Help! DH not getting paid at end of month!

[alp]

So DH came home and said that at then end of the month he won't be getting a wage. Great.

What can I / need to do to make this months £££ stretch?

After the initial fear I now need to put a plan in place to feel a bit stronger.

Thank you!

I have a big metal casserole pot and can put oven on low so do you think that would be OK or is a slow cooker a revelation in frugal cooking? If so I will free cycle for one - although I could use nectar points to get one.

I will go tonight for a meat hunt.

I get the MSE emails but will pay more attention to them now

You're all fabulous

Argos have a slowcooker for £6 at the mo. Glad this is helping, it's less crap being frugal when you have someone to swap ideas with!

Those links for cheap slow cookers are incredible. We're going to borrow one from MIL as she has one spare.

Agree with others about meal planning and batch cooking.

Good luck!

I'd be putting a lot of the onus of money-making and money-saving on your DH. He's the one letting the side down and yet he seems to be relaxed about the idea of no money while you're tearing your hair out economising. What is he doing to correct the situation he's landed you in? How is he bringing in more money? How is he spending less?

Cogito - DH is not sitting back and letting me tear my hair out but he is at work and working very hard to turn the situation round. He hasn't over spent, been slacking or passing the buck. He has been working his nuts off to compete in a tough market place against £80million turnover businesses that can afford to do projects for less than cost.

In our marriage we are a team - we are in this together. I don't sit at home expecting him to earn money only and he doesn't expect me to be at home cooking/cleaning

Seabright - will check out the Argos slow cooker. Although on first glance it looks like it might be a bit small. Not sure we are swapping ideas more like you telling me what to do

Nah! Not telling you what to do . Anyway, you'll remember something really good & money saving that you already do at the moment and you'll be able to tell me what to do!

BTW, don't dismiss the value/basics lines, I use lots of them and very rarely notice much if any difference. For example, I had a pack of the Finish Super-deluxe dishwasher tablets (was testing them - I do some product testing for tesco) the straight after used a box of Sainsbury's basics tablet - no difference at all in the results.

Some things are nicer - we love the value potato salad and basics crisps, they're better that the top brands.

I'll put my thinking cap on!

I have started using value and basics - I already get onions, chopped tomatoes, own brand cereal and go to Lidl/Aldi for a massive pack of loo rolls/kitchen rolls.

Also - Aldis dishwasher tablets are really good and cheap too.

Even listened to Martin Lewis on R2 today for tips

• Dig out any smellies you may have been bought over the past few christmases and birthdays - I usually stick to a certain shower gel, lotion etc, but in skinter times open up the drawer where I have chucked all of the smellies bought for me and lo and behold there's usually enough bubble bath, shower gel and body lotion to sink a ship

• Is it possible for you to bulk buy at, say, Costco or similar with any leftover cash on washing up powder and loo roll, usually works out the cheapest place to get these items

• Sell sell sell....Ebay old clothes, toys etc, or even a good old car boot sale

• Lean on family and friends....I pop round to see my DM for a cuppa and a read of her newspaper ...saves me a few pennies and she gets a snuggle with her DGD

My MIL has a Costco card so I could go with her to bulk buy some stuff but find that as you need to buy the initial pay out is so big.

DH has reduced our sky package and has given up his beloved sky sports. He was hoping the woman on the end of the phone was going to take pity and give it to him for free! no such luck!

I'm going to start listing on eBay - there is also a local FB group where I can sell stuff so will try that too. Should help with the post Xmas clear out.

Costco is good if you can afford the initial outlay. I think their meat is good. I freeze it in smaller packs when I get home.

BTW chicken thighs are cheaper than breasts and taste a whole lot better.

Great ideas in this post!

Btw off topic, Seabright, love the name! First came across it doing DH's family tree

Tins of cannelini/borlotti/haricot beans etc can bulk out casseroles for v cheap too.