NSK; February 28 Days Later!

SarahB1989_2

rubywhatashmoo wrote: »

I can't believe I've spent over 22 quid on shopping already this month - based on what I've actually bought we haven't got a lot for the money, we did get a 16 pack of loo rolls for £5 but also got a fajita kit for £3 something or other which I will definitely need to find a cheaper alternative for next time as that doesn't even include all the ingredients I would need to actually make a flipping fajita!! :mad:

I've never found a fajita kit that includes everything, but some are more ridiculous than others. Most supermarkets do their own brand kits, else the Old El Paso and Discovery ranges are often on 3 for 2 or BOGOF and you can create your own 'kit' from their products for less. I tend to just buy the sachet of fajita sauce (can't recall which of those brands it is, but costs about £1.50) and a packet of own-brand tortilla wraps, plus chicken and veg, seems the cheapest way to do it as you can stretch the sauce further with chopped toms/tomato puree (buy a spicier one than you'd normally go for if you're doing this though as it waters down the flavour!).

TiptoesDB

Right, totals and planning and spreadsheets done. CC payments made. Feeling all organised for the start of the month. DH got bits in town today from xmas vouchers so no spends, but weekly shop done. And a swim done on the way home. Go us!

• 0/15 SFD’s
• £42/£180 food budget
• 1/20 exercise
• 0/3 planned outings

Regarding the planning section, I have already told everyone I think will be helpful about the debt, so I don’t think I can do this one. I don’t want to tell certain people as I don’t want them judging DH about it. DH and I have started to recently plan for being DF and are going to have a celebratory big holiday, we think to Australia to see friends in Jan 15, and then start the mortgage saving pot. Exciting stuff!

I will look for de- clutter and organising things but we have been pretty hot on this over the last few months. The kitchen cupboards (non food ones) really need sorting but that is going to be my pet project for my week’s annual leave in March with a spring clean. So, umm, I promise to de-clutter and streamline my wardrobe… and the desk drawers!

We have always fed the cat dry food as it’s supposed to be better for him as he is prone to tooth decay. But, in order to ‘bribe’ him to love his new little sister we have been feeding them together with wet food either side of the kitchen door (as recommended by the cat whisperer dude) but once they are ok with each other we will go back to biscuits – they are so much cheaper and the big cat becomes so food orientated and such a begging cat when on wet food!

Re cat hair, we use the dyson brush attachments and rubbing with your hand (or a glove) to ball up the worst. We also bought sofas in cat colour! we are very lazy...

TiptoesDB

SarahB1989 wrote: »

I've never found a fajita kit that includes everything, but some are more ridiculous than others. Most supermarkets do their own brand kits, else the Old El Paso and Discovery ranges are often on 3 for 2 or BOGOF and you can create your own 'kit' from their products for less. I tend to just buy the sachet of fajita sauce (can't recall which of those brands it is, but costs about £1.50) and a packet of own-brand tortilla wraps, plus chicken and veg, seems the cheapest way to do it as you can stretch the sauce further with chopped toms/tomato puree (buy a spicier one than you'd normally go for if you're doing this though as it waters down the flavour!).

We don't even buy the fajita sauce anymore, we just use veg (peppers and onions) and chicken or prawns or whatever, with some tom pur!e, fajita spice (from the spices section of the supermarket) chilli powder, paprika and a bit of cinnamon. As all the spices are in the glass jars they last ages and it's a fraction of the price. We use the value tortilla or whatever ones are on offer and freeze the extras. Then buy value sour cream and supermarket brand guacamole and jalapeños. Grate on a bit of value cheddar and Yum .

Mountaingirl

For Fajitas/tortillas I looked up a recipe and method on youtube and now make them myself. 8 smallish tortilla need 2 cups of flour, a little bit of oil, 3/4 cup of warm milk and half an hours prep time. They taste delicious!

I spoke today with DH about moving away from where we are - I think that if we planned it out and worked together we could do it. It just requires us to be disciplined and have a goal. I think we'll do some work on it this week and plan out some short term goals...

Today has been Spend free - all the shops are shut!

Food 107.09/440.
NSD 1/15
Exercise 1/20.

EyesWideOpen

Littleskintdragon My daughter is also five months old
I used an Annabel Karmel book with my eldest and am doing the same with my youngest. AK has some of her receipts online for free. You can start there, https://www.annabelkarmel.com.

First SFD had today, so not too bad a start to the month. I'm going to try to just buy the absolutely necessary and nothing else in the coming week. So milk, veg, cheese, flour and fruit. That should force me to reduce spending on groceries and make a dent in the stores and freezer! Grocery spends, over-stocking in other words, is my downfall. So the aim for February is too reduce the spends and use up what I've got.

Made a bread today and had first exercise today too - snow shuffling, heavy lifting!!

clippy_girl

TiptoesDB wrote: »

Re cat hair, we use the dyson brush attachments and rubbing with your hand (or a glove) to ball up the worst. We also bought sofas in cat colour! we are very lazy...

Unfortunately they didn't have any brown cats when I got him. On that note can you even get brown cats?! Maybe I could dye him

Thanks for advice, will try rubber glove!

Luckily don't need to wean him off wet food as he went off two brands and vet said not to bother trying others. So just trying to decide which dry one is best.

Don't think my vet would get commission on food as my vets in a pets at home so unless he took me out to the food then don't know how they would. It's not nice to have to question motives for recommendations so is a good job we have the nhs or we would think this every time we went to the doctors!

£ashcow

Evening all
1st SFD for me and managed to de-clutter 2 more bags of unwanted items, cooked a huge pot of chilli and cauliflower cheese both for freezing, persuaded ds to make pizza bases for tomorrow nights tea . . . . i think i'm getting the hang of it now!

B17c

Evening all I am absolutely cream crackered! Don't know what's wrong with me at the mo, no energy at all. Can't wait for my day off on tues!

SFD today I'm pleased to report, also LTW

NSD: 1/15
Food (reduced by £20 -£64): 0/£16
Basics/YS: 0/£64
Foodbank: 0/£5
Exercise: 0/12
Declutter: 0/£100
Outings: 0/£50
LTW: 1/20

Superdopsa

Evening all. First SFD of the month today. Whoop!


Nothing much to report - I didn't make it for my run today. Done some housework, laundry and ironing.


I have been investigating what meals I can make with the 2 tins of spam I have in the cupboard. I have found one that sounds half decent but if anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated.


Hope everyone is well and hasn't been affected by any bad weather.


Have a good Monday everyone and fingers crossed for another SFD tomorrow!

lindsaygalaxy

Please count me in! I'm a few days out but I am on board