It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

luvchocolate

Florenceem said:

One of the SA volunteers found out of date opened food in with a bag of clothes and toys donation - saves folk filling their bin or a trip to the tip. Don't get me wrong - we get some great donations but also rubbish.

The worst donation I recieved was soiled nappies and bedsheets. 

annieb64

We used to get loads of rubbish when I worked in a charity shop but not any soiled nappies, thank goodness.

The worst ones were when someone had to clear a house and would just empty drawers into black bags. I can remember one of our volunteers being quite shocked when a woman brought in bag loads of dirty, tobacco smelling stuff-" but she's a teacher" she kept saying!

mandy47

Just got back from Farmfoods. First visit in a couple of months and I'm really shocked at some of the price rises. I was paying 99p for 15 eggs they're now £1.69. Down shifted on some items but it looks like I'll be looking elsewhere for others. 
I expected increases but not to this degree. 

I know many of you will agree with me when I say if I'm already living a frugal lifestyle what else can I do to save or cut back on.
Keep telling myself there are many people in a much worse situation. 
I work for a major SM and I'm noticing a big difference in the way people are shopping. There are a surprising number of trollies made up entirely of the basic range.
Worrying times for many.

borefest

I am getting really scared of the energy prices.

linz

Went to the co-op at 18.30 last night and there was a large amount of YS items. I got some pork burgers, lamb burgers, lamb kebabs on skewers, pork & apple sausages, a chicken tikka wrap, 2 packs of vine tomatoes, a tub of plums, bag of spinach, 4 bread rolls and a tiger loaf for £5.72. Have frozen the meat and bread and looking forward to eating the fruit & salad - still plenty of life left in them. There was lots left too so plenty for others. 18.30 seems the best time to go to my local co-op. Looking at the reductions I only paid about 25% of the rrp. Meal planning has gone totally out of the window at the moment for me - I'm living off YS stuff most of the time

CKhalvashi

For food, the best thing I can recommend is making sure you always have access to potatoes.

They are so flexible and can go with anything. I've done a corned beef hash from scratch in about 20 minutes, will be doing the same with tuna tonight as I've used the last of the tin for lunch today.

They will also go with the vast majority of what you've purchased.

We are going to need to travel a lot over the winter months (our margins are quite tight at the moment so growth is essential to meet new clients etc) and therefore bills aren't my main priority. Clothing has been discussed already though, and thick clothes will be essential for most this winter.

zcrat41

CKhalvashi said:

For food, the best thing I can recommend is making sure you always have access to potatoes.

They are so flexible and can go with anything. I've done a corned beef hash from scratch in about 20 minutes, will be doing the same with tuna tonight as I've used the last of the tin for lunch today.

They will also go with the vast majority of what you've purchased.

We are going to need to travel a lot over the winter months (our margins are quite tight at the moment so growth is essential to meet new clients etc) and therefore bills aren't my main priority. Clothing has been discussed already though, and thick clothes will be essential for most this winter.

Do you have recipes for your hash?

I remember those meals from childhood but haven't made them yet for my kids. Think you're right about potatoes. They were a staple of my childhood but my kids hardly ever have them. 

CKhalvashi

zcrat41 said:

CKhalvashi said:

For food, the best thing I can recommend is making sure you always have access to potatoes.

They are so flexible and can go with anything. I've done a corned beef hash from scratch in about 20 minutes, will be doing the same with tuna tonight as I've used the last of the tin for lunch today.

They will also go with the vast majority of what you've purchased.

We are going to need to travel a lot over the winter months (our margins are quite tight at the moment so growth is essential to meet new clients etc) and therefore bills aren't my main priority. Clothing has been discussed already though, and thick clothes will be essential for most this winter.

Do you have recipes for your hash?

I remember those meals from childhood but haven't made them yet for my kids. Think you're right about potatoes. They were a staple of my childhood but my kids hardly ever have them. 

No real recipes needed.

Chopped potatoes (in roughly squares less 1cm by 1cm, I have baby potatoes at the moment and they're easier to work with), half an onion and corned beef/tuna/etc, any meat should work. Shallow fry for about 10 minutes (until potatoes are slightly brown) and just make sure you're stirring constantly for heat. I sprinkle half way through frying with a small amount of mixed herbs.

You'll end up with a relatively healthy and actually quite tasty meal from that, plus it's fast.

linz

My mum used to make a take on corned beef hash when i was little similar to this - chopped onion & tin of corned beef cut into cubes and heated, mix with mashed potatoes and put in an oven dish like you would with shepherds pie. She'd then crumple up a couple of bags of smokey bacon crisps and finish off in the oven - mmm i loved it

zcrat41

Thank you CK. you say you don't need a recipe but my Mums involved mash and baked beans so yours sounds much nicer!!!!