Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

mum2one

I noticed your grocery shopping it seems to be little bits here and there, thats where it starts going out of control.

Try doing a main shop and allow a small top up shop if needed. What we do main grocery shop on Thursday, then Sat or Sun small basket top up, the only thing we have to get inbetween is milk, that way it controls the budget.

One of my friends swears by internet shopping as she says she has to think what she wants, meal plans and still has some spare, she lived 2 mins from a co-op so was always popping in for one thing and coming out with 10. xx

AlexLK

Mrs. K. and I like most things. However, neither of us really enjoy cooking and HATE washing up afterwards, hence our frequent meals out, takeaways and cafe lunches.

You cannot buy good quality continental fare locally , it is slowly getting better, though most Deli's tend to sell things like home made pasties and a dozen different types of ham rather than continental meats and olives / sundried tomatoes.

AlexLK

mum2one wrote: »

I noticed your grocery shopping it seems to be little bits here and there, thats where it starts going out of control.

Try doing a main shop and allow a small top up shop if needed. What we do main grocery shop on Thursday, then Sat or Sun small basket top up, the only thing we have to get inbetween is milk, that way it controls the budget.

One of my friends swears by internet shopping as she says she has to think what she wants, meal plans and still has some spare, she lived 2 mins from a co-op so was always popping in for one thing and coming out with 10. xx

We try to shop for what we need either daily or every other day. We also try to avoid the supermarkets and do not take a list into town (did that a few times and couldn't stick to it).

I do not doubt A LOT of things we buy could be made for a lot less money. Then I do have moments of extravagance.

I must admit, as much as some recommend internet shopping, I don't like the idea of it.

AlexLK

Sorry about the upcoming rant.

I just know that I'm going to have another sleepless night, feeling ill and tired which just isn't good considering I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. As much as I want to sort everything out it seems as if my head is only working against me. :mad:

chevalier

Hi Alex

How about looking for another freezer on freecycle, so that you DO have more storage space? Or else look to fund one from ebay sales.

Secondly if you both hate washing up, then again fund a dishwasher from ebay sales.

In the long run these purchases will save you money. You seem to make yummy stuff when you actually do cook, so take out of the equation the things that stop you doing this.

Secondly if what you are eating is making you ill, then you both have to stop a moment and really think about that. Your dislike for cooking food at home is making you ill. Is it worth it. Or is it worth a few minutes of annoyance over the washing up to start feeling better.

It sounds rather silly like that doesn't it.

We only have take aways in our house, when there is literally not time to feed the kids (between getting home and doing other activities), or when there is something to celebrate. They are TREATS not every day occurences. The takeaways are bound to be loaded with empty calories, salt and MSG, NOT the diet for a child either.

My food is pretty basic, but made fresh most nights. I don't like cooking but my DS is allergic to peanuts so this keeps him safe.

I do batch cook however, and I alternate between making a big batch of something and freezing portions, or, if I get a good deal on lots of different meat taking an afternoon, and cooking several different things to freeze.

And to be honest you have the time. You have mentioned before that some days there is not much to do - that is when you cook!
chev

Sedge123

Just a thought- what about a slow cooker? They are pretty cheap to pick up and you don't actually have to stand in the kitchen and Cook, just throw everything in and turn on. Then you just have to cook some pasta or rice to go with whatever you've made. I hate cooking too but don't mind doing this- only one pot to wash too!

I've been following your story since your first post- keep going as you're doing great!

7roland8

Alex - living in an isolated location I do all my shopping on interenet with Tesco.

I am often not well but in our house we cook for ourselves but you can make quick and easy meals. I am also cutting out wheat but can eat eggs, cheese, bacon, veg, fruit, oat cakes, frozen veg, frozen turkey slices and frozen fish - plus porridge and rice.
All quick and easy to prepare and not much washing up.

AlexLK

chevalier wrote: »

Hi Alex

How about looking for another freezer on freecycle, so that you DO have more storage space? Or else look to fund one from ebay sales.

