Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

msgnomey

afternoon all! I have just cycled home from work , it took 40 minutes and I really enjoyed it, also saved the petrol money OH did the menu plan this week so used up a few things from the freezer as he was at home and looked in the kitchen for inspiration!! Our finances are looking a bit dire so I need to tighten my belt a bit. looking forward to catching up with the thread and all your ideas!

[Deleted User]

Not a bad day weatherwise today so walked round to Dd at lunchtime to let the dog out and stacked the washing machine for her and the dishwasher got stacked and stuff done,so all is tidy for when I went back at 3.30 to keep an eye on the boys until their dag came home just a few minutes agao.

Yesterday was a good one as I made a huge batch of sauce from a 500gm pack of minced beef meat and made a big lasagne for myself and my friend who was visiting.
We ate half between us for lunch, and the rest I managed to get two portions for the freezer ,also the remaining sauce I portioned up and added mash and had two small cottage pies for the freezer as well so 6 meals for the Y/S mince that cost me originally £2.40 back in June and had been in the freezer since then 40p odd per meal plus the cost of a dented tin of tomatos and some clapped out mushrooms from the fridge and a few herbs around 50p per meal :):)Quite happy with that.

Then I found in my cupboard a packet that DD had given me of a lemon crunch mix that she had bough just for the 'crunch mix' bit for some reason at Christmas.I whizzed up 6 cheapo digestive biscuits with a bit of butter in the pan voila one crunchy base and I used the lemon mixture with an egg yolk to top it with, and made up the meringue topping with the egg white and again another voila one lemon meringue crunchy based dessert enough for my friend and I and more than enough left over for a couple of desserts left in the fridge

My mantra; I Will Use it Up, I Will Use it Up,I Will Use it Up :):)

Had a small shop today the first this month and spent a whopping £11.95 on essentials.No more shopping for me this week though as I have more than enough fresh stuff in store now :):)
Onwards and frugally upwards chums :):)
JackieO xx

misstara

Another day off today and I've had a fairly relaxing day. Done some cleaning, read a book and made bread, scones and flapjack. Back to work tomorrow so better go and get myself organised.

silvasava

Well the visit to the dentist revealed an abcess so now on antibiotics for a week. They've started to kick in & I had a good nights sleep. No wonder I was feeling so washed out but MUCH better now! Having a meet up this morning with some thread friends - looking forward to catching up in RL. Will take the opportunity to visit the farm butcher on my way back & I've got a committee meeting tonight so a busy day.
Have a good day everyone x

vhalla1478

Morning Folks,

It is most definitely that time of the year when we all seem to be acting like squirrels!

I've done the Autumn equivalent of a springclean in the last few days, filled up my freezer with chilli con carne, casseroles etc., bottled fruit, made quiches and pies and have just been too exhausted to post on here by the time I've finished in the evening. I just have the garden furniture to spruce up (hoping for good weather tomorrow) and my wardrobe to sort and then I'm all ready for the next two or three months until it all needs doing again!:D.

Out to do some essential supply shopping this morning and later will post a couple of really tasty and very cheap recipes here which I've 'poisoned tasted' in the last week.

Speak later and have a good day, Everyone.

Viv xx

celtic_moon

Good morning all!

I have been following along and you have been keeping me sane during a very hectic few weeks. Hope everybody is feeling better now. I have left DH in bed for the 2nd day whilst I come into work with a throat of razors - gotta love working for yourself

On the MMMing front, we have been doing well. Keeping the spending to a minimum and using lots out of the freezer :T Good job too as last week, three bin bags of bones, meat etc from our hog roast friend were converted into 11 massive portions of stew and chilli. They are sitting in the freezer awaiting our winter trading events In addition, another stall holder who does pies, gave us their leftovers last weekend so the freezer is groaning under the weight of free food :A

Business wise, we seem to have turned a corner (fingers crossed I am not speaking to soon!) we are getting on top of things and have some ideas for the future direction - phew! Things at home are taking a little longer to get sorted - stupid Housing Association is positively driving me insane! 2 months arrears and you'd think we'd never paid rent in our lives!!!! I have had a few days invigilating this month and I am back to work again when uni term starts on 21st. Hopefully I can get it sorted after then and finally be able to breathe.....

However, I do think we will be cancelling Christmas this year - apart from buying a couple of bits for the kiddiwinks in the family. I have some hand made ideas and bits for the adults who do not have kids (hated that when I was single!) and I know they will be appreciated by the recipients. It's simply got to be done if I want to get my finances straight.

We went damson picking on Sunday - first 'day off' since February! It was so fantastic to be outside in the fresh air and among the trees - was tempted to stay!

Thanks again for all your support and for keeping me sane! I shall pop back again when I get time on the pc :j

Look after yourselves xxx

[Deleted User]

Hey guys, it was so good to see you both this morning, I enjoyed it immensely, good company, good coffee (and cake in some cases) and a lovely village tearoom too, bliss. Thanks for the coffees too, next time it's my turn to treat you!!! Lyn xxx.

silvasava

Lovely to catch up with you MrsL & meet Greenbee 'in the flesh'. My shout next time - lets keep it democratic!!
Was VERY tempted by all the lovely produce in Westlands but as I need to make freezer space I stuck to the Lambs Liver - lovely slices instead of supermarket scutty sinewy bits lol

[Deleted User]

How disciplined SILVASAVA, I just wander in there and find myself poorer when I'm through the checkout, worth it though the meat is such good quality and I love that most of it is produced on the farm so very low carbon footprint. Still trying to work out how I can take advantage of their half a lamb for £65 offer, freezers just too full though, shame!

silvasava

Haha - me too MrsL
The green beans were lovely with our Liver, Onions & Mashed Potato tonight. I now have a nice full tummy and a very contented DH!
Off to a Committee meeting tonight to decide what social programme we will be doing over the winter. Managed to persuade DH to do another tip run with the Bay tree prunings and the old rug. Need to strip the rest of the apples from the tree tomorrow too as the weather forecast is good and search for how to make apple juice with the equipment Ive already got!