hello im new and need help!

littlemissclumsy

Hi all,

i am new here today. i wont trouble you all with my woes (yet!) but lets just say i am posting on the debt board too!

i need lots os tasty cheap ways to feed 8 on a little purse!

i am up for slow cooking and have lots of lamb to use...

i would really appreciate any home tips that cut costs and make me happy:j
intending to start a spending diary and budget , plus plan/shop ahead so would welcome advice.

thanks all

ceridwen

Hi and welcome

Lots more people will be around to welcome you soon.

Meanwhile - take a look at the Old Style Indexed Collections (one way to get to them would be to change the number at the end of the website address at the banner at the top of this page to 235198).

mary43

Hello ...........you'll be so glad you joined. I'm new myself -joined just before Christmas so still find my way around everything but there's loads of tips for saving money.............and some super recipes and very cheap too.
Good luck with whatever problems you have

dorry_2

hi and welcome,

I am sure you will get some usefull advice here. I have saved loads of money since I started menu planning then only buying what we need for that week.
Menu planning is a good place to start:money:

I am sure others will post links to threads that are really usefull

love dorry x

Dumyat

check the menu planning threads for ideas. planning definitely reduces the bills. Check out the monthly shopping threads too.
remember that cooking from scratch is not only tastier and better for you, its usually cheaper too.

littlemissclumsy

oh thanks so much all - good to hear there is so much support out there.

will check out the menu planning and index collections. this is beginning to sound like fun!

thanks for the lovely welcome

dlb

It is fun and addictive, i too came across these boards whilst in debt crisis!!!
Its the best web site i ever found, i am now well on my way to being debt free (Dec 2010), i have cut my shopping bill for 6 by over half, learnt to save and have reduced my bills through looking up the best offers on this site!

Just look around all the boards you will find so much usful stuff, i started with a spending diaery and meal planning and havent looked back!
Good luck

Dumyat

you're feeding a lot of mouths. 8?

good luck in your researching. I try to plan ahead, but I'm not that strict on it as such. If I see a bargain or two at Asda I tend to have a re think. Look at local shops like farm shops, farmers markets, butchers etc - they can sometimes be cheaper than the big supermarkets and can be better quality.
Supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl are excellent too. especially for things like cereal, fruit and veg, wine


almost forgot....stardrops and microfibre cloths.

trigger2

:hello: Hi, Its great here on OS board, everyone's so helpful, you'll be addicted in no time !

Personally I find menu planning great. Check your cupboards & freezer before you do your shopping list to see what you still have in or could make. I also find shop with a list, personally I do a list on-line to price things, then I take my list & CASH shopping, this deters me from buying any extras !

It may take you a while to get into properly & we all are OS in our own ways, check out the indexed collections as well for more pointers for recipes, laundry advice etc.

regards
Trigger

:xmastree:

Lelc

Welcome littlemissclumsy.

I too came here last year with similar problems. This is the first Christmas that I've not spent more than I can afford.

This is a really useful and supportive site. I don't get the opportunity to post very often but I do look in and read all of the tips etc. I echo other comments that meal planning, shopping to a list and budget, cooking from scratch and wasting nothing have all really helped to cut my spending down by about 50%. Taking up some of the challenges also helps to motivate you to spend less and save.

Take care

LC

kazmeister

Hi LMC and welcome to MSE it hopefully will change your life !

I first came across this site by accident but it has been so helpful. At the end of last year beginning of this I discovered that I was really penniless. My cards were all maxed out and I really couldnt pay for anything for anyone for Christmas. I had to admit to my OH what I owed. This was a massive step as he'd bailed me out once before but I was lucky enough to have his support a second time around. I know your situation is different from the DFW board but I think you need to talk to your OH when he is in a good mood and hopefully not feeling too low (I live with depression too as OH suffers). The debts are not YOURS they are for household bills and therefore the responsibility of both of you. On the main site is a budget planner and I think you and OH need to sit and fill it in together so that he is aware of everything that has to be paid for. He needs to see what the figures are so that you can both work at them and find ways to meet your outgoings. The DFW board is giving you loads of advice about this, but for old style management this board is brill.

I found the first thing to do is go through your cupboards and freezer and make a list of the contents, you'll be surprised what you have in there. From that list you can meal plan and work around what you have shopping for what you need to make up the meals. This has made a huge difference to us and I now use up all the older stuff by building it into the meal plan first. Shopping online and having it delivered also makes a difference as you cannot be tempted by the 'bargains' on the end of the isles that you would not normally purchase, and even tho' you pay delivery you can usually find a voucher code which will cover it. You can also do the brand challenge where it you buy brand names then buy supermarket brands, and if you buy those then go for the value ranges, it will all make a difference.

Also have a bash at reclaiming any charges/PPI insurance that you may have had or been missold. From my signature you will see its made a huge difference to me and I wouldnt have known about it without Martin and the site.

Good luck