NST April - SPRING INTO ACTION

thriftylass

GSRcat wrote: »

Just had an email to say our energy bill is going up from 69.50 to 137.00! I thought it would go up but not that much! Can't switch since we have debt now. Luckily we can manage it but it's tight.

How much is the debt? I'm with EDF and I can phone them up and correct the DD if I'm not happy and can argue my case.
Example: If your debt is only a £100 a DD of let's say 100-110 should suffice as your usage will go down as it get's warmer (well eventually) and you overpay at least £30.5-40.5. Plus how long have you had the debt Check this link from citizen advice, you might still be able to switch?

Currently paying 70 (had credit before, now using about 90, but going down). They tried to put it up to 100, I refused as I used up the credit, now break even and soon will be using less again and will match the payment.

That reminds me, must submit meter reading tonight

Bobarella

thriftylass wrote: »

GSR I hope you feel better soon.



How do you manage that. I normally buy a normal sized chicken (1.5 kg maybe) from Lidll, kids (5+2) have a leg each and DH and I have a breast each. I never get the rubber chicken (what is the right phrase again for a chicken that lasts three meals?) right. Ours lasts only a dinner and maybe one or two sandwiches and I don't think our portions are outrageous, are they ?

Rubber chicken is right. I'm not even one of the best at it by a long shot. Some of the small things thread guys get loads of meals.

If you go by the Method suggested in Less Meat more Veg by Rachel de thample a food writer for Able & Cole, 50g of meat is sufficient. A match box size apparently. I haven't strictly followed that route but I tend to try and go light on the meat on a plate and heavy on the veg and other bits either potatoes or pasta etc.

It depends what you make too. For example chicken quesidillas are light use of meat because of the peppers and onions bulking it out.
Noodle soup is about the stock for the taste. Sorry wailing small back later.

thriftylass

Bobarella wrote: »

50g of meat is sufficient. A match box size apparently.

:eek::eek::eek:

Tonight we're having meatballs- 500g mince --> 12 balls --> only three are 120g! 50g would equate to maybe a drumstick of the chicken :rotfl:. Ok I might have to reduce my portion sizes but doubt I can go that low . Yes if I have it in sth it's less a person (or mince is stretched with lentils and veg). Even sausages and mash - only one sausage?!

However, joking aside, would like to try harder, as we eat too much meat (animal welfare etc). Will make this my task this month to find ways of replacing the protein with plant protein as I need it for training in the recipes we like.

Fmess

bob a matchbox size of meat?! That's tiny.


GSR my utilities company tried that and I said I couldn't afford it. I was in debt but again it was in the winter and I argued that it would even out by the summer. They agreed to leave it the same and review at the end of the summer.


Today is another SFD, no motivation to go and spend money, although I do fancy a chocolate bar, but will resist. I've got tutoring in a bit but need the money to pay for a birthday meal out this weekend and petrol for next week, so no extra debt payment this week.


Its so rainy here, hope you've all stayed dry!

XSpender

Spend day today and didn't manage to stick to the £40 in my purse due to a waxing appointment I forgot to account for, DS ripping a hole in a newish pair of school trousers and some OTC meds.

The damage is:

£6.00 Boots meds
£6.00 School trousers
£5.00 Beer for DH
£17.00 Brows and bikini wax
£10.00 Dog food - enough for 3 weeks at least
£51.94 Food including 6 SW RM and 12 free yogs at land of ice

DS needs a couple of polo shirts for school too but none in his size at Mr T this morning and I will need 2 stamps over the weekend.

I have been for a blood test this morning and have asked them to check my antibodies (Coeliac) as well as I haven't had this done for a while.

