2014 Frugal Living Challenge

mum2one

I knows its 2014 challenge - but today is the last day for 2nd class posting, - usually local boxes are around 6pm collection, - if desperate and you have a sorting office there posting is later - know ours is 8.30pm.

You can always check on Royal Mail website and put in your area it will give you last times xx

23rdspiral

Well i've made a good start... i've sorted out the cupboard under the stairs and put in shelves.. and ta da! I have a pantry!

This Will help as I can now see what dry goods i have so won't 'pop to the shop' for things i already have or instead i can substitute something else for. I also found a massive amount of porridge, so husband is not allowed to buy any more untill it's all used up!

Boomdocker

That's a coincidence 23rdspiral as that's my project for January. I have just moved into a new property with loads of storage in the hall way including a really decent sized cupboard that I plan to clear out and use as a pantry. I mean it won't be walk in or anything but I have never had my own pantry and I am quite excited about this. :j

Shortie

Hope you don't mind me along for the ride? I was debt free last month,as of this week though I owe my Dad £3,500 as we bought as brand new stonking bargain car but needed the money on top if our savings

Have paid £1,000 off today with the help of selling Mr Shortie's car, and aim to save like mad and have the rest paid off by March. Next is to save for a new heating system (ours is old, crusty and not up to the job.) THEN for an extension and somewhere in there, build up savings!

I could really do with some moral support to keep me on the straight and frugal narrow xx

Buffythedebtslayer

Ermmm What do you keep in a pantry? and how is it is different to a normal food cupboard?

evuka

Phew, so I decided. I will join and I aim to live within a budget of £13,000.
I already moved to a cheaper flat (with a garden so I can hardly wait to grow my own veg!:j) with probably lower bills to pay, I started utilizing cashback sites, registered on swagbucks and survey sites, participating in the Grocery Challenge and started using my freezer (didn't have a freezer in the previous flat).
Will monitor my spending throughout the year and keep my budget/signature updated so I can keep myself accounted. :cool:
2014, here I come!:p

Boomdocker

It's probably not a lot different to a normal food cupboard but it's usually to store food, linens, pots and pans in addition to kitchen storage. My nan had a walk in on in her house with the original cold slab in that used to be for chilled items. Modern variations are generally to store dry goods, non foods, ambient goods etc.

Buffythedebtslayer

Boomdocker wrote: »

It's probably not a lot different to a normal food cupboard but it's usually to store food, linens, pots and pans in addition to kitchen storage. My nan had a walk in on in her house with the original cold slab in that used to be for chilled items. Modern variations are generally to store dry goods, non foods, ambient goods etc.

thanks


I don't really cook so will probably ask a lot of silly questions

23rdspiral

Boomdocker wrote: »

That's a coincidence 23rdspiral as that's my project for January. I have just moved into a new property with loads of storage in the hall way including a really decent sized cupboard that I plan to clear out and use as a pantry. I mean it won't be walk in or anything but I have never had my own pantry and I am quite excited about this. :j

It's silly but it made me stupidly happy to do!
We had a sort of panty in our last house and it really did help so much. I'm sure it'll be good for you.. and if not, then at least it's more storage for other things!

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

Ermmm What do you keep in a pantry? and how is it is different to a normal food cupboard?

For me (at last house) the pantry meant many things:
- I could buy in bulk but keep food fresh (big tubs for flour/pasta/sugar), smaller jars for Kilo+ bags of lentils, beans, soup mix.
- having dry goods visable is very crutial for me, as if they are in little boxes on the top shelf of the kitchen cupboard i wouldnt see them so they wouldnt get used... meaning i'd buy more or forget all about something (eg, cous-cous) for weeks!
- I could make big batches of chutneys and pickles and store them in the dark and out of sight but within reach.
- ditto slow gin / vodka & winter berry wisky (used as gifts after a year of maturation)
- I could buy a slab of tinned tomatoes chickpeas etc when on offer at M*rrisons etc instead of the couple that would fit in the kitchen cupboard.

Boomdocker wrote: »

It's probably not a lot different to a normal food cupboard but it's usually to store food, linens, pots and pans in addition to kitchen storage. My nan had a walk in on in her house with the original cold slab in that used to be for chilled items. Modern variations are generally to store dry goods, non foods, ambient goods etc.

my nan had the same. My kitchen has very few cupboards and when one is for dog stuff, one is for tins and one for baking stuff I quickly run out of room.

23rdspiral

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

thanks


I don't really cook so will probably ask a lot of silly questions

there's no such thing as a silly question. it'd only be silly if you didnt ask it!

- I guess the quick and simple answer to your last question would be:

A pantry helps me save money by being more frugal with what I already own by batch cooking, preserving fresh produce and using things before they go out of date.