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Struggling along as best I can

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  • nannygladys
    nannygladys Posts: 3,235 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Grandma duties done, had a pleasant day as weather has been so nice and sunny and warm that dgs, pup and I spent most of the day outside in the garden! Dgs got so mucky I put him in the bath before dd came home and put him in his pjs!

    Load of veggies for tea tonight to use them up, no waste here (well hardly ever!) With a dollop of broccoli and stilton cheese soup mix (made up really thick) on top and it was very tasty, different but tasty. Followed by Apple and raspberries with plain yog. 

    I've started a pot of hm yogurt off in the yogurt maker tonight so that should be ready tomorrow morning, I do eat quite a bit of it in puddings and main dishes so get through quite a bit but I usually buy it, but it is cheaper to make your own, so no brainer really.

    I also drove to dds at 50mph along the dual carriage ways to see if it was more economic for me and guess what it was!!!! I'm not sure all the people over taking me were impressed by my driving though  :)

    No money spent today which is just as well because I have another two weeks to pay day and I've only got £10 for food left in my purse, so food hub here I come, I have got a full pantry and freezer though so it should be ok I'll just have to avoid the shops :D

    Thinking about more things I can cut down on or even give up! But there are things at the moment I'm still not prepared to give up, like my coffee brand!!!!

    Better get the washing up done and then watch a bit of tv before bed
    Nannyg
    £1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund
  • WinterWarrior
    WinterWarrior Posts: 6,103 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I have a yoghurt maker and used to love it, but the kits felt quite expensive (from Lakel*nd) at the time. Do you buy the packet mixes or is there some magic home made way to do it? I must dig mine out, thanks for the reminder.
    Dont give up your coffee or chocolate nanny…it’s a step too far. We all need some enjoyment. 
    Not all who wander are lost - J.R.R.Tolkien
    🌊 A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor 🌊

    My WW and friends diary is here 😁 … 
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6259606/must-try-harder/p1

  • nannygladys
    nannygladys Posts: 3,235 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    WinterWarrior - my eldest dd bought me a yogurt maker years ago, it consists of plug in low heater outer case that you put in an inner large pot with about a litre of milk and a couple of tablespoons of a live yogurt, I use a yeo one and leave it to do its thing about 12 hours, and hey presto yogurt made, it has to go cold before you can use it though. No fancy pancy flavours used, unfortunately!! I looked at the ones in Lakeland and they were so expensive!!


    £1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund
  • nannygladys
    nannygladys Posts: 3,235 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    When I got up this morning yogurt was made so put it one side to go completely cold and then fridge.
    Went to the hub primarily for eldest dd, but I did get a small loaf and a cabbage for me, but loads for dd, it all helps and I'd appreciated. I think her and hubby will be back to work tomorrow and Friday, all being well.
    I've been pottering in the garden most of the day planting my sweetcorn for the lottie, tidying out the shed a bit and doing some weeding, it was lovely and warm and the birds were tweeting and all was well in my world.
    I don't think much is changing in my life with the cuts in Nat  insurance and fuel so I will keep making tiny cut backs here and there, the latest being only having the TV on when I actually want to watch something instead of leaving it continuously on, so at the moment it's quiet here until 9 o'clock!!! Not sure how much difference it will make though. 
    Pup went to his first training class last night and apparently wasn't paying attention at first but improved as it went along, I don't think a gold star would have been awarded to him or even a bronze!!!! But he's going back next week so I'm sure he will get the hang of everything soon enough.
    Right going to go as I need to make a drink and use the loo before my program, might as well put my pjs as well :)
    Nannyg
    £1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund
  • WinterWarrior
    WinterWarrior Posts: 6,103 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    That’s interesting. Mine is an easy yo one that just works off hot water, no plugs. I won it in a competition with Easy yo sachets. 
    I never have the tv on unless I’m watching it, I like the silence 😬
    Not all who wander are lost - J.R.R.Tolkien
    🌊 A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor 🌊

    My WW and friends diary is here 😁 … 
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6259606/must-try-harder/p1

  • nannygladys
    nannygladys Posts: 3,235 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    WinterWarrior - I think it's habit that I leave it on, so I have a look what's on and do something else more interesting whilst I'm waiting.

    Been in the garden again, I've done quite a bit but it doesn't look like it :) but I know!!!!
    No shopping as I haven't been out and I've eaten that much for my tea I'm having to sit straight up to feel comfortable - that'll teach me!! It was pasta and veg but I cooked too much and then ate it all :/  Tomorrow is a brand new day and I will be eating less!
    I've heard today my internet is going up next month, it's not by much but added to all the others it's really starting to mount up, and there's still more to go I sure.
    Nannyg
    £1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund
  • Sun_Addict
    Sun_Addict Posts: 23,990 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I don’t watch much TV but when I’m working from home and at weekends I have the radio on all day. I don’t like silence. 

    All the bits and bobs going up add up. I don’t know where they expect folks to find all this extra money ☹️
    I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)
  • nannygladys
    nannygladys Posts: 3,235 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Sun_Addict - I think with me it's the 'lack of choice' that's being taken away from me that upsets me the most. I wasn't one of those that shopped a lot, bought loads of clothes, ate out or even frequented coffee shops, well not very often anyway but I now feel I can't even do these things even if I wanted to, I probably wouldn't anyway, well only occasionally, but that choice has now been made for me by others causing a lack of money, not sure if that makes sense of not.

    Anyway, I've been in the garden doing bits and pieces and its gradually coming together for the summer now, so that made me feel better especially as I sat out in the warm sun with a drink after I'd finished for the day.
    I took a reading of g&e before I cooked my tea, I had 2 sausages cooked in the halogen and used my steamer on top of the stove for the veggies, pots, carrots, leeks and mange tout and it all cost 13p, now I won't know how good/bad that is until I have cooked a few more meals. My fixed deal ended yesterday and the price has shot up and will again when the cap is lifted, so I'm keeping a check on things and what meals work better/cheaper for me - I know it's sad but it will keep me aware!!! I think I'd better start looking for a microwave steamer :) 
    I hope this sunny weather lasts a bit longer and I can get outside, the bulbs are all coming into flower and it looks like I'm in for a good show of bluebells they're popping up all over the place! The ivy is also popping up all over the place which is a right bind to remove, but in a funny sort of way it's quite therapeutic!!
    Well I suppose I'll have to do the washing up, I saved the lunchtime pots but it really annoys me seeing them on the side. I had the last of my home grown sweetcorn cobs at lunch and they taste so much better than frozen or fresh shop bought so I planted over 30 sweetcorn seeds yesterday and may get some more, it said 25 on the packet but I counted 34 so bonus! 
    Nannyg
    £1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund
  • joedenise
    joedenise Posts: 17,649 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think that's a good idea to cost your meals that way to see which way works out the cheapest.  The cheapest meals are probably where you can cook everything in one pot.  I'm certainly interested in how much different meals cost to cook.

  • Sun_Addict
    Sun_Addict Posts: 23,990 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I love my microwave steamer, wouldn’t be without it. It’s great to steam veg for one person and ready in under 5 minutes. I think I paid around £7 for mine in Lidl. 
    I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)
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