From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks rt - you've hit the nail on the head.  I've never used liquid smoke - although I've seen it used in recipes, but yes, it would impart a smoky flavour - this product from MrT...... probably not so much.  I'm glad I didn't buy it, but was just pleased that it was a flavour profile that I would use in my cooking.  So many things - think wedges, or rubs or cooking sauces rely on chilli or cayenne for spicyness or 'warmth'.  

Gosh it was cold overnight with us.  For the first time in months, it was warmer in beddy-bo-boes, and a struggle to stick a foot in a slipper and get up! 🥶

Shopping today.  I have a list, but if I am honest the cupboards are bulging, and I really need to stop thinking I am buying stuff for the holiday - I am better off keeping the cash in the budget, buying what I need and using stores throughout September.  Wouldn't it be grand to have something cash-wise  to carry over into October, and have space in the cupboards to store holiday tins and packets!  Come on Greying, get into the zone! 

I won't get any washing/drying done today.  We've showers forecast.  

Right, I'm going to re-visit my list.

Ta for popping in and for your help and encouragement - it is appreciated.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Shopping done.

I went earlier today, and it still takes nigh on 2 hrs 😱

Anyhoo, did a smarty shop in MrS, as it yielded a couple of discounts.  I also picked up some cos lettuce YS'd to 52p - it was a TTD one, and I figured we could have wraps, so I bought it.  

hB has still to stock their shop 🙄but i count myself blessed that everything on my list was on the shelf today - probably because folks have swerved going there because they are OOS with so much.......  

Finished off at MrL's.  Very busy today.  No boxes (none in MrS either).  I did pick up another YS'd pack of white baps for 22p, as they looked OK, and as I say, they are good enough to accompany soup - making a low-cost meal.  

My only really 'unplanned' purchase was a small (250ml) bottle of olive oil from MrS.  They had Nap0l1na brand on offer for £2.50, which was actually cheaper than their own brand bottle (£2.80), so I grabbed if for our holiday.  As I cook when we're away, I always forget I need it, and the other week, ended up buying a litre bottle just for a couple of days.  OK, I use it when we get home, but a small bottle is useful to have.  And I can't think of a small bottle that I could easily decant oil into, to then use it, without it glugging out of the opening.  This was a good compromise I feel - despite being 'expensive' ml for ml.  But compared to the cost of a restaurant meal - this is the better option. 

In total I spent £56.22 on groceries and £1.79 on non-food (soda crystals).  

I did buy more yoghurt and dried parsley than we'll need for this week, but hB tends to be a bit "buy it when you see it" at the mo.  Everything is long-dated enough to eke out the use.  

Right off to pack everything away and will try to organise the cupboards better as I do it.  Will amend siggie-figgie too.  I shall try to ignore that I'm over half the grocery budget spent, and we're only on the 11th........

Greying X

ladybird1106

We use a jam jar to decant oil into and use a dessert spoon for when we use it whilst away. I found buying those little bottles expensive in comparison to a bigger bottle. Plus you could guarantee I’d forgot about the small bottle and end up buying one on holiday. At one point I ended up with 4 on the go. Tomato sauce is another one. We currently have 3 in the fridge in various states of emptiness.
love 🐞

Greying_Pilgrim

Ha ha - yes ladybird - it crossed my mind it would be stuck in the back of the cupboard whilst we sailed 'orf on 'olidays  🤣 I need to get a 'catering' box set up, don't I?

I know it's more costly, but I'm hopeful I can make it work.  I certainly wouldn't buy the smaller bottles routinely for cooking for the family, and what would probably work better would be a small glass bottle with a dispenser, but I struggle to find 'narrow' drizzling nozzles - they always seen so open and gluggy, encouraging you to put more oil in that you need.

Greying X

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - we don't cook much when on hols, but the 'master' packing list has a heading for self-catering and includes things like salt, pepper, sriracha, oil, instant coffee, tea bags, ibuprofen, spreadable butter, cutlery, bottled water etc. - all the things we can take easily from home and fit into our cooler.  That way we keep the unexpected spendy spends to a minimum!

Greying_Pilgrim

Dearest rt - you've done it again!  You've made me realise that we've a list for equipment - but not for everyday 'bitsa' ingredients that amount to nothing when you'd at home just using a pinch, or smidge, or  dash.  But when away, become a real pain to buy a tub, box or bottle of.  A list!  Of course!

Thanks hun.

Greying X

Baileys_Babe

Once the oil bottle is empty retain it and refill  it (a small funnel helps) for subsequent SC holidays.

Greying_Pilgrim

Baileys_Babe - I will certainly try to do that.  I've got some little bottle filler type funnels too.  

Greying X

kayannie

GP - just a thought about your mini jars of jams & marmalades. I often use marmalade instead of butter when making bread & butter pudding. Would there be enough jam to make a jam sponge pudding? Jam in bottom of basin, sponge mixture on top and bake. 2 quick, easy & cheapish pudds for these colder days. 
KA x

Greying_Pilgrim

kayannie - that's an option.  I have a couple of mini pudding bowls, so could make a mini pudding - either as you say, a cheap and cheerful steamed sponge (in the SC) for a cold day, or just thinking through what you've said, doesn't xmas pudding have marmalade in it?  Or have I been looking at the wrong recipes.  I'm not a huge fan of xmas pudding, but I'm not sure I've made one since LG has been with us.  Perhaps I could make a small one using the marmalade.  

Thanks love.  Love the thought provoking discussions we have here 😁

Greying X