2019 Frugal Living Challenge

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Back on track, made pot and cheese pie for dinner tonight, should be nice and warming.
Started knitting another pair of socks with left over balls of yarn, they will certainly be colourful!!
The Xmas tree lights make the front room more cosy, even if the heating hasn't kicked in yet, I think I will have to put the temp gauge up a bit as my feet and hands are cold.
Well that's it from me, nothing else to report.
Nannyg

Shopaholic_no_more

Hi everyone
Ok so after getting my fabulous yearly bonus from my work and paying off a CC, woohoo, I put the rest of it £800.00 towards my emergency fund which I never seem to be able to keep for long :0... and this year has been no exception!! It has literally been wiped out by a massive car bill (which really was an emergency) and a poorly cat who now needs an operation next week. She will be ok but it requires surgery, poor little thing. Oh well, the thought was there. Roll on next year for my next bonus but in the mean time I am kind of hoping I can get that money put back in there myself before that comes round. It is kind of frustrating at times this trying to save money and pay off CC’s lark but I suppose the good thing is those bills didn’t have to be paid for WITH a CC and that is a positive in itself. Roll on 2020 lol

Frugaldom

Nannygladys, I think colourful oddball socks sound great!

O'Laney, as the saying goes, turn that frown upside down! You did extremely well being able to cover major car repair and hopegully vet fees, too, on budgetted income, rather than racking up debt. I hope your car is going ok now and that your cat makes a speedy and full revovery after the op.

I need to make use of all the greatly reduced veg I have accumulated lately. I have an aubergine, 2 cabbages, a few carrots, spinach, sprouts and an iceberg lettuce plus some potatoes and 2 leeks. The latter could go into a pie, with cheese, I can make up some coleslaw and I guess the aubergine could be diced and fried in butter then hidden alongside pretty much anything, as I'm not a fan. The sprouts will keep for Christmas if blanched and frozen and the lettuce will get used up shredded and eaten with tuna salad. Sorted. Oh, spinach... Some in a souffle omlette, perhaps, and I'll see if the chickens like any. Mealmaking here at Frugaldom can never be planned! For one, every day is a use it up day and two, I just never seem to have the time, energy or inclination to cook after working outdoors in all weathers. No wonder folks resort to ready meals and fast food. I would too if I had the cash to burn and the appropriate shops and takeaways nearby!

FrankieM

I always love hearing about your 'use - it - up' meals

It's like Ready, Steady, Cook!

Now I'm on my own, my grocery shopping and meal prep is very organised and I very rarely have anything left over to use up

I agree OLaney, that's what savings are for, to cover these emergency spends. It's always good to have a bit of something tucked away.

lessonlearned

Hi everyone.....

Some times the bills and unexpected spends just keep coming dont they. Just when I think I'm done, up pops another one. They grow like weeds. :rotfl:

Hey ho.....

Anyway I will just have to devise ways of being creative, save more and earn more.

Actually getting quite excited to get this challenge started next year.

(I need to get out more)......:rotfl::rotfl:

PipneyJane

Frugaldom wrote: »

Nannygladys, I think colourful oddball socks sound great!

O'Laney, as the saying goes, turn that frown upside down! You did extremely well being able to cover major car repair and hopegully vet fees, too, on budgetted income, rather than racking up debt. I hope your car is going ok now and that your cat makes a speedy and full revovery after the op.

I need to make use of all the greatly reduced veg I have accumulated lately. I have an aubergine, 2 cabbages, a few carrots, spinach, sprouts and an iceberg lettuce plus some potatoes and 2 leeks. The latter could go into a pie, with cheese, I can make up some coleslaw and I guess the aubergine could be diced and fried in butter then hidden alongside pretty much anything, as I'm not a fan. The sprouts will keep for Christmas if blanched and frozen and the lettuce will get used up shredded and eaten with tuna salad. Sorted. Oh, spinach... Some in a souffle omlette, perhaps, and I'll see if the chickens like any. Mealmaking here at Frugaldom can never be planned! For one, every day is a use it up day and two, I just never seem to have the time, energy or inclination to cook after working outdoors in all weathers. No wonder folks resort to ready meals and fast food. I would too if I had the cash to burn and the appropriate shops and takeaways nearby!

Frugaldom, you could use the aubergine to bulk out mince-based meals. That's what I do. Leave whole, !!!!! a couple of times with a fork and then zap for 10 minutes in the microwave. When cool enough to handle, cut in half and scrape out the innards. Chop roughly and add to your bolognese or chilli at the "add chopped tomatoes" phase and cook until done. It'll breakdown into a thick sauce, absorbing all the flavours. Nobody will realise that it's not meat.

HTH

Pip

Shopaholic_no_more

LessonLearned...They certainly do grow like weeds!! :rotfl:
Thankyou peeps for your encouragement,yes, you are right that is what these emergency funds are for :T
The car is now fixed and running properly again and the poorly cat had her operation today and she is at home with us now. All being well she will be be back to normal very soon! Hyperthyroidism in cats....makes them act very strangely at times! :eek:

Frugaldom

PipneyJane wrote: »

Frugaldom, you could use the aubergine to bulk out mince-based meals. That's what I do. Leave whole, !!!!! a couple of times with a fork and then zap for 10 minutes in the microwave. When cool enough to handle, cut in half and scrape out the innards. Chop roughly and add to your bolognese or chilli at the "add chopped tomatoes" phase and cook until done. It'll breakdown into a thick sauce, absorbing all the flavours. Nobody will realise that it's not meat.

HTH

Pip

Thanks, Pip, I'd never have thought of cooking it whole and then scooping it out in its entirety and I'm a 'Nile Mince' aficionado. I love learning something new! :T

Frugaldom

Big bowl of cheese coleslaw made to use up some of the cabbage and I have a carton of leftover lasagne to use up for dinner tonight. With what's left of the potates, I'll do those tomorrow with cabbage to make a frugal version of bubble & squeak. Leeks have now been frozen, turnip used up in mash and the lettuce is surviving just fine in the fridge. I'll shred it and use it up with tuna and cucumber in homemade dressing. (HM marie rose sauce = mix dessertspoon each of tomato ketchup and salad cream/mayo with a dash of lemon juice and sprinkle of paprika)

lessonlearned

Great food ideas there, Frugaldom. I definitely need to reduce my grocery spends.

Was chuffed today......made a Spanish style pork and chorizo stew, using up fridge oddments, tiny amount of pork, about 1/4 of a chorizo sausage, left over lentils, a can of mixed beans, a can of tomatoes, garlic, pimento spice and a glug of port. Made 5 portions for around £3. Bunged it all in the slow cooker, And it was yummy - even if I do say so myself.

I'm determined to slash my grocery bill next year. I took my eye off the ball and it just crept up.