What treats and stuff can i make that will be cheaper to make than buy?

[jellyjelly]

Just become single with a 3.5 yr old he likes all the usual food such as burgers, aplhabites, rice with lots of veg and will eat fish in the rice. It is nice a cheap and can make sure that he gets enough veg and fish. I need help doing planning for the week as i never had to worry about budgeting and had a very healthy 80/100pw for food etc now i might have 30pw. I dont want to buy crap for him.

I need to start making stuff that is cheaper to buy and really experiment with meals as he might be going to a minders and will have to do lunch too. I am maybe thinking cheap muffins/flapjacks.

He wont eat soup/alot of stuff that is wet and would happily live of marmite sandwiches/marmite toast forever, he doesnt like fruit will eat raisins and most veg.
He has just started to like pasta and sometimes eats mince. I already buy at markets for my veg and it is genereally cheaper.

Any advice very much apprecaited.

omelettes with various savoury fillings go down a treat and don't only need to be eaten at breakfast. So, for example, cook up some mince on Monday for Spag bol, Tues use some leftover mince in an omelette with some herbs or mushrooms, courgettes - yum, one of my favourites!

I find the secret to economising is not being wasteful if you possibly avoid it, to try to work out exactly what you need and no more. It is actually quite hard to cook for one adult and one child without over estimating as really you are using such small quantities, in this respect the freezer is my friend. I have always got a fair few little means for one in the freezer made from the days I cook too much (I have beans on toast). Cheap food we like are tuna bolognese (freezes v.well) baked potato with just about anything, spanish eggs with rice, any kind of casserole, same thing - eat now freeze the rest, cauliflower or brocchi cheese with lots of other veg in it too and chopped egg.
I just try to make sure I use everything up, like you I find economising on food quite difficult. If you are getting benefits you might be eligable for healthstart vouchers, it is only £2.80 a week but it helps.

p.s muffins are really cheap to make and freeze well too. Also you can hide fruit and veg in them.

Really agree with the tips about working out exactly what you need and also about using the freezer. My shopping bill this week for 4 is £50 and that includes a bottle of wine, two bottles of coke, and an £8 pack of nappies so it should be possible to stick to the £30. Maybe homebaking of muffins/flapjacks.

list of ingredients/meals please bozza

Ditto on the list please Bozza!!!

Eh? Wasn't expecting that. Will now have to admit that I have a cheap week because the kids are staying at their grandparents on Saturday night and we are going out for a meal. It is a cheaper than usual week but I do usually budget £60 for 4 which should be doable as £30 for 2 for jellyjelly. Although obviously cleaning products etc will not double up but then until two weeks ago I was buying nappies out of that and still need the odd pack for night time.

Got to go get DD now - will return this evening.

It can be done but it helps if you have a well cupborad ie. spices, pulses, pasta, rice. Then spend a long time shopping as sad as it seems I know whats cheaper in different supermarkets and keep a eye out on special deals and shop according, I also shop using points like at boots on triple points weekend I'll stock up on nappies etc. Its a pain in the buck but needs must! I also get most stuff own brand its normally made buy the same manufacters just without the fancy packaging.

HE cant eat eggs nor do i but good suggestions.

Can i have the recipe for tuna bolognaise or is it just a basic red sauce and then tuna?

My kids love chinese egg noodles; just boil them then stir fry some carrots and peas or whatever! mix it all together and it's done. You can add chicken if you like.

sorry hadn't read he can't have egg!

you can do the tuna with a tomato based sauce or a white based one (like creme fraiche)

have you tried him with macaroni cheese? you can have that plain or add bacon, mushrooms etc. whatever you fancy and it lasts well

in terms of puds, have you tried jelly? also things like banana loaf last for a long time and you can have a slice with butter and it is a filling snack

I really dont mind spending the time doing things it is just the money side.

havent tried mac cheese i might give it a go.

Tuna bolognaise is any veg, mushrooms, peppers, carrots, the more the better, can of tomatoes, tomatoe puree, garlic optional, herbs etc. you get the idea, basic vegetable pasta sauce. Only add the tuna at the very end of cooking to heat it through otherwise it goes too mushy. Serve on pasta with cheese on top, grilled if you prefer. Easy, cheap, low fat if you leave off the cheese, take the rest to work next day for lunch.