Struggling along as best I can

[Deleted User]

Keep going you will get there eventually. I use fridge magnets to fix my freezer audit up on the freezer door and cross off what I use. If I buy meat etc I add it to the list, then at the end of the month I do a new list.

I do a freezer audit and list down what I have in the freezer which can do for one or more meal. i.e. mince, sauce for spag bol or just as mince, shepherds pie, minced meat pie. I have been known to bulk out the minced meat with either beans or sage and onion stuffing mix, Stuffing thickens the meat and you cannot tell its in the mince. Sausage, sausage and mash, with chips and beans or in a casserole with beans. Tinned beans are reasonably cheap, I don't mean baked beans although you can used them in the casserole. I buy borlotti or cannelloni beans in tins from Aldi, Rinse well and use half  and freeze half to use later. Beans are a valuable source of protein. Eggs - hard boiled in a salad or omelette or fritatta, I used up bits of bacon/ham cheese etc in a fritatta, you can also add cold diced potato, bit like a Spanish Omelette.  Tinned tuna is good as well, I do it with mayo in sandwiches or with salad as a main meal.

If you need any more ideas let me know.

Grumpelstiltskin

Nanny Are you sure you don't qualify for any benefits?

Have you looked at this recently?

Benefits Calculator: What am I entitled to – MoneySavingExpert

nannygladys

Another late one for me, after another busy but lovely day with 2 dgds I'm fair worn out and had a nanna nap after tea tonight!!! 

Csarina :
You have some really good ideas. I defrosted my fridge/freezer a couple of weeks ago, but didn't do an inventory so that's going to be done this weekend, I stopped doing one some years ago - got complacent I reckon but no more messing about I think I will do my pantry cupboard as well.

Grumpelstiltskin :
Thanks for the link, I will have a go this weekend. I did a check a few years ago and I was about £3 a week over the limit, but I will try again as it may have changed. I'm going to look into council tax as well so you never know, if I don't try I will never get!! 

 Thanks for all the suggestions and help its all appreciated and I will let you know how I get on.

Again it's a spend free day, I can do this when I need to I just have to make it a habit. I took the dgds for a walk around to the drs to drop some paperwork in and then onto the park so they could play on the swings etc and as the benches have been taken away somewhere I sat on a swing as well for a rest!! Then home for left over jelly and ice cream and home for them at 5:30. 

I don't plan on going out shopping over the weekend and only going out to water the lottie and pick some veggies. I found a sewing kit for making a pair of knickers that I bought ages ago so I may have a go at those as well, so plenty to keep me busy with the cleaning as well. Exciting life I lead - not!

Nannyg

nannygladys

Hi everyone,
Another day when no money left my purse, mind you I spent most of the day at the allotment cutting the rampant blackberries back, it's hard tedious work but I do some each time I go down there so by the time I have finished them all, I will have to go back to the beginning to start again, it doesn't help when plot neighbour doesn't do his side, but hey ho it gives me a purpose in life lol!!
I collected 2 more courgettes, some more raspberries (for my pudding tonight) and a few more peas.

I have written out a loose menu plan for the next 2 weeks (starting Wednesday) and will see how I get on, I think a four week one is a little daunting, and I usually try to shop once. a fortnight.

Thats me for now, I got carried away watching YouTube gardening channels!!!!
Nite nite
Nannyg

nannygladys

I decided that any monies left over from the grocery budget will go into my house fund, as I really need a new front room carpet, the canvas is showing in places and I don't want it to go into holes.

nannygladys

Earlier today, and again no money being spent here, I reckon I will do it.

I feel as if I can start working out a new budget for next pay period as I get paid on Wednesday. I haven't got too much happening during that four weeks so I might do a couple of challenges with myself and the grocer budget, but will have a think about it.

Also I will be going online to look at council tax and pension top up, I may even do that later if I get in from my watering early enough. 
Nannyg

Toonie

Hi Nanny G, if you are living alone you should be entitled to a single persons discount on your council tax...are you getting that?

Otherwise it sounds like you are doing a good job with your grocery challenge. I'm thinking up cheap lunch options as in a few weeks I'll be unemployed and unfortunately I've not found a new job yet, so I'm growing some salad at home and have a few herbs going so will be baking herby bread to go with veggie soup or making up salads with either a little cheese or an egg.

Brie

Hey NannyG!  Good to see you doing so well and keeping to the plan.

I wondered has anyone suggested you look for a  community fridge (local people have a drop off spot for tins, produce etc) or even a food bank?  Either way if you have have courgettes that are excess you could drop them off and pick up some of the items that you would otherwise have to buy.  

There's an website called NextDoor where people sometimes put notices about locations of the "fridges" (not literally a fridge - could be an old phone box) or you might find something on your local area's facebook group.

nannygladys

Toonie: I hope you find the best job ever soon!! But you seem to be preparing yourself for it which makes good sense.

Brie: my dd1 lives in an area where you can go and buy a large bag of veggies and groceries for a couple of pounds if you live in the post code area and have children who go to school there, and she does sometimes use it (a charity) and I get a few bits and bob's from her, but I haven't heard of anything in my area. To be honest I'm not sure I could justify it to myself as I feel I'm a lot better off than a lot of people. But I will keep an eye open. The Salvation Army sometimes have free dinner days etc for us oldies but again I don't use it as I feel I can manage without but it would be nice to get to know a few more people.

I have been into a supermarket tonight to get a loaf, some crisps, small bottle of milk and some cheese so £3.97 spent. The crisps I didn't really need but I have dgd staying so they are for her, she's not the sweetie type! There were NO ys items left anywhere!!!!!!

Anyway last day of my £15 tomorrow so really pleased as I really don't need to do anymore shopping. I will be doing a new budget on Wednesday and expanding the menu plan I have started, I'm just doing a fortnight at a time though as I think that's doable for me. So I will be carrying on with my diary to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Nannyg

cbsexec

Have you tried the “to good to go” app.   I have had a couple of really good bags of food for around £3.  Morrison’s are signed up in my area.  The majority of the stuff was freezable so very good value.   I also do the TNS postal survey and earn stamps and points towards vouchers for primark John Lewis Amazon etc.    All helps buy Christmas and birthday gifts or stuff for the house.  They may need people in your area so worth checking.   I do surveys too and they can be slow but over a year it adds up.   Helps to pay for treats