a real giggle about everyone's OH coming back with "goodies".
I once complained i didnt have the time to do a big shop and my OH volunteered, I was a bit dubious but thought why not, gave him the list and went to work. I came back and opened the fridge.....

there were 3 items from the list in it. LOL!

anyway yesterday was NSD1 FINALLY! today will be hopefully.

on the subject of meatballs, i make mine with some pork mince with beef mince, 1) it is cheaper, 2) i prefer the taste. I also love adding fennel seeds into them.

everyone's grocery budget makes mine look beyond ridiculous... as I only eat 1 and half meals a day on average and my oh during the week is 1.5 meals (he buys own lunch) and at weekends 3 meals a day. I adore food though, it is a real passion of mine.

how do you guys cope not eating luxuriously???

lionheartedgirl

hope you are feeling better Kat, and anyone else who is still snuffling/under the weather.

citizenkitten, I love my food too, but have kind of had to just get used to not spending much (I know that probably won't help). I have a waitrose CC which means I get their magazine free, and the Sainsburys magazine is good too, about £1.60 for loads of recipes in it - I get lots of good recipes from there, and just try and keep adding to what I can cook. I don't eat a huge amount of meat, I do bulk things out with pasta and rice. I also have an embarrassing collection of cookbooks and have a raid on those when I'm feeling a bit bored.

I decided not to go to Aldi today. Looked it up and its a 15 mile round trip which is further than my normal supermarket. With a bit of a look in the cupboards, I came up with some alternative meals and while this is really just putting off the inevitable, I can combine the journey with some other things if I wait until next week.

So another NSD for me - that's 2 now :j

went out for a run today, I hate the gym it bores me senseless. I live in a beautiful area and love being out in the fresh air enjoying the scenery.

I also have a motorbike

mayfair1985

citizenkitten wrote: »

everyone's grocery budget makes mine look beyond ridiculous... as I only eat 1 and half meals a day on average and my oh during the week is 1.5 meals (he buys own lunch) and at weekends 3 meals a day. I adore food though, it is a real passion of mine.

how do you guys cope not eating luxuriously???

There's only 2 of us and no pets... we're on the same budget.... and here's my justification.

If I'm not going out and doing exciting things at the weekend, then I don't want to eat dry pasta because it's cheap for my dinner. When we don't have things planned, we focus on a nice evening meal

And.... we both like food and both eat a lot.

And and.... I'm exercising like a mad woman at the moment for events in the year, and whilst it's not a specialist diet, I'm high carb and protein and low everything else, and lots of it.

And I blinking well refuse to cut absolutely everything that I enjoy out of my life while i'm doing this.

And we will get a take away out of it too

And that's my reasons / ramble.

nannygladys

Hi from one of the snufflies:(
Feel carp today but Ive been to work, and Im working all over the weekend:( still didems to me!!!!

Had first spend day today, but it wasnt much a grand total of 99p:) it was on some olive oil with basil, some veg stock sauce, and some raspberry and apple drinks, how did I get them so cheap - well I work at Mr S and sometimes we are offered it extra cheap and it was a matter or right place, right time:)

Anyway, got in from work (I work very early shifts) and fell asleep for 3 hours - I hope I will sleep tonight, but I must have needed it and feel a lot better now - or is that the max strength cold and flu capsules, which were bought months ago whilst preparing for the winter months:)

Anyway must go and get my tea, I did a big cook yesterday, enough food for the next three days and some has gone into the freezer for future weeks, menu plan rules:)

Hope everyone is keeping well and doing well at JBFF, thanks Kat great thread and I really look forwards to reading everyones threads

Jxx

citizenkitten

lionheartedgirl wrote: »

citizenkitten, I love my food too, but have kind of had to just get used to not spending much (I know that probably won't help). I have a waitrose CC which means I get their magazine free, and the Sainsburys magazine is good too, about £1.60 for loads of recipes in it - I get lots of good recipes from there, and just try and keep adding to what I can cook. I don't eat a huge amount of meat, I do bulk things out with pasta and rice. I also have an embarrassing collection of cookbooks and have a raid on those when I'm feeling a bit bored.

good on you for going running! whilst i dont have an embarrassing collection of cook books, i do have an embarrassing collection of recipes, cut out, print out, written, etc.

mayfair1985 wrote: »

There's only 2 of us and no pets... we're on the same budget.... and here's my justification.

If I'm not going out and doing exciting things at the weekend, then I don't want to eat dry pasta because it's cheap for my dinner. When we don't have things planned, we focus on a nice evening meal

And.... we both like food and both eat a lot.

And I blinking well refuse to cut absolutely everything that I enjoy out of my life while i'm doing this.

And we will get a take away out of it too

how many meals do you eat a day? You say you eat a lot, we dont. on weekdays i generally only eat supper. (no i am not a stick insect, i have a very time consuming job) but we dont do anything really exciting on weekends either and center most things around eating food

we rarely drink too (tip to everyone, want to cut calories and cost? give up drinking but be prepared that almost everyone will give you a hard time about it!!) ((i have ninja tips if anyone is interested with people who make it very uncomfortable to not drink)) (((know this sounds a bit insane but 7 years of not really drinking ..... trust me, people wont accept it)))

nannygladys wrote: »

Hi from one of the snufflies:(
Feel carp today but Ive been to work, and Im working all over the weekend:( still didems to me!!!!

Had first spend day today, but it wasnt much a grand total of 99p:) it was on some olive oil with basil, some veg stock sauce, and some raspberry and apple drinks, how did I get them so cheap - well I work at Mr S and sometimes we are offered it extra cheap and it was a matter or right place, right time:)

Jxx

get better soon and excellent bargain catching,:j

PurpleJay

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update from me. I am declaring 3 NSDs so far Went to slimming world in we'd and bought a raffle ticket. I buy a 12 week countdown and will need to renew it later this month (a planned spend) so my only spend so far in 2013 is 50p

I had put 6lb on last week but this week lost 3.5 (don't know how) so my Xmas gain is just 2.5lb which is not bad at all. Back in the plan now. I find it quite easy to make cheaper sw meals when I batch cook. Things like pasta, curry, stew, jacket spuds, savoury rice, packet pasta, soup etc. I am veggie so do green days. I sometimes add lentils, tinned beans or chickpeas for protein and we have cheese, eggs and quorn too.

Have a free delivery code for asda so will try and do an online shop this week or next.

I have 24 things listed on eBay. 10 relists and 14 new ones all up on Sunday. Not much happening with them yet though.