Turning Straw into Gold: Creating Long Term Security & A Solid Home

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82172458#Comment_82172458

Ready made jacket potatoes really is convenient! How do you do the lentil/bean pasta? Jacket potatoes are also one of my favourite easy meals for when I have no energy - I do a bag of four at a time and put them in the fridge. Sometimes in the evening I just take one out and hold it in my hand and eat it like that on its own - I am like a wild creature when I haven't got anything left in me to give 😂.

The veg fritata worked out well and this will do for tea the next couple of nights, as it's nice reheated. The friend I was meant to be seeing later has cancelled, which isn't the end of the world, as I did want to see her, but it would have been a tenner for petrol and a long drive and I am struggling to be social. It will be nice just to pop out and get my TGTG then read my book and do a bit of work at a relaxed pace.

MillQueen

I'm pleased with the stuff I got from TGTG: A millionaire's cheesecake, 6 double chocolate cookies, roast chicken dinner, 12 pork sauasges, 2 packs of salmon fishcakes, 4 fruit yoghurts, 2 focaccias, 4 seeded rolls, 2 pints of milk, sweet chilli mini chicken fillets, brie, chicken tikka breast slices, prawn cocktail.

I threw away the prawn cocktail as I didn't trust it and actually can't bear the thought of eating that 🤮.

I have put the sweet chilli chicken in the oven as it will be nice as a snack in the fridge for a couple of days, and I have used the tikka breast slices and brie in a couple of the rolls to take to work tomorrow as I have a late shift. It was a bit short on fruit and veg, but lots has gone in the freezer, like the sausages, fishcakes, cheesecake and cookies, so hopefully I can last until payday with no more spends.

I am considering having a holiday at some point and thinking about the cheapest way. This was inspired by something I saw on social media where someone had a night away and it cost £129. I thought I bet I can do that cheaper! Something to think about, as I haven't been away in nearly 15 years.

Blackcats

that was a good TGTG haul. I think the Millionaire's cheesecake sounds like a Good Friday night treat if you can resist it for that long 😇

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82172694#Comment_82172694

Yeah it did make me think of Friday night 😂 I have scoffed a bit and put the rest in the freezer. I cut it into portions so I must resist taking those out. It's the sort of thing I'd probably eat even if frozen.

ArtyJ931

Tin of tomatoes, tin of beans/lentils, garlic, onion, passata, tomato paste, frozen spinach, anything else lying around I fancy chucking in, herbs + pasta of choice. Make enough for 3 meals usually. I don’t do fancy food, it’s your basic stuff lol

ellenvan

On the trip away a couple of ideas that you could look at and adapt.

Bus fares capped at £3 mean you can travel cheaply. Premier inn or Travelodge deals around £60 a night lots of choice of areas.

Ok you do have to avoid school holidays, Saturday night in some areas.

My last few trips for ideas.

Staying in Lancaster, £3 bus fare to Windermere for outing.

Staying in Crawley, £3 bus fare to Brighton.

Hotel at Heathrow £45 premier Inn terminal 4. Then bus into central London. Okay slower than tube , but you see more.

Meals, Premier Inn do a full English breakfast plus 2 course dinner including a drink around £30. Dinner one day, breakfast the next best option.

Or just have a meal deal from Boots etc.

Sometimes best deals are booked months in advance for hotel, but if Flexi option picked, date usually transferable.

Ideas for outings, National trust sometimes have deals in paper.

If you get the MSE weekly email they are mentioned when available.

ellenvan

Or cheap easyJet flights to Faro - Algarve

Or Málaga. Hotel or apartment from approx £50/60 a night.

Pot luck with the weather but can be lovely even in January.

Eating out in Spain or Portugal much cheaper than at home.

Don't pay for extras on flights just travel with small backpack.

MillQueen

@ArtyJ931, that sounds good, I like simple food too. I never had pasta with lentils before, I don't know why I just never thought to combine those. It sounds very filling though - I will have a go.

@ellenvan, thank you for the ideas, I hadn't considered taking the bus but that's actually a marvellous idea. I'll have a look for cheap hotels then - I do like having a proper breakfast but not as bothered about dinner, I'd just take snacks to eat and books to read in my room, maybe take a bath there with bubbles.

Having a stressful time at work, so I am just keeping my head down and spending very little and trying not to speak to anybody. It's been cheaper since I'm not really going anywhere or seeing anyone. I am trying to last until the end of the month without putting the heating on but it's getting cold overnight so I may give in soon, as being cold makes me sad for some reason. I am taking my hot water bottle to bed now ❤️.

Thanks for being here, I really appreciate you all - you are a good bunch.

Chocolatefund

I do love a nice hot water bottle also. Need to get myself an electric blanket or two. Love being snuggly.

Dakota_Rose

Don’t hot water bottles makes things feel better? I love mine.

Sorry to hear work is tough at the moment. I strongly recommend having a treat of some kind in the pipeline. Even if it’s a new book/bubble bath or nice dinner as a reward for a crappy week at work.