Missy’s family of 4, paying off debts, saving for a house and just trying to survive!

WinterWarrior

I read about the concept of not using conditioner or any shampoo with silicones and anything that coats the hair some years ago and tried it. There is a pain point where you have to battle through, but at the other side my hair seemed better for not using expensive products. I now am reducing plastics so have used a shampoo bar for a few years, it’s about £7, but lasts ages as I have wild wavy hair that only needs washing once a week. It’s a moisturising coconut one that’s all natural and I really rate it. I’ve been dye free for a couple of years, but the grow out is slow and painful as I have long hair…it’s great for money saving (i coloured at home), but mainly I got worried about all the chemicals, so now I’m rocking the witch look 🧙‍♀️ 
Cat litter is extortionate! I get through enough to pebbledash the house on a regular basis…all to scoop it out every day and fill up the bin! (And with 5 trays I still have to put puppy pads in random corners where ‘someone’ likes to have a quick wee…the joy of house cats).

missymoo81

@WinterWarrior oooh the shampoo bar sounds good. I use this: https://www.savers.co.uk/Garnier/Garnier-Ultimate-Blends/Garnier-Ultimate-Blends-Hair-Food-Banana-Hair-Mask-390ml/p/775729?gclid=CjwKCAjwmeiIBhA6EiwA-uaeFVD2_MDIlQLBDW6mUAdKPIgTI4lVPOKaLiW9n3FNth-itoQWogQ4vBoCyH8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

And it’s pretty natural without any baddies as far as I can see. I really need the conditioner as my hair mats and dreadlocks itself if I leave it more than a few days without detangling with my fingers! I used to use a lush coconut one but my hair didn’t like it much. I really do need to dye mine. I’m going to try and do it from home. But in the past it’s been too dark but I’m going to try and mix 2 colours and hopefully it will come out a better colour. I absolutely love the witchy rocking. It’s exactly what I said to OH I would look like If I didn’t colour mine. I haven’t even gone grey, I’m bright white. Which is really hard to dye over, but not being 40 yet I’m not ready to be white just yet! 

Cat litter drives us to distraction. We tried the cheaper wood one but it disintegrates and ends up as a powder EVERYWHERE!!!! the corn one lasts longer as can be scooped out, but is so expensive. Zoo plus is the website I’m looking at so hopefully that will work. Cat food fortunately both cats eat lidl own. So it’s not too expensive. Ours are Bengals, beautiful but such high maintenance! And if the litter tray isn’t done quickly enough or we’ve been out all day, big cat decides to wee in his bed! Oh the joys! 

WinterWarrior

I have a Bengal cross, he doesn’t have a lot of the markings as he’s ginger and white, but he has the shape and the Bengal howl and all of the attitude. The others are all rescues in varying degrees of bonkers 😛 

I think I’ve used the coconut version of that conditioner before. My hair dye was always either too dark or too red (even though I only used brown). Now I’m just practicing for Halloween! 

jwil

missymoo81 said:

Ooooh @jwil I’m very much sold on cheddar gorge! I will have a look for another holiday! And thank you. 

I’m not used to doing nothing and I am finding it a little strange. Can’t help feeling lazy! Need to start scheming and planning, that will make me feel better. We’re going out for a walk today, despite the rain. Much tea will be needed after I think!

No probs  

Enjoy your rest and lazy time, it's worth it!

missymoo81

So I was thinking, Could I do a month long meal plan? And get a click and collect for tins etc from Tesco that cost the same as lidl and get a weekly top up shop from lidl of fresh stuff like milk and fruit and veg etc…. That way I get the Tesco points to save up to pay for things in the summer holidays….

So here’s a rough monthly dinner plan, I’ll prob move things around to make the best use of ingredients…

Week 1

Carbonara

Chilli x 2

Chicken Stew x 2

Teriyaki chicken x 1

Omelette

Week 2

Sausage and mash

Spaghetti bolognese x 2

Fajitas

Jackets

Cowboy stew x 2

Week 3

Enchilada

Tuna pasta

Pizza

Beef stew x 2

Omlette

Ham egg and chips

Week 4

Nachos

Lasagne

Chicken pasta x 2

Shep pie x 2

Thai green curry 

Week 5

Risotto

Curry

missymoo81

Ok so I’m taking this one step further and am writing down ingredients for each meal and how I can incorporate batch cooking or freezing or spreading out ingredients so they don’t go off. I’m just working it out on notes and then I will post it across. I’m trying to be realistic about amounts, unlike last time with my 2 chicken breasts for about 4 meals 🤦🏻‍♀️. 

