2025 Frugal Living Challenge

RavenRover

kimwp said:

@RavenRover, what a nice surprise!!

I'm interested, how will you keep the veg from wrinkling/moulding?

I'm really fortunate as my wee flat is a bit older, so I have a small pantry which is cold at this time of year, so tatties, carrots and turnip will be kept in there, while the broccoli will stay in the fridge - it runs quite cold so things last weeks- and I will cut up shallots and freeze them once I have a little more space in the freezer.

I've been reading lately that you don't need to blanched carrots and turnip before you freeze them.  Has anyone here tried that and if so what happened?

kimwp

RavenRover said:

kimwp said:

@RavenRover, what a nice surprise!!

I'm interested, how will you keep the veg from wrinkling/moulding?

I'm really fortunate as my wee flat is a bit older, so I have a small pantry which is cold at this time of year, so tatties, carrots and turnip will be kept in there, while the broccoli will stay in the fridge - it runs quite cold so things last weeks- and I will cut up shallots and freeze them once I have a little more space in the freezer.

I've been reading lately that you don't need to blanched carrots and turnip before you freeze them.  Has anyone here tried that and if so what happened?

Thanks @RavenRover. I store most food in my fridge, but veg goes wimpy after a couple of weeks. 

joedenise

@RavenRover - I rarely blanch veg before freezing and they’re fine as long as it’s used within a few months.

Prudent

I tend to store the root veg in hessian potato storage bags in the garage, and it lasts a decent time. I haven't bought many brassicas this year, as they need to be prepped and frozen. I still don't feel well enough to do that.

Has anyone noticed how the 'basic' lines tend to disappear from supermarkets at this time? I went to Lidl this morning, and I wasn't able to get a few items on my list. I had to go elsewhere to buy bars of basic dark and milk chocolate for baking. I also couldn't find baked beans, vegan sausage rolls, and tinned green lentils. I am all stocked up now, but I had to go to two other supermarkets. On a happier note, Morrisons had 500 ml tubs of 'The Best' ice cream reduced to 45p. I got three vanilla and one latte flavour. I am making Tiramisu for Christmas dessert, so it will go well with that.

Gem-gem

Car serviced and MoT today. I was gobsmacked that a basic oil and air filter service was £175. Then £55 for the MOT. My car was in the garage for less than two hours. It was a little local garage not a big main dealer too. Is this the sort of price that other people pay?

MrsCD

Halfords charge from £149.99 for oil and air filter service, depending on the type of car, and I think MOT charges are around the £55 mark. I checked GOV.uk. It says the maximum fee for a car is £54.85. It's often cheaper to book it all together.

Gem-gem

MrsCD said:

Halfords charge from £149.99 for oil and air filter service, depending on the type of car, and I think MOT charges are around the £55 mark. I checked GOV.uk. It says the maximum fee for a car is £54.85. It's often cheaper to book it all together.

I thought it was usually cheaper when you do both together. The place use to be much cheaper. Last year, they hiked their prices up. I started to use them in 2020 as they were very local and I could walk home once I dropped the car off. Also, I like the idea of supporting local businesses. They have helped me out a couple of times, with no charge. Next year, I think I will shop around a little more beforehand. 

daisy_1571

I wouldn't combine mot and service unless its better to have the vehicle away only once a year.  They are 2 separate things.  Use an mot station for the mot.  You only pay the mot charge and they have no vested interest in finding things wrong with the vehicle.

Use your trusted and very good sounding garage for your servicing and anything that goes wrong.

Oil has jumped in price.  Cant get the oil I need to do a home oil change for less than 60quid now according to the lovely chap that does my oil changes (mr d  😅) huge jump in prices 

Dxx

Prudent

Car costs seem to have risen so much. OH and I paid £95 for the service at a small local garage including oil and filter change. This was a big increase as previously we were paying £60. The next week a friend got the same done at a main dealer and was charged £240. We usually pay £55 for an MOT, but it is good value as they check it over first and fix any issues before dropping it off at the MOT station. It avoids getting caught out with small things like wipers or tyres. 

Gem-gem

daisy_1571 said:

I wouldn't combine mot and service unless its better to have the vehicle away only once a year.  They are 2 separate things.  Use an mot station for the mot.  You only pay the mot charge and they have no vested interest in finding things wrong with the vehicle.

Use your trusted and very good sounding garage for your servicing and anything that goes wrong.

Oil has jumped in price.  Cant get the oil I need to do a home oil change for less than 60quid now according to the lovely chap that does my oil changes (mr d  😅) huge jump in prices 

Dxx

Thank you Daisy for your wise words.