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

dawnybabes

I add lentils as well to anything I slow cook.  I use left over chilli and make chilli lasagne, enchiladas, nachos, jackets etc etc 

to pad the omelettes out could you make them into a frittata ? 

I batch cook waffles / pancakes for quick breakfasts 

I buy ham joints and cook in SC - either make campfire stew or just boil and use the stock to make ham and lentil soup then use the ham in meals / sandwiches etc 

missymoo81

Ooh thanks @dawnybabes what amazing ideas! I forgot about lentils! I will def add them to the list! 

Oooh if I can bulk it out enough I can use the chilli for burritos too, we’re having nachos as well.

I hadn’t thought of frittata although OH is the omelette maker and I fear that would be a step to far for him! 

Have added a ham joint to my shopping list! 

dawnybabes

Another money Davi g thing I do is if I put cheese on top of anything (lasagne, shepherds pie etc) I mix it with breadcrumbs (that I freeze from leftover crusts) so I dint use as much cheese and it adds a bit of crispy ness (and less calories too !) 

missymoo81

Oooh @dawnybabes the bread crumb thing is genius! Would never have thought it!

WinterWarrior

Would it be worth investing in a chest freezer? We got a cheap one from Amazon of all places and has really helped. I now get frozen chopped onion, mixed peppers, sliced mushrooms, berries, etc. Which are often cheaper than fresh. You can also freeze bread and milk which will save on the extra shops. 

greenbee

Have a look on the OS board for ideas for managing your food budget.

missymoo81

Hey @WinterWarrior I would love a chest freezer, I used to have 2 huge freezers at my old house. But alas we have no room at all for another. Garage and kitchen are chocka! I’m just going to have to think wisely! I used to buy chopped frozen onions and peppers, I’ll have a look at prices now! 

I’m not sure why I’m up so early on holiday but there you go. I’m not generally a late sleeper, but this is pretty early considering how late I went to bed! I have classic fm on and my pot of tea and fake hobnobs beside me, so I’m all good.

I’ve been looking at coffee makers…. We have a cafetière, but I was thinking instead of just buying an insulated cup. I could buy a one cup coffee maker. They’re around £25 and the cup on its own was £12. I could ask OH to get it for my birthday….. wondering if this would help my Costa habit. I’m trying to think why I go To Costa….
1- it’s a treat and I often feel like I deserve one.
2- I obv love the taste (but I also love the taste of it at home as long as I have the syrup)
3- OH loves it (OHs habit is really not as bad as mine at all)
4- I take the children there as a treat and to kill time (could make hot chocolate and build a den at home instead)
5- sometimes I work there or go to switch off, rarely, mind you.
6- easy pit stop for something to eat, although we haven’t done this very much lately. 

7- use it as a pick me up (home coffee would do the same)
8- get myself one when I go to the park with the children, (this is a no brainer as it’s walking distance, but I need a non leak cup if we bike there, which the coffee maker cups aren’t)

hmmmm ok…… I need to buy some decent Instant I think and also a decent leak proof big cup, which should help, and it’s not a drama washing up the cafetière to be honest. Hmmm I don’t think I’ll get the coffee maker, just a decent big cup!

WinterWarrior

Have you tried the coffee bags or the single use filter ones? 

missymoo81

Hey @greenbee thanks for popping over. I haven’t been over to the old style boards for the longest time. I literally used to live on there. Any threads I should check out in particular?

@WinterWarrior hmmm no I haven’t! I shall look though. Considering how much I love Costa I’m so unfussy about the actual coffee, so I buy the super cheap Hubbards range from sainsburys, I think it’s something stupid like £1.25 a bag. I have bitten the bullet and bought a big cup on Amazon. I found one which was 20oz can be used for hot or cold, comes with metal straws (which I needed anyway for smoothies) and a sealable lid and was on a lightning deal! I’m very happy about it. Also I decided to bite the bullet and buy 3 x shampoos 3 x mascaras and 3 x conditioners whilst they were all super cheap. I have no idea how long they will last, I’m hoping for 6 months +. Just going to do the same thing on eBay with some of my other make up which has run out and is super cheap on there, and then I’ll be all good for a while!

missymoo81

Need to do some budgeting and looking at money, as I’ve realised I have an awful lot of school clubs etc to pay for come September, I have £80 for Roo’s piano lessons that he’s starting this year, £100 for May’s dancing, £42per month for swimming. So £222 to find 🤦🏻‍♀️. I meant to save up monthly for these but with work being so up and down I didn’t have the spare to put to one side! 

Going to have a look at what can be done!