The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

Possession

SQ you absolutely shouldn't have to cook 2 lots of meals. He might like to take a leaf out of my Singapore friends' book - they carry bottles of hot sauce with them everywhere if they come here, as nothing is spicy enough for them. Even pizzas get the treatment.

Mar I'm just trying to find the best time here. I've been told for 24 hr openers Tuesday or Thursday between 8 & 9 is best but I haven't tested it out yet.

FairyPrincessk

SM reductions---I'm sure most of you have seen this, but for those of you who have missed it!
If you go here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-supermarket-shopping

And scroll down (way, way, way!) Down, under the heading TIME TRIPS TO BAG BIGGER REDUCTIONS there is a chart that gives the approximate reductions schedules for each supermarket. Obviously it varies, but its a good starting point and I can say that there was a coop that used to be on my route to something else that used this schedule. Our local Mr. Ts seems to be a lot more random, but they don't have very good reductions anyway.

HTH.

Popperwell

It varies at my Tesco branch the main time is approx 4pm-5pm and often the reduction is small. Then should anything remain it is reduced further. Its pot luck though. The bread/pastries etc...is reduced much later in the day but is very random.

Sundays due to Sunday trading can be anytime between 2-4pm.

savingqueen

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your comments re the spicy foods malarky - they are all valid and useful. What I got from them all together was that getting a balance is the way forward. So I will get some spicy sauce, we have chili flakes, worcester sauce etc in already and then meals that are easy to add a kick like chili I will make 2 lots. I will also suggest a couple of special meals a month for just DH and I where we sit round the table with candles etc and make an effort. When we eat as a family or boys on their own, its always round the table but when its just DH and I he wants to sit with a tray in front of the TV (usually the same meal as the kids had earlier kept warm or re-heated.) I would much prefer we sit at the table so we can catch up properly. DH can cook once at the weekends as well.

However having said all that... I am not bending over backwards either... swimming nights for example are hectic, we get in after DH and he never thinks to start dinner, the boys are starving, it's past usual tea time and they will need baths too (and verccua treatments for both every night

Waiting for the garage to phone when the tyre is in. Already been to 3 local supermarches to get only what we really need (well and some of my favourite raspberry yoghurts in Allydees ) Will do some chores in the meantime, what an exciting day ha ha!

onwards and upwards my frugal friends
sq

Possession

SQ do you have a slow cooker? We have nights like your swimming nights too, and it's great for having a meal ready when you walk in. Not that I'm trying to discourage your DH from starting a meal off! Yesterday I had sweet potato soup in the SC and today I am doing either chicken stew and dumplings or honey garlic chicken and rice, haven't quite decided yet. I won't get in until about 5.45 with a seriously hungry and very likely stroppy because of it 8 yr old. Life is a lot easier if I can feed her as soon as I walk in the door!

RAS

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

SQ is he feeling a little bit put to one side? I know he's a grown up but he might be feeling a bit unnecessary in amongst all the parenthood? Would it be nice for both of you to maybe have a couple of set aside evenings a month when the littlies have supper of little person nature and you and he have a nice adult food supper when they've gone up to bed? It doesn't need to be party food, just something that you would do for the kids, with the same ingredients but tweaks? It might even be nice for you too, just a thought, Lyn xxx.

Good idea to get in some date nights SQ; in ten years time you may only be talking to each other as the littlies will be out with their friends.

Another option if you are making curries; make one spicy batch which you freeze in single or just more than single portions.

One the day make the less spicy version and de-frost one portion of the spicy one. Serve both to OH and allow the others to have a little if they wish?

savingqueen

Possession, I don't have a slow cooker but would like one. Was planning to buy one this month but just haven't go round to it and squeezing the pennies hard as well. Actually I have some neckter points I could convert to amazing vouchers and order from there.... that's an idea thank you....

Yes RAS you're right about the kids growing up, I do wonder/worry sometimes how our relationship really is underneath the family structure. In a few years time they will out and about without us I'm sure.

I am good at making/keeping friends and like to do courses, voluntary work etc and have lots to keep me busy indoors as well so I would be fine, health permitting, upon "retirement" but DH I can see stuck in front of a screen or newspaper. Maybe though when he doesn't have the wretched commute, a stressful job and study it will be different . It so hard to have quality time together when time/energy/money is in short supply but we must try harder and make it one of our priorities, we do that for the kids after all. We do have a rare night out next month to the ballet (belated birthday gift for me) so that's something to look forward to and then our birthdays in Jan and Feb where we have decided to make sure we have an evening out together too.

It is absolutely pelting down and very dark outside. I should be chasing the garage but don't fancy venturing out before the school run now. Hopefully the new tyre will be ready for tomorrow.

I have been enjoying myself sorting through stores to see what I can bag up for Harvest Festival collection at school tomorrow - donations going to a really good cause, local community resource centre who distribute food parcels for people in desparate need (not an official food bank as far as I know). Found a good mix of value and more luxurious items (just nice jams etc).

Question please folks:
Whilst doing above a bottle of basalmic vinegar jumped out of the cupboard and the neck is a little chipped/cracked - do you think it will be ok if I can find something to decant it in to, I don't use it often but want to avoid throwing it away obviously.

sq

[Deleted User]

SQ strain the balsamic vinegar through some muslin/cheesecloth and rinse the cloth and then do it again, that should get rid of any little chips that might have gone into the bottle and not chipped off the outside. I'd certainly do that rather than waste it, Lyn xxx.

floss2

Kez, have PM'd you

Popperwell

SQ some cheap but good ones in Tesco/Argos/Wilkinsons/B&M Bargains...you don't have to spend a lot. Just decide how big you want it to be...

Aldi's have one coming up in a few days as a special.

Funnily enough I have dug mine out today...I have some cubed veg with herbs so making it into a soup adding a stock cube, will have it for supper when I come in tonight. There's enough for two servings.

I have two spare SC in my cupboard(a small one and a larger one that was on offer in Sainsbury's last Winter)my present one is Tesco's own brand. That writer a girl called Jack has bought one recently and has started using it(and it was a really cheap one)from Wilko's I think...

My bargain of the week(I may buy another set)6 wooden coat hangers £2.99 a special at Aldi's now I can hang my trousers and jackets/coats better and create extra space too. First hangers I have ever purchased and I am tired of those wire/plastic hangers that just break.