Planning ahead-living away from home for the 1st time (Old style help needed)-update

MissEyre

I pick up cheap tupperware boxes in pound shops for freezing, as you can defrost stuff in them and then stick it straight in the microwave-less washing up
For cleaning, I am a complete Stardrops convert-smells gorgeous and fresh, 69p a bottle from Wilkinsons (which lasts forever) and you can use it for pretty much everything.
Would strongly advise freezing bread in bags of two or four slices-I live alone and nothing more annoying than having to chuck out bread when it's gone green because I forgot to split the loaf down
Freecycle is brilliant, and you can pick up just about anything you're after on there.
Best of luck, keep us updated!

morwenna

When my daughter moved out I leant her my Dairy Book of Home Cookery. Nice, clear, easy to use recipes in there also tips about storing food etc. I had to beg her for it back!

Always freeze stuff in portions - saves defrosting more than you need/beating a bag of veggies on the worktop etc for example, if you see reduced to clear stuff, eg bacon, freeze in bacon butty size amounts (maybe two or three rashers.) You can always multi defrost, but it saves the "must use that up" dilemma. (sp?)

parsonswife8

My best tip is to buy 3 tins of pulses such as canelleni beans, chickpeas, lentils, butter beans, etc at Sainsburys, which are 3 for a pound and add them to stews and casseroles etc.
They make your meat go further and the pulses are good for you.
In the summer, the canelleni beans can be used in a salad and the chickpeas can be made into hummus.
Good luck!

Little_Miss_Naughty

I also freeze potatoes for roasting.

Part boil them, drain and coat in flour. Lay on a baking tray covered in greeseproof paper and freeze. Once frozen store in plastic bags for up to two months. To cook just pop in the oven in a tray coated with hot oil for about 30 minutes.

Toonie

I thought I would update a little. My boyfriend and I are moving next weekend! We found a two bedroom flat in quite a nice area. We are in the process of packing everything at the moment.

For Christmas we got two Delia Smith books, the Summer and Winter collection and a voucher for M&S.

My mum has just bought a new slow cooker, so we're getting her old one, its a small one and she doesn't have instructions and hasn't used it for a while. Its a PIFCO 4850 but can't find any info on it online, hopefully I'll get a chance to test it out.

I have a little box ready full of cloths, tea towels, washing up liquid, cups, tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits which is coming with me on the day of the move. I'll buy a bottle of milk on the day.

Its now just a case of trying to pack everything. I'm working most of the week, so don't have much time, apart from tomorrow. The move has happened really quickly, as we only saw the place on Friday, so we've not had much time to sort out packing.

angel81uk

Hi Toonie,

Congratulations on finding your new flat! Setting up home for the first time with a partner is such an exciting time. It's only two years ago that my partner and I moved in together properly then a year later bought our first flat so I remember it well.

It sounds like you've been really organised already so you're off to a great start. I don't have many OS tips as I'm pretty new to it myself I'm afraid. But from my experience I'd say don't force yourself to jump in the deep end! It's so tempting when you get your first place to try and be a domestic goddess right from the start and at first it seems like bliss. But try not to bite off more than you can chew so to speak or you might end up being overwhelmed by it all. Make sure you take some time out from the unpacking cooking, cleaning etc to just enjoy being a couple who have just moved in together. By all means start as you mean to go on, but don't be afraid of starting off small. And don't forget to get your BF involved in the housework etc right from the start! It's nice to feel like you're looking after the home AND your partner but try not to give him the impression he doesn't need to do anything because you'll take care of it. It's much harder to get the men folk to pull their weight when they've become accustomed to having a domestic goddess to pick up after them!

But most importantly, don't stress about it all! It's fine to be organised, but it's an exciting time so make sure you enjoy it.

Good luck!

belfastgirl23

Hey congrats on the move, it's really exciting isn't it.

I can't stress enough angel's advice above re getting your DB involved in all aspects of the house and starting as you mean to go on...she is completely right that if you start by doing things you will end up doing them forever. Which is a very very long time It might mean a bit of *ahem* debate in the short term but much better than martyrdom for 60 years ahead

Lots of luck!!

Oh and PS it might be worth thinking about doing a big online shop to arrive the day after you move in as well, just if you need a lot of basics it takes a huge amount of pressure off. And also having something precooked (casserole etc) for the first night and a nice bottle of wine. The other thing is to sort out your bed first before you do anything else - it's incredibly depressing struggling with duvet covers at midnight on moving day when you're completely knackered

angel81uk

Having a meal ready for your first night is definitely a good idea idea. With the last couple of moves I've done though I never feel like a big meal after shuffling boxes all day. Especially as it means I have to remember to keep some plates, cutlery etc handy and the first thing you see the next morning is washing up waiting to be done amongst all the boxes!

IMO you can't beat a good carpet picnic for the first meal in a new home! Pack up a box/cool bag/hamper with lots of yummy food that doesn't need heating, some paper plates, plastic cutlery etc, a picnic blanket and some candles. Get all the boxes in the house making sure to stop regularly for copious amounts of tea, make up the bed, hang curtains if needed and send your helpers home with lots of thanks. Then it's time to spread out the picnic blanket on the floor, turn off the lights, light some candles (the piles of boxes aren't as obvious in candle light!) and enjoy your carpet picnic all washed down with a celebratory bottle of fizz!

We're having a carpet picnic in a few days time to celebrate one year of moving in to our own home.

Toonie

Good idea about the big shop, will get together with my boyfriend and see what we can come up with.

As for the meal, I like the idea of a carpet picnic, will have to see what I can come up with, as on the day I won't be able to do too much as I have a bad back, so it would be nice to sort out something for when we close the door on our first evening. I think it was Woolies where I saw a cheap picnic basket the other day, so may go check it out.