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

YorksLass

@sammy_kaye18 - I shall probably have to re-read the books to remind myself of who's who - it's a bit of a family saga!

I usually use Greek salad cheese cubed and sprinkled over a salad - it's quite mild and a bit on the salty side.  It's not especially good for cooking with (doesn't melt easily) but could be sprinkled over oven roasted veg to add a bit of variety.

I have next week's meal plan to do today and will be relying on freezer contents rather than buying more.  An opportunity to update my freezer inventory too - I've not been overly diligent lately at adding/deleting contents so could be in for a few surprises! 

Florenceem

Mr F went to our local Asd. for some milk and came home with packs of reduced sweets. They were in date and reduced to 20p from £1.

mandy47

Got 3 tins of branded lentils. YS, 85p down to 18p, over a years date on them.  2 loaves down to 15p each. Would have had  more bread but no room in the freezers. Pleased with what I did get though. 

Toonie

I'm just writing out my meal plan and shopping list for this week. It's quite a short list, but all essentials, and can't be put off as our fridge is looking rather on the sorry side in respect of fresh veg and salad options. Whilst at the shop I'll also check what quick options there are as my energy levels have been rubbish with the recurring tooth infections and ear infection I keep getting (plus the usual chronic pain). I've discovered that the frozen lamb chops from Sainsbury cook really well in my air fryer without defrosting, so that is a great quick option with a salad and tinned potatoes. I've got peashoots and basil growing on my window sill so they get added into my salads to make things taste a bit more interesting.

We'll also get some instant soups for DP to take to work as his workplace is rather chilly and the temps do look to be chilly for the next few days.

YorksLass

Meal plan completed for the coming week and I was (pleasantly) surprised to find the freezer inventory was more or less up to date.     Just a couple of anomalies.

I've done a small grocery order for delivery on Tuesday, a mix of fresh foods and some store cupboard stuff, nothing for the freezer.  I've indicated no subs against some items that are supposedly in stock but, come Tuesday, who knows?  Also noticed a few price increases but I guess that's the norm nowadays.  

Have also sorted out finances for the rest of the month and realised the last CT payment for the year went out last week and the last water rates payment will go out next week, so that will make the bank balance look better in Feb and Mar.     I also had an email reminder my delivery pass is due for auto renewal next month but that's OK as I've been ring fencing a little cash each month to pay for that.  It's saved money in the long run (around £64 over the year) and it was good to see it hasn't gone up (yet).

Today's dinner is roast beef in gravy (from freezer), mash and a mixture of LO veggies that I'll heat up in the M/W.  Cooked chicken pieces taken out to defrost for tomorrow's stir fry.

littlemoney

I use to pay council tax for 10 months a year but when the option came available I switched to 12 payments. I found it easier as it was the same as other direct debits with the same total amount going out each month.

Wednesday2000

I saw this article.

Mum repeats big Tesco shop from 2020 and is astonished at how prices have risen - Mirror Online

Toonie

Before we went shopping I had a look around my Nectar app on my phone and saw a voucher for £7.50 off a £50 spend. So, we decided to see what the shopping came to by the end and then, if it was near the £50 mark, we'd find something to add in. It was and so DP very happily got a jar of Bovril which tipped us over the requirement and I got a packet of digestives.

The biggest price shock was the cheddar. Last week it was £3 and this week £3.40. I was able to get the frozen lamb chops so that's 8 chops for £6 which will be used when I'm not up to cooking much. Yesterday we had gammon for tea with spuds, carrots, green beans, and gravy. Today it was sliced up and will be used for lunches for the next few days. I reserved the cooking water and tomorrow I'll make some soup. Today I'm having leftovers from the weekend-boiled potatoes and a hard boiled egg, and some coleslaw, not quite in tune with the weather, but I want to use up my leftovers.

snowbird20

Wednesday2000 said:

I saw this article.

Mum repeats big Tesco shop from 2020 and is astonished at how prices have risen - Mirror Online

interesting article.  I hate to be all judgy and stuff but that a LOT Of junk food in that shop.  I wonder if increase would have been more if it was more 'ingredients'.  We DID buy a bag of cookies ('biscuits' to you lot ) last week and I noticed they have gone up from $3.69 to $4.99 in about a year's time.   

Siebrie

zcrat41 said:

Morning all. I'm after some advice please. My 88 year old Nana has had a fall and is in hospital with a broken hip. She is too far for me to visit (I have young kids and there are lots of other family). I'd like to post her a little pack of things but can't for the life of me think what to put in it. The kids will write letters and do drawings. A book? I don't really know what she likes.  What home made food could I post? 

Would love any suggestions

Letter paper, envelopes and stamps? And an address list? (Maybe she can't read your children's address)