Champing at the Bit

Squirrel29

The other thing I used to slip up on was not getting organised and making packed lunches, I would then rush about in the morning and just cave in and give DS £2 for canteen lunch. I would also got to Boots myself and pay £2.99 each day for lunch.

Now I make up all the sandwiches for the week ahead (this is only possible if you have simple things like ham slices. I then put them into the individual freezer bags and stick them in freezer. Each morning I just pull out the sandwiches we need (they are defrosted by lunchtime), and just add the fruit/choccies etc to the packed lunch.

It only a small thing but it doesn't halve cut down on time in the morning and saves me a fortune.

blackangeluk

Definately agree with Squirrel on the lunch thing and making them, but never thought about freezing a week in advance - just picked up a good tip!

When I menu plan I plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks so I don't need to visit the shops and as another poster mentioned I have £10 to last me a week. My problem is converting my DH though!!!

Good luck but you sound like you are doing really well.

Squirrel29

The freezing sarnies I guess only works if you like simple sandwiches as I am not sure what freezes well and what doesn't. I shouldn't think lettuce would fair too well!

I am a simple girl, slap a piece of ham in a bun and I'm good to go :rolleyes:

MissKJ

My kids have surprised me with their enthusiasm for my home cooking???How did that happen??? I found an old thread about feeding a family of four for £29.99, what a great thread. Got a bit long towards the end though. I have used some of "Blacksaturns" I think, recipies this week and they are great. Got me thinking, we should have a "Cheap and cheerful" thread for cheap and easy recipies. Would like to start it here, but I think it would fit better in the MSE old style section.

FrugalJo

Sandwiches, not the most exciting thing are they and I used to hate making them in the mornings, but the worst thing is they usually come back uneaten ! Which is not acceptable being a DFW - the guilty party then lunges to bread bin for bread and jam.
So I stopped the morning sandwich ritual and send him off with sausage rolls or mini pizzas, carrot sticks, twiglets and the like. Not a particularly filling or healthy lunch but it gets eaten and then he can lunge at the bread bin come 4pm. He is a big breakfast eater though.

Miss KJ, I have a few of Black Saturns and Curry Queens bookmarked, amazed I ever get in or out the kitchen I read so many recipes ! Need a PC in the kitchen !
Thinking I should change thread title to Chomping At The Bit

There is a good lunchbox thread on OS Board, way over the top for me.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=483525&highlight=lunchbox

Anyway I am ready to kick some debt this month, full of positive thinking and no spend days !

In_Search_Of_Me

wel dne you! Keep up the good work & go for it! You've inspired me after a dire DFW few weeks - its time to get back on that wagon!

Move_To_Portugal

Hi Jo

How's your week been? How's the packed lunches going and are they eating them?

I'm all geared up for the October grocery challenge. Going for £150 :eek:

mtp

FrugalJo

Hi MTB
Couldn't get a Tesco's delivery to suit last week, so went to Morrisons spent £68 on what I thought were basics, looking at the cupboards, fridge and freezer a week later I didn't spend wisely. Have a £92 left for the next three weeks for food.
Packed lunches aren't going too bad and the after school munchie habit is getting easier with healthier options.

Feel the need to blog !

MrsTinks

To help you with shopping efficiently why not put "inventory lists" on all your cupboards and freezer etc? you could even add dates they need to be used by if you wanted... I know it helped me loads as I would buy MORE good value stuff only to find I already had several packs or kg of the same stuff!!! :eek:

This way when you run out you can add the item to your shopping list straight away (I use laminated sheets so I can write and wipe as I go)

FrugalJo

Tine
Superb idea ! I have a laminator (another useless purchase that might find it's way onto ebay....after this use !)