Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

Blackcats

If it's any help what I've learned on my sloooow journey to reducing grocery spends and reducing food waste (which are, of course, intrinsically linked is ....
I feel better when I've got access to plenty of fruit and veg but it's cheaper to buy seasonal and also peas, corn, spinach, sliced peppers etc are great freezer go-to ingredients.  JoeDenise suggested frozen fruit too for breakfasts.  I try to keep them in containers in the freezer after picking up an open bag of peas upside down too many times 🤩

now that I've finally learned to meal plan (it's taken me to my late 50's so plenty of hope for you) I write out my meal plan with regular themes but different meals .... pasta night, something and rice, quick and easy e,g, jacket pots or omelette, fakeaway night, from the freezer meal,  I then work out what I've already got in stock and write the list based on what I actually need.

cook once, eat twice helps too.  This can be challenging as DH would eat a massive portion if he saw a big pot of dinner so I divide it up before dishing up.  I often get a mournful look from him but it's worth it when getting a home made frozen ready meal out of the freezer for an easy mid week dinner.

shopping at Lidlees has really reduced my spending as has Olio.  Although I appreciate there is a time factor attached to olio.  

I'm flattered that you think I'm doing well but accept that I'm much better than I used to be.

lucielle

How does Olio work and how do you apply?
L

savingholmes

Olio is just an app @lucielle you can download. Then you just look to see if there are any offers near you. You'll need to get in a rhythm of checking at certain times when people have gone and collected and posted any things that need pick up that evening vs next day.

Thanks @Blackcats - I already do the batch cook and shove things in the freezer but sometimes still waste food and forget about it.

So I'm going to try keeping a spending diary for a bit... Not sure how long I'll last but worth a try... 

We're going the beach tomorrow unless DD pulls out - so I went to Mr Ms and stocked up on food to take as well as food for next week. Spent £35.08 but was aiming for more like £20!!! (naive) But I got:

• 2 gorgeous lemon cake slides (£2.50 just there) - ate one already, will have the other tomorrow
• 2 boxes of flapjacks (£3 - they keep about a month - so well worth the extra £1 spend to get 2 - roll eyes at self) - cos they're totally SW and on plan right...???
• Skips 6 pack (less than 5 syns per pack so not bad) £1.25
• Individually wrapped Croissants £1.79 - but beach treat potentially
• Fridge raiders - for the beach. £2.25 - wouldn't normally buy these but DD loves them and they're not horrific SW wise I don't think
• 2 x £1.40 mango and passionfruit smoothie - I can tell you from earlier this week - that is delicious. Bad SW wise but ah well. Joy in other ways.
• 1.3kg chicken legs I need to cook, £2.99
• Ham trimmings £2.79
• Passata 49p (seemed dear so only got 1)
• Mackerel £1.81 (smaller portion than Mr A)
• 2 x bistro salad (for £1)
• Cherry tomatoes 69p 
• Sliced mushrooms £1.19 (felt dear)
• 6 Wonky peppers £1.35 (felt dear)
• Bananas (5 for 89p)
• Spring onions 69p (I would have expected more like 49p so felt dear)
• Coleslaw 75p (they didn't have the cheaper one in stock)
• YS sausages £1.87 - will divide into 3 portions tomorrow and freeze if I don't use for breakfast for me and DD.
• 3 x YS chicken and veg broth soup (90p each).
• 6 pint Milk £2.19
• Bread rolls 79p for 6 - wouldn't normally buy

I also filled up on fuel but the price had dropped to £1.844 I think so felt much better. £77.98 (but I'd done 565 miles for that so didn't feel as bad as if it had all been around town mileage.)

girlatplay

That's quite a good M's haul.

leftatthetrafficlights

Enjoy your beach day!! 🙌😁

jwil

Enjoy your day at the beach

DancingInTheRain

Hope you have a lovely day at the beach 🏖️

savingholmes

Thanks GAP, Dancing, Jwil and Left

I can tell you the cake was worth the life energy it took to buy it... Had the second piece for breakfast.

Need to finish getting ready and then we're off to my fave forest beach. Excited! 

If I want croissants on the beach though I need to nip and buy some jam as mine was mouldy!!

lucielle

Have a great day.  
L

savingholmes

Thanks @TallGirl - while DS isn't going to do a property guardian thing - our conversation about that did prompt him to think differently about how he could get his accommodation. He's about to accept a second role which gives him a studio apartment in a very nice areas for free @LadyWithAPlan with some top up monthly income. He's been told by text he should get the paperwork Monday. That's a weight off his mind and mine. Hopefully he can now clear his debts more quickly and have some free money to live and enjoy life too. I think his new accommodation includes his bills too.
 
Such a relief!!