From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Lovely sunny, bright start with us, with a reasonable breeze.  Put a towel wash on this morning.  Was putting vinegar in the dispenser drawer, when the 'plug' shot out of the barrel in the bottle neck and vinegar sploshed all over the washing machine, me, the floor...... 🙄  Had to quickly strip my top off, and have another wash and brush up, as naturally, we were about to go on the school run 🙄  and LG really needs their aged Ma stinking of vinegar .... not🙄🤣  But if these towels ain't soft when I bring 'em in off the line....... 🤣

We did have ice-cream cones for pud last night.  Used up 3 cones, and there was literally a ball of icecream each to stick in the cone. So the icecream has been finished off, and there are 5 or 6 (I think) cones left.  Hopefully they will be used up, and not wasted.  The cones that I used last night were still nice and crunchy, despite an open packet (bag was clipped), so fingers crossed.  

Tea tonight is going to be lentil bolognese and pasta, as slated.  I was just watching a vlog where the chap made a lamb stew, and whilst I need'nt make one for us - the nature of 'stew' is just so evocative of nurturing and comfort as we head into autumn.  And in line with a comment tmv made on her thread, I too am sooooooooo glad we're back into curries and stew season -  as an economical choice (YAY!), but also they are easier (for me) to construct than salads, and just offer all the 'good things' as the season moves on.

Greying X

themadvix

Mmm... we had lentil bolognese from the freezer on Friday night - comfort food at its best! I do like my (virtually impossible to come by) sunflower seed chunks for a 'fake' lamb stew too - although definitely not as cheap as lentils, still considerably cheaper than meat! I really don't know how people eat meat on a budget these days, let alone good quality, high welfare meat. 😬 

EssexHebridean

S&V crisps - the W@lk3rs type - are banned in my house and indeed anywhere around me as I'm violently allergic to them, think similar kind of reaction that some folk have to nuts etc. Thankfully it's a far easier one to manage than nuts would be as S&V crisps are generally quiet easy to avoid - I do have to ensure that crisps served up with a sandwich or similar in a pub are going to be OK for me though. The "posh sort" that use actual salt & vinegar rather than a flavouring mix are fine - but I generally avoid eating those anywhere other than at home because of blurring other people's perceptions - better (safer!)  that all my pals simply know that they are not for consumption round me! 

Pretty sure I've noted stew from the freezer as an option for tea one night later in the week - 'tis DEFINITELY the season! 

Eating good quality meat on a budget is still much the same as it always was - we use less of it and almost as a seasoning - with a stew the main event is always the gravy and the veg for me anyway - the meat adds a depth of flavour. The one we'll enjoy later in the week is a god example - a £7 pack of mutton on the bone will have created 4 good sized bowlfuls of stew packed with flavour, even if we don't find ourselves noshing through a chunk of meat with every spoonful! I use good dry cured bacon for flavour a huge amount too - in macaroni cheese is a good example! 

Greying_Pilgrim

EH - I think eating meat as a 'seasoning' is a better way to look at things - and I don't mean to appear spiteful (I'm vegetarian, not anti-meat eating).  The vlogger commented on the meat not losing lots of injected water as it cooked - because it wasn't there in the first place.  And whilst it may have cost more to purchase initially, there was probably oodles more meat/flavour in the stew to more than warrant the price paid.  Cuts of meat to use/cooking methods/seasoning etc all come into play to get the most out of ingredients, but are less and less likely to be formally taught as an essential life-skill - not an issue for self-starters or life-long learners I know, but probably a loss for society overall.  

So - I've been wearing my big gal undergarments and done the home insurance comparison dance 🙄M&$ have gone out of doing it, so I needed to sort out a new provider.  I have done, for a lot less than the quote I received from the people who backed the m&$ product, and I have put in my claim for a MrS voucher for going through the comparator.  If I get it, it will be a bonus, but I'm not counting on it.  I've also ensured that I've de-ticked the 'auto-renewal' box.  I totally get the value of ensuring that you don't go off cover, but we prefer the option to shop around.  For instance, MSE news said - on average - home insurance had gone down by 8% this year. the renewal quote I got hadn't.  It was an increase - by quite alot - on what we paid last year.  Anyhoo, sorted for another year.  

But in the spirit of gain with one hand, lose with t'other, the energy company have hoiked up our DD starting from next month.  They threatened to do it 3 months ago, and I managed to get them to set it aside, but they've moved to do it again.  I do think I can't be ar$ed fighting them - they reckon we will be in credit by March (they'd forecast a deficit, because of course I have never (sarcasm) topped up my account during the higher use winter months, have I?  🙄🙄🙄), and you can bet i shall be requesting that back quick smart.  Yes, the MSE'r in me would prefer the money in my bank account, not in theirs, but I'm just a number to them - not someone that works hard to ensure we're never in arrears, and if we are, we do something about it.  I personally think these big companies gather all this data on you, and don't seem to act on it, on the balance of probability - or experience of how you've settled up in previous years.  Zero incentive to save energy.  

