Need to get back on the wagon!!

Learning2Budget

Bills going out with it being first of the month. Logged onto my bank account and realised that we have grossly over spent for the month. So now my food budget for 2 adults n 2 kids is £60 for 16 days.
I know it can be done but I need a little assistance please? ?? Also I have changed gas n electric suppliers and we are in credit with Scottish Power. Anyone know how long it would be before they send me my credit cheque? Do they pay promptly?
L2B.x

FireWyrm

a) what have you got to work with in the cupboard?

b) utility companies usually say somewhere between 7-10 days for a refund but it could be longer.

FireWyrm

OK. I had a bash. It comes in a little over budget, but it is nearly there. You'll have to endure a monotonous breakfast and lunch for the next few weeks, but the main meal of the day ought to be dinner anyway.

You can find my attempt here :
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mqxs6rc0qbijrai/Menu.xlsx

Also, additional recipes can be found here : https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/recipes/recipes-by-category/quick-and-easy/

Hopefully, you have some basic staples in the cupboard already such as herbs and spices along with rice and spaghetti. I assumed you werent starting completely from scratch. I have left out stuff that I would eat, which could in fact improve matters such as using kidney and belly pork instead of pork chops. You can shave some more by using turkey instead of chicken even though I specified it. You'll have to park any preconceived notions at the supermarket door and buy cheap(est) where possible - but your budget for 4 people is somewhat tight. This means battery eggs and non-free range anything and nothing labelled 'best' or 'special' or 'selected'. Buy whole food, nothing in a packet. I'm afraid you'll have to make most of it from scratch, but I've provided some suggested recipes to get you started.

Let us know if that's do-able for you.

GettingOrganised

Great meal plan Firewyrm - downloaded and will be trying some of the recipes

sistafromanothermista

:T:T
Brilliant advice from FireWyrm. I will be trying some of these

FireWyrm

Forgot Onion Gravy recipe...sorry....

Chop some onions
Add a little olive oil to a saucepan and sweat off the onions until soft leaving covered and simmering - about 10 minutes
Add 1 oz plain flour to sweated onions and mix
Add dash of red-wine vinegar
Add pint of stock to onions stiring gently
Heat and stir until thickened like normal gravy
Serve.

Learning2Budget

Oh my goodness firewyrm you are amazing! !!! I have gone through the freezer. I have enough frozen veg to feed us for 2 and half weeks. 4 packs of frozen chicken breast. A pork joint......I've never cooked pork before. God only knows why I bought it and lots of pasta. Some frozen prawns and some frozen berries.
Plus pasta tinned toms and sweetcorn.
Herbs and spices I have plenty and olive oil.
Am putting off doing a food shop till I have worked through these. Although I may need to buy cereal, milk, bread and cheese. Oh and fruit for pack ups.
But thank you so much!!!! L2B.x

[Deleted User]

Scottish Power.

Is that SSE?

Learning2Budget

Scottishpower.co.uk Bob.

[Deleted User]

So it's different company.

I thought they were the same.

I'm with SSE, and I've had two refunds, both arriving within the week.

According to the Scottish Power website, the refund will take a maximum of 14 days.

Of course, you've then got to wait for it to clear (4 working days from memory), so it'll be touch and go, as to whether you get the cash before pay day.

Learning2Budget

Thanks Bob. Fingers crossed.
L2B.x