I open to meal ideas if anyone has any good ones 😁. Really love this forum and all the lovely people on here. I really appreciate you all taking the time to post and chat. It’s a lovely little community xx

WinterWarrior

Don’t forget breakfast, lunches, suppers and snacks, etc. in your plans.
I'm not very good at meal planning, so I’ll watch with interest. Will you want to make more of weekends, extra snacks, sandwiches, etc? 

missymoo81

Hey @WinterWarrior. I am indeed going to add those in.
I’m currently putting everything into Tesco to see how much it comes out at. I also need to factor in the children’s dinners as they don’t always want what we’re having. And won’t eat the same thing 2 days in a row 🙄. Oh and packed lunches. 

Weekends are trickier, i need to add in some treats that’s for sure.

Still thinking but very much enjoying the process! 

missymoo81

Ok…… so putting it all into Tesco. It comes out at around £230 for the month. I know I can save about £10 simply going to Lidl’s. So it’s around £57.50 a week….. I could therefore set the budget at £60 Although it seems like rather a lot….. but £55 seems too low….. but I guess with the months not being 28 days I should go with £60, or £240 for the month. 

I’ve added in some cereal, toast, crumpets, and fruit for breakfast. Having pancakes on the Sunday. 

Lunches are toasties or sandwich’s with crisps and choc bar, or cake for me and OH and sandwiches with yoghurts, banana bread, choc bar, fruit sticks and fruit for the children. 

I need to make sure I do some organisation of things though. For instance make banana bread and cupcakes for lunches, and batch cut up and freeze veg to make for easier meals and to make them last longer. I just need to set aside time on a Sunday or similar, just an hour would do it. Think I may need to clear the freezer out. At present it’s full of ice lollies and random things! I intend to cut up carrots and swede and onions and peppers and have them ready. Does anyone know how long an iceberg lettuce keeps once cut in a sealed bag? I’m thinking of buying frozen chicken too, and mince…… hmmmm not sure I have the room. I have a very small freezer. May have to get ordinary chicken instead of frozen, simply for space! 

missymoo81

Here is the break down of ingredients, I could do with breaking it down further, as in how many grams of this, or amounts of veg etc. Will endeavour to do this, but here is the list for now:

Week 1

Carbonara = bacon, eggs, mushrooms, spaghetti

SC Chilli & rice x 2 = mince, peppers, sweetcorn, onions, oats, chilli jar, 1 x tinned tomatoes, kidney beans, baked beans (leave enough for nachos)

SC Chicken Stew x 2 = 600g chicken, carrots, swede, potatoes, peas, onions, broccoli, dumplings, gravy, stock cubes 

Teriyaki chicken & rice = chicken, onions, teriyaki hm sauce, broccoli, sweetcorn

Omelette = bacon, eggs, cheese

Week 2

Sausage and mash and spring greens 

Spaghetti bolognese x 2 & make 2 more batches and freeze for lasagne = mince, mushrooms, carrots, oats, spaghetti sauce, chopped tomatoes, celery & spaghetti

Fajitas = wraps, fajita mix, salsa, chicken, onions, peppers, lettuce, cheese 

Jackets = potatoes, beans, cheese, Tuna & Mayo

SC Cowboy stew x 2 = sausages, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, sweet corn, kidney beans

Week 3

Enchilada = chicken, wraps, seasoning, chopped tomatoes, cheese, salad

Tuna pasta = pasta, tuna, Mayo, sweetcorn

Pizza & wedges = flour, yeast, tomato purée, cheese, ham, pineapple. Potatoes

SC Beef stew x 2 = beef, carrots, swede, potatoes, peas, onions, broccoli, dumplings 

Omelette = bacon, eggs, cheese 

Ham egg and chips, poss pineapple if any left over from pizza.

Week 4

Nachos = tortillas, cheese, salsa, sour cream left over chilli.

Messy Lasagne = as bolognese, add mozzarella and broken lasagne sheets and salad and garlic bread

Chicken pasta x 2 = 600g chicken, pasta, broccoli, chopped tomatoes, pasta sauce 

SC Shep pie x 2 = mince, carrots, onions, peas, stock cubes  and potatoes

SC Curry and rice = chicken, chickpeas, courgette and sauce 

Anything that has SC in front I’m hoping can be done in the slow cooker.