2024 Frugal Living Challenge

Prudent

C_J said:

Did you see the Great British Sewing Bee last week? They cut up little fabric scraps and sandwiched them between two pieces of organza and then quilted it to hold the bits in place. They turned the resulting fabric into a shoulder bag, and it looked fab - I’m going to have a bash at that myself!

I did! I have seen the same technique used to make textile art and fabric postcards. The same background is used and then contrasting applique shapes are placed on top, a bit like the hearts bag.

suzeesu2000

DH has invested in a meat grinder and sausage making machine. This will be fun! We love sausages but don’t love the price for good quality sausages. Looked at costs of meat at butchers and decided to buy from supermarket instead as much cheaper, especially when Mr T has his half price leg of lamb offer. Machine came with recipe book, YT provided lots of instructional videos. we are looking at making usual pork and also nice ones like pork and apple, beef and onion, lamb and mint etc. Will also be making and selling (to recover cost of ingredients) to friends who have expressed interest. Machine also minces meats on three different grades. Can do superfine for burgers or kebabs and standard for savoury mince or cottage pies. Means I can buy super cheap meat and mince myself. Also minces veggies so can make veggie sausages/ burgers etc. Am already thinking of a Turkey and stuffing sausage for Christmas time!

nannygladys

I read Chris' book last last year and it put me off any processed food, so I've become a right little home provider🤣 it's a good job there's only me as sometimes  I'm sure some people wouldn't eat the same food as me! 
I now cook from scratch all the time and make stuff like yogurt etc but to be honest  I can't go without my coffee!!🤣
It's like being back in the pre 50's era I suppose but I'm enjoying the whole 'thing' , cooking, preserving finding different ways of cooking etc I'm not sure I feel any difference in my health (I've always been quite healthy) but I'm certainly not any worse 🤣 oh and I did eat up all the 'crap' I had in as I can't afford to throw food away and haven't bought anymore processed food since I've read it, but it made me read food labels and make considered purchases, so the local supermarkets have more or less lost my custom now and I support local farmers more oh and it helps that I have a Lottie and raised beds in my back garden.

Nelliegrace

Our homemade bread is considerably cheaper than supermarket stuff.
We make a basic 400g loaf in the bread maker using a mix of wholemeal and white bread flour, with yeast, butter, and salt, which cost about 40p in ingredients. For a change I make a slowly fermented loaf, with homemade kefir, flours and salt, the ingredients cost just 47p.
I like the bread maker, but one advantage of using the oven is making a batch of fruit scones all ready to go in as soon as the bread is done. Scones cost pennies and are so much better than any bought ones. 

kayannie

nannygladys said:

I read Chris' book last last year and it put me off any processed food, so I've become a right little home provider🤣 it's a good job there's only me as sometimes  I'm sure some people wouldn't eat the same food as me! 
I now cook from scratch all the time and make stuff like yogurt etc but to be honest  I can't go without my coffee!!🤣
It's like being back in the pre 50's era I suppose but I'm enjoying the whole 'thing' , cooking, preserving finding different ways of cooking etc I'm not sure I feel any difference in my health (I've always been quite healthy) but I'm certainly not any worse 🤣 oh and I did eat up all the 'crap' I had in as I can't afford to throw food away and haven't bought anymore processed food since I've read it, but it made me read food labels and make considered purchases, so the local supermarkets have more or less lost my custom now and I support local farmers more oh and it helps that I have a Lottie and raised beds in my back garden.

I've just bought a copy of the book you mention - 'Ultra Processed People'. I've only just started reading it, but my shopping list for tomorrow has already been adjusted! I already make most of our meals from scratch, but have got out of the habit of making some things, such as bread. I don't think my DH will want to give up some things, but I am going to try my hardest (once existing stocks have been used up!).
KA

Prudent

I have a comprise with OH. I buy just enough ultra processed things to keep him happy but don't eat them myself. For example I always pick up the free weekly vegan sausage roll from Greggs with my O2 app. I won't eat them, but OH loves a veggie sausage roll (mostly inside a bread roll!). My wee local community shop allows me to buy 10 items for £3.50 once a week. Mostly they are packets and tins. I find it hard to get 10 healthy items as most of the options are ultra processed like tinned soup or cereal. I usually pick up porridge oats, tuna, sardines, tinned tomatoes, tinned beans or chick peas for our shared food and the remainder are things like biscuits, white bread rolls or baked beans. OH will happily eat those but I won't. He likes the veggie processed food like sausages and burgers etc. If I make a joint meal I will use fish, beans, cheese, eggs, lentils, quinoa etc for protein. I do bake a lot and while its is not UPF, I could do with cutting back on that sugar and fat.

We  both contribute to a joint 'household items' budget. I explained my concerns about supermarket bread to OH and he said straight away that I should take money out of it for a bread maker if that would make things easier for me. I know he will probably continue to eat supermarket bread though! I will have a look for a bread maker. I would rather source one from the charity shops as I sometimes see them in there for around £10 to £15. I  have a bread hook on my kitchen aid mixer but having had a bread maker in the past I found it less messy and less costly in electricity than using the oven. 

