Trying hard to cut costs

SuiDreams

After reading these boards for quite a while I am finally making a big effort to cut the weekly shopping bills. I did a 1st trial bake yesterday (I can't eat Gluten and haven't been brave enough to try until now), we made some cookies which were delicous. Unfortunately they are all gone now as took some to the Inlaws to get a 2nd opinion. I'm going to do a second bake tonight, more cookies and possibly some scones or muffins. I did have to buy some new baking stuff, but got that from Wilkinsons and the pound shop so it didn't cost much. I'm getting my fortnightly big shop delivered tonight, but the next challenge will be to only spend £10 next week on food for both of us. Hopefully that will be possible.

squeaky

Wow! That's quite a target you've set yourself. Best of luck! Just keep in mind that it's not just about reducing money but about using it to better effect - getting more for it, using it wisely. No point in buying cheap tat to keep the numbers down if you're going to end up binning half of it because it's perished.

Rikki

Wise words Squeaky.

SuiDreams

Luckily next weeks shopping will just be food. In my fortnightly shop we usually get enough non perishables to last us 2 weeks. That way we don't have to buy loads of bulky shopping as we don't have a car.

Ruby_Pudding

SuiDreams wrote:

I did have to buy some new baking stuff, but got that from Wilkinsons and the pound shop so it didn't cost much.

I've found that I've spent quite a lot on just getting the basics together to properly start OS'ling (storecupboard ingredients, cooking utensils etc) but I look at this as an investment in the future because I literally didn't have any of this stuff in the house. And everything I cooked was wolfed down immediately as it was such a novelty to have home cooked meals and treats!

Now though things have calmed down a bit and I find that I am able to cook double portions and freeze what I can for a later date and the cost seems to be evening itself out.

SuiDreams

The baking thing will be a big money saver for me, we went out shopping on Saturday and I bought some Gluten Free muffins for myself for a snack and they cost £1.30 each. The plan tonight is to make enough cookies to last me the week for snacks at work and back some muffins or scones and freeze half for a later date. We already save part of evening meals in tubs for my lunches at work, but we could probably stretch meals a bit further. Also in the weeks between the big shops we're probably not being as economical as we could be when we're getting extra bits and pieces for meals

nabowla

If your gluten allergy is managed by your GP, talk to him/her about flour, bread etc on prescription. You can pay an annual fee (c. 90 pounds) for a subscription which entitles you to unlimited amounts of gluten-free ingredients on prescription. It's much, much cheaper than buying gluten-free flour in the supermarket. Once you've got the gluten-free stuff you should be able to make your own muffins, bread etc - it'll save you a fortune!

Loadsabob

Ruby_Pudding wrote:

I've found that I've spent quite a lot on just getting the basics together to properly start OS'ling (storecupboard ingredients, cooking utensils etc) but I look at this as an investment in the future because I literally didn't have any of this stuff in the house.

Yes, and while we're on the basics, am I right in telling myself that "Mermaid" bakeware is simply an investment, and not just kitchenware p0rn?!!! Honestly, I adore the stuff! Fortunately my brother has the same kitchenware bug, and he has given me a few pieces as presents...smashing stuff!

apple_mint

SuiDreams - my experience is the same as everyone else's here. You need to stock up your store cupboard and build up your kitchen equipment. You don't need to do it all at once - just something extra on your shopping each week. I now have a series of jars full of key ingredients (with the labels from the packets stuck on the front) which I restock as I see them getting low. None of my jars match ... I've bought them over the last 6 months from charity shops and car boot sales. For larger stock (bulk buying of pasta, rice etc) I bought some plastic sweetie jars for 30p each - most sweetie shops seem to sell these on.

I started by buying the most common ingredients and added something exotic as a treat (e.g. a new spice or herb). It has taken time but now I can look through a recipe book and find I have most of the base ingredients to bake or cook an item (or be able to adapt using what I have got).

Also I find the recipes on OS to be amongst some of the most economical and tasty around. I write interesting recipes into a notebook and add any ingredients I still need onto my shopping list (not too much I don't have now adays in the way of dry ingredients) ... I then try them out at the weekend.

In terms of kitchen equipment - I buy a 'good' quality baking tin/tray/muffin tin each month. It's worth the extra as they will last years and your baking does not stick to them. I pick up some lovely ceramic bowls (for between 20p and £2.00 depending on the size) when I go car booting at the weekend ... along with ramakin dishes, knives, casserole dishes and so on and so on (it's amazing how many people are giving up cooking / baking from scratch when we are all taking up OS big time! :rolleyes: ) My kitchen is full of lovely equipment that was hardly used by the previous owner. My yoghurt maker cost £1.50 and my electric hand whisk cost £2.

juno

SuiDreams wrote:

I can't eat Gluten

Wow! Me too! There's a few of us floating around here...

If you want any help or advice then feel free to PM me.

Have you registered with Glutafin, as they sometimes send free stuff. And you can get loads on prescription, including lasagne as I recently found out.
It's quite nice too, although my sister says normal stuff is nicer.

You could also see if there's a local Coeliac UK group nearby as they do cooking demonstrations, and they can give you tips on baking etc if you're scared it'll go wrong.

se999

Hi,

Firstly, I've found the less times I go shopping the less I spend and even with quick nips to the shop always make a list, and double check that there's nothing that you can use up instead to put off the trip.

Secondly ages ago I saw a newspaper article which examined normal peoples rubbish and found that they throw away more than 10% of the food they buy!! It was just throwing money away. It was done by people just not checking use by dates when buying, or not checking what needs using first in their fridge, and also by impulse buying and over stocking on perishables like fruit & veg. I don't think they counted not using up leftovers as wasting.

So do try to buy things with long shelflife's, check your fridge and move your menu around if veg etc are looking as though they need using up. Also if I'm feeding 3 or more, I use serving bowls and servers, and then any leftovers are clean & Ok to fridge/freeze and use for part of another meal. e.g. enough left over veg mean a spanish omelette the next day.

Hope these help you meet your target