money saving ideas.

[alfred]

With food generally becoming dearer I'm sure many of you will think up ways of making the money spread that little bit further  much like our mothers bless them many years ago ,


the basic ones say beans on toast is a classic or cheese on toast , and for mothers with young children as they too stretch their money I'm sure they too will get more creative in the kitchen.


and no doubt the charity shops will come into their own as people shop for cheaper and some times better clothes, as we all know there are times when yo can get a bargain in the charity shops ,


Q; are you inventive in the kitchen and come up with a new culinary delight/s  and do you have ideas as to how to make money stretch that little bit further,
as usual your thoughts will make interesting reading.

[Michael Rolls]

I'm afraid I am - unless cooking for others - a ready meal peasant. Might occasionally run to a baked potato or an omelette, but that's it - but to be fair either of those work out a good bit cheaper than a ready meal.
Mike

[GrannyMac]

I shop around a bit, we have a bunch of supermarkets locally. OH likes a type of cheese that costs £3 in Sainsbury's and Tesco, but £2 in Lidl. No brainer.  We tend to have a proper home cooked dinner 4 or 5 evenings a week, then just a baked spud or something on toast the other days, we could cut our food bill if we have to. 

We rarely need new clothes, I get use out of my bus pass, and I shower at the gym when I go to classes now. I pay my membership so why not save on our electric bill. 

[Scrumpy]

I am a bit wasteful .. I go to M&S on occasions and I always buy bread from there even if I have one that was purchased elsewhere.. simply because I prefer it..
I do however, use all the veg/salad that is on it's last legs and bung it all in a fry pan with a drop of olive oil.. I serve it with pasta.. It works for me..
Since covid I now water down my Fairy Liquid and cut Brillo pads in half..

[Alex]

I use up tomatoes that have gone soft by frying them in a little olive oil with Italian herbs and garlic, load them on to a slice of thick crusty toast it's very tasty and quick.

I've got a new 'toy' which saves me money too.  I got this one to replace one from Aldi/Lidl which served me well !  In the fridge at the moment I've got carrots, cabbage and leeks all vacuum packed which would otherwise have gone off.

private image upload

[klondike]

I saw those in Lidl again yesterday. £19.99. Still not sure it wouldn't end up as another unused gadget taking cupboard space though. I checked Amazon and the price looked quite good.

[GrannyMac]

I bought my smoothie maker from Lidl, I make my breakfast in it almost every day.  Its very well used. Cost about £15.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/6022616/lidls-15-smoothie-maker-is-back-and-it-costs-quarter-of-the-price-of-a-nutribullet-one/

[Alex]

It was Lidl my old sealer came from and it was good for 2 or 3 years and I used it a lot.  This one you don't have to press the sides down as you do on the Lidl model but for £20 you can't go wrong.

[klondike]

How long does stuff vacuumed by one last in the fridge?

[Alex]

2 or 3 weeks, I've also got dried goods vacuum packed like split peas, how often do you use split peas ?  they keep in the cupboard.   I guess it's not a 'must have' gadget, but I find it useful - no more soggy carrots or leeks.

[klondike]

Carrots don't last well but I think they only cost about 50p for a big bag. Frozen veg are cheap too. I'll keep the idea in mind but I'm still not convinced.

[Alex]

Carrots may only be 50 pence a bag but I was brainwashed not to waste food, so I bag 'em 

[klondike]

My concern would be the extra plastic which doesn't biodegrade rather than a few carrots which do. Not sure about savings either as the vaccum seal rolls aren't cheap. As I said though I'll consider getting one.

[Scrumpy]

I buy loose carrots.. or a small pack .. Any loose veg I just wrap in kitchen roll and put in the veg compartment.. No problem..

[hugh]

WW2 dig up your lawn and grow your own veg, make your own bread. Nettles make excellent plant food, but not for indoor use.