£10 for 5 days-Help

[BustyStClaire]

I have £10 for 5days, for 4 of us! Help me please, this includes school packed lunches. In the cupboard there is half a bag of pasta, spaghetti, some lentils, noodles, thats about it. Obvs kids feed first, but I just do not know how I am going to make it stretch!

[ScorpionQueen]

Where are you, OP? I'm sure I can spare a few tins.

[BustyStClaire]

I do not have an overdraft, it is a week, We will do it x
I do have oil & spices, they will eat any veg given to them. Also love tinned fish so thats a good idea!

[BustyStClaire]

I wouldnt even know where a food bank was!!

[shesariver]

If you have lentils then lentil soup is a godsend - heres my Mums tried and trusted simple and delicious recipe. Just chop up some (value) onions, grate a lot of (value) carrots and chuck in pot with a cup of lentils, boil and throw in some stock cubes (I usually use ham), and thats that.

[LadySybildeChocolate]

IIRC, milk and more deliver all sorts but don't charge for a few weeks. You'd need to go and see someone (GP/HV etc) to get a letter for the foodbank. Where about are you? Someone here may be able to help.

[treedelivery]

We often survive on £10 a week. It's depressing, tiring and disheartening but it is do-able.

It involves a week of big bowls of cheap pasta and tinned tomatoes with onion, oil and garlic. Lots of repetition and plain flavours but also a hearty evening meal for about 50p per adult. Plus egg and chips and beans night

[BustyStClaire]

I am in deepest kent.

[TheHAUNTEDHouseofMirth]

I make pizza with this recipe. To make topping chop and soften an onion (either in frying pan or in microwave) and stir in some chopped tomatoes and a pinch of herbs. Or I use a jar of Sainsburys Basics pasta sauce. Grate some cheddar on top or use some Lidl mozarella. Probably costs about £1.50 for pizza for 4.

[Frontpaw]

We're in London if that helps at all.

[TheHAUNTEDHouseofMirth]

Also, Tesco had boxes of 6 free range eggs for £1 this week.

[treedelivery]

Bargain eggs!!! That means omelette, frittata, Yorkshire pudding, pancakes, dippy eggs, poached, fried......happy days!


I love eggs. Cheap healthy food. Brilliant.

Might have to make giant Yorkshire puss for dinner. Yum.

[Frontpaw]

Not much help then!

Pasta - huge cheap bags with olive oil and cheese, tomato and veg sauce...
Value bread for toast in the morning and sarnies
Soft cheese and cucumbers or grated carrot sanrnies
Soups - whatever veg they have on offer plus lentils

Shop late pm to get the discount stuff
Home made pizzas I shove on whatever veg and cheese you have
Beans on toast or with jacket potatoes
Omlettes - esp spanish or thick veggie ones (can also be sliced to eat later/in lunch boxes.

[Frontpaw]

Porridge for brekkie too. Nice and warm, filling amd cheap.

[exexpat]

Don't go to a supermarket now, go half an hour or so before Sunday closing time - good chance of lots of stuff being heavily reduced (bread, veg, anything perishable).

[BustyStClaire]

OK, list is potatoes, cheese, onions, tin toms, carrots, eggs, fromage frais, I AM going to have to use the coinstar as I really need to shop today, but it is ok. Maybe some chicken bits for the kids, tinned fish

[BustyStClaire]

I have some oats so simple! Lots of homemade jam for toast too!

[LadySybildeChocolate]

Nectar/twatsco points?

[Viviennemary]

If you've a Morrisons nearby they sell off things for a ridiculous price at the close of the shop. We went in late once and couldn't believe the stuff being sold for 10p 15p and so on.

[ScorpionQueen]

I'm in the South-West, so too far, sorry. Good luck and please remember to feed yourself too, you'll be no good to them ill.

[LineRunner]

Value/Smart Price tins of

Tuna
Hot dog sausages
Corned beef

chopped up with an onion or carrot, a Value tin of tomatoes, and served with

Pasta
Potatoes
Noodles

makes for cheap meals. Add your own seasoning and a sprinkle of cheese if you have it.

[whistlestopcafe]

Treedelivery - I know times are hard but sticking the cat in batter is going to extremes!

[colditz]

Can you put the kids on school dinners and pay the school when you next get some money? This is an option at my kids school

[Donner]

The soup that keeps on giving:
lentil soup
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
150g red lentils, washed
570ml vegetable stock
1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
2 tsp tomatoe purée
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper

heat oil, cook onions and garlic gently for 10 minutes. Add lentils, stir to coat wll in the oil. Add stock and bring to boil, skim off scum. Add tinned tomatoes, tomato purée and most of the thyme. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve garnished with remaining thyme.

You don't need thyme I just bung in whatever dried green stuff is in the cupboard.
I make this with more stock as its quite thick and its feeds 4 with some left for the next day. The soup thats left magically gets thicker and when you add more stock the next day it can feed 4 again!

[MousyMouse]

instead of the coipn star you can use the coins at the self serve tills. no fee this way.

[LineRunner]

Donner's soup recipe is delicious, I've tried it and can vouch for it! I spice it up with a dash of chilli sauce.

Fab just with bread and butter/margarine or toast.