Cheap skate or genius?

[Icantremembermyusername]

DC announced in the supermarket yesterday that they would like jelly in lunchboxes. I looked at the cost of 5 prepared jellies - £2, on offer. 1 block of jelly, 68p. I've used half the block and made 3 jellies. I've put the rest in a sandwich bag and will make another batch on Wednesday.
As per title, cheapskate or genius?

The jelly block cut into cubes and dusted with icing sugar was a regular treat instead of sweets when I was a child in the 60s/70s.

Neither cheap skate nor genius… it’s just a normal thing to do.

DC went to bed thrilled to see the jelly in the fridge. So I don't think food packaging is the aim. Think they just want jelly :-)
It wasn't ever mentioned as a life hack! And I do prepare most of our meals from scratch.
And I'm 45!

So the pre prepared ones are 40p each.

Your ones have cost you 11p each.

29p saving per portion. Only you can decide if it's worth it in terms of cost and effort

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

You've made jelly from jelly cubes? Is that what you mean? What else do you do with it?

Have I missed another use for it?

In the 1970s you just had the cubes in your packed lunch- like a chewy treat

I do this as well.

Just don't put fresh pineapple in it- it'll never set if you do. The DC were not impressed when their jelly was more like fruit juice that day

If its reducing single use plastic its fine by me

OP, it's great for jelly, but also jelly with fruit, jelly with evaporated milk whisked in, chopped fruit with a dollop of cream, trifle, mousse etc. Buy some little pots with a trustworthy seal and you can make all sorts of special puds your DC will love.
You can use the same pots for cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, pasta salad etc.
In short, it's a great idea which will save you money and single use plastic as well as enabling you to move forward to a bigger choice of treats.

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

I feel like this should be in take a break.

yes! “TOP TIP: use jelly as…intended”

I feel like this should be in take a break.

Send it in to the tips page OP - you might get a tenner!

Favourite ever take a break tip: stop a boiled egg from rolling off the worktop...by placing it on a plate.

I'm not even joking.

Now I really fancy some jelly!

Unfortunately we only have the ready made stuff which DC like but it's just not the same texture, consistency or taste of proper jelly from my childhood

I feel like this should be in take a break.
Please send it in so I can see what the Take A Shite FB group says about it!

I put yogurt from a big pot into a smaller pots for my children's lunches, must ring Mensa.

I used to drink hot jelly made from cubes too as a child at boarding school. Then as now it was a very cheap treat. We claimed it was good for our nails.

So you made jelly...... hardly genius, just follow the instructions. Obviously it's a revelation in your house, it's the norm in ours.
If you put in frozen fruits (mixed berries) it will set much quicker. Orange jelly with tinned mandarins is nice too.

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

You've made jelly from jelly cubes? Is that what you mean? What else do you do with it?

Have I missed another use for it?

Eat them!
I have been known to buy a block of blackcurrant jelly cubes and scoff the lot.

Sorry to be that guy but aren’t the cubes the ones with the sugar? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen no added sugar cubes.

These jellys are not too badly priced. 1.20. In the fridge section at morrisons but is nice to make your own. As you said the made up big ones are quite expensive.

So… is this like asking if it’s genius to cook a jacket potato instead of buying one of those pre-cooked frozen ones…?

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

I feel like this should be in take a break.

I feel it's more Viz Top Tips 😅

…Whereas putting fizzy alcohol in jelly (Prosecco, champagne) and serving to adults is big and clever.

Those Morrisons ones are manky and have an absolutely bizarre texture. DC2 frequently asks for them, I occasionally relent and then throw 11 uneaten jellies away.

Also jelly as a one off treat? The utter misery of a perfectly normal, low calorie food being a treat. MN is the strangest place 😂

This is just normal. I always make jelly this way. No wonder we're filling the oceans with plastic if people have to buy so much stuff already in single use pots.

I think Take a Break is a good shout 😂

That's pretty standard. The amount of plastic to put a bit of sugar, gelatine and water in individual cups is just horrific

I wouldn't really say that you 'prepare' jelly, it's just hot water and a spoon to stir.

In the summer freeze it and it keeps the lunch cool. Be daring and melt the jelly in the microwave then instead of adding water, add lemonade for fizzy jelly.