2021 Frugal Living Challenge

MandM90

@Bluegreen143 that all sounds very exciting! I had the same worries and I was only out of the working world for about 10 months on mat leave (was made redundant during covid) and ended up taking a huge 5 figure pay cut (in part due to relocation from near London).
I only started back on the 7th December and am really enjoying adult conversation, feeling a bit like 'me' again and the extra money. Best of luck, whatever you decide!

mumtoomany

Congratulations, Bluegreen. Sounds as if you could make a big bite into your mortgage if you take it. Then even if, at the end of a year, your job ends you'll have smaller living costs. Having a lower mortgage, or none at all, is a great thing to aim for. Mumtoomany.

Frugaldom

Frugalistamama said:

Need some frugal advice.  I've got some thick salted caramel cream the type that goes on mince pie. Its not open but will expire soon. What can i do with it? Can i freeze in an ice cube tray and use in hot chocolate? That's all i can think of. X

What does the date say? Use by or best before? I'm not even sure what the product is so will need to look it up. Out in the sticks here and our local shop doesn't stock anything out of the ordinary If it's a 'best before' date then store it sealed in original container, otherwise I'd search for recipes of things that it can be baked into it added. Makes me think of caramel shortbread. Yum!

Shopaholic_no_more

@Bluegreen143 congratulations on your job offer! Whatever you decide I’m sure you will be able to make it work. The prospect of a smaller mortgage always sounds good to me 😃. 

@Frugalistamama I have a tin of caramel condensed milk in the cupboard as well....I think I bought it mistakenly for normal condensed milk and I am at a loss as to what to do with this as well...I have been told about an app called plate planner which might help...or try the bbc good food website I have always found recipes on there that use up old condiments or vegetables etc... . Let us know what you made with it 😊

Frugaldom

thriftylynny said:

Tried ages to install yesterday DawnW & silly phone just says something like can't be installed on this device .. i am so not tech savvy however & more like i'm doing something wrong?!! So frustrating tho as i really want that app !

If you have a tablet, laptop or computer you can use their website. Just email support explaining app cannot be installed and they will verify your account manually. That's what we had to do as a) mobiles too old and b) no mobile signal where we live. Good luck!

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

Frugalistmama could you use it in a bread and butter pudding. I would mix it into the eggs and milk. 
Just been shopping. We had run out of bread, milk and eggs and needed some fruit and veg. Spent more then i wanted to but I get a staff discount and every month they have a couple of days were the discount is boosted to 15% instead of 10% so i normally stock up. I bought 5 packs of nappies which bumped up the price but i only buy them on the discount events.

Viking_mfw

OLaney said:

@Bluegreen143 congratulations on your job offer! Whatever you decide I’m sure you will be able to make it work. The prospect of a smaller mortgage always sounds good to me 😃. 

@Frugalistamama I have a tin of caramel condensed milk in the cupboard as well....I think I bought it mistakenly for normal condensed milk and I am at a loss as to what to do with this as well...I have been told about an app called plate planner which might help...or try the bbc good food website I have always found recipes on there that use up old condiments or vegetables etc... . Let us know what you made with it 😊

My other half uses caramel in a tin to make millionaire shortbread. You might have more luck finding recipes searching for dulce de leche which is what it used to be called. 

nannygladys

Hello everyone, Im afraid I cant help with the tin of caramel as Ive never used it, but my dd has started crocheting (with the help of  the tube) and she doing very well, she has a 9 month baby (and breastfeeding) and likes that she can put it down and not lose her place, and its easy to put in a project bag with the hook out of the way of the other dgc! she has been making baby hats for friends and now wants to try something more difficult! 
I have done my banking and cleaning and the other things on my list, it brings a little order to my day if I make a list so I can now get to my knitting and sewing, yay! Yesterday I made a large mincemeat pie with a pot of mincemeat I found in my cupboard so that's puddings for the next few days and today Im putting a bean casserole in the slow cooker for tonight and beyond. I haven't been out anywhere as its snowed again here and is very slippy on the hill I live on so I haven't spent any money, in person or online.
Take care, Nanny

thriftylynny

Thanks MazzieD , I think it could be due to lack of memory left on my phone , i'll try deleting stuff see if that works first ! Don't think the olio app will warrant me updating to a new phone however !!!

thriftylynny

Oh thanks Frugaldom just noticed your comment ,,i'll try manual input on laptop as well i was wondering if that could be done!