Missy’s full time working mum juggling act MF adventure

fionaandphil

Big cooking pots are available in Tesco and sometimes Aldi have them, similar to le crueset type of thing. Very heavy but can go on the hob or in the oven, also good for bingo wings when you have to lift them - me showing my age !!

Well done on the grocery spends last month, not so well done on the incidentals. You've made a start and identified where you are overspending though so that is a positive. You did that event with OH and took your own coffees and snacks so thinking along those lines should help.

Might also be worth looking at Poundland/home bargains or B and M for stationery. Lots of lovely stuff in Tesco just now but it's still pricey. We have enough to last the year and I got away with only buying pritt stick 😁

Enjoy the rest of the holiday, rain and thunder here this morning 

fionaandphil

Forgot to say, for the cast iron pot, you can re season it. Put salt in and give it a scrub, wash, put on the heat to dry and give it a light coating of oil. Just a bit on a kitchen roll sheet should bring it back. I've had mine about 10 years and season it about twice a year. I always hand wash it and dry to stop it rusting. 

missymoo81

Ooh thanks so much @fionaandphil hmmm the cast iron pan was a super cheap one from spamazon, last time I used it everything just tasted of metal.
i wonder if I cleaned it properly, dried it and put oil on it like you say whether it would work? Thinking about my birthday which is coming up soon and I’m going to ask for practical  things, I think a list is in order.

missymoo81

Sat outside in the sun whilst OH has his therapy call. I have wine and have found many of your diaries to read through for ideas. Have been to Lidl and spent €40 on 2-3 days food. Much better than eating out. Although we have 3 days in another hotel after this, so expecting it to be spendy might buy some biscuits to tide me over during the days. 

So I’ve been thinking of food areas I can save money on. I struggle with lunch at work. I never fancy a sandwich, hence why I end up in the canteen usually eating a jacket potato with beans and cheese. Which costs around £4.50. But there is no reason at all I can’t bring my own pre cooked jacket and beans and there is a microwave there. It would cost me about 60p….. Absolute no brainer. 

I also need to always make sure I have filter coffee available at home and maybe get a milk frother to make my own lattes. I like bagels so I can have those for breakfast and an apple and banana as my fruit. Need oatcakes or biscuits or similar as my days are long. I wonder how easy oatcakes are to make? 

We often go out for bacon baguettes and fish finger sandwiches and a cream scone. But I can do all of those at home. We did this for a while when money was tight before. But got out of the habit. I made a list of all the things I love to do and 99% involved free or very cheap things and being at home with loved ones.

just on a side note….. am sat in the sun and they have a robo mower here…. It honestly seems to keep coming straight at me….. and it’s not small, I can feel my Dr Who Darlek nightmares coming back!!!! 

Anyway more wine and more pondering needed.
speak soon

jwil

I saved this recipe for oatcakes ages ago.  I've never tried it 🤦‍♀️ but it looks pretty simple! https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/a-recipe-for-delicious-oatcakes/

missymoo81

jwil said:

I saved this recipe for oatcakes ages ago.  I've never tried it 🤦‍♀️ but it looks pretty simple! https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/a-recipe-for-delicious-oatcakes/

Ah thanks so much! 

missymoo81

I have been good, I have unsubscribed to 6 or 7 mailing lists trying to get me to buy clothes etc. 

I have also downloaded the Tesco app to compare prices and have linked my nectar card to Sainsbury’s. Not much but as the ad goes ‘Every little helps’.

redofromstart

I have a Masterclass 4 litre from Azn - lightweight so I can manage it and it is fine in the dishwasher. I paid £18, but it was 4 years ago! I've got the shallow version as well which I use on the hob for curry etc. weekly use for me. 

I've had (and still have) cast iron ones too but just too heavy. The cheaper one did a few years till I cracked the lining putting it fridge cold in a hot oven. 

I'd be hiding behind the sofa at the dalek mower.

missymoo81

Hi @redofromstart I’ve just found your new (to me) diary so going to have a little read. Have found a big pot on spa mason but it’s £39. Will see if I can clean my cast iron one and see if food tasted funny. Ah another not in the Darrell lover club then. Have just gone outside with a cuppa and the robo mower is here again. For some reason OH loves it 🤷🏻‍♀️. It’s super hot again. So sat in the shade again. Didn’t sleep at all well! just worrying about everything, well work mostly. But the good thing about being awake at 3.30am meant I had the inclination to set up my prolific account. I haven’t used it for ages but took me about 40 mins to go through and answer everything. Will pop over and check if I have anything shortly.

debtfreewannabe321

I got a huge pot for bulk cooking from IKEA wasn't too expensive but can't remember the price.