What should we include in MSE's new Cost of Living survival guide?

Jojohighlander

Siebrie said:

kimwp said:

Slightly at a tangent, but I think it would be good to have advice on nutritional diets on a budget eg how much protein is actually needed and the cheapest way to do that, how to get the most vitamins (IE which of the cheap fruit and veg is the most nutritious and what combination gives the widest coverage) etc.

I know this is a very different topic from the usual MSE and you'd need to find reputable and reliable advisors, but I think the science and detail is missing from most/(all?) advice on how to eat cheaply and I think it would remove a lot of worries of people, particularly parents, to know that they had the knowledge on how to optimise a restricted budget to eat healthily.

Yes! And a week's menu, maybe? If you're really stressed, you won't have the energy to think properly and are more likely to go for the fast and ready option, instead of the healthy option.

Jack Munroe is a nutrition on a budget hero. I love her Tin Can Cookbook. Google for details.   a new one for me is Feed Your Family for £20 https://fyf20quid.co.uk/browse-recipes/

Floss

Maybe consider ways to combat digital poverty - in some areas the number of people without digital skills is rising and they are potentially the people who would benefit from your guide.

https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/tackling-digital-divide-house-commons-4-november-2021 

Hummingbird0_12

I've just retrieved a little book of Martin's from my bookshelf called "Thrifty Ways for Modern Days" based on the collective wisdom of the Old Style board here on the MSE Forum.
It was published in 2006 but is more relevant than ever right now. 
The dedication says " Dedicated to the war generation, who learned to save money without a choice, and who pass on their knowledge so the rest of us may thrive"

kimwp

RAS said:

The other thing is about food storage. Fruit and veg are sold in plastic which leads it to sweat and rot really quickly. Get it out of the plastic, keep it cool and not too dry and it can last ages, as long as the skin is intact. Courgettes, peppers, aubergine and cucumbers, tomatoes can last a month. Onions, kept warm and dry, last six months; some apples the same, if kept  cool and not too dry. Obviously not easy in a centrally heated flat, but worth thinking about where is best for what in your situation.

And stuff like salad leaves is sold in a modified atmosphere. So it rots very quickly once opened, salad leaves go off in two days, whilst a hearted lettuce can last 2 weeks in winter and more than a week in summer, outside the fridge. 

Some of the plastic wrap is (supposedly) designed to keep the foods fresher for longer eg the wrap on cucumber keeps the water in and stops it shrivelling. I will say though that when I had one in the plastic for a while it went mouldy. This might be a bit academic unless growing your own though - it's best to eat fruit and veg as close as possible to when they are picked as the nutrients in them start reducing from that point (though it's slowed by freezing).

London_1

kimwp said:

RAS said:

 

Some of the plastic wrap is (supposedly) designed to keep the foods fresher for longer eg the wrap on cucumber keeps the water in and stops it shrivelling. I will say though that when I had one in the plastic for a while it went mouldy. This might be a bit academic unless growing your own though - it's best to eat fruit and veg as close as possible to when they are picked as the nutrients in them start reducing from that point (though it's slowed by freezing).

I use foil on the top of my cut cucumber as it doesn't seem to leave it mouldy like plastic wrap does.I also wrap green veg in foil in the fridge especially celery, cabbage etc

shykins

tell them about Olio app, lots of people are still unaware of all the free food etc offered on there

I_Love_comps

For food look out for discount shops and yellow sticker items.
Food apps like TooGoodtoGo  App, I have used this app and buy from the coop - £12 of food for £4.
At end date or near end date.
Olio app-I do not use this one as I would have to pay for it - Local neighbours offer there own surplus food.

Clothing - Charity Shops or sales

To keep warm - Buy a throw and use that instead of your heating , in the evening instead of your heating.  Extra layers instead of extra heating costs.

Meal Plan and stick to your shopping list 

kimwp

I_Love_comps said:

For food look out for discount shops and yellow sticker items.
Food apps like TooGoodtoGo  App, I have used this app and buy from the coop - £12 of food for £4.
At end date or near end date.
Olio app-I do not use this one as I would have to pay for it - Local neighbours offer there own surplus food.

Clothing - Charity Shops or sales

To keep warm - Buy a throw and use that instead of your heating , in the evening instead of your heating.  Extra layers instead of extra heating costs.

Meal Plan and stick to your shopping list 

Olio is free. There's an option to pay, but it doesn't actually gain you anything.

poppy811

Perhaps a section on living rurally.  No bus here or Olio or community larder.  Oil heating is frighteningly high but no gas in the village.

[Deleted User]

Like so many on this site, @MSE_Martin has totally transformed my life. If I hadn't found his site as a graduate in 2006, my life would be very very different. He probably won't ever see this, but my family and I are forever indebted to him for his work. 

In regards a survival guide, I agree that rural living is an often missed topic and would be really beneficial. Bartering and goodwill with neighbours and friends is vitally important to us. My eggs are traded for fresh bread, a lift to the shops (I have no car), homemade biscuits, wood - to name but a few. 

Bartering goods and skills swapping is commonplace here, but in urban living can be just as useful and it's a movement that people need to encourage more. In my past life I happily babysit for a friend for a few hours in exchange for a portion of homecooked food to take home with me; or did a couple of loads of laundry for a friend in exchange for her returning my library books to the city for me whilst she was in said city anyway. 

That reminds me - YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. One of the few remaining places on earth where there is absolutely NO EXPECTATION TO SPEND MONEY. I use my library card more than my bank card nowadays.

HTH xx