New to OS

wallyUK

Hello!

Is there a sticky or guide to explain exactly what OS moneysaving is all about? DH is going to need extensive dental treatment and while we do have a pot of savings to use I would like to continue to save as much as possible in the meantime. Things I think we could save on:

* Shopping = too much spent
* Lunches = DH buys his

Other costs are fairly fixed, however.

Potential difficulties

*Convincing DH to bring a packed lunch
*I am a teacher and have 0 minutes to spare in the term to do anything at all!

Thanks!

rosieben

There is a thread with a few links - The Complete Getting Started Collection
Some of the info/links may be out of date but worth a look. If you click on Squeakys Old Style Indexed Collection at the top of the OS front page there are loads of threads, just have a search through to find what interests you. Also don't be afraid to ask questions. OS'ers are very helpful

Owl

Hi
It's about stretching what you have and saving where necessary. I'm a teacher too, and understand the 0 minutes to spare. There is an element,of being organised in OS, but once you get going, with the help if this lovely bunch, it actually saves time... Honest!! For example, menu board. Mr Owl and I plan the weeks meals on a whiteboard in the kitchen on a Sunday, then I know what to get out freezer in the morning, and it ensures we can share the cooking (his repertoire is limited!)
Shout if I can help more

Owl xx

bellaquidsin

Have a look at Frugal Queen's blog. She too is a teacher and does wonders with the budget.


www.frugalqueen.co.uk/


Hope that helps,


Bella.

Linda32

It is all about an organised life, for example, we are going on holiday tomorrow so I intend to make a shopping list tonight for what we need on our return rather than throwing random things in the trolley and ending up with stuff we do not need and not having things we do need.

It needs to fit your lifestyle as well. Myself and OH work at the same place where we get a free mid day meal so our pack ups are not the same as others. I take breakfast to work as I simply do not want anything when I wake. Others would have breakfast before leaving.

Although I am not a teacher, nor could I ever be. I am willing to bet that you have more time than you think. It just a question of organising the time you do have. Would you consider on line shopping for instance rather than going and spending too much.

HTH please do continue to ask questions, everyone was new at some point.

wallyUK

Thank you all for links and suggestions. I have just come out the other side of a career change; 2 years of PGCE then NQT which have been extremely time consuming and I find myself working or ferrying a child about every evening which leaves no time to cook. Maybe I will have some more time now (!!??). I do online shopping most of the time but it all just seems to add up. I will have a look through the board and get started!

**purpleprincess**

I have just finished my second year of teaching so know exactly what you mean!!

In each holiday I make huge batches of meals that can be frozen and then in term time I can just pull something out of the freezer to be heated up. In between this is easier dinners and dinners where I cook once and eat several times. It took me a while to get into the swing of it. Leftovers for lunches are good as well. Or cook/make a load of something up on a Sunday for the week. I adore my slow cooker and wouldn't be without it!

What is it that your other half buys for lunch?

wallyUK

Yeah, I could improve my batch cooking - I have done better in the past but I have just been so exhausted! OH gets the Tesco meal deal most days for his lunch and I make him add it up in our budget spreadsheet to highlight how much it is each month, but to be fair he doesn't really spend on much else.

**purpleprincess**

wallyUK wrote: »

Yeah, I could improve my batch cooking - I have done better in the past but I have just been so exhausted! OH gets the Tesco meal deal most days for his lunch and I make him add it up in our budget spreadsheet to highlight how much it is each month, but to be fair he doesn't really spend on much else.

I know exactly what you mean, and NQT year really is something else! That is why it is so important to try and do some in the holidays. Get home, heat a dinner (then carry on working, lol! :rotfl: )

You could type it into the Demotivator tool that is on this website, that is scary! It tells you what you spend a year and how long you spend working to pay for it! :eek: Could you buy the bits to make up his own meal deal? Batch of drinks, crisps, bread for sandwiches?

**purpleprincess**

Here is the link http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/demotivator/ scary stuff! Lol!

maman

NQT year is particularly tough but honestly (and speaking from experience) meal planning and writing a list to go with it will actually save you time. You won't waste time faffing about what to have each evening or wandering around the SM wondering what to buy. Do some batch cooking each half term. Make roasts and casseroles at weekends when you've got a bit more time.


As your OH is buying a meal deal (sandwiches/crisps/drink?) then moving him onto HM shouldn't be too difficult particularly as he's going to benefit from his dental treatment. He could do his own meal the night before.


I've also started doing most of my shopping in Aldi and I love it!!