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

RelievedSheff

Another vote for adding lentils or pearl barley to foods to bulk them out. Works well with mince based dishes.

Even my other half who is an avid meat eater really likes meals bulked out with pearl barley.

I will be making  spag bol later in the week and using a very small portion of mince bulked out with either lentils or barley.

Bluegreen143

Agree with all the above.

I also find rather than meals, it’s snacks/extras which kill our budget. So doing some baking (flapjacks, muffins) and buying in cheaper fruit (apples rather than blueberries for example) could help here. Own brand yoghurts rather than branded. And having a lot of toast or bowls of cereal for snacks rather than expensive packaged options like cereal bars.

Elisheba

I'm so sorry things have been so hard, Missy, and money continues to be so tight.  I've no suggestions to add, but I'm glad you called the Samaritans when you felt like you needed help , and we are always on here for you whenever you need to vent as well.

jwil

I'm glad you've come up with a solution and well done for getting in touch with the Samaritans.

Don't forget to check Olio/To good to go for free/cheap food, and also maybe see if you've got a community fridge nearby (people can take surplus food there - it's targeting food waste, not food poverty, so anyone can use)  or a community pantry - you can subscribe and pay a lower cost for a bag of groceries - there may be an eligibility requirement for the pantry though but it's always worth checking.

missymoo81

Thank you all so much. There will be a lot of stretched mince meals that’s for sure. I’ve got more chicken in the freezer than I realised so I can plan things with that. 

I was so good yesterday coming up with plans. I realised that unless I make some money, I have absolutely zero money for spends for the next 6 weeks after I’ve forked out for Roo’s birthday. And only £200 for food shopping for 6 weeks. Although that sounds worse than it is. It is more like 5 as I’m away a lot of next week and the children are only here half of the time as ex is back. Actually enjoying playing with all of the online supermarkets trying to find a meal plan that works!

So I’ve sorted through some stuff and I have some bits I think I can sell on FB market place. And from searching through the house and putting change together and I took back some jumpers yesterday and cancelled swimming in half term, I have enough for my dentist appointment next month. 

I really want to make this work, I’m going to try and do some more surveys too. 

missymoo81

Some days are more rubbish than others. Car failed it’s MOT with £300 bill. And poss new career that has taken me so long to go through the application process, I’ve just found out I didn’t get it.
gutted.

Bunny_mumma

Ah no missy sounds like a rubbish day! 

Don't take the job too hard, sounds like you went through such a process to get there that every stage was an achievement. 

And as for the car, they are just pains in the backside and really know when to kick you!! 

Xx 

missymoo81

Thanks @Bunny_mumma just feeling a bit down and despondent about it, as it would have been a regular income and a pension etc. 😢😔

joedenise

It's disappointing about the job but I'm sure there's a job out there with your name on it.  Just keep looking and keep applying you'll get something soon.  A regular income would be so much better.

Good luck with finding something soon.

RelievedSheff

Ah, sorry to hear that Missy.

I'm sure you will find something else soon.