Missy’s Surviving the storm so we can dance in the rain.

Bluegreen143

I think if you go super frugal then the diet can end up unhealthy and with not enough protein. But you’re right there’s a middle ground between that and spending a fortune.

Its important to me to eat reasonably healthily so our food budget is no longer overly strict. But we rarely eat out/get takeaways. I know you aren’t keen to cut out all the eating out, but if you added that eating out budget to your food budget I think you’d find this could really ease the pressure on your grocery budget and you’d be able to afford more chicken. 

Remember you can use cheaper cuts - stews and curries made with chicken thighs etc - and HM meatballs. And hummus is a cheap, easy to make snack which has plenty protein in. Sausages and bacon are pretty cheap too.

It’s a good point about setting up more boundaries between home and work too, and making time for family/couple time, having fun etc. I know it is much harder to do that when self employed.

peb

Not re protein but general costs, check out frozen veg - I use a lot of frozen spinach now in omelette/frittata, it's considerably cheaper than fresh.  I also use frozen green beans to bulk up salad - again considerably cheaper than fresh and simply need putting in. Mug of boiling water whilst chopping the original agreement.

peb

Ingredients. Sigh, apologies.  

missymoo81

Thank you all so much for your lovely ideas and comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to post. I think I’m just feeling a little Neglected and run down. OH has noticed too. I am also a little sad I wasn’t able to take part in the competition that was running the last 3 weeks. I did some of the workouts and had I submitted my scores and retaken the first one I would have got through to quarter finals like OH has. So feeling a little sad and left out and a little like ‘what’s the point’ 😢. 

I will try and get more organised for next week. I’m running on empty today and struggling. Sat outside swimming for Roo and May, have work at 1945, so not a lot of turn around time. I hate Thursdays. 

peb

So sorry you are feeling this way.  🤗

tunathe_cat

HELLO, have you a Community Fridge in your area? These are FREE to everyone. Some areas have Community Larders, much cheaper than normal supermarkets.

missymoo81

Thanks @peb.

@tunathe_cat I inquired a few weeks ago but the one near me closed after covid and never reopened 😢.

Bluegreen143

Oh sending love. Working motherhood can be hard anyway but with money/business stress and a grumpy OH - it’s not an easy time for you. I really do feel for you. Could you try to add more little happy things into your daily routine, things which are free or cheap but help to bring that joy back to your days so it doesn’t feel like a grind? 

Things like snuggling up with your kids or being silly with them and giggling. Making a lovely drink and taking 15 minutes to just sit and enjoy it. You and your OH spending some free time together in the (ahem) bedroom (sorry, but it IS a frugal activity 😜). Putting aside 20 minutes a day to do something you just love, even if it’s putting on a lovely colour of nail polish or laughing your sides off at a funny TV show or something. Getting out in the fresh air somewhere green and really breathing it in. Phoning a friend for a good chat.

I know what it’s like when it feels like work - housework - childcare - sleep cycle on repeat (I’ve been like this this week) but I always find if I take some time to be really present and bring in some things for me it helps even if I’m not spending money or going out.

Hoping it all feels better soon 😘

missymoo81

Hi,

Worked all weekend and now just surfacing. But had the nicest few days. Feel a little brighter about things. The sun really helps! Have spent some money on bits and pieces, food mostly as we had bbqs and ice creams, but really spent some quality time with OH and the children and feel so much better for it. I’m going to try and take hold of the reins again (reign or rein? I’m not talking about the Queen 😁).

The childrens dad is back so the children have gone there for their days and that has allowed me to actually get a little bit of sleep, rather than waking up at 6am it’s 8. Which is so much better. 

I am yet to do my weekly shop, but overspent last week, also have ordered a 1 off Gousto box. Which I know is expensive, but I had a voucher and I got coerced into it by a friend and I’d had a glass of wine 🤦🏻‍♀️.it’s costing me £20. So could be worse. Im always grateful for the recipe ideas as we’re always so samey. I’m going to try and only spend £10 in Lidl today. We have toilet roll and cat food, and most dinners for the week so just need bread and ham, milk, crisps, yoghurts chocolate bars and yoghurts. Oh and eggs.

I have work for an hour at 0939 then we’re going for a lovely walk. Think I’m going to make scrambled egg on toast before we go and we’ll take a coffee with us. 

Really need to get the house in order, what with being working more, the children being here and me not feeling great everything is more than a bit messy.  Will try and get all of the huge washing pile done this week and hang it outside. 

We’ve been a lot better with turning everything off at the plug. So I’m hoping that will help the elec prices. 

Think that’s all to report. 

Thanks for dropping by and reading x 

joedenise

You definitely sound much brighter today @missymoo81 which is good.

Rather than buying packs of ham I've found it much cheaper to buy a gammon joint and cook it myself and then slice and freeze.  Just need to get out what you need from the freezer the day before.    We'll be having toasted ham & cheese sandwich for lunch tomorrow.

In fact it's what I've done this week.  We had it hot on Sunday, cold on Monday and there is still 10 thick slices left to be bagged up and frozen - if fact that's a job for today!

The joint I bought was just over lKg and cost less than £3.50 so not much more than a couple of packs of sliced ham and is far tastier.