From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

If it were down to me, the telly would have been shipped out a long time ago……

In 'Wildlife Cam' news, I forgot to say todays 'spot of the day' was a male sparrowhawk streaking through a garden a few doors down. I could tell it was male by the colouring, it wheeled down and across and I got to see it's underside, and the distinctive curve of its wings. A blackbird started up, but it was gone, and then there was a cacophony of small bird/sparrow tweeting from the front of the houses, so whether it was successful in its hunt or not, I'm not sure.

I just got the washing in - it's done surprisingly well. We've rain showers forecast for later, so I'm quitting whilst I'm ahead - before any good work gets undone by errant showers. It will go on the airers, and I should be able to put it away without further intervention. We've had a good breeze today, and it's been warm-ish.

I'm having left-over stew from last night for lunch. Like any sort of stew, it tastes even better today.

I've still not gained inspiration on what to make for tea.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

So we were out of the house for 1.5 hours for a - less than - five minute appointment 🙄 at least LG got a clean bill of health for their gnashers, so that is something 😁

Tea was plucked from the freezer, thank heavens for leftover curries and extra lashings of lentil dhal - I cooked up some rice and we had 'curry plate'. Crowd pleaser and clean plates all round.

The promised rain did come. We had spitty spotty showers, and then 2 almighty downpours. They didn't last that long, but we got soaked on the school run and had to wait in the car to let a sharp downpour pass. Thankfully it was all over in about 5 minutes.

I'm never one for wishing my life away, but there are 2 weeks of April left and one probable shopping day. I have £42 of my budget left. Can I make it?

Oh, I didn't realise that CT payments were going to change to 12 months automatically, although you can elect to pay over 10 months if you wish. Mind, who can afford to 'pay in 10 now' even the low bands are several thou per annum.

Right, I really can't think of anything else MSE to add.

Ta for popping by. Greying X

badmemory

Is that just your local CT bills GP. Mine are certainly still 10 months, which suits me as I have 2 bills for Feb & Mar of similar value to the CT

Greying_Pilgrim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81964715#Comment_81964715

No it is all councils I think (may be England only), from April next year - the Gov. have brought it in…. today? The default will be 12 - although you can maintain 10 monthly payments. Something Martin has been pushing for apparently, along with fairer payment demands if you default for any reason.

Greying X

beanielou

Yah for our Martin.

Greying_Pilgrim

I just hope the cap returns on permitted rises - 'exceptional' rises of 10% per annum are just unsustainable, whether you pay over 10 or 12 months, and when you can't actually see any impact.

_____________________________________________

So the weather is supposed to be bonny (for clothes drying) here today, with a bit of sunshine, and a consistent breeze. Just as well, as I had some school uniform and some workwear in mind to wash, and DH has just asked if he can have new workwear, as yesterdays got heavily soiled. Just when you think you're getting ahead……

Club tonight, fees are due ☹️ I am thinking of doing 'something' with SC baked tatties, although not too sure what yet. I am sure there is some sausage casserole lurking in the freezer which will do some of the heavy lifting. I have eggs, baked beans, lentil dhal….. all things that can top a tattie and fill a belly. We'll do OK.

I've had a request to make something that uses grated mozzarella. After the disaster on Christmas Eve, I'm a little apprehensive. I've just been looking at the MrS offering, as I know they do it in their own brand and $tamf0rd St. versions. Looking at the reviews, it is interesting that someone else had mouldy cheese (in the bag, on opening), in the budget line at the start of the year, and in reviews of both products, it's clear that the cheese goes mouldy quickly. i bought mine cheese from hB. The block mozzarella (not too sure if MrS stock), is quite expensive, and at least with a smaller packet of grated, you could 'use it up' quickly, to avoid going mouldy in the fridge. Anyone used a product that doesn't mould, or got any work arounds?

Right, snap to prep and clothes to peg out.

Greying X

Staffordia

TV is dire, I was only saying to my OH the other day, that we spend more time watching 'amateurs' output on utube than professional TV. However we did watch on catch-up Sam and Ade Go Birding which was very gentle viewing.

Greying_Pilgrim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81964970#Comment_81964970

Thanks for the tip off about that Staffordia - I like some of those type of progs - Sam's ma & pa on the canals was one such. Sometimes those 'celebritee' pairings don't work, or are all about the 'freebie' pad they're there to promote - I've gone off Sandi T with her 'escapes' programmes, as it's just unaffordable to the person in the street - and it's the location in preference to having an interesting natter with her accompanying guest. It used to be a good format - the pilot and one or two progs were ok. And I suspect I am possibly the only person on MSE that doesn't like Paul & Bob fishing, I've never been a fan of their humour - nor Mr Reeves for that matter. But I shall seek out the birdwatching prog and give it a whirl.

Yes, I agree - podcasts and vlogs get far more of my viewing concentration than mainstream TV.

Greying X

LotsOfTea

The grated mozzarella does tend to go mouldy quickly, especially once opened but I stick it in the freezer and use it straight from there. Sometimes it needs a bit of a bash from the rolling pin to loosen it up into grated bits again but it works fine for me.

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - We regularly use MrS grated cheeses, as they are by far the cheapest & best flavour. We keep ours in the freezer as well and just take out what we need when we need it. The larger bag lasts us from between 1 month to 3 months kept this way. We did try to buy their big block and grate ourselves and then freeze, but it stuck together in clumps that no amount of rolling pin action could remedy. I'm guessing that the corn starch coating trick might have helped out, but honestly life is too short and we went back to the already grated stuff!