An Avalanche of Austerity for April - Mumsnet frugaleers continue!

[MissAnnersleyismyhero]

Thought I'd start a new thread for April

Well done! When do you get the £100?

I think it's three months just in time for the mot

Happy Sunday all. Thanks cool good advice. The research i have done shows consistency is the most important thing with speech therapy, it'll start very soon. DS only has 3 really clear words and is 3 1/2 so it is vital.

Fantasea I am not sure that I am doing anything different to you. Meticulous meal planning, basics food where possible (though not meat), less meat, smaller portions, box of wine has to last 2 weeks and no popping out for another bottle, bake all puddings, home made bread, equalising meals, so when we have meat the following meal is really cheap, like baked beans on jacket with salad. The main thing though is internet food shopping. Have to stick to a budget of 50 per week. Much easier when not in shop with temptations. If it goes over I go through list and remove what is not vital. We have a contingency of 10 per week so DH can go at weekend.

Having said all that I spent loads in Sains this week, this is my 'oh fuck it' week!

Gogo thank you for the tips . I did my first internet shop for years last week as I had a voucher and I know what you mean about being able to see the running total, you don't get that going round with the trolley! I thought it was good also (on the Tesco site) that I could look at all the offers in one go online, whereas in the store it can be easy to miss them.

Nsd

Yes! When I shop online every single item is reduced, and yet I make sure it is what we wanted anyway, and also not more expensive than the cheapest option. It does take time but in the evening in front of the tv it's not a problem. I made a little chart for meal planning, would you like me to send it to you?

Can I have your meal planning chart please?

5 on entrance to local attraction. 1.70 on ice cream for DS which ended up on the ground as he was flipping out as I dared to have a lick. I was close to taking it off and binning it anyway so he saved me a job.

Gogo yes please, I would love your meal planning chart, if you wouldn't mind sending it to me, that would be great

NSD today, £7 on veg/fruit yesterday.

DH back later, trip wasn't a complete disaster but could have been much better.

Could I also have a copy of meal planning chart please?

Meal planning chart for me too please gogo.

Went to NT property. Didn't spend a penny. Yay. Also got £20 off Ocado order on DP's new account.

gogo How do you manage to get wine in your £50 shop? I must admit that we are very brands led for a lot of things. I bought DS Aldi Cheerios, which he tried but really didn't like. I now have a whole box of it, which I don't know what to do with. Any ideas?

No ideas we didn't like the aldi Cheerios either

Adora Sorry to hear about the trip not being great. What was the purpose of it?

Spotty DP has banned me from buying anything other than Shreddies for his breakfast.

Cool he's trying to generate new business, it's painfully quiet ATM.

Yes can def send it if I can work out how! I am a bit embarrassed as it is very simple, so sorry if you were expecting a miracle! It is exactly what I need though. I write the meal in the top box, work out what ingredients I need (after checking what I already have), circle the basics that are needed and then the gap underneath is for any extras like toothpaste etc.cool we rarely buy branded to be honest. The basics cornflakes are exactly the same as normal, although the basics rice crispies are totally weird and like boulders! Not sure about cheerios!
I've just done an online shop and got a box of wine (reduced to 11 from 14) and we are eating tuna pasta bake, home made pizza and salad, chicken casserole, salmon and noodles, chicken curry, jacket potato and beans and salad, filled pasta. Children have left overs or things like mac cheese. I also batch cook little fish pies etc. They are only 1 and 3 so not big eaters. Already had pasta and tuna and cereal in cupboard. All ingredients plus milk, yog, biscuits etc included in shop. This all cost 52. I won't order wine next week so will use that 'spare' 11 pounds for toilet rolls, washing liquid etc.
Really sorry for essay....

How do I send the meal planner? It is a word doc. Sorry. Not sent anything on here before.

Adora I am sorry, you said it wasn't going as well as you hoped

www.hotukdeals.com/deals/1-30-day-trial-with-25-25-cashback-via-topcashback-1878338 I've just done this trial, it might not work but I thought I'd try it. I had to do it on the pc, it didn't like the ipad at all.

Oh I'm annoyed I missed that fluffy!

Adora I hope things pick up for you.

Should be a nsd today as I'm working 8-6:30 zzzz

Morning! Ooh spotty, long day, hope it goes quickly for you.

adora good luck to your DH for landing some super clients in the very near future.

I'd like a look at the meal planner too gogo! If only to get some new ideas! I've been meal planning for getting on for 8 years now and sometimes it feels like 8 years of the same seven dinners! As I've had a bit of time this week I've trawled MN for ideas, just simple things like a recipe for veggie pasta rather than the tomato based ones I usually make. Does anyone know how to cook tofu so that it tastes edible?! We're not veggie but are always looking out for meat free meals. I love tofu when eating out but it always turns to jelly like crumbles when I do it at home!

With regards the roof - no we haven't had a quote for the work yet. It may not be as horrendous as I'm thinking. I need to call the company today as they haven't replied to my email.

I'm currently devising a new 5 day meal planner for my return to work - needs to be cheap quick tasty & low fat so tall order!

Day 1 - salmon parcels with Stirfry veg & ready to wok noodles - prep twice as much veg for tomo's quiche, stick in tub in fridge
Day 2 - quiche & salad/sweet potato oven baked fries
30g butter, 30g flour, 9 eggs whisk up & dot in baked ham, cooked chicken & veg top with scattering cheese
Day 3 something mince based probably slow cooker bolognese
Day 4 beef stew in slow cooker or sausage stew in oven
Day 5 www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1940/20minute-seafood-pasta-

Also each week I'll roast a chicken & ham for lunches & quiche

I needed to get some toiletries/medecine cabinet stuff and ordered them from a (reputable) onlime pharmacy via Quidco. I got a 6 per cent cashback. So that's a few squid.

SpottyTeacakes

It only ran yesterday, I made dh do it too.

I need to generate money tbh! I am thinking about going back into therapy (treating not taking) and retraining. Anyone know what is 'fashionable' these days?

Yikes, bidding on Ebay table and chairs and vair excited!
If I win this, it saves a trip to the Seventh Circle of Hell, aka IKEA, and works out about 50% cheaper than buying an IKEA flat pack version of what I want, for a more solid and timeless set in solid wood.
Fingers crossed, everyone