Secondly if you both hate washing up, then again fund a dishwasher from ebay sales.

In the long run these purchases will save you money. You seem to make yummy stuff when you actually do cook, so take out of the equation the things that stop you doing this.

Secondly if what you are eating is making you ill, then you both have to stop a moment and really think about that. Your dislike for cooking food at home is making you ill. Is it worth it. Or is it worth a few minutes of annoyance over the washing up to start feeling better.

It sounds rather silly like that doesn't it.

We only have take aways in our house, when there is literally not time to feed the kids (between getting home and doing other activities), or when there is something to celebrate. They are TREATS not every day occurences. The takeaways are bound to be loaded with empty calories, salt and MSG, NOT the diet for a child either.

My food is pretty basic, but made fresh most nights. I don't like cooking but my DS is allergic to peanuts so this keeps him safe.

I do batch cook however, and I alternate between making a big batch of something and freezing portions, or, if I get a good deal on lots of different meat taking an afternoon, and cooking several different things to freeze.

And to be honest you have the time. You have mentioned before that some days there is not much to do - that is when you cook!
chev

Hi Chev,

Thank you for the suggestions, I suppose my wife and I are a bit old fashioned in regards to buying appliances. Also, I've never liked the idea of freezing food as I don't think it ever tastes quite the same. Ditto with microwaves. Admittedly, it would be much better than what we do currently eat.

I do have quiet days and Mrs. K. works low hours for a full time job, so we should have time to have a house that doesn't look like a bomb site / nice home cooked meals, it just never happens.

Sedge123 wrote: »

Just a thought- what about a slow cooker? They are pretty cheap to pick up and you don't actually have to stand in the kitchen and Cook, just throw everything in and turn on. Then you just have to cook some pasta or rice to go with whatever you've made. I hate cooking too but don't mind doing this- only one pot to wash too!

I've been following your story since your first post- keep going as you're doing great!

Thank you.

It's another one of those things I just don't trust / think it wouldn't taste very nice.

7roland8 wrote: »

Alex - living in an isolated location I do all my shopping on interenet with Tesco.

I am often not well but in our house we cook for ourselves but you can make quick and easy meals. I am also cutting out wheat but can eat eggs, cheese, bacon, veg, fruit, oat cakes, frozen veg, frozen turkey slices and frozen fish - plus porridge and rice.
All quick and easy to prepare and not much washing up.

Hello Roland,

Wondered where you'd got to!

Luckily we are not too isolated, there are two big towns about 7 ad 10 miles away respectively.

I'm not sure where Mrs. K. and I get our laziness about cooking from, my parents both enjoy cooking and her mother cooks everything from scratch. I've been told on a few occasions to consider changing my diet and cut down drinking, it only really happened when Mrs. K. was wanting to lose baby weight after our son was born!

LannieDuck

AlexLK wrote: »

Also, I've never liked the idea of freezing food as I don't think it ever tastes quite the same.

Actually, we find home-made food often tastes better when it comes out of the freezer because the flavours have had time to mature. My OH makes a lovely coq au vin, and we always do enough to freeze some. The fresh meal is yum, but the frozen portion a few days later is really tasty.

heartbreak_star

Dear me, I don't spend an hour in the kitchen on an evening - if I spend over 30-35 mins there it's unusual.

Stew - throw it all in a pan and simmer. Stir every so often.

Stir-fry - throw it all in a pan and stir continuously for a short amount of time.

Casserole - throw it all in a pot and bung in the oven.

Chilli - brown mince and onions for a few minutes. Bung in a pot with everything else and simmer.

Etc, etc. As my mum used to say, watching it don't make it cook any quicker

Also I'm with LannieDuck...frozen or chilled home-made stuff can also end up tasting better after a day or so due to maturing - my curries and chillis always have a bit more kick if left overnight!

AND...*harsh hat*... you have to get OVER this "I don't like it so I'm not doing it". Try a dishwasher. Try a slow cooker. Branch out a bit Again - it sounds like you're using these as an excuse to buy expensive stuff. *removes hat*

HBS x