Dear reader,
In an attempt to make something healthy yet frugal as we are on the bare bones this month I rummaged around in the cupboards and fridge and came up with, a butternut squash and a tin of chickpeas. Here's what I did with it.
Peeled and cut up the squash.
Boiled it in water with a chicken stock cube
Mashed it up when soft, leaving a few lumps
Added some coconut milk powder
Added some curry powder
Put in a tin of chickpeas
Served with some instant noodles.
It was surprisingly tasty.
Good luck to all of you living below the line this week. Some creative menus.
FIB. X
Monday 29 April 2013
Friday 26 April 2013
Fuel or food?
Dear reader,
You may notice my progress bar for my overdraft, which was £1700 has now been completed.
I have just ploughed all my money into my bank account and left it there. When we get paid we transfer a set amount into our bills account. This pays the mortgage, food, fuel and all the bills which we have on direct debit. We also have a loan which we got to do up the house.
After everything has been paid, there is not an awful lot left. I do manage to put a little bit away into my car fund and my Christmas fund.
My bank charges me a pound a day to be overdrawn upto £2000 and £2 a day over that. I was sick of paying their fees every month and have now paid off the overdraft. Yipppeeee.
On the downside, this means I have absolutely NO MONEY, nil, zilch, nothing in my bank account.
There's hardly enough left in the joint account either. We may have to decide between fuel or food this month. We have to have the fuel to drive to work. There is no hope of public transport where we live. I have some supplies in the freezer and some cupboard staples but it will be tight.
I have about 2 days of diesel in my car and estimate I will need £80 for fuel until payday again in 24 days. Big man probably the same. That's £160. That will leave us with about £50 for food. I do have a gift card for something I returned at Asda for £14. That will do for milk and eggs.
I am stalking past my sealed pot like a hungry lioness.
I read a very good menu plan from Scarlet over at
The other stuff http://stillgoingstrong1981.blogspot.co.uk/
I am going to try to make more vegetarian meals for us both. Some pasta for lunches
and veggie curries and chilli for dinner.
Will keep you updated, any frugal recipes, please send my way.
FIB. X
You may notice my progress bar for my overdraft, which was £1700 has now been completed.
I have just ploughed all my money into my bank account and left it there. When we get paid we transfer a set amount into our bills account. This pays the mortgage, food, fuel and all the bills which we have on direct debit. We also have a loan which we got to do up the house.
After everything has been paid, there is not an awful lot left. I do manage to put a little bit away into my car fund and my Christmas fund.
My bank charges me a pound a day to be overdrawn upto £2000 and £2 a day over that. I was sick of paying their fees every month and have now paid off the overdraft. Yipppeeee.
On the downside, this means I have absolutely NO MONEY, nil, zilch, nothing in my bank account.
There's hardly enough left in the joint account either. We may have to decide between fuel or food this month. We have to have the fuel to drive to work. There is no hope of public transport where we live. I have some supplies in the freezer and some cupboard staples but it will be tight.
I have about 2 days of diesel in my car and estimate I will need £80 for fuel until payday again in 24 days. Big man probably the same. That's £160. That will leave us with about £50 for food. I do have a gift card for something I returned at Asda for £14. That will do for milk and eggs.
I am stalking past my sealed pot like a hungry lioness.
I read a very good menu plan from Scarlet over at
The other stuff http://stillgoingstrong1981.blogspot.co.uk/
I am going to try to make more vegetarian meals for us both. Some pasta for lunches
and veggie curries and chilli for dinner.
Will keep you updated, any frugal recipes, please send my way.
FIB. X
Thursday 25 April 2013
USA readers-for you.
Dear reader,
Am up really early, 0430 as I have to be at work extra bright this morning!
I had a quick look at my blog readers and saw that USA, Germany and Malta are up and reading too.
This is a quick message to my USA readers after the awful events in Boston. I watched the news and we were horrified, along with the rest of the world.
