2014 Frugal Living Challenge

DawnW

Morning all :j
Drizzly day here, so no drying washing outside today I am afraid.

OH has dug up the rest of the leeks from the veg patch this morning, so I combined them with some sprouty potatoes and bendy carrots to make some soup I still have to blend it, and add a couple more ingredients, but it smells lovely. And there will be enough for work lunches for several days.

Another spendy day here I am afraid as I am off to get my hair done at lunchtime.

Other jobs today - sow some tomato seeds, and do some tidying up. I have a small business which involves dealing in antiques and vintage items, and my stock is taking over the house a bit at the moment :eek:

SarahB1989_2

Mrs_Cheshire wrote: »

Do you have a morrison's nearby?

Not close enough to use regularly but there is one in town. Are they good for cheap meat?

[Deleted User]

Welcome Betsie, I am sure you will get lots of ideas and support on here. Best of luck.

I spent yesterday sorting out my linen cupboard and I still have a bit to do today. A few things to be chucked but other bits can go to charity shop and there are some old towels I will take to the local Dogs Trust. I love getting things like this sorted out. It has been needing done for a long time.

cydney65

Oh dear splurged big style last night on fleabay...I've had to take it out of next month's spends. Still, bought a little T-shirt for DGD with the lyrics of 'Soft kitty' (Big Bang Theory) on the front! It was either that or a Star Trek Tee (can you tell we are all nerds in our family!)

Weather is awful up here today. It's blowing a hoolie and pelting down with rain so a NSD. I will stay off fleabay today.

Boomdocker

I always seem to have left over potatoes as I try to buy the best value bags but they tend to go past their best before we get through them all.

Have any of you ever frozen your own spuds for roasting or mash, if so any hints or tips so I can reduce my wastage. Thanks.

SarahB1989_2

Boomdocker wrote: »

I always seem to have left over potatoes as I try to buy the best value bags but they tend to go past their best before we get through them all.

Have any of you ever frozen your own spuds for roasting or mash, if so any hints or tips so I can reduce my wastage. Thanks.

Not sure you could freeze uncooked potatoes but mash and roasties I've frozen in the past. You could also cook thin slices of potato and freeze them in sheets to use as topping for shepherds/cottage pie etc as an alternative to mash.

Pippin12

Can I join in please? I know I'm a bit late - but better late than never! I really need to pay off my credit card this year plus I want to save a bit as there are lean times ahead. I want to rack up as many NSDs as I can and just live a lot more frugally generally really. I've been haemorrhaging money for the last year but it all stops here!

hollieinbloom

Boomdocker wrote: »

I always seem to have left over potatoes as I try to buy the best value bags but they tend to go past their best before we get through them all.

Have any of you ever frozen your own spuds for roasting or mash, if so any hints or tips so I can reduce my wastage. Thanks.

Hi boomdocker, I often have this problem too but I have a nice recipe that helps that. Boil and mash the potatoes with some cream cheese and butter and leave to cool. Add some grated cheese and finely chopped red onion and mould into shapes (I usually shape into cubes) and then pop them in the freezer, when you take them out, just pop in the oven until they brown and they are lovely accompaniments to meals.

A few more ideas:

Hashbrowns- 1egg, 4 large potatoes, 1 onion, seasoning. Grate potatoes and onion, add a whisked egg to bind add seasoning and fry. Shape into round shapes and fry in a frying pan. (can freeze after cooled and then just cook in the oven)

potato pancakes- mash potatoes and leave to cool, add grated cheese, thinly chopped spring onions, 1 egg, a few tablespoons of flour and salt&pepper. I usually fry these, leave to cool, freeze then when I want them, I just defrost for 2 hours and then warm them up in the microwave. They are delicious with some cream cheese spread on them and stacked up!

Hope that helps xx

DawnW

Boomdocker wrote: »

I always seem to have left over potatoes as I try to buy the best value bags but they tend to go past their best before we get through them all.

Have any of you ever frozen your own spuds for roasting or mash, if so any hints or tips so I can reduce my wastage. Thanks.

Yes, I usually just boil and mash sprouty potatoes. They will need a little liquid drained off when they defrost, but taste fine, either on their own or as a topping for shepherds pie or for fishcakes. No need to waste them. The only time you need to throw them out is if they are actually rotten, or if they they go green. You can prevent this by keeping them out of the light.

macwah97

@buffy

I am due to get paid from the night job this Tuesday......if it is enough to bridge the gap then I'll quit this weekend. I may have the option of doing agency work an odd night at weekends but this would be only if it suited me. It would be more money per hour and a good top up.....problem is I love the work.....but the people??

???? Decisions

plus note. Had a top up shop at mr t which came to £21......included wash bag etc for dd's school trip end of April.....and YS bread