My biggest plus for 'scratch' cooking just now is the Lidl veg boxes. I buy between 2 & 4 each week at £1.50 each. I added up the cost of what was in the two Friday boxes using the Tesco website (I couldn't find all the Lidl prices online) and it would have been £19.24 at full price. I enjoy the challenge of making something from the contents. I can always keep the fruit bowls full which helps keep me away from the cake tin!

kayannie

Prudent said:

I have a comprise with OH. I buy just enough ultra processed things to keep him happy but don't eat them myself. For example I always pick up the free weekly vegan sausage roll from Greggs with my O2 app. I won't eat them, but OH loves a veggie sausage roll (mostly inside a bread roll!). My wee local community shop allows me to buy 10 items for £3.50 once a week. Mostly they are packets and tins. I find it hard to get 10 healthy items as most of the options are ultra processed like tinned soup or cereal. I usually pick up porridge oats, tuna, sardines, tinned tomatoes, tinned beans or chick peas for our shared food and the remainder are things like biscuits, white bread rolls or baked beans. OH will happily eat those but I won't. He likes the veggie processed food like sausages and burgers etc. If I make a joint meal I will use fish, beans, cheese, eggs, lentils, quinoa etc for protein. I do bake a lot and while its is not UPF, I could do with cutting back on that sugar and fat.

We  both contribute to a joint 'household items' budget. I explained my concerns about supermarket bread to OH and he said straight away that I should take money out of it for a bread maker if that would make things easier for me. I know he will probably continue to eat supermarket bread though! I will have a look for a bread maker. I would rather source one from the charity shops as I sometimes see them in there for around £10 to £15. I  have a bread hook on my kitchen aid mixer but having had a bread maker in the past I found it less messy and less costly in electricity than using the oven. 

My biggest plus for 'scratch' cooking just now is the Lidl veg boxes. I buy between 2 & 4 each week at £1.50 each. I added up the cost of what was in the two Friday boxes using the Tesco website (I couldn't find all the Lidl prices online) and it would have been £19.24 at full price. I enjoy the challenge of making something from the contents. I can always keep the fruit bowls full which helps keep me away from the cake tin!

Our nearest shops are 10 miles away so I usually only go every 7 - 10 days. If I get there at the right time, I sometimes manage to get a £1.50 box from Lidl but I can't rely on it. Do you pick up more than one box at a time? I didn't know if that was allowed & didn't like to ask! When I do get one, it's usually good value. There isn't a community shop or pantry in the area where we live, or even an independent greengrocer or market, so I shop at the supermarkets for most things.

I've got a bread maker so it is relatively easy to make my own bread. I need to experiment with making ice cream, as I have made it successfully in the past. I also need to have a go at making yogurt. I already make cakes, but once I have used up the baking fat I have, I will probably be using butter, although I often make tea bread which is fat free.

We don't eat meat but do eat fish, but no UPF bought there as I don't buy anything 'fishy' ready-made.

I'm hoping my grocery bill goes down as I shall only be buying biscuits, chocolate & crisps etc for my OH.

This is going to be interesting!

KA

Cheapskate

Evening folks, finding my way back to all things MSE out of dire necessity, lost my way over the last couple of years but now getting back to things, hope you’ll have me back!

I have two teens still at home, a cat, and am in the middle of getting divorce (we’re all in the same house for now). I have a lot of work to do to get back on top of things, so have come back to keep myself accountable and also look for help.

Thanks
A x 😊

Prudent

@Cheapskate welcome back. The MSE forum saved me as a single parent many years ago. I learned so many skills and money saving strategies. The comps forum was a bonanza in the early days and I was able to give my daughter holidays and experiences well beyond my single household income. I hope we can bring some good things into your life too. 

@kayannie I don’t buy meat either. My local Lidl usually have about six or eight veg boxes when I go. They are quite happy for me to take more than one. They sit in full sunshine by the window so wouldn’t stay fresh long. I don’t have an ice cream maker, but sometimes make the BBC good food recipe for no churn ice cream. Now I have a new freezer I will check if I can fit the bowl for the I cream attachment for my mixer. I looked into buying it a couple of years ago, but it didn’t fit it the small drawers in my fridge freezer.

Prudent

I have just done my 6-month review of all my spending so far for this year and made a comparison with last year. I have spent on average £12 a month more this year. This includes all joint spending on bills, food, my car, and my personal spending. I manage all the bills as I own the house and do the food shopping. OH contributes equally to the bills and the food. That is included in my calculations. I haven't included his car or personal spending as we keep our finances separate. I aimed to keep spending level with last year. The increase is accounted for by a decision to contribute to some muddy critters which has proved truly wonderful and I have no regrets. 

I have spent more on the car than in previous years as it is getting older and costing more in repairs. Overall I have done well with this car. I bought it second-hand in July 2020 just before car prices became silly. I have lost very little in depreciation compared to previous cars, as prices rose so much. I did contemplate changing it in June before the tax insurance was due for another year. It is the oldest car I have owned since my first car which I bought as a student. However, I will keep it another year to fit in with my 'big picture' long-term goal. To offset this I have raided my discretionary 'pots' listed in my signature. I took £150 off my craft budget and there is still a fair bit of scope to use some of the family visiting budgets if necessary. I also intend to raid these budgets to pay for a visit to the muddy critters!