What I admired though, was the clip of the people all together all rallying round each other and the united chant of USA,USA, USA. They was a real sense of refusal to be defeated, bullied or scared and faces of all colours, nationalities and races stood together.
FIB. X
Am up really early, 0430 as I have to be at work extra bright this morning!
I had a quick look at my blog readers and saw that USA, Germany and Malta are up and reading too.
This is a quick message to my USA readers after the awful events in Boston. I watched the news and we were horrified, along with the rest of the world.
What I admired though, was the clip of the people all together all rallying round each other and the united chant of USA,USA, USA. They was a real sense of refusal to be defeated, bullied or scared and faces of all colours, nationalities and races stood together.
FIB. X
Wednesday 24 April 2013
Not too late for £30 for 30 tips!
Dear reader,
Just a quick late night note to my followers to say, if you haven't sent your 30 tips for £30 in to Money Supermarket for fear of being too late, get it done now, they say they still have money to give away!
An update from me is that, I am rubbish at dieting, have no money at all despite having just been paid but my over draught is nil. (This may change as I have to live) We are eating frugally and tonight had an omelette each.
Goodnight, speak soon.
Love
FIB. X
Just a quick late night note to my followers to say, if you haven't sent your 30 tips for £30 in to Money Supermarket for fear of being too late, get it done now, they say they still have money to give away!
An update from me is that, I am rubbish at dieting, have no money at all despite having just been paid but my over draught is nil. (This may change as I have to live) We are eating frugally and tonight had an omelette each.
Goodnight, speak soon.
Love
FIB. X
Monday 22 April 2013
Booty called
Dear reader,
A lovely, sunny weekend here in Buckinghamshire. We rose early on both days and Sunday we went to a boot sale. I wasn't on the look out for anything in particular but fancied a picnic hamper for our days out at National Trust house where I want to take a really nice cream tea and sit on one of the superb lawns at a big house somewhere.
There is a green grocer stall there that also does some food items. I got three 200g Bovril tubs for £1.75 each. They are £3.09 in the shops and I use quite a lot of it in gravy and love it on toast so into the store cupboard for them.
I also found some really pretty hat boxes which I love for storage and on top of cupboards. I got a stack of three in cream and a red one, all for £5.
A lovely, sunny weekend here in Buckinghamshire. We rose early on both days and Sunday we went to a boot sale. I wasn't on the look out for anything in particular but fancied a picnic hamper for our days out at National Trust house where I want to take a really nice cream tea and sit on one of the superb lawns at a big house somewhere.
There is a green grocer stall there that also does some food items. I got three 200g Bovril tubs for £1.75 each. They are £3.09 in the shops and I use quite a lot of it in gravy and love it on toast so into the store cupboard for them.
I also found some really pretty hat boxes which I love for storage and on top of cupboards. I got a stack of three in cream and a red one, all for £5.
I also found a nice, new hamper for £4 which I will add nicer crockery and cutlery to.
I got a lovely little wooden chair, very intricate with a wicker seat area. I know some people don't agree but it will be painted white and a pretty cushion made/found for it.
I spent £28 including entry, yes they charge us £2 each to get in! So that's my 30 tips money gone. The change went into the sealed pot.
Do you boot sale and what's your best bargain?
Have a good week.
FIB. X
Sunday 21 April 2013
Frugal fried chicken the healthy way
Dear reader,
I'm so pleased that many of us did the 30 frugal tips and got the £30. It was very generous and money received promptly. They said it was valid until the 17th May. Was it a limited number allowed, does anyone know if its still on? Some of you have said you are too late-maybe check this.
Yesterday we were up early at 0700 (that's early on a day off for us). I had a couple of things to take back to Asda and we were there before 0900 and it was still busy.
The diet has crashed and burned this week and I found myself at the i store McDonald's ordering two breakfasts. Not frugal. Not low calorie. How bad am I? The sun was out and I had the devil in me.
That little voice in my head always says, "Well you both work hard, surely you deserve a treat"
It's so easy to be bad and so hard sometimes to be good. Today is a new day.
