Trying not to get into more debt

poppy811

Nanny G re flapjack I made some flapjack with mincemeat and it was judged to be the best by my son.  As he is a Head Chef I took that as a win!

nannygladys

Poppy - did you just sandwich in the middle like a cake before you cooked it?

Toonie

@nannygladys We have tropical fish. A past time which my partner brought into my life. We have a 2 1/2 foot tank with a variety of small tropical fish in (known as a community tank) and they are fab but do need a bit a work, especially at the moment as they've decided to destroy the plants we had in the tank and that has upset the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. They've totally chomped one of the plants (I fished out loads of bits of floating debris) and the others are looking rather worn. We'll need to get some new plants as otherwise we'll have to change the water more often or get an additional air pump so we're thinking of popping to the fish and reptile shop nearby tomorrow.

I'm definitely feeling tired this week, I've had quite a slow one. I didn't hear back from the community pantry people so didn't go over just in case it would be a wasted trip. I'll chase up if I don't hear anything by the end of next week. Otherwise as I had to go to the main post office today I decided to spend my time wisely and popped into the newly refurbished local supermarket which is great for European foods, dried goods, and bakery items. In amongst my purchases I got some yellow split peas so I can make pease pudding soon, plus some yummy Turkish bread, some of which I ate with my lunch (slow cooker carrot and barley soup), and the rest will be eaten over the weekend. I also picked up some fruit from the market including some very tasty grapes and oranges. I spent just under £17 in all and came home with a couple of full bags of shopping.

Toonie

Yesterday we got some new aquarium plants and we also decided to get a few extra fish as sadly our harlequin shoal has decreased to the point they aren't exhibiting normal behaviour any longer. So, as they had 6 small harlequins left we got them (£10) as well. The fish and plants came out of the last of the Christmas money we were gifted by FIL.

Today we went to see FIL and then afterwards went to Aldi for a stock up shop. There were lots of gaps on the shelves. No fresh cabbage, no cucumbers, very little in the way of potatoes, plus lots of tins missing (no tinned toms of any type) plus low stocks of pasta/rice/noodles. I'm fairly good at thinking on the fly so can make changes where needed and adjust and plan around. Spent just under £110 but that gives us tea, coffee beans, baking supplies, frozen veggies, and portioned up meat for the month ahead. This leaves us £75 for the rest of the month which should be fine as we don't spend more than £25 per week on smaller shops.

Toonie

This week is turning out to be expensive. I managed to crack a tooth on Monday, thankfully was able to see my dentist as an emergency appointment on Tuesday, only to be told it may need root canal and potentially a crown. I have an appointment tomorrow to assess it all and to check for any infection. Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to get any help towards the costs, even via the low income scheme, so my credit card will be taking the hit.

nannygladys

Toonie - I hope you're not getting too much pain with your tooth. Thankfully I've been with a nhs dentist for years, but it's still expensive to have work done.

Toonie

Thanks @nannygladys It's a bit sore but not as bad as I thought it might be. I'm glad of my NHS dentist as well. It's very difficult where I live to get an NHS dentist. One of my friends who recently moved to the area from Suffolk has ended up with an NHS dentist in SW London (I'm in East London) as it's the nearest they could get! As for a GP they can't find anyone locally taking on patients so have ended up with an online GP. And yet my local council are continuing to build more and more blocks of flats and giving no thought to the services that these flats need.

poppy811

nannygladys said:

Poppy - did you just sandwich in the middle like a cake before you cooked it?

No I just it into the mixture, Hope you enjoy

poppy811

Sorry that should have read just stirred it into the mixture

nannygladys

Toonie - it's unbelievable in this day and age your friends can't get a face to face GP, let alone a dentist, although I know around here it's difficult to get a nhs dentist as many are now private and you have to go on a waiting list. And I haven't seen a doctor for years, you just can't get an appointment, but I believe it's easier to get an appt with the nurse practitioner.