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

tattycath

fuddle wrote: »

Good morning. I don't shop in cash. I use our bank account but know roughly what it is I should be putting in my trolley to get to the cost I have budgeted for that week.

Happy to report that we have finally accrued £60 in nectar points (DH's work car petrol. He has to use B.P so... ) so at the weekend youngest DD can get her chest of drawers to store her clothes. Shes using boxes at the moment as hers broke in the move. That's another 'emergency' perchase that family think we should use the savings for. Why? Wait another 6 months and we can get 'em for free!

I have bought eldest DD uniforms this morning (youngest is getting hand-me-downs from eldest because there's not a thing wrong with them, just too small )

I now just need tights and shoes for both for September.

Sad thing is the zipper isn't working on eldest's winter coat that still fits. I need to have a fiddle. I hope it doesn't mean a new one, still looks new!

Pleased you're working to avoid that din GQ. That too would drive me crackers. It's muggy and grey here too.

Monnagran sometimes you sound right peeved off when you post but I cannat help a chuckle! Bad me

I haven't had jaffa cakes for years Lyn, oh nice. Enjoy! Those high cal healthy snack websites you helped me with are brilliant. She couldn't sleep last night so stole the opportunity to get toasted tea-cake and butter down her. She devoured it.

Bread making today, and a stock take of cupboards. I want to clear a space for SHTF tinned items that can be eaten cold or just reheated, excluded form stock lists and just forever 'there'.

We have stuff that seems to be 'forever there'. What's the SHTF thread all about Hun?

FairyPrincessk

Morning all.

It is back to a normal schedule for a couple of days for me. The second purse doesn't quite work for us, but I have a mental system of "big weeks" and "small weeks" big weeks are where I have to buy multi packs of meat, or a bottle of olive oil etc. Small weeks, where I don't, I try to get in more tins ets for the stocks. I also try to do that on voucher weeks. Likewise, if our shop is bigger than the budget one week, I try to make sure it is under the budget the next, since we transfer housekeeping once a month. The idea for me is to just make it average out while hopefully stocking the cupboards when there are deals. If that makes sense.:rotfl: I agree it does help to shop around, although most weeks that isn't feasible for us. If we're already out and about, I make it a point to go into any shops nearby to check for bargains, otherwise we just try to go to the shop that works out cheapest for us on average. I make it a point to try to cut back periodically and make any swaps or changes I can think of--this summer, it is no buying any meat except fish. We'll buy it again in future, but it will help us eat better and cheaper over the summer. I can honestly say that I'm struggling far more these days to keep our diet balanced. We aren't low carb by any stretch, althogh I do try to stick to the lower end of daily carb allowances and the higher end of protein and veg, if that makes sense.

Sad to report that coffee grounds and grapefruit peels have proven ineffective at preventing the cat mess in the garden. I may try cintronella oil next, but if worst comes to worst, I will just erect some nets over the area until the courgettes are big enough to fend them off.

fuddle

It's full of people posting from here tattycath. Toughies who are interested and extremely knowledgeable about all things preparing for if/when The Sh*t Hits The Fan and others who congregate to share their knowledge. Well worth a read because it's always good to be prepared for emergency situations.. or just when the electricity goes off for a day.

I enjoy reading it every few days but don't post much as I've nothing to contribute.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4065593

Possession

FairyPk, the only thing that worked for us when we lived in London and had fox poo in our garden every single blinking night was olbas oil sprinkled onto used tea bags. You have to re-sprinkle every night, but we tried everything, and it was the only thing that stopped that **** fox. I'd give it a go for cats too if we had a problem now.
Fuddle I've just got most of DS's new uniform for secondary school. Still bits to get like football boots, boot bag, shin pads, rugby shirts etc that he's never had to have before. It's stuff like that really puts the whole price up too, but he looks very smart in the stuff we've got so far, I must say. Don't suppose that will last long though!
DH back to work today. Hoping no news is good news.

tattycath

Tired today. Went to bed late and drank too much tea yesterday so had to make several trips to the loo before I could settle.
Work tonight so back to bed for me this afternoon.
It's cloudy here but the sun Keeps trying to break through

FairyPrincessk

Thanks Possession! I'm bound to have a bottle kicking about somewhere.

Hugs Tattycath! I know the feeling with the too much tea, need the loo again, can't settle feeling!

nuttyp

Morning everyone, I too try and get all the usual items when they are on offer. I go to savers for a lot of toiletries from savers as it is nextdoor to work. They do 6 toilet rolls by velvet for 1.99.

It was well known by the kids that to ever get treat they had to be 'on offer' for me to buy them. I was classed as tight, but I notice my eldest DD and her partner have adopted this attitude too.

Fuddle, well done on the nectar points - I get my OH to fill up at any petrol station with his works vehicle. He has Tesco, sainsburys and morrisons cards to collect the points. Considering he has to fill up every other day we do quite well out of it. Tesco is around £30 every quarter alone. Perks of the job as they say!!

DD had a blood test today, had to try both arms and then she passed out. So we held up the clinic for 10 mins while she recovered!! Happens everytime.

Well must dash as I need to take her into collage.

Possession

Anyone who goes to a Cineworld cinema, the Sweet Sunday promo just got more enticing as Mr T has now priced the big 315g packs at £1.50 - you only need 2 of these to get a ticket, so all those sweets and a cinema ticket for £3. You can redeem 2 tickets per email address and go on a Sunday.

Pooky

Morning all

Ive just brought DD2s last lot of uniform and that was easy, 2 pairs of A$da black basics trousers and a couple of their basic white blouses (from the womens section rather than the school one). Her blazer will do fine for her last year and she has 3 jumpers (basic black v-neck from the mens department as they were £4 each compaired to the £8 each in the school department!) She will be going to college in 2014 so this really is the last uniform shop! yeeehaaaaa!

Ive just made an AF order - some tasty marinades and sauces that we use. Nice to top up the stores with some nice things that I wouldn't normally use at shop prices. One of the marinades is £1.49 in LidI but 3 for 99p from AF.

Im coming to the end of my toiletries that I brought in bulk last year - I worked out just what we'd use in a year and shopped around for the best deals and brought the whole years worth in one go. By shopping wisely I got what I calculated to cost £215 for £81. I've had to buy a couple of extra shampoos over the time but still have lots of deoderant and moisturiser left so it balances out. I shall be doing that again after the school holidays.

Hope DH gets on ok today Possession. Are the rabbits ok now?

Fluffy kitten is quite perky today (that'll be the smoked salmon and steak shes been hand fed!) She even had a play with a toy mouse.

bunbun2

possession thanks for the info about cinema tickets and sweets. hope all has gone well for your OH at work. I know how you both feel and have my fingers and toes crossed x

I tried the second purse when the thread first started but couldn't get my head round paying more money from my grocery budget. I only buy things when they are on offer and bulk buy. If I run out I wait or buy something else.

I normally meet a friend on a Wednesday but she is away and as OH has gone to church I thought I would do some baking. I made lemon drizzle squares and chocolate and banana muffins. Does anyone have a recipe for lemon cheesecake (or plain cheesecake) using cream cheese rather than mascarpone?