Great Rural MoneySaving Hunt

Frugaldom

Plenty of cones lying about in the woodlands and forest - I've started stockpiling my winter supply. I've also pinpointed where the brambles, sloes and rowans are all growing and picked my patch for harvesting.

Hens are laying well, so there's been plenty of meringues and several jars of lemon curd made. This is one household that doesn't intend ever buying another jar of jam, marmalade or lemon curd. Hoping to get a full year's supply made. If only sugar wasn't so expensive! Now investigating bulk sacks as the stuff doesn't go off in any way unless it gets damp.

Good weather = cooking on the BBQ, must try to make a load of burgers and pop them into the freezer so they're ready whenever the sun shines.

What's everyone else up to theses days?

DdraigGoch

Thinking along the same lines as you! I'm checking up on the bramble patches, eyeing up the sloes and wondering why I didn't get around to getting chickens...

The cones crop is a good idea, as is the picking up of twigs for kindling later on. If truth be told, it's only a week or so since we stopped having fires - heaven help us if we have another wet and cold summer. Am asking around about wood supplies for the winter and planning my wood shed as I type.

Hoping everyone is finding life easier than they feared it might be.

ampersand

nykmedia wrote: »

Plenty of cones lying about in the woodlands and forest - I've started stockpiling my winter supply. I've also pinpointed where the brambles, sloes and rowans are all growing and picked my patch for harvesting.

Hens are laying well, so there's been plenty of meringues and several jars of lemon curd made. This is one household that doesn't intend ever buying another jar of jam, marmalade or lemon curd. Hoping to get a full year's supply made. If only sugar wasn't so expensive! Now investigating bulk sacks as the stuff doesn't go off in any way unless it gets damp.

Good weather = cooking on the BBQ, must try to make a load of burgers and pop them into the freezer so they're ready whenever the sun shines.

What's everyone else up to theses days?

###################

Hello DG -

I nodded at your comment, now red.
As for what's now green - is there ANYONE in your network near a Poundland? Have posted elsewhere their £1 bargain for 1.5kg of Whitworth's sugar. It's what I use all the time now for elderflower cordial, jams, curd etc.etc.
With Bus Pass, I am not using car[unavoidable shortly]and go specifically for this and a snoop at any other goodies they may have. There is a Poundland Thread.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=22521585&highlight=poundland#post22521585

- also posted 2 tins Kiwi black nugget for £1.

Frugaldom

ampersand wrote: »

...is there ANYONE in your network near a Poundland? Have posted elsewhere their £1 bargain for 1.5kg of Whitworth's sugar. It's what I use all the time now for elderflower cordial, jams, curd etc.etc.

There's no P0undland anywhere near us, unfortunately, but I managed to share an order with a fellow frugaler who uses C0stc0, so it saves a little bit. In the meantime, I've discovered there's a store near my parents' house (about 100 miles from here) so I could stock up next time I'm visiting, if the sugar is available in their local store. Thanks for reminding me of the existance of P0undland

sophiesmum_2

Costco sugar works out at 2kg for £1.06 so better buy than poundland:D

Frugaldom

Hi SM :hello: You know I can always squeeze in spare sugar whenever you have the chance. Come fruit & berry picking time, we'll need all we can get. Jars are at the ready, if I don't fill them all with lemon curd first. :rotfl:

ampersand

Oh, haven't heard of Costco - will google.

Frugaldom

Ampersand, I think it's a bit like Makr0 or Mata1an, you need a membership card for making purchases. There isn't one anywhere near me but, seeing as SM's about to become my new next door neighbour, there may be more than just furniture being moved this direction ...

Frugaldom

It's been a couple of months since I popped on here, so thought I'd give it a bit of a bump in the hope of tempting a few more rural moneysaving hints and tips from MSE'ers.

Recent moneysaving - we've been out foraging like mad recently, mainly for blackberries, but I also managed to get some redcurrants, gooseberries and raspberries. As a result of that, I already have over a dozen pots of assorted jams and jellies in store and it works out MUCH cheaper than store bought jars, even of the cheapest saver variety. Now there are windfall apples starting to appear, the rowan berries and rosehips are ripening, the elderberries are appearing and the sloes are slowly blackening. Next week's moneysaving task is apple & mint jelly, apple & blackberry jelly, apple & rowan jelly, possibly some rosehip syrup and, if I'm really lucky, some elderberry wine could be started. All this free food is great, the local farmers have no problem with us helping ourselves. Swapping produce with neighbours is a great help, too. Hoping not to need to buy jam, jelly, lemon curd, pickles or chutneys ever again.

TravellingAbuela

Another bump from me in the hope that more foraging tips will be added. I (well we actually as OH pitched in to help) picked 17 lbs of bilberries from the moors in early August. Some made into jam, some used for pies and the rest frozen. This was followed by the blackberry picking. Some for jam, some for chutney and the rest were frozen.

I now have my eye on a few Blackthorn bushes, awaiting the sloes ripening. If anyone beats me to them I shall scream!! Oooh I can taste the Sloe Gin now!

The rowanberries are looking all but ripe too but if anyone knows of any "secret"
locations in West/North Yorkshire where I might find other "produce" free please pass on (I won't tell anyone else!!) In particular the whereabouts of any wild damsons would be appreciated!