WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

tattycath

Abseiling?
Rock climbing?

WantToBeSE

Going to the gym?

WantToBeSE

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope the sun is shining where you are? Its lovely here today. I have put my washing out on the line (saving electricity, no tumble dryer) and there is another load in the machine at the moment (40 wash instead of 60).

I am going to sit down and write my shopping list and meal plan in a bit. I also want to make some herby wholemeal bread to go with some soup that I have. I have the four and everything I need for the herby bread, so that wont cost anything and its very easy to make.

Talking of herbs- I would like to start growing my own herbs but am clueless when it comes to growing anything, then I over (or under) water it etc...any advice? I always buy the cheapest tub of mixed herbs, but also buy dreid basil, thyme, rosemary etc. I would love to try growing my own as I am sure the taste would be superior to the dried stuff.

The teenager is still in bed, surprise surprise! I let him have a very late night last night (he went downstairs at almost 1am for food, so no idea what time he actually went to sleep). I always let him have a very late night on a Friday night.

JoJoC

I've got no advice about growing herbs I'm afraid, hopefully someone will be able to help! My dad did grow his own tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers a while back which was amazing. When we have a house of our own, ie not a flat, I'd like to grow bits and bobs.

I would LOVE to be a teenager without a care in the world and still be in my bed right now. I've been up since 7am with my little boy who's a bit under the weather with a snottery nose and teething. He's feeling pretty sorry for himself but we're getting wrapped up soon to get some fresh air. Hankies at the ready!!

Good luck with the meal plan/ shopping list. Remember, once you do it, you won't have to do it for another week- brave Aldi!!

WantToBeSE

Done it!

Meal plan written:

Toad-In-The-Hole, salad and veggies
Baked Potatoes with beans and cheese, salad
Lasagna and salad
Beef and Veg Chow Mein, prawn crackers
Mixed Bean Goulash, salad, tortillas
Macaroni Cheese, salad
Sort-of-Paella.

Spent £34.60 in Aldi and £13.93 in Morrisons, so a total of £48.53. Not bad! That includes £8 spent on a handheld blender too (in Morrisons).

Also spent £30 getting fuel for the week. Now need to go and get gas and elec and withdraw £20.

Its raining and horrible now, so my clothes need to be picked in from the line....going to sit and have a cuppa first!

JoJoC

Sounds like you're all organised now WTBSE!

Was the shopping that bad? That's a good price, considering you were trying to bring it down from over £200 to £70!

There's the £5 off Aldi voucher on Thursday in the daily record (Scotland) and I think it might be the Mirror in England. I've set a reminder to pick one up.

We won't need much from the supermarket tomorrow, so hoping I can keep below £20 for fresh stuff. We'll see...

Trying to get some housework done but my little boy isn't very well (teething and cold) so he's requiring a lot of attention!!

WantToBeSE

JoJoC wrote: »

Sounds like you're all organised now WTBSE!

Was the shopping that bad? That's a good price, considering you were trying to bring it down from over £200 to £70!

There's the £5 off Aldi voucher on Thursday in the daily record (Scotland) and I think it might be the Mirror in England. I've set a reminder to pick one up.

We won't need much from the supermarket tomorrow, so hoping I can keep below £20 for fresh stuff. We'll see...

Trying to get some housework done but my little boy isn't very well (teething and cold) so he's requiring a lot of attention!!

Thanks Jo, no it wasn't really that bad. I was tempted to get a fortnights shopping done, as I wont have time net week unless I do it on the Wednesday (or Saturday), but I hadn't planned that far in advance.
I'll have to pop into the shops again at some point to pick up some more fresh fruit and veg, but both of the fruit bowls are full to bursting today at least, and the veg portion of the fridge is bursting too...for the time being anyway!

I hope your little one is feeling better soon. Its horrid to see them in pain or unwell, even as they grow up. But when they are that young, its especially horrid. Sending my thoughts to you both!
How is your weekend going? Is your husband working very long hours?

I have been being a bit retro today and playing The Sims 3 on my laptop I had forgotten what a time killer it is and how addicted I can become to it!

cathybird

hi WantToBeSE! I have got my citizenship test out of the way (passed), so can think about other things again now. Re herbs, rosemary is a nice easy one and useful in a number of things - I'd give that a go first. Sage is also good.

WantToBeSE

cathybird wrote: »

hi WantToBeSE! I have got my citizenship test out of the way (passed), so can think about other things again now. Re herbs, rosemary is a nice easy one and useful in a number of things - I'd give that a go first. Sage is also good.

Well done Cathy!

I think I will definitely try Rosemary first..we'll see how it goes!

Eco_Miser

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I have put my washing out on the line (saving electricity, no tumble dryer).

I use the third alternative, line across the kitchen - could be clothes horse or rack. No electricity, no having to rush out when it starts raining, or get your clothes re-soaked.

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Talking of herbs- I would like to start growing my own herbs but am clueless when it comes to growing anything, then I over (or under) water it etc...any advice?

Follow the instructions on the packet?
There's a thread on the Greenfingered board that looks relevant.