Easter 2025 I’m coming to get you!

savingholmes

Sounds great. We're getting our food delivered at the moment but will mention to DS when he leaves home.

Hettyhound

Hi  slm I did look at Olio and had conversations in the frugal living thread with some users regarding it,  My current problem is that I’m also a single parent but my son is only 7 and I also work full time so it really restricts when I can go to collect,  I’ve got a sweet spot between 5 and 7 to get food, homework,reading, tidying round etc done.  I went with the morries bag because the collection times are 4-6 which means I can pick my son up from after school care and go straight there and be back home for 5:30.  There is a cost cutter a bit further away that does them but the collection time is 7-9 so they would have to be a Friday or Saturday bag only if I can’t get another one during the week.  My challenge this year is to get a handle on groceries as I’ll be losing tax credits from April onwards.  I think I can manage to get the budget of £200 a month for everything including pets and cleaning/household to work but growing boys are not renowned for their small appetites!  I loved the bag and have used or planned every single bit.  The only unusable bit was a bag of cut mint but I picked off some of the better leaves and added them to the lime juice/zest ice cubes I made.  I drink a lot of water and thought these might perk it up a bit.  The rest of the mint went into the compost bin so I’m hoping it doesn’t decide to suddenly sprout and take over but given the sub zero temperatures outside it should be ok although the inside of the bin is warmer.  I’ve done a meal plan based around what I got and will shop on Monday for my basics as we are running down on a lot of staples such as porridge and pasta.  I’m hoping this is something I can carry on with to save a few pennies 🙂

slm6002

Totally understand the time restrictions.  I was obviously very lucky that the lady i collected some bits from said anytime was good for her and if not at home she could leave them tucked behind the bush near her door.  I guess it all depends on who is signed up in your area.  My son is now 13 and will eat and eat and eat so i know about hungry boys.  Good luck with the budget for this year

savingholmes

So are some just from individuals rather than shops then?

slm6002

Yes that's right.  I have some stilton cheese that we don't like from a cheese board we were given.  I will put that on the site later and see if anyone wants it.  The other type of people are like agents.  They collect the food from the supermarkets and if you want something you will go to their house to collect it.  I am very new to it so I may not have everything understood as yet, but from what I read and can see that's how it works.  You can also apply to be an 'agent' I believe.  They also have non food tab so a bit like freecycle, and a homemade page where people sell their home made items

savingholmes

I'll look into that thanks @slm6002

Hettyhound

Ah well all change again.  I’ve postponed my week off and I’m taking things one day at a time.  I’m trying to make sure I exercise regularly to keep my spirits up and on the days I don’t exercise I will try and get a lunchtime walk in the daylight.  I’ve overpaid my mortgage by £415 this month and the January DD went out today.  It looks like I am taking about £750 a month off with the OP and the normal payment so really really happy with that.  I ordered 2 raised bed kits (4 x 4ft) yesterday so that will give us something to work on.  We have also been collecting the toilet roll tubes to plant our sweet peas so we will get half the packet planted up this weekend and do the other half a bit later to keep blooms going for picking in the summer.  I’m sure I remember reading something about 4ft veg plots a while ago so I’ll look that up again and my GW magazine has veg stuff in so I might try and get a bit of planning done.  My cuttings I took last year all seem to be surviving in the coldframe so they should fill the front garden in the spring as it’s looking very bleak, mainly due to the big holes my son has dug but the more I tell him not too the more he does ☹️  Hope everyone is managing to keep safe.

savingholmes

Garden and op plans sound good. Let's hope things improve with DS

Hettyhound

Morning all.  Feeling ok at the moment and the house is calm, but my son is still in bed 😁.  I have been really trying to keep up with my meditation app and have now done 15 days in a row; I do feel better.  I get up about 5:45, get a coffee then do 10 minutes meditation with my headphones on, my new early morning routine for the winter.  Went to the supermarket yesterday lunch break so hoping I won’t need to go for another 2 weeks when it’s payday.  I will pick up fruit, veg and milk locally in between.  I’ve hidden all the fruit I bought and told him I haven’t got any, he’s such a monster with fruit eating!  I know a lovely problem to have when some kids are fussy eaters so I’m lucky  but I miss my fruit 🍇 as quite often I’ll go to get some and he’s eaten it all 🤭.  Obviously not going out much so I think today we will tackle his bedroom as it’s a tip again and look at planning our veg patch, bit of reading and a dvd later, sounds nice and relaxing in theory anyway 😁

savingholmes

Love the hiding of fruit!!