Last night I bought 3 books in the amerz0n sale and have started to read one today while stuck in the garage with the car. Car is OK, I just do so many miles my ad blue needs topping up every few weeks. I owe a big thank you to the valeter who washed and vac the car when it still had 3 inches of sand left in it from our hols Saved me a fiver running it through the car was too :T

My 5 things are:

1. Cooking a new recipe from scratch
2. Running
3. Walking with DH and DS somewhere beautiful
4. Reading a book Started a new one today
5. Going to the theatre/restaurant with the girls planned for 23rd


ETA: DH credit file was updated yesterday by the CC company and his credit rating is 999 out of 999 again :-)

GSRcat

Thanks Fmess and Thriftylass, I will get on to that. I'm with EDF too and while I thought 69.50 was too low I think 137.00 is completely ridiculous.

Thrifty, it's very easy to stretch your meat out ESP if you are using mince, I would get 24 meat balls out of that 500g mince, I make them smaller and if you build out with grated veg like carrots, celery, mushrooms, cooked and cooled lentils you will get even more and you'll get a hefty whack of protein.
I cut down on meat due to the overconsumption on the planet as a whole, just buying less and higher quality however after a few weeks I stooped eating all meat and fish and then a few weeks after went fully vegan, now I know it's not the road for everyone BUT it has made my DH cut down on his meat consumption and the kids are eating more veg and its cut out food bill so much.
I've become a master of veggie cooking so please let me know if you want any tips or anything.

apple_muncher

I'm one who got soaked in the rain! Went up to the local shops wearing a thickish cardi. The rain started on the way home and just got heavier and heavier!

My run of 7 NSDs in a row has come to an end - a record for me.

Dh and I have had another good chat re money,mortgage, earnings. All v useful.

Bobarella

Fmess yes it is small. I don't follow it religiously at all. However before we started our DF journey I'd think nothing of bringing the whole roast joint to the table whether that was chicken, lamb etc. Now I look at things and think how far can I make that do before I eat. So I'd portion up the meat then just bring our veg potatoes gravy etc and let people plate that up.
I'm another one who has dabbled with trying to go high end only with my meat consumption. But at the moment I can't afford to go organic only.

Thrifty Another good way of stretching meat is to use the pulled pork technique so you are eating less meat because you've shredded it. Think how satisfying crispy duck in a pancake roll is and you aren't really eating much in one of those.

GSRcat I just wanted to throw in on the energy discussion. We are with First Utility. We ended up with a debt because of their poor management at one point. So I switched us to paying the actual bill each month instead of a fixed amount. I have to say it's worked well for us. Last year from May to October our combined gas and electricity was around £50 a month. Over the winter we've been paying £125 roughly. So now the heating is off we will drop around £70 straight away. Worth a thought?

crazy_cat_lady

I'm so pleased that I went to bed early last night because it really has helped me get through the day. I am still tired, but not as exhausted as I usually am on a Friday at the end of the working week.
I've had to put the heating on because it's raining and cold - 3 degrees outside. It's more like November out there than April - meh.
Re the meat portions. I'm afraid I'm a meat lover - my best friend's husband is a butcher so I get quality meat at good prices. I thought a 'normal' portion was about 100g though. Not that I ever stick to that.
Before I get onto this week's challenge, here are 2 things that have made today better.
1. Getting 2 sets of books marked before I came home.
2. DS football training being cancelled so I don't have to be out in the rain.

Calling14 wrote: »

On your own
Set aside some time to do at least a couple of things that make you happy. Write 5 things that you enjoy doing.

Discover what is really important in your life and enjoy week 3:):):):)

Here are my 5 things:
1. Spending time with my family (this evening)
2. Crochet (Wednesday evening)
3. Getting a good night's sleep (last night)
4. A bit of exercise (this afternoon)
5. Cuddling the cats (last night)

I don't think I'm high maintenance at all - and certainly don't need a lot of money to enjoy those things, so no excuses.

dizzyblnd

Today was a nsd so I made 10 nsds so far. Not bad for half way thru the month. I like reading all these tips to lessen meat portions- I definitely need to do this.

How was everyone's second week?