I'm dun moaning - you can come from behind the sofa now......... 😆

The towels and cloths have dried well.  It really is peak line-drying weather. I'm so grateful.  

Greying X

EssexHebridean

Yes - no question that with meat, often spending a bit more does get you a better product - just simple things like the extra cost for a free range chicken for example. I definitely notice the difference there. And of course more flavour means that you do then need less of it. 

As for the energy bill, if they are asking you for an amount that is above your (own!) forecast use over the winter months, by the time you've allowed for a price increase if that would apply to you, then absolutely do ask them to justify the amount they are asking for - it may just be a "computer says this" exercise, and when challenged to a real person, they'll say "yes, absolutely agree, you don't need to increase". This is something I like about being with the 8 legged ones - that once their systems realise that you are the sort of person that keeps on top of things and adjusts payments if needed, both upwards and downwards, they don't give you too much grief! My DD is currently set at £80 a month. Technically it's lower than it ought to be, but by the time I've factored in a referral bonus here, and being lower users than the average, plus starting the winter with a decent level of credit, it'll be fine for the time being. If it needs to be tweaked up, I'll go and do so!

badmemory

With the energy prices/new DDs.  I wonder if they are all expecting massive increases in January due to the work needing to be done re the distibution network.  Whilst I am loving the free electric when the wind is blowing it is a really silly situation.  To say they are going to have to turn production off & then also pay for that to happen just because the infrastructure is not fit for purpose it absolutely ridiculous.  We are the ones who will have to pay as usual.  Saturday saved me paying for 20kWh - well actually 31 as Saturdays was doubled.  Whilst I think it is ridiculous I will take advantage of it as I have a very expensive solar intallation bill to pay, but it is unfair on those who cannot take advantage.

Greying_Pilgrim

I took your advice EH and went back to the energy co. website.  They don't make it easy, but I've managed to get a slightly smaller DD amount as the new amount.  It does still, in theory, have us in credit by March next year, but by a much smaller amount.  And frankly, there is a bit of incentive now to try - where possible - to save energy.  Fingers crossed new DG may have some impact......  I realise prices are going up, and we can't expect to stay on paying thruppence for all our years, but imho there's a 'sensible' middle ground.  We'll be there for the next 3 months, anyway.  And if I'm wrong, and we're guzzling power, well then I'll willingly take the blame, and let the computer win.  Although I agree, there is a strong element of 'computer sez' going on.    

Oh, and I should have added, the lamb I was talking about being cooked was sourced from a 'traditional' butchers.  

I've brought the washing in.  It's nice and dry.  

I don't think I mentioned the other day that we appeared to have alot of wasps crawling all over the house - first thing in the morning.  We had the light on in the kitchen (it was still dark), and we assumed it was moths, but LG correctly identified them as wasps.  Today's invasion is of ladybirds.  Traditional red ones as far as I can see, although... having just said that, there is at least one harlequin amongst them.  This morning's school run saw a spot of 3 squirrels - one high up above the children's heads, and then 2 playing tag around a tree - which always makes me laugh.  I love that there is so much wildlife and 'nature doing its thing' to spot.

Greying X

themadvix

Definitely take your point about using meat in small quantities for flavour EH - as those who eat meat should be doing - it's far more sustainable and healthier. But I am sure there are plenty out there (like my Dad) who don't consider it a 'proper' meal without meat and will have meat every day and not in such 'seasoning' quantities. I hate to think what their food bills are like.... but you can't win them all. 

Eeek to the wasps GP - what happened to them? The ladybirds will be trying to get in to hibernate - but then they dry out with the central heating , so it's best to discourage them from taking up residence. Loads and loads of squirrels about here too - the woods near the allotments are full of them burying their nuts!

beanielou

Eek to the wasps. 

Greying_Pilgrim

Agreed beanie - the wasps were more 'creepy' in a way.  But I've only just learnt recently how they react to light.  We had a wasp in the kitchen - again, we were up early and it was dark.  It must have been in the washing, and started buzzing around, and it went to the lightbulb - literally like a moth would.  It would take no amount of guiding towards the window, and kept returning to the light.  So luckily, DH was with me, and we decided to open the window, turn off the light, and then shine my phone torch, at the open window.  After a second or two it worked, and DH was quick enough to shut the window, to stop it coming back.  

The ladybirds were all over cars and other houses on the school run, so thankfully, it isn't just the announcement of an apocalypse at our house..... after I sorted the house insurance too - how very dare they!  😆

I read that Cheery has had a wren visit 🥰  Far more lovely than wasps.

Tea has been munched.  Lentil Bolognese is always a crowd pleaser in this house.  Yoghurt for pud. 

A good money saving start to the week - onwards and upwards.

Ta for popping by and for all your help, advice and support.  Mucho appreciated, as always.

Greying X