NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

edwink

suki1964 wrote: »

I'll prolly make a cottage pie whilst in the kitchen today for their tea tomorrow Even hubby can manage to put that in the oven and open a tin of beans

We make cottage pie and before putting the mashed potato on the top we spoon a tin of beans over it, then the mash potato goes on top. This way the whole meal is done in one and all cooked in the oven. No saucepan for the beans to wash up!! Uses less electric or gas too!!!

Edwink x

edwink

115K wrote: »

I had a thought that I would use fabric dye to dye all my bedding the same colour as we are selling the house and thought that would be a cheap way of getting a coordinating look. My walls are just magnolia and I have beige curtains so I thought maybe a deep colour like purple would look nice. I will have to wait until payday as it wasn't in the January budget.:D

Just thought I would say that I tried purple for curtains and from a selling point I would personally not waste money on dye. This is only my opinion but purple curtains can make the window of the room look a lot smaller than it is. Also the purple will make the room itself look a bit darker. For dying curtains you would need maybe 2 or 4 packets of dye to reach the desired colour!! I would honestly think about it seriously!!! Maybe you could think of something else to change the room, like painting a lampshade or moving things about or having a bit of a declutter!! It would be much cheaper that way!!


Edwink x

Picklepot

Hello all
Have not caught up on thread yet, but happy to report things going well here.
Biggest difference is DH attitude!!! He loves cruising and having the sail away analogy has really helped him. He quickly relapses when near shops though because as one of you so aptly said ( we need to buy because we work hard/we are worth it - well not anymore!!) He has enjoyed the winter walks and prepping up his bike for a cycle challenge in the summer. So plan to keep him away from anywhere with cash tills . We've had a couple of near misses but I've just whispered 'cruise money' and item put back. In reality the money saved will pay bills and go into the 1k emergency fund challenge but we can dream!

mothernerd

Well I went to the shops and did not buy - only took my B00ts card with me. Wanted to check if the toiletries I buy for mum and her partner were in the sale (birthdays not till Summer but I buy when they're cheap and save them). Expensive items (which I don't buy) were reduced but still no bargain. normal stuff was twice pound emporium so not buying (even though I was only paying with points).

DS3 had also mentioned chocolate (he hasn't realised I have eaten two of his bars in the 2 weeks he has been away) so was going to check as B00ts sometimes has ood choc and crisp on the counter (only time I let myself have crisp). Bags of mintstrels were 80p and wahkers crisp 30p - not good enough, will wait another couple of days and check back, if Ms are 40p and crisp 10p, may part with some points (have also checked with DS3 to see if he likes Ms).

Looked in the pound emporium to see if they have the coir compost blocks I bought last year - easy for me to carry, you add lots of water and they fill out. None in stock yet - may check later in the month as this is what I want to sbuy if I have any of my budget (currently £16.64) left at the end of the month.

One place I will be buying from is the 'cs' round the corner. I knew they sold eggs (from hens and ducks I think). Yesterday I noticed a sign on the window 25kg sack potatoes £4.99, bag of carrots £1. Couldn't see the carrots yesterday so looked as I went past - must be 10kg of carrots, so will be getting some sometime. Not sure on the potatoes - I don't use a lot and struggle to use a bag when I buy them but might be a useful cheap filler when I come to run down the freezers. Currently using a tall 7 drawer upright and a 4 drawer fridge/freezer - my old one, was given to DS2 when he moved out, he gave it back and am using it as the fridge is at the top and I can't bend down during operation recovery period.Filled both before my op and currently operating a one in one out system - plan to fill spaces as they occur with home cooked/portioned meals (DS3 is mainly nocturnal so I cook him a vat of curry, divide it, then he takes one out when he's hungry - likes them with pasta as they take the same time to cook). Still have a drawer full of meat I didn't get time to turn into meals before my op, when everything else runs low.

Thistle-down

Over the last year I have been getting rid of chemical cleaners/shampoos/toothpaste and replacing them with natural alternatives - i.e. buying Salsuds instead of Flash.

Last night I realised that I hadn't thought about my makeup, I have a huge stash from my mum who always buys quality stuff and then doesn't use it. As I am trying to reduce my exposure to chemicals to help build up my immune system, my first thought was to look up what organic, chemical free stuff was the best. I actually had 4 things in my online shopping basket (well it is for my health after all...) totalling about £42.

It suddenly dawned on me - would I not be better off just ditching the makeup altogether? I emptied the basket and came straight on here to read this thread for strength. I will still use a bit of eye makeup for special occasions but other than that - let the world deal with the real me!

Primrose

Possession wrote: »

Butter just made, and we have enough for a few months I think, for the grand price of £3 plus electricity. Oh and buttermilk for scones too. So I'm not buying butter.

Can you tell us how you make your butter? Is it from buying cheap milk in the supermarket and perhaps making it in a food processor? If so, I would be very interested in having a method and recipe as we get through a lot of butter and if there's a cheaper way of making it at home I'm all for it

Aril

This is quite pertinent
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04wtchz

Arilx

Pollybear

Not a NSD for me but it was budgeted for - I took the cat to the vet for her annual booster. Apparently at 16 years old she's doing fine and nothing else to be done. That's good.

pm2326

Evening everyone,

Last day off work today, back to normal tomorrow.

Have spent a little today on flowers for dad's grave. Walked to cemetery and passed through town and 2 small retail parks without spending any money..was liberating!

Used up last of block cheese at lunchtime, had to grate it just to cover toast it was that small...using up roasties and veg up for tea with gravy, don't think I'll bother with any meat to have with them.

Have saved link to radio 4 programme, will listen to it in bed or on bus tomorrow morning.

Slowdown

Thistle-down wrote: »

It suddenly dawned on me - would I not be better off just ditching the makeup altogether? I emptied the basket and came straight on here to read this thread for strength. I will still use a bit of eye makeup for special occasions but other than that - let the world deal with the real me!

Well that is a bold, bold move. I love the phrase"let the world deal with the real me!"

I am putting that on my list of quotes and assigning it to your good self. Hooray for you I say!

Kind regards
Slowdown:)