Debt free me!

Perryface

I have had a good day! I took half a dose of morphine this morning (2.5 ml) cos 5ml just knocks me out. I had a nap from 10-12 then got up, cleaned both bathrooms, hoovered upstairs, did a load of laundry, swept the wooden floors, walked the dog, cleaned the kitchen and had a shower! That is the most I have done in weeks! I was knackered like, but felt so much better!

I then went for my X-Ray (results take about a week), then we went to see Fil and mil. Macmillan nurses have been organised and he seemed to be in fine fettle... He usually sleeps through most of our visits, but this time he was chatty and smiley. Was lovely to see. Mil is still finding it hard but is putting a brave face on for his sake, bless her.

Been in bed since 7 pm and was wanting an early night but the inter web has sucked me in yet again!

Oh, on a down side, I only gave £26 to see me through to 6th Jan. I am determined to do it though!

I have 8 meals in the freezer (including cheese and biscuits and wine for Xmas day evening ( Xmas dinner at families so no need to buy anything and New Year's Day bird too. so I just need another 12 meals (24 individual portions) to see us through.

I have rice, pasta, tins, herbs, spices etc in store cupboard.

Aldi shopping list (might need editing as I don't know prices)
Potatoes x2
Frozen peas x1
Frozen carrots x1
Milk x 12pts
Bread x 4
Mince 750g (3 meals)
Burgers 12 (3 meals)
Belly pork x2 ( 2 meals)
1 Chicken (1 meal + lunches)
Sausages 15 (3 meals)
Ham (hubby packed lunch)

Fingers crossed!
I will go shopping tomorrow and update.
Wish me luck!

Nymphadora

Hi Perryface, sorry to hear you haven't been well. Great news on selling a painting. My DH is very artistic, maybe I need to get him selling paintings to make a dent in our debt :-)

EssexHebridean

I can't take opiate based medication at all - gives me horrendous hallucinations, really nasty. Glad yours is working for you though!

On the meal front, If it helps any our Lidl had 1.5kg bags of tatties for 29p this morning, and Tesco also have some decent veg offers as well. I grabbed a 39p cauliflower (and a good big one it was, too) There are also 1kg bags of carrots, 500g bags of parsnips and 500g of sprouts on that 39p offer. The carrots could offer a saving on what you were intending to buy, you could just cut them up, blanch and freeze in portions? I think Aldi may have 2kg bags of tatties on their Super 6 offer if you can hang on a few days for those? 19p a bag if so.

And while you think of it, fold up some carrier bags and pop them into your coat pockets, bag, etc, so avoid needing to pay the dreaded bag charge again!

Perryface

Omg EH, I wish I had read your post before I went shopping! :cool:

I spent £18.79 at Aldi and £10 at Sainsburys (on nectar no cash :j ) so have got everything in until 6th Jan ( if this works, I will be drastically cutting down my food bill next year. Blanching carrots seems the way to go! Can u blanch and freeze potatoes or do they go all mushy when u defrost them again? Hubby loves my mashed potato lol.

Nymphodora can I call you ND? It is a great idea for hubby to try painting. I use mainly oils now but started with acrylic paint (much cheaper). Canvas is not too expensive but I will be looking into painting on board next year, as that is even cheaper @ £3 for a massive sheet of hardboard that b&q will cut down in store. If hubby is handy he could do it himself! You need to prep the wood first with gesso (not to pricey) but any postage will be more expensive due to weight (I imagine). Will update as and when I figure these things out!

Oh and I don't buy my paint, I get vouchers for birthday and Xmas which keeps me topped up!

Anyway, I am really happy that my cupboards are now full and will take great pleasure in making sure I only buy milk, bread and marg with the £7 still in my purse! :T

EssexHebridean

You can freeze mash just fine! I'n personally not in favour of reheated from frozen boiled potatoes, but others thing they're fine, so it's down to personal taste I think.

If you can get to an Aldi easily, and carrots are something you use a lot of, I'd suggest that offer might be worth getting in any event - at 19p it's not going to break the bank so long as you have freezer space, is it!

tootallulah

I make mashed potatoes and freeze them all the time. I also chop up onions, carrots and celery and just shove them in the freezer (no blanching). They work just fine as the base for mince or stews.

Perryface

Great, thanks tootallulah and EH x

Perryface

Grrr had to post an Xmas package today I had forgotten about which cost £4 so only £3 left in purse.

However.... I remembered we have a penny jar so will be seeing how much is in there and taking that to morrisons to exchange for money for milk, bread etc.

I am determined to get to Jan 6th without touching our bank accounts!

We are travelling across country tomorrow to meet family for Xmas exchange, petrol has already been budgeted for and there will be a buffet. ( I have told hubby to 'fill his boots' at the buffet and then I only have to feed him scraps when we get home lol.

Ps. Not spent any money from either bank account since 9/12 go us!

Cheeseface

The penny jar has rescued me on more than one occasion!

We're at relatives on Christmas and Boxing days. I will also being instructing the family to fill their boots. Enjoy your visit.

Perryface

woohoo Xmas party done, gifts given and taken! Met up with my lovely family and home now dosed up ready for a good long sleep!

I did spend 88p on celery and carrots for dips as otherwise there would only have been crisps available so that came out of my purse.

Going to count the penny jar tomorrow and see how much we have there, then cash that in.

All in all, a very good day!

Hubby gets paid on Wednesday so I will be able to give an accurate overdraft figure on Tuesday. Fingers crossed it is less than 3k!

I will be checking my account on 7th of each month and using that as my 'payday'. Hoping to be well into the black. But then need to take £210 for petrol, food and e-cig oil for that month.

Hope everyone else has had a good day x