I duly withdrew my £50 shopping money to go to Lidl but we ended up spending £89. We did stock up on some bargains so I'm not too disappointed as these will last us for ages. I also picked up some geraniums for the garden and a house plant that was reduced from £18 to £10. They had half price packs of bacon for 99p, some nice sausages reduced to 74 p for 6, a couple of reduced gammon joints and some cheap cheddar. All the meat just goes in the freezer.
The shopping should last 2 weeks with a milk and eggs top up or 2.
We use a lot of mouthwash at about £3 a bottle. Lidl had a new product in and it was on offer for 49p a bottle so we got six. Cheaper than one of the usual bottles.
Big man loves chicken from KFC so I made my own healthy version which went down a treat and it very tasty. Here's the recipe.
Chicken portions, drumsticks, thighs-remove the skin (the skin has the most fat in it)
Breadcrumbs-blitz a couple of slices in food processor (use wholemeal)
Crumble a chicken stock cube into breadcrumbs. I added some chopped garlic and other herbs. You could spice this up with chilli flakes, Cajun spice, whatever you like. Don't add salt if you've used a stock cube-will be too salty.
Dip the chicken portions into beaten egg then dip into the breadcrumb mix. Push the breadcrumb onto the chicken to make sure you get a good coating both sides.
Lay on baking tray (I lightly sprayed mine with fry lite first)
Bake for 30 mins at about 180.
Came out slightly crispy and extremely tasty.
I served with sweet potato chips and potato wedges with cheese and bacon.
(No picture as it was too nice to wait)
Today I will make faggots which I then portion for dinners through the month. I make about 25 and these freeze really well. I have chopped a load of onions which I freeze into little portions in my muffin tin, I also did the same with garlic in the ice cube tray. I find this saves me loads of time as I do use a lot of both. I just grab a portion from the freezer when I want it.
The sun is out again here so very happy. We had a good day in the garden yesterday, I planted lettuce seeds, chilli, peppers and spring onions. I have saved other seeds from butternut squash as well so will see if I can grow them. I use old cardboard egg boxes for my seeds and then just rip the box with the seedlings still in place and plant the little compartment in the soil. The box rots away and I don't disturb the seedling.
We started a compost heap with a free bin from the council when we moved in. We put all our garden waste in and yesterday I was very pleased to see the lovely compost it had made.
Do you adapt any favourite take away recipes. I would love to hear them.
Have a sunny Sunday.
FIB. X
I'm so pleased that many of us did the 30 frugal tips and got the £30. It was very generous and money received promptly. They said it was valid until the 17th May. Was it a limited number allowed, does anyone know if its still on? Some of you have said you are too late-maybe check this.
Yesterday we were up early at 0700 (that's early on a day off for us). I had a couple of things to take back to Asda and we were there before 0900 and it was still busy.
The diet has crashed and burned this week and I found myself at the i store McDonald's ordering two breakfasts. Not frugal. Not low calorie. How bad am I? The sun was out and I had the devil in me.
That little voice in my head always says, "Well you both work hard, surely you deserve a treat"
It's so easy to be bad and so hard sometimes to be good. Today is a new day.
I duly withdrew my £50 shopping money to go to Lidl but we ended up spending £89. We did stock up on some bargains so I'm not too disappointed as these will last us for ages. I also picked up some geraniums for the garden and a house plant that was reduced from £18 to £10. They had half price packs of bacon for 99p, some nice sausages reduced to 74 p for 6, a couple of reduced gammon joints and some cheap cheddar. All the meat just goes in the freezer.
The shopping should last 2 weeks with a milk and eggs top up or 2.
We use a lot of mouthwash at about £3 a bottle. Lidl had a new product in and it was on offer for 49p a bottle so we got six. Cheaper than one of the usual bottles.
Big man loves chicken from KFC so I made my own healthy version which went down a treat and it very tasty. Here's the recipe.
