2015 Frugal Living Challenge

rising_from_the_ashes

his_missus wrote: »

It may not work for you if time is an issue but I make my own ready made meals. After going shopping and usually when DH is at footy (every fortnight maybe) I spend the afternoon having a massive cooking session and freeze. It also means when I get home from work, I don't have to cook from scratch, just reheat. It prevents me from wasting any fresh ingredients.

Snap!

If you freeze in portions (take-a-way style boxes are great for this!) - then you can take, straight from frozen, run under a hot tap for a few seconds (to loosen) and then put into a pan and cook (put a tiny bit of water in the bottom and on the lowest setting on your hob) :T

his_missus

quidsy wrote: »

what kind of things do you cook his missus?

I tend to do chilli, curry, shepherds pie, lasagne, pasta sauces, casseroles (occasionally topped with pastry to make a pie for a change) foods I can either reheat in the oven and set the oven timer or sauces I can reheat whilst the pasta/rice/spuds are cooking. I usually get it out to defrost in the morning before work.


When I had a microwave, I used to freeze mash and reheat from frozen.


It also means I make all the mess and chop veggies in one go rather than every night:D

rubiesr4eva

just had a lovely frugal walk for hour and half with hubby, boys and friends. They are now calling round later for a bit of a get together, have plenty of post Christmas drink and nibbles in, so free night for for

afoolwithmoney

Made a good start last year but lost focus although have cleared some debt not as much as I feel I should have. Think I was trying to do to much! But other things now appear to be sorted so time to get back into gear again No more excuses

sazzlebgood

washing on the line instead of the tumble dryer pennies saved.

nannygladys

Visitors now gone and whilst I was at work my dd stripped the beds and put it all in the washer, so out on the line and practically dry when I bought it in - really pleased.

No money spent yet and no bills have gone out yet, wish every day was like this!!!!!!

Just had cheese on toast for tea and took lunch/breakfast to work.

Anyway off now as I'm working all weekend and need my sleep (6-2)

Nannyg

Shortie

nannygladys wrote: »

Visitors now gone and whilst I was at work my dd stripped the beds and put it all in the washer, so out on the line and practically dry when I bought it in - really pleased.

No money spent yet and no bills have gone out yet, wish every day was like this!!!!!!

Just had cheese on toast for tea and took lunch/breakfast to work.

Anyway off now as I'm working all weekend and need my sleep (6-2)

Nannyg

Wow nannygladys, this has a really odd connection to our day. We've just left the in laws after staying for a few days, I stripped the beds and it was washed and we had cheese on toast for dinner. I would have seriously wondered if you were my Mum in Law, except that she wasn't in work today. Lol!!

youngmummy

morning all. please dont ask why i am up at this ridiculous hour ! i couldnt sleep im wide awake to say the least. i haven't been asleep all night

anyway update for the first 2 days for us

1/1/15 NSD
2/1/15 brought some essentials - will check bank as haven't asked partner how much it came too list was .. biscuits (snack for kiddies, washing powder, milk, soya milk, bananas and washing powder)

im going to order some soap nuts next week i think as washing powder costs a small fortune the amount i do


kids bedroom and living room have just been flea bombed as lo is awake in the kitchen with me and ds1 is at his grandads .. will be doing the kitchen hall and our room and bathroom later too day when i pop out

bestill

I've just read this inspiring thread. I really need to join. I'm a stay at home mum, so we've been on one income for a few years now. I think we do ok and are quite thrifty, but need to find funds to do up the house, replace furniture on it's last legs etc. Will look at my old budget from 2013 (didn't do one for 2014 - fatal!) and start afresh. Have started my making a shopping bag from pair of dh's old jeans instead of buying one.

quidsy

Spend of 36.84 yesterday on bread, milk, cat food, salad stuff, 1kg cheese and other bits. Budget this week was £40. Have frozen cheese in portions and put 3.16 in a penny purse to buy milk and bread mid week.

£10 went in an envelope towards costco bulk buying every 2 months, £10 in my purse as personal money and will be visiting the asian wholesalers today with £100 which is January's budget towards those supplies, rice, noodles, cooking sauces and frozen whole fish, tofu etc.

We usually spend around £130 every 2 months so the £100 today is an advance on 5 weeks but as we are out of everything its an essential spend and will adjust the next 4 weeks budget to account for it already being spent.