Frugally Forward To Autumn

[Wolfcub]

New fred

fish tacos. Use fish fingers and gluten free wraps. Loads of salad for the veggies. Sweet potato wedges. It’s usually a winner in my house.

Le yum!

Thanks for the ideas. I’m going to try doing some homemade fish cakes with some frozen fish I’ve already got, and some leftover mash (going to do sausage mash and veg) and attempt to shape them into fish finger shapes 😂 then if they’re a hit I will keep doing them and gradually over time I can turn them into circles!

however the Asda shop was in total a complete frugal fail. Doh! I’d reserved my slot with a random set of stuff and then only recently remembered so went in and started panic-amending the online trolley. DH was shouting random things that we’ve run out of (we’re still at MILs so not even at home to check) and there was not a meal plan in sight, beyond sausages and fish cakes. I also got sucked in by their wine offer and bought 6 bottles to put away for Xmas time so that was definitely a want rather than a need. I am now over £120 poorer and I’m not entirely sure what I’ve got to show for it!

@ememem84 I'm the same with the library! Tried to take some books back only for the machine to not recognise them as they are ours that we bought as toddler liked them so much from the library!

Plus we've lost 2 of the library books and I keep clicking renew but now have run out of renews 😂 so I'm going to have to fess up tomorrow and hope they take pity on me. This wont be the first time we've had to pay for lost books. People say using the library is cheaper than buying books but I'm not too sure 😂

@Fearofawelshplanet it’s the Bellarom Gold Blend! I’m drinking it now and honestly can’t tell the difference between it and Nescafé gold blend or kenco!

Tip for drying outside in the winter months- even if the washing doesn’t get completely dry it will often dry enough that you can just finish it off in the dryer for 20 minutes rather than doing a full dry for an hour or more.

for those of us addicted to buying books- I’ve found some gems in charity shops. Or The Works. And online The Book Depository is often cheaper then Amazon

on a downside I went to B&M the other day for my tinned food (generally soup, tuna and baked beans) couldn’t believe how much the prices had shot up 😢 it’s still marginally cheaper than the supermarkets but if you have to drive there probably not worth the fuel for the separate journey

We once came back late from holiday to empty fridge apart from jars and a forgotten almost out of date packet of bacon , so quickly whipped up bacon and fish finger wraps as we had both of those in freezer .. Amazingly good , They've now become a regular thing. A few salad leaves and mayo , salsa if you like . Definitely Le Yum!
( Id forgotten about Le Yum !)

I cannot say that its been very frugal around here these last two weeks as weve had visitors .. .. But this week's ones are vegetarian and its made me realise that we definitely should have at least three veggie dinners a week... much cheaper. We do usually cook from scratch ..

Tonight though they are taking us out to dinner ! 😀

@blobby10 i noticed that too in B&M, and Farm Foods too, which is my go to for a freezer, diet coke and biscuit stock up. Gutted as I love hunting around those shops for bargains. There's a Poundzone relatively near us that sells stock off with short dates, I may venture there if we are over that way.

Is Costco still worth it? Never got round to joining but I think I can due to work.

@kessiebird we are members of Costco because my daughter has a membership with her work and she gifts us her second card bless her. I really enjoy going there it's almost like an outing with the taste tests and the offers, especially on their Water and the birthday cakes they sell 🤗. Unless you have a business and are registered for VAT discount then l don't think it's worth a special visit unless you like near them 🤗 Which makes it worth the money for the membership then.

Oh and you can get a tasty meal there, although a bit rough and ready area to eat it in very cheaply too 🤗

Ooooh they sound tasty Laska!! And so do fish tacos. I had to Google image "fish tacos" before deciding they sounded tasty though because I couldn't picture them 🤣

Omg I have just remembered we have books from the library to return. 😱

My job interview is today and I'm absolutely terrified! If they offer it to me I'll be amazed. If I get the job it'll cover increased fuel / energy costs, increase food costs and then we're throwing all the rest at paying off a home improvement loan faster. So I'll still be frugaleering.

God I'm nervous, I don't think I've ever been this anxious about an interview before! I think the chances of me getting the job is very low as its a very sought after employer (free gym, free fitness classes, free swimming, discount hair etc)

I’ve been using Approved Food - it’s a website where they sell short date dry goods - I’ve had crisps, tinned food, pasta, rice, spices etc all perfectly good to eat and loads cheaper. They also do toiletries and cat food etc.

Good luck collie I’m sure you’ll smash it in

Thank you gensola, the role is advertised at FT but I need to request PT as I have some long term health issues. Fatigue, meds side effects and frequent hospital appointments mean I ought to do around 24 -30 hours a week but no idea if they'll accommodate.

They are one of the most flexible employers around here though so am hoping!

Good luck Collie 🤗

Good luck for your interview @ThisisCollie2022

And it may be only 8am here but now I want fish finger sandwiches and fish tacos.

At work soon but first I need to dig out all the paperwork and tenancy agreement for our deceased tenant. I’ve found out who the funeral director is so hopefully they can put me in touch with executor of the estate. Apparently he is coming to the house every few days to pick up the post so I’ve put a note through the door too. DH did a lot of research last night as to how this all works so I think we should be able to get things sorted fairly easily.

@TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans
Thanks! There's one less than 10 miles away. Never got round to checking it out as we have so many other discount places around and DH would likely overspend but now...

Good luck @ThisisCollie2022

Fingers crossed for you @Collie

Good luck @ThisisCollie2022 that sounds alot of perks!

Fish finger tacos sound good. We do fish finger wraps sometimes.

Library day here as I mentioned upthread fingers crossed it isn't too much to replace the books.

Also hoping to pick up some bikes we are buying for my teens from a friend. Bikes are essential here for school. So quite a spendy day.

Have a lovely day all!

Good luck @ThisisCollie2022 keeping everything crossed for you!

Go on @ThisisCollie2022 you can do it 💪, and those pt hours don't sound unreasonable at all - I'd expect a bit of hours/pay negotiation at most interviews

This has happened me in Ireland too, I'm gathering the books as I find them & hoping to get back into visiting the library again once back to school.
We can't get books out until all are returned at this stage

Yep i remember the search for lost library books too when the DC were smaller. None of mine are readers now sadly, DP and I love books.
going to try fish finger wraps too, I’m struggling to find non-meat alternatives that the teens will eat. Though my spicy rice is always popular - Google recipe for homemade Nando’s spicy rice.
Good luck collie- as someone up thread said, someone has to get it!
DP also has a job interview, similar to what he does now (working for a charity) but more hours. He is currently PT - now DC are older the benefits of having a PT parent at home are less for us so any extra money will be great.
LSD today or possibly NSD - I need to persuade DS2 to go into town for a new school blazer. Also want to buy some chocs, coffee etc for DS1’s teachers for GCSE results tomorrow. Though not sure how I’ll get them to the teachers as apparently I am ‘that ‘ parent for making DS1 do something as embarrassing as taking a carrier bag of gifts into school 😂

good luck Collie

Wow, good luck Collie. Sounds like an amazing employer to work for.

Not sure I should share my library confession.......I once paid a £50 fine 😱

they changed the rule that you didn't get fined for kids books and I forgot to take ours back for months!!