Chicken portions, drumsticks, thighs-remove the skin (the skin has the most fat in it)
Breadcrumbs-blitz a couple of slices in food processor (use wholemeal)
Crumble a chicken stock cube into breadcrumbs. I added some chopped garlic and other herbs. You could spice this up with chilli flakes, Cajun spice, whatever you like. Don't add salt if you've used a stock cube-will be too salty.
Dip the chicken portions into beaten egg then dip into the breadcrumb mix. Push the breadcrumb onto the chicken to make sure you get a good coating both sides.
Lay on baking tray (I lightly sprayed mine with fry lite first)
Bake for 30 mins at about 180.
Came out slightly crispy and extremely tasty.
I served with sweet potato chips and potato wedges with cheese and bacon.
(No picture as it was too nice to wait)
Today I will make faggots which I then portion for dinners through the month. I make about 25 and these freeze really well. I have chopped a load of onions which I freeze into little portions in my muffin tin, I also did the same with garlic in the ice cube tray. I find this saves me loads of time as I do use a lot of both. I just grab a portion from the freezer when I want it.
The sun is out again here so very happy. We had a good day in the garden yesterday, I planted lettuce seeds, chilli, peppers and spring onions. I have saved other seeds from butternut squash as well so will see if I can grow them. I use old cardboard egg boxes for my seeds and then just rip the box with the seedlings still in place and plant the little compartment in the soil. The box rots away and I don't disturb the seedling.
We started a compost heap with a free bin from the council when we moved in. We put all our garden waste in and yesterday I was very pleased to see the lovely compost it had made.
Do you adapt any favourite take away recipes. I would love to hear them.
Have a sunny Sunday.
FIB. X
Friday 19 April 2013
Where is your £30 going?
Dear reader,
Good morning to you and welcome to my new followers. My list of followers appears in no particular order so I have to use my memory to see who is new. Does anyone know how to see your newest followers first?
I will say hi to the following people and hope they are right.
Catherine Brown, Catherine Febrey, Daryll F6 and G Hodson, Susan Cuthbert and Jill McClinton.
Some of the names are different to your actual blogs but hey, hello anyway. Xxx
I have slipped a bit from the diet due to being disorganised which I am going to blame on my work schedule to make myself feel better. I'm finding it difficult to take lunch to work unless its a sandwich or a salad and I have run out of salad and trying to avoid bread!
A few people I know are doing this fast for 2 days diet where you severely restrict your calorie intake for both day. I think it followed on from a tv programme, was it, east, fast and live longer? It claimed to show that restriction in food intake was good for you and the thinner people lived longer. Well it was two rats actually, a fat one and a thin one. Is anyone else trying this? Do thin people live longer?
I am doing the Slimming World diet which I have joined online. I have been to the meetings before and done really well. It would be difficult to go to one regularly now so I have joined online. I have to say, it's difficult to do on your own without the thought of going to be weighed every week.
You do need to be very organised and have the rights stuff in the house. I do find it hard to eat salads without the nice dressing as well and forget a drizzle of olive oil or an advacado anywhere!
I shall keep trying until my memberships runs out at the end of June.
I received my £30 for the moneysupermarket top tips on frugal living so I was well chuffed with that. The quickest £30 I ever earned. Thank you very much. Mine has gone into the overdrawn bank account and was swallowed up and lost forever. I can't wait until we are debt free so we can then attack the mortgage. I really fancied a holiday next year but I think it will have to wait at least another year.
We only spent about £20 on shopping for this week and are living from the freezer. I have a lot of meat to use up so will be making the usual batch of faggots and probably a large curry and a chilli.
I am enjoying reading the lists of everyone else and there are some great ideas. Everyday life on a shoestring did a good one which I read this morning. http://www.everydaylifeonashoestring.com/
I think I was led there by the cakes in the picture!
What is everyone else doing with their £30? Answers in a comment please for inspiration.
FIB. Xxx
Good morning to you and welcome to my new followers. My list of followers appears in no particular order so I have to use my memory to see who is new. Does anyone know how to see your newest followers first?
