2015 Frugal Living Challenge

Mrs_Cheshire

Going for a walk to the library later to pick up a book that should be waiting for me! Hoping for it to be an NSD, so will have to pack some snacks and a drink for the kids, otherwise we end up getting a biscuit from the bakery!

Wombatchops

Morning all. Was very naughty yesterday, we went shopping yesterday to look for tandem buggies, the kids were acting up, so DH persuaded me to have dinner out while we out (a pizza restaurant). It was very nice, but not budgeted for. Am I still allowed to stay in the challenge?

I have a question for you (I know I keep asking them, but you've all been so helpful so far). Baby number three is coming on 19th Jan, so want to batch cook and freeze some meals in preparation. I've already got tomato and pepper soup, chilli con carne, spag bol, lasagne, and cottage pie on my list. Does anyone have any other frugal ideas?

quidsy

I've started cooking a cheap beef joint in the slow cooker then slicing and freezing portions in gravy. Not only an easy dinner but very economical.

Wombatchops

Thanks quidsy. What type of beef joint? And how do you do it in the slow cooker? I've never done a joint in mine before. Sorry for all the questions.

cw18

I batch cook and freeze casseroles/stews (beef, chicken or sausage) in portions, as well as the normal bolognese / chilli type of things. I mainly do this as DS1 works nights and prefers to take a 'ding meal' to work than to eat a cooked meal when he's only just got up.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

morning all,


had to take sone to work today as he missed the bus, so called into homebase for paint to re-vamp my already kitchen cupboards.. they had a new furniture paint there called rust-oleum ( chalk paint) so I bought a tester to see what it was like, ok it was £4.99 BUT i'd rather do that, and make the same mistake of buying a large tin of paint that I ended up not liking lol..Aldo bought an outdoor cast old fashioned bell for the front wall of the house... it was reduced to £5, it will look nice against the stone of the house, when its finished..


I have found this, which looks a great idea, and maybe help with staying on budget, and not nipping out and buying a takeaway or something when you cant be bothered to cook when you get home from work etc..


Its called 40 meals in 4 hours, and if you google this, its also on pinterest too, so going to make a frsh cup of tea, and look through the site properly..its all for the slow cooker


http://whoneedsacape.com/2012/11/crockpot-freezer-cooking/

Wombatchops

Thanks cw18 and CTC.

quidsy

Brisket works well, put it in the sc with about an inch of water or stock, you can add an onion if you wanted, I dont bother. I rub the meat with some pepper, salt and herbs, I cook it on low for 10hrs then remove it, let it sit under a teatowel before slicing, then drain the juice and mix with bisto and boiling water to make a gravy. Thinly slice the beef then layer in batches in tuppaware or food containers and cover with gravy. Take it out in the morning then just reheat in micro or in a pan that evening.

quidsy

Should say it also works with other meats like chicken and lamb.

miss_try_to_save

not been very frugal so far not a good start my monthly grocery spend is going down far to fast for my liking keep getting tempted by reduced offers when my freezer is jammed so not cost effective as I have £15 in sains vouchers and still have £20 in love to shop vouchers im planning on not spending much next week on my shop got some t lights in charity shop 75 for £2 also have been looking for a jewellery stand for dd2 and found one for 75p in the one up the road so pleased with that im going to make some carrot potato and parsnip soup later on all things dd2 can have and will be good as oh and dd2 have flu