Armageddon food shop? what 2buy?

EstherH

Hi Gailey, Sorry to hear your husband may loose his job. You have always worked so hard to look after your family and I'm sure you will be able to what ever happens. I think you know what you are doing and are able to hunt the bargains better than most. Kezloe bumped a thread by Mbaz feeding a family of four for a month on £20, which was a few years ago now, but I have been reading it and it's really full of good tips. Might be worth a look, it's probably on the second page of this forum now.

I know that you do the second hand sales/car boots/eBay, so hopefully you will get the clothes you need there. Does DD's school have a second hand uniform shop? Or are you able to get it all in the supermarket, without having to have badges etc?

Someone suggested making soup. A packet of frozen Smartprice/basic frozen veg and an onion and stock cube will make a big pan of soup, much cheaper than cans. Add herbs, salt and pepper. Or frozen leeks, potatoes, a little cream cheese and stock. Or can of tomatoes, carrot, onion and lentils, can add celery and peppers if you have them or leave out if you haven't. HTH. Esther x

Butterfly_Brain

gailey, sorry to hear that your hubby's job is in jeopardy
I think that you are doing evrything that you can at the moment.
I have a store cupboard and store freezer (I have three freezers) that has saved our skins quite a few times.

I buy meat whenever I see it reduced Aldi usually reduce by 30% and sometimes if you are lucky by 50%, if you see these bargains grab them.
I also have found a lovely butcher who does a good deal when I buy in bulk, and a local greengrocer who always gives me a good deal at the end of Saturday trading because he would rather make a few pence than throw it away, but I have known him for over 20 years.
Markets on Saturday sometimes sell stuff off cheaply at the end of the day for the same reason.
I would stock up on the more expensive items first, such as meat, soap powder, toilet rolls etc.
A good basic baking cupboard should contain:
bread, plain and SR flours, yeast. Bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, golden syrup, porridge oats (Twinks) caster sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar, mixed fruit, sultanas, suet, lemonjuice, lime juice, honey, glace cherries, spices such as mixed spice, ginger etc.
Then have a good stock of pasta, egg noodles and rice, cooking oil, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, pasta sauces, stock cubes if you use them ( I don't I prefer to make mine from scratch) cheese sauce is a good stand by because cheese is an expensive item. Don't forget that you can buy cheese then grate it and freeze it, so you always have some one hand to rustle up a cheese and onion pie or for a topping etc. I love Aldis Welsh cheese at £1.89 it is cheaper than the other branded cheeses.

Tinned meats such as corned beef, tinned and dried veggies and beans, tinned fruits

Try planting your own garlic this year, very easy to do just split a bulb into cloves and plant into pots.

I would also try to save some money towards bills etc because it now takes longer to be eligible for benefits thanks to the Nazi party :mad: Even then you always have the threat of sanctions over your head................total bar stewards :mad:

I think that making food gifts is a great idea, as is kitting the children out so that they don't feel that they stand out, sadly there will be many in the same position as yourselves who have no contingency plans, teachers see it all the time . Don't forget that if your hubby does lose his job apply for free school meals straight away.

Oh dear I seem to have waffled a bit so I will wish you all the best and I hope that things improve for you soon xxx

want_to_save

Hi my DH does not like milk etc for breakfast and breakfast cereal biscuits are rather expensive i make the following oaty biscuits and the following recipe makes about 20 -24 (depending on how thin you press them ) and they are cheap and tasty
wet ingredients
115g butter (have tried best for baking but dont like the taste)
60g golden syrup

dry - mix together in big bowl
100g oats
150g plain flour
50g dessicated coconut
100g light brown sugar (can be any suger)

melt wet ingredients once melted stir in tbsp hot water mixed with 1/2tsp of bicarb, stir and watch it bubble up

mix all together make up biscuit shapes put in oven on 200 degrees for apprx 10 mins and then take out to cool

v cheap, not too bad on the healthy front, very filling and worth a try hun

hope this helps

EstherH

BUTTERFLY BRAIN: When is the right time to plant out the garlic please?

I don't use caster sugar usually, just ordinary granulated which is cheaper. I find that's ok for general baking. Does anyone else do this?
Esther x

bossymoo

I use any old sugar for baking

It sounds like you are doing all the right things - and hopefully the situation won't be as bad as you fear.

Is there any chance you can overpay on your utilities a little to get ahead before the winter, whilst you still have regular income?

MessyBetty1

Hi Gailey I have been lurking for a while and have just registered to let you know that the supermarket beginning with T have boxes of continental chocolates on offer at the moment at 80p they are quite nice, well I had to try them:o anyway I thought that they might do in your hampers. As others have said you are doing incredibly well:)
Best wishes

jackel

Hi Gailey - Sorry to hear your bad news. Have followed your families ups and downs for many moons. One thing I do know you if anyone can will get through it. I have always admired your common sence and ability to turn darkness into light. Good luck - you can do it if anyone can. jac x.

calicocat

Hi,

Just a quick post re: oven chips. I got a tip when watching super scrimpers (I think it was that) .

If you come across a cheap bag of spuds or have extra that you won't use before going off, par boil and cut into chips, and freeze. Someone else said spray them with a bit of oil and salt and pepper so you have seasoned oven chips. I haven't tried this myself as yet, but may be worth a try, and probably healthier than shop ones too.


Edit, morrisons today have some of their veg at 50p, broccoli, button mushrooms, cabbage, and carrots, can't remember what else. Even if you don't need them right now you could make a huge batch of soup with it?

daftmummy

Hello,
my hubby is self-employed and money is tight as we don't have a fixed income or pay date other than tax credits. I have kids and it is a worry. I freeze reduced bread and also any reduced veg I pick up by going to Mr M or T ( slim pickings at the moment as it seems to be a scrum for all yellow sticker things )
I add oats or grated carrots to bulk out stews,soups and mince. I water down the milk I use for hubby and mine hot drinks so kids have more.
There is lots of support here so don't feel like your alone a lot of people are in the same boat.

Butterfly_Brain

EstherH wrote: »

BUTTERFLY BRAIN: When is the right time to plant out the garlic please?

I don't use caster sugar usually, just ordinary granulated which is cheaper. I find that's ok for general baking. Does anyone else do this?
Esther x

This site has all the information that you need, I have planted garlic successfully in late October and it is ready in march
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/vegetables/growing/garlic-growing/

As for sugar farmfoods have 2 bags for £1.75 that is the cheapest around