WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

cathybird

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Hiya Cathy I am just starting by eating what I already have in the cupboards/fridge freezer.

Yes, this is a good thing to do - I'm trying to use my freezer more effectively too. I've decided frozen veg are incredibly useful and have stocked up on broccoli and carrots etc.

Luckily the boys aren't too fussy. The only thing that neither of them will eat is mushrooms. Fair enough I say, they aren't generally picky so that's OK. I was awfully picky as a kid and my mum took me to the doctors several times due to my lack of appetite. I lived of chicken and carrots for about 3 years at 1 point
It was only when I hit 20 years old and had my 1st child that I decided I had to grow up and eat better.

ha ha! I was never as picky as that It clearly didn't do you any harm though. Re mushrooms, they do have a distinctive texture - I have friends that won't eat aubergine for that reason, they don't like the texture.

To be honest, its just a trial reduction at the moment. I used to feed all 3 of us for £40 a week when I was on JSA and struggling to pay off debts. But I wasn't able to buy a lot of fresh produce. For someone who tries to keep to a healthy diet (choc hobnobs aside!) it wasn't very nice. So if I feel like I cannot buy enough fruit and veg and healthy snacks on £70 a week then I will have no qualms in upping it to £100 again. I can afford £100 a week, so don't see the point in sacrificing our health for it. We'll see I'll keep you all updated

Yes, I want to make sure I eat healthily. I also don't have all day to make stuff at home so there has to be some give and take. But still hoping to keep the expenses lower than they have been.

JoJoC

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I am so sorry that I missed this! Well done Jo!! That's a great amount :j :beer:

Thank you I'm really chuffed that it's sneaking up slowly but surely. It's so addictive!

TM6

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Hiya Cathy I am just starting by eating what I already have in the cupboards/fridge freezer. I have 3 drawers in my freezer; 1 for fruit and veg, 1 for meat/fish and 1 for processed stuff.
Luckily, the 1 with meat/fish in it is almost full so I am not buying anymore meat for the time being. I agree, it'll reduce the food bills. From what I can remember, I have Chicken breast, chicken drumsticks, thighs and legs. Chorizo, diced beef, prawns, smoked haddock, cod and 4 squares of minced beef.


Luckily the boys aren't too fussy. The only thing that neither of them will eat is mushrooms. Fair enough I say, they aren't generally picky so that's OK. I was awfully picky as a kid and my mum took me to the doctors several times due to my lack of appetite. I lived of chicken and carrots for about 3 years at 1 point
It was only when I hit 20 years old and had my 1st child that I decided I had to grow up and eat better.



To be honest, its just a trial reduction at the moment. I used to feed all 3 of us for £40 a week when I was on JSA and struggling to pay off debts. But I wasn't able to buy a lot of fresh produce. For someone who tries to keep to a healthy diet (choc hobnobs aside!) it wasn't very nice. So if I feel like I cannot buy enough fruit and veg and healthy snacks on £70 a week then I will have no qualms in upping it to £100 again. I can afford £100 a week, so don't see the point in sacrificing our health for it. We'll see I'll keep you all updated



I am an old fashioned woman really, I have a notebook that I write down my weekly budgets in. I write my income and outgoings every week, my meal plan and what I need to buy in the supermarkets. Then also my savings amount for that week.


So today is the 1st week that I haven't had my tax credits weekly. I have paid for petrol and food from my wages this week and still need to get gas and electricity.
Tomorrow is Child Benefit day. I'll use some of the money and go to the beach for the day with the boys
I need to think about picnic food. I have pasta, so we could have pasta salad or some sandwiches, fruit and drinks. I also need to pack up lots of snacks as my boys eat a LOT! I am thinking cranberry scones or cranberry cookies and dried fruit and nuts. That should keep us all going until we get home!

I wouldn't be without my notebooks or my Filofaxes but this programme has been a real eye opener :eek:

I shall enjoy the best of both worlds

Eco_Miser

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I am just starting by eating what I already have in the cupboards/fridge freezer.

That will give a temporary reduction in your food bill. It will also give you an empty freezer (less efficient), and no food reserve for those days when you just can't get to the shops.

Just recently I was very pleased to have plenty of food in when I was feeling too ill to venture further than the kitchen.

WantToBeSE

Eco_Miser wrote: »

That will give a temporary reduction in your food bill. It will also give you an empty freezer (less efficient), and no food reserve for those days when you just can't get to the shops.

Just recently I was very pleased to have plenty of food in when I was feeling too ill to venture further than the kitchen.

Very good point, EM. However, I really do need to eat some of the stuff that has been in there for ages. I will restock in drips and drabs, so will never actually be 'out' of anything and always have a stock of stuff

Today is a lovely day. We are not going anywhere today though, we have decided on the beach tomorrow instead. The teenager needs to just chill out at home, he has had a stressful week at school and I think its best for him to just doss about at home.
I, however, want to go to B&M to get a rug and some light bulbs.

What is everyone else up to today?

I did some budgeting last night. Including child benefit, agency wages, private client payments, tax credits, petrol money from the agency, the reduction from my weekly food bill, a reduction in Phone and Broadband (saving of £25 a month) and getting paid for the extra hours I have done since Christmas, I should be able to save £700 by the end of this month :j

I don't think that I can squeeze ANY more money from the budget to save this month, but I will be a happy bunny if I manage to save that £700. The joys of being debt free

cathybird

Eco_Miser wrote: »

Just recently I was very pleased to have plenty of food in when I was feeling too ill to venture further than the kitchen.

Eco Miser, sorry to hear you've been ill I hope you're feeling better?

I don't think that I can squeeze ANY more money from the budget to save this month, but I will be a happy bunny if I manage to save that £700. The joys of being debt free

oh could not agree more, WantToBeSE Re the £700, go for it! :beer:

Re what I'm doing today, just some household stuff that needs doing before heading back to work tomorrow ... when I'll start posting on the "take your lunch to work" thread again.

WantToBeSE

I have spent the morning working out a meal plan for next week.

Main meals:

Monday-Risotto (using up and meat and veg I have in the house)
Tuesday- Bean burgers, rice and salad
Wednesday- Chilli with garlic bread
Thursday- Jacket Potatoes and salad
Friday- Beef and Veg chow mein
Saturday- Chicken Apricot Salsa
Sunday- Roast

Apart from a jar of salsa, I have everything I need for those meals.

Breakfasts:

Pancakes, toast, cereal, porridge, 'on toasts' (spaghetti, PB&J, beans), rice pud.

Again, I have everything already in the house for these.

Lunches:

Ham salad wraps/pitta breads/sandwiches, falafel pitta breads/salad, mackerel salad, tomato soup, minestrone soup (I need to make this), vegetarian burritos, omelettes.

I have most of the ingredients for these, but not all.

Snacks...I am thinking about these at the moment

WantToBeSE

Urgh, just had a lovely reminder of why I want to give up my council house and rent elsewhere.
My delightful neighbours have this horrid mini motorbike that they like to rev ALL day. As soon as the weather starts getting nicer (as it has been today) it starts. And they ride it up and down the path that is directly in front of my house.
That comes after yet another night of anti social behaviour from them. I have really had enough

JoJoC

Can you report them to the council? If it's a regular thing, make sure you report them every time so that they do something about it quicker.

What a pest! We're really lucky with neighbours and I really appreciate it after previous experience.

You sound like you've got really organised with food too- well done! I've for most things in that I need for the week but haven't written down my meal plan (it's just in my head!).

cathybird

Agreed with JoJoC, worth reporting them to the council. Nuisance neighbours are the worst.