Learning to be frugal in the kitchen

MartagonLilies

I mean that it's gone off (like mouldy off, not off its date) then I throw it away.
I'm afraid my waste is terrible.
I originally posted because I felt disorganised, and that we overspent.
The more I look into this, and read people's posts, the more I realise that this is a bigger mess than I thought, and all one of my own making.

MartagonLilies

I almost feel as though I've been misleading in my original post.
I certainly didn't intend to. It all stands, what I came on here to get advice for. Just now I've sat down after reading everyone's replies, and actually worked it all out, it's a lot worse than I thought.

whiteguineapig

Well you can only do your best, try not to stress too much , you must be a better cook than me lol (everyone is, I burn everything!)

editing to add, can you shop at aldi or lidl? That would be cheaper even if you don't get absolutely everything there, try home bargains or similar for some extras, also farm foods are cheap , although I only seem to buy branded stuff, I haven't tried their own brand.

Tink_04

I think we have all been there and done it too - you are definitely not alone! Jot some ideas and meals down - try and make a plan - incorporate what you already have in and set a budget for the week (when you get paid) and just do your best every week - some weeks are harder than others and with illness things just go out the window ( we lived on take out and ping meals for a month last time I was poorly) just have to work with what you have got!

I opened a separate bank account and put our shopping money in there each month - that way it's not mixed up with bill money and spends etc - some people draw it out in cash but you find something that works for you!

Tink

Mojisola

MartagonLilies wrote: »

We are a family of 5, with my husband working, and me a SAHM.

Our children are 16yrs, 9yrs and 5yrs.

I'm not 100% well, and so sometimes struggle to cook from scratch, as I'm exhausted some days.

You'll do your children a favour if you get them involved in preparing meals now - the 16 year old should be able to cook a family meal without any help on some occasions; the 9 year old can certainly start to help now.

MartagonLilies

Thank you all.
I think that one of the problems is not being able to look at what we have, and come up with a new plan to use it up.
Also, as an example, right now my youngest is rolling around the sofa shouting that she wants cheese on toast, or spaghetti, and not the pork chop that DH is cooking. So that makes it hard too. She eats a lot of raw fruit and veg, just sometimes I feel as though she tries to copy her brother (the one with SN)

MartagonLilies

I crossed posts. Yes, you are right about DC cooking.

I meant to say we do shop at Aldi, though top ups are from Asda.

Pollycat

MartagonLilies wrote: »

I mean that it's gone off (like mouldy off, not off its date) then I throw it away.
I'm afraid my waste is terrible.
I originally posted because I felt disorganised, and that we overspent.
The more I look into this, and read people's posts, the more I realise that this is a bigger mess than I thought, and all one of my own making.

MartagonLilies wrote: »

I almost feel as though I've been misleading in my original post.
I certainly didn't intend to. It all stands, what I came on here to get advice for. Just now I've sat down after reading everyone's replies, and actually worked it all out, it's a lot worse than I thought.

There's no point in stressing over what you did or didn't do.


You can change the way you shop and cook.
You've realised that from posting and reading the replies you've got.
You just need to knuckle down and do it.

MartagonLilies

I know, and I will!
I've posted over on the love food hate waste thread, as recommend.
I think I need to take a good look at what I do have in, and see where to start. My freezer is full (it's a stand up fridge freezer) so I should have the basics at least.

MartagonLilies

Did you mean to post on a different thread, maman?