I will say hi to the following people and hope they are right.
Catherine Brown, Catherine Febrey, Daryll F6 and G Hodson, Susan Cuthbert and Jill McClinton.
Some of the names are different to your actual blogs but hey, hello anyway. Xxx
I have slipped a bit from the diet due to being disorganised which I am going to blame on my work schedule to make myself feel better. I'm finding it difficult to take lunch to work unless its a sandwich or a salad and I have run out of salad and trying to avoid bread!
A few people I know are doing this fast for 2 days diet where you severely restrict your calorie intake for both day. I think it followed on from a tv programme, was it, east, fast and live longer? It claimed to show that restriction in food intake was good for you and the thinner people lived longer. Well it was two rats actually, a fat one and a thin one. Is anyone else trying this? Do thin people live longer?
I am doing the Slimming World diet which I have joined online. I have been to the meetings before and done really well. It would be difficult to go to one regularly now so I have joined online. I have to say, it's difficult to do on your own without the thought of going to be weighed every week.
You do need to be very organised and have the rights stuff in the house. I do find it hard to eat salads without the nice dressing as well and forget a drizzle of olive oil or an advacado anywhere!
I shall keep trying until my memberships runs out at the end of June.
I received my £30 for the moneysupermarket top tips on frugal living so I was well chuffed with that. The quickest £30 I ever earned. Thank you very much. Mine has gone into the overdrawn bank account and was swallowed up and lost forever. I can't wait until we are debt free so we can then attack the mortgage. I really fancied a holiday next year but I think it will have to wait at least another year.
We only spent about £20 on shopping for this week and are living from the freezer. I have a lot of meat to use up so will be making the usual batch of faggots and probably a large curry and a chilli.
I am enjoying reading the lists of everyone else and there are some great ideas. Everyday life on a shoestring did a good one which I read this morning. http://www.everydaylifeonashoestring.com/
I think I was led there by the cakes in the picture!
What is everyone else doing with their £30? Answers in a comment please for inspiration.
FIB. Xxx
Wednesday 17 April 2013
I went to London and saw the Queen
Dear reader,
Today was the funeral of Margaret Thatcher. Not many protesters in London and it all passed peacefully. I know because I was there.
I saw Nigel Lawson and met Earl Attlee (grandson of Clement Attlee) he was very pleasant and unassuming. I also saw the Queen in her car on her way there.
A long day and have heated faggotts and mash that I had frozen for a quick dinner for us both.
I got my £30 from the 30 tips today and am very pleased with that. Thank you to Ilona at Life after Money who directed me there via her blog.
An historic day.
FIB. X
Today was the funeral of Margaret Thatcher. Not many protesters in London and it all passed peacefully. I know because I was there.
I saw Nigel Lawson and met Earl Attlee (grandson of Clement Attlee) he was very pleasant and unassuming. I also saw the Queen in her car on her way there.
A long day and have heated faggotts and mash that I had frozen for a quick dinner for us both.
I got my £30 from the 30 tips today and am very pleased with that. Thank you to Ilona at Life after Money who directed me there via her blog.
An historic day.
FIB. X
Sunday 14 April 2013
I want the £30 too
Dear reader,
You have probably see by now there is a competition for £30 for 30 money saving tips. Here is my list.
Thirty ways to save a pound
You have probably see by now there is a competition for £30 for 30 money saving tips. Here is my list.
Thirty ways to save a pound
1. Save the end of your loaf and freeze it-use later for breadcrumbs
2. Bulk out meals with lentils, beans or pulses
3. Turn heating and water temperature down a couple of degrees
4. Save toilet roll insides and egg cartonsfor growing seeds
5. Use leftover dinners for packed lunch the next day
6. Treble your dinner ingredients and make 3 meals-1 to eat, 2 to freeze
7. Dry all washing on the line even in the winter
8. Save vegetable peelings for vegetable soup or stock
9. