Eat Well For Less Series 3

[Deleted User]

maman wrote: »

I loved the way the older girl dictated that she had to have expensive protein for her swimming training but planned on living on Pot Noodle when she went to university! Typical of so may teenagers!:rotfl:


I think the mum was perfectly capable of budgeting and cooking if they genuinely wanted to save money but she'd lulled herself into 'deserving' all the expensive shortcuts.


One of my bugbears on here is when someone prefaces their post with 'I work full time......'. What then usually follows is a list of excuses why OS living wouldn't work for them. When I worked full time (60+ hours a week) I found that being OS and organised saved me time (and of, course money). Doing a meal plan and one weekly shop with a list was invaluable. I didn't have to think each day what we'd have or nip into shops for 'a few bits' or waste food because I didn't have a plan to eat it. Some Bolognese or chilli in the SC and then portioned up for the freezer meant I always had a HM ready meal to hand for CBA days. It really isn't rocket science, it just needs a bit of planning.


Why, for example, did they go together to do the weekly shop especially as she wasn't to be trusted not to make impulse buys? Why did they need top up shops? A few minutes sitting in the kitchen basing a meal plan on what you've got in (another household with cupboards bursting at the seams) and adding only essential ingredients to the shopping list would save a fortune. If only one of them went to the shops the other could be at home catching up on other chores or work.


I think the programme should focus more on planning. What it does now is just copy the current lifestyle and save a bit with a few cheaper items and minimal scratch cooking.


I could have been wrong but I didn't notice any Aldi or Lidl items yesterday? I never understand why they blatantly advertise brands as in the supermarket they shop in and the taste tests but try to hide which cheaper brands they change to. Why??

Well said maman this should be post of the week

[Deleted User]

Slinky wrote: »

They were both teachers. I'm guessing neither of them teach maths........

or common sense

Living_proof

If I were a teacher I would spend some of my several holidays a year in buying, preparing and freezing many meals which could be taken out of the freezer in the morning and re-heated at night. Even if it meant buying another freezer, it would pay for itself....well, in weeks in their case! Let's face it anyone can spend unlimited amounts and be undisciplined and wasteful if they can afford it. As to protein, I believe the average person needs just 55g per day.

greenbee

t14cy_t wrote: »

are these really "normal" people? x

sadly they probably are :cool:

After all, all supermarkets are selling chopped veg and ready meals quite happily, so people are clearly buying them...

VfM4meplse

Slinky wrote: »

They were both teachers. I'm guessing neither of them teach maths........

Or home economics.

Bring back domestic science. That'll learn 'em.

[Deleted User]

The £300 they were spending on food a week would feed us for 3 months. Those of you who know me through my blog know we eat well but on a budget. I do a cupboard and freezer audit every month end and then do my menus to use up whats in the freezer before going shopping and buying meat. We only eat a limited amount if meat each week, fish, cheese and vegetables the rest of the time.

Soup is so easy to make, we have it all the year round at lunchtime. One thing I have never used is noodles, I think I will have to try the veggie dish they made with the noodles in.

I worked full time, I had no choice with 4 children to feed and clothe. I went shopping once a week, did the menu plan and there was a list on the kitchen cupboard doors with the evening meal on. Eldest daughter and son prepped all the veg so I could have a meal on the table within 3/4 hour at the most after I got in.

That woman was deluding herself. I did not see any fresh fuit in the basket did you????

[Deleted User]

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Or home economics.

Bring back domestic science. That'll learn 'em.

Indeed It was call 'Housecraft' at my school, and all girls had to go or the alternative was woodwork.We had a few boys in our class though and a couple of girls went to woodwork as well.

We learned the rudiments of looking after a house, and on the top floor of our school building, apart from a huge kitchen, there was a small dining room,bedroom & bathroom that we learned how to clean and polish stuff, and make a bed with hospital corners.You also learned the importance of clean utensils and drying cloths,and how to clean a bathroom and toilet.

All apart for cooking ,so by the time you left school you were supposed to know how to cook,clean and run a house .We also had budgeting lessons for how to make your housekeeping stretch.

I was fine as my late Mum had drummed most of these things into both of my brothers and myself before I ever went to senior school.

I also learned how to turn old towels into cleaning cloths, and how to turn worn sheets sides to middle in the needlework class.

For a senior school in the 1950s it was pretty good,although I think I would have preferred more academic subject.I left in 1957 on a Friday and started work the following Monday and until I retired in 1995 apart from three years gap when I had my children I had never been out of work or ever signed on in my life.

Sadly today's children don't seem to learn these sorts of skills.They can be whizz kids on techy stuff, but boil an egg and its just a blank look

I remember a great quote somewhere that says 'even scientists need a plumber now and again'.

Practical skills will last you throughout your life.Most of mine I was lucky enough to learn from my late Mum, and having two older brothers I even can change a plug, and fix a new electrical plug onto a wall.
Old age means I am limited now for painting and decorating as ladders and clapped out joints don't mix, but I know more than enough of the rudimentaries to assist my DD when she is decorating.
Which she does now very well Her OH hates DIY

The young lady insisting that she has chicken,steak etc every day then saying she will live on pot noodles at Uni was more than a bit silly.My DGS Ben is at Uni and he knows very well how to cook for himself and although he likes the odd pot noodle perhaps for supper after a night out he certainly doesn't live on them.He goes off every September with his 'Ben Box' filled by me with lots of bits and staple supplies.Tinned stuff and rice,pasta etc and it all get used to help spread out his miniscule grant:rotfl:Towrds the end of term when the boys in the house are all feeling the pinch they pool their food between them to get them through until they come home.

AnnieO1234

I'm just throwing this out there. I'm someone who spends around £175 week. Some weeks its closer to £100 some closer to £320. That does include pet food, but its minuscule except for the cat who eats expensive foods. I have taken drinks out of it.

Anyway, my big problem is waste. Over buying and over cooking. That's what I would love to see them tackle. How to get cooks brain basically.

I don't buy prepped, I don't buy jars, I shop in Lidl in the main. Meat from butcher in bulk, and Makro for a few things.

Oh and that's serving two adults and two under fives.

Xxx

maman

Sadly Home Economics (like most practical and creative subjects) has been squeezed right to the edges of the school curriculum because of school league tables. It gets cursory coverage (like making a pizza or a sandwich) as part of Technology and that's about it for most schools. If a subject doesn't count to get the school a good place in the league tables then it doesn't count. That's about it.


annie, to save waste I'd suggest a meal plan based on what you have in your fridge, cupboards and freezer. Then only put on your shopping list essential extra ingredients to make what you have into meals. That way everything gets used up before it can go off or isn't bought in the first place if there isn't a plan to use it.

AnnieO1234

We do meal plan!