Uni students eating me out of house and home

Spendless

Thank you. The eating today has been better. Breakfast againn was a crosisant and juice box (still working through the multi pack I bought) and mid morning snacks from my secret stash. 
Lunch in the early afternoon, DS started asking hadn't we got such and such, but I told him to create a meal from what we had in. He did his signature potato skins, with bacon and cheese which are far superior to anything I do. Though he thought he was only doing them for the younger generation, I got a portion because he'd added meat not thinking to his Vegetarian sisters, so had to do her some additional ones. Means I only have 1 potato left in the house -lol, but replacing a bag of spuds is cheaper than some of the stuff they've got through.
Tea was a chilli that did all 5 meat eaters. Was done in the slow cooker and padded out with a cheats jar of chilli sauce I had in, 3/4 tinned baked beans, 3/4 tinned tomatoes (I suspect DD has opened these for a recipe and only used  a portion) a tin of spicy kidney beans. 1 onion amd 1 green pepper. I then got out some tortilla tins I bought years ago in the wonderland aisles of Aldi, you put a wrap in each one and bake them in the oven and they create a crispy shell. The wraps were less than 10p each so loads cheaper than buying the el paso items. 
Before tea they wandered to the shops, so I told them not to go snacking before they ahd their evening meal, but the stuff they've bought they've saved for later this evening as they are watching tv in the tent having their own 'festival'

monnagran

Well done Spendless.  You have it sussed and those kids will have great memories of their stay with you, and maybe they will have learned a few survival tricks.

Spendless

Yesterday me, DH and teenage daughter went to the coast for the day, leaving DS and friends at home. They fended for themselves all day. We'd told DS he could buy some kebab meat, so they'd made their own version of kebab with cheesy chips wraps, with what was in. I'm perfectly happywith them doing that and just using cheese, frozen chips, wraps rather than meat I'd earmarked for meals. They've not noticed another load of pizza bases were put in their fridge though, so will make sure they're aware it's the next go to.
Today they've already been out and got themselves something. DH has said he will have a BBQ tonight and I'll add the items I need using up. I've a sharing bucket of mini corn on cobs for example.
Either tonight or before they go, I'm also going to go through my fridge and freezer for all the oddments I want to use up, cook them off and call it 'buffet night'. I used to do this when kids were little from an idea on here and 2 two always loved it.
And the best of all, when we got back we found they'd made a start on painting our downstairs cloakroom. It had been mentioned it needed doing, so artistic student was put in charge and the other 2 were 'labourers'. 

C_J

Aww, they sound a lovely bunch! I’m glad it’s working out for you all and they’re not bankrupting you 😂

maman

Just read your thread spendless and wanted to say that you've been brilliant with these young people. So refreshing to read. 👏👏👏

Spendless

Thank you maman. DS at 20 is my eldest, so it's a learning curve to know how to parent an adult who is semi reliant on you still financially and lives at home for just part of the year. 
Eating wise has been another good day. Breakfast sandwich this morning, again I needed items using up. They took advantage of the eat out to help out at a fast food place for lunch that they funded themselves and tonight I've had 2 pots of curry on with rice.
It's been asked if they can extend their stay for a few days. On a practical level this isn't possible as I have workmen in for much needed jobs straight after the BH. However a relative has offerred a house stay whilst they go away in return for keeping the place occupied and feeding the pets.

dekaspace1

Lucky students! Thats better than I was eating until a year or two ago as I was on benefits so eating more than basics was a luxury!
People don't mean it but when you give them an easy option they take advantage of it, I remember being the opposite when I was 17 and visiting a penpal their mum phoned mine to say I was undereating as I felt uncomfortable eating other peoples food (though if they outright offered me a meal I would accept even if it meant overeating)

Savvy_Sue

monnagran said:

P.S..  When I was sick to death of cooking but had to produce a meal in a hurry, I fell back on the following.
Boil a load of pasta,  Mix with a tin or two of tuna and a few good dollops of mayonnaise.  Voila!

I am not sure I will manage to read the whole thread, but if you add tartare sauce and sweetcorn to the above, it makes it even more delicious. Also, pasta with chopped tinned tomatoes plus a small amount of cheap chopped bacon, with cheese melted in the oven on top, was another of our staples: one of the few things all the boys would eat without anyone moaning (although DS3 had his without the melted cheese, we just pushed it aside). It was a school recipe from DS1, and I only later discovered it was meant to have chopped onion in it as well. Obviously he couldn't add onion to it, because he didn't like onion ... Oh, and it's another thing you can add tinned sweetcorn to. 

DS3's staple food was always couscous. From CostCo, we buy the large tubs of Ainsley Harriott Couscous. A portion is one scoop. DS3 would get in from school, 'cook' himself two portions, devour them as if he hadn't eaten for a week, and then have multiple sandwiches for tea. More couscous later if he was still hungry. 

I hope they are earning their keep by doing any odd jobs you need help with ... 

Savvy_Sue

theoretica said:

Sleeping outdoors will make them even hungrier.  A big pot of peanut butter is cheap to go with bread.

If they like it, Marmite Peanut butter goes further than 'normal' peanut butter. It just spreads more easily, slightly more liquid? 

Rosa_Damascena

dekaspace1 said:

Lucky students! Thats better than I was eating until a year or two ago as I was on benefits so eating more than basics was a luxury!
People don't mean it but when you give them an easy option they take advantage of it, I remember being the opposite when I was 17 and visiting a penpal their mum phoned mine to say I was undereating as I felt uncomfortable eating other peoples food (though if they outright offered me a meal I would accept even if it meant overeating)

Me too! I can't understand how invited guests can abuse hospitality when they know there is X amount in the fridge and Y people to share it between.