2014 Frugal Living Challenge

skintygerlinky

Great news afoolwithmoney - keep it up!! You're made of stern stuff xx

sparrer

Got a new loo seat today - the current one's hinge broke, didn't think I was that heavy! - which I 'bought' with Nectar points so no money changed hands

skintygerlinky

Need some guidance please, Frugalites...

Ingredients

Defrosted, ready rolled puff pastry
Asparagus
Goats cheese
Ripe tomatoes

Skinty Method

Unwrap puff pastry, realise its massive, cut in half, wrap half back up, put in fridge for tomorrow.
Lob piece I'm using onto baking sheet - do I grease baking sheet?
Cut a 'lip' around edge of pastry - is this right?
Cut up raw tomatoes, arrange on pastry
Slice raw asparagus in half, scatter on pastry
Do I need to blanch asparagus?
Place blobs of goats cheese around toms and asparagus
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar - is this wise?
Do I need to oil/brush pastry with butter before veggies go on it??
Season with s&p & dried herbs
In the oven it goes, maybe 190 degs? 20mins or so??? Whaddya fink?

Anyone fancy coming round for tea?? :rotfl:

Any advice or guidance will be much appreciated!!

Taadaa

Always grease the baking sheet. I can't tell you how many hm pizzas I've ripped in half by not.
I guess the lip is so that it rises higher - don't cut all the way through!
I would blanch the asparagus
Hmmm up to you regarding vinegar
No need for butter under veggies
Give it a go, just nose out for the smell - when something in the oven begins to smell, it's usually just about cooked.

TM6

:dance: Wahoo, another NSD yesterday :dance:

I can easily manage low spending days but NSD are that much harder so well chuffed with yesterday

macwah97

Good morning all and hugs to all those you need one.....ie....everyone coz we all need a hug and a pat on the back.

me? Havent a clue how January went but I didn't go over overdraft so no charges.....:j. February is a work in progress. I had been searching for a job closer to home with more hours as my daytime job was cut to seven hours per week. Interviewed Tuesday offered position Tuesday evening......panic:eek: forward facing very much trader and customer focused........do I have anything to wear???? So will explain that I have been out of this scenario for over 4 years and can they bear with me...then my birthday is coming up and I am also due leaving present usually marks vouchers ...will use these for work clothes. Plus this job is at a lower rate but hoping less travel and stress will be the bonus.

you are all probably reading this drivel thinking what is she on!! You see prior to trainee frugaldom I would have just gone and bought full rig out and to pot with the cost.....not now. :A

good luck to everyone job hunting.....and those in difficult positions.

something I always told myself was that if I woke in the morning and did not want to go to ie dreaded the thought and I wasn't sick or hungover then it was time to look elsewhere bscause the job satisfaction was waning.

this is not an ideal case in today's economical climate but your health is your wealth and without it .......

enough.......sorry for waffling

happybird71

Hi everyone. Well it's been relatively easy not to spend money with being stuck in with DS1's chicken pox! Had to take DS2 for his immunisations yesterday Not fun. Went to SM afterwards to get essentials. Saw a few lovely wee clothes & using my returns card from taking a few baby clothes back I got to splurge for free Didn't feel too guilty about buying a hot choc for the walk home

Re the toddler bed at £69 from Mothercare. Got not one but two for £50 from someone via a Facebook sale & wanted page Very chuffed & prefect condition

cydney65

Morning all!

Have been catching up as have been playing with our beautiful week old grand daughter

Yesterday had to order doggie stuff for our dachshunds-they are getting older now so we try and give them glucosamine for their joints-and in order to get free super saver delivery I had to order a rattle and a baby book

Got some meat out of the freezer for a curry and have veggies, so I'm trying to be frugal today!

Hugs to everyone x

Just_be_2

Just put 7 meal sized individual portions of homemade lasagne in the freezer and kept one in fridge for tonight. Got ingredients to do another batch of 6 today. Will also be a NSD. This makes me feel happy

mrsinvisible

Thanks all, for the welcome, glad I have given you an idea Skinty, as you have given me loads since this thread started in Jan. I had a NSD yesterday, that's 3 in a row. Today may also be one, as I have a mince thing in the slow cooker. 4oz mince a carrot onion last dreg of a butternut squash and a big handful of lentils some of last seasons frozen toms and a glass of red and a h-o-t chili. This will give me the base for 4 meals. DGS is here for his tea too so fish fingers and mash or pasta for him, sorted.
On the energy front, I changed to First Ut*lity and submit online monthly readings so I know exactly what it costs. I did have one of those 'owl' things (that you clip to the cable on the meter, but it was too complicated to work out the sums.
Sun was shining this morning so I put 2 lines of washing out. Rained after 3 hours, but was almost dry when it came in, so on airers in the bedroom now.