Ways to cope with the fuel and living cost rises. Any ideas welcome.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
Todays is a bit chilly but dry so I’m airing the place out while I can. I’m working on every penny saved on fuel now will help a bit. So today because I’m at home I’m letting my hair dry naturally and using the extra chicken I cooked yesterday for tonight’s tea.

newlywed

I’m being more conscious of filling up the oven whenever I put it on. I get a weekly veg box so try and do loads of roasting once a week. 

Last night I did shepherds pie, so roasted three squash at the same time ready to use this week.

I have a large flask that was going to charity but I’ve kept it so any extra boiled water from the cups of tea can go in it for washing up or cooking veg etc. 

Have also reduced the hot water timer a bit (and plan to do it some more until OH complains) as the cooler weather means less baths (yes I know a shower is more economical for water… but after a 20 mile walk you can’t beat a soak)

newlywed

Oh and to reheat cooked frozen brown rice, I usually defrost overnight in the fridge and then zap it for about 2 mins, stir and check how hot it is and then do it for 30 sec to 1 min more to make sure it’s properly hot.  Never partly heat it - either eat it cold or really hot.

MandM90

DH has started taking cold showers for health reasons. Not for the feint of heart (and I include myself in that category) but our showers are electric so I shall not be discouraging him.

newlywed

MandM90 said:

DH has started taking cold showers for health reasons. Not for the feint of heart (and I include myself in that category) but our showers are electric so I shall not be discouraging him.

To prepare for skiing holidays where it can be -18c I used to finish a shower with a cold blast… it’s meant to help you acclimatise to the cold weather, not repeated it since I stopped going skiing years ago though!

and apparently not advisable for anyone heart issues either (not just feint of heart)

Hansplace

hang out washed clothes on a dry day like today to reduce the duration of the tumble dryer. 

And the obvious will be don't spend 30 minutes under the hot shower

CCW007

peony40 said:

Hi Jodenise, I really like the idea of freezing brown rice, how do you reheat it? Do you reheat from frozen and in the microwave?

Many thanks

(For some reason I could not reply to your post, it said the body of text was too short, even when I added another paragraph.)

sorry, should be for ccw007, my fibromyalgia fog is on maximum today!

I reheat from frozen in the microwave, usually add a tablespoon of water to stop it drying out and reheat until thoroughly hot.

worrywart_3

I’ve invested in a heated throw got it in my legs and have lit the fire I’m trying to save the heating but boy I want to put it on ! I also have an everhot and that amounts for half my electric I’ve switched it off but I’m going to have to give in and out it on week after next I’m aiming for I’m away next week. 

I help at a waste food bank and that’s but my shopping right down. 

C_J

I've noticed grocery prices going up quite sharply in recent weeks too. I started a spreadsheet last year to help with my budgeting, and every week I input the items from my Aldi shopping receipt with a note of the variance on the previous week's prices (yes, yes, I know )

It's been reasonably stable over the past 12 months but since last week, three of my Aldi items have jumped in price by 10p each - Nordpak butter, a loaf of their Ancient Grains wholemeal sliced bread, and a pack of 6 tins of dog food.**

To try and counter the price rises, we are having three vegetarian meals a week (not buying so much meat really helps keep the costs down) and I have made the sacrifice of swapping from my favourite Twinings tea to Aldi own brand which is a fraction of the cost (and I honestly can't tell the difference).

It's tough when there is little more which can be done in terms of cost reductions - I am already shopping at Aldi, growing my own fruit and veg, stretching meals with pulses and beans, cooking everything from scratch, all the things we suggest on this forum. I suppose there will come a time when the only option in the face of rising prices is to spend less, i.e. start going without things. Mister CJ is retired and I am fortunate to still be working so we do okay financially (for which I am grateful every single day) but I am acutely aware that for many there is not that luxury and it makes me so sad. Citizens of a 21st century, first world country shouldn't be struggling and having to choose between fuel or food.


**This makes it sound as though I live on dog food sandwiches. I don't, honestly

newlywed

I used to have a spreadsheet where I entered the cost of items and then on the different sheets ingredients for meals were listed so it worked out how much per portion certain dinners were…

that’s long lost but I think I need to recreate it as i know I was surprised at the cost of some meals at the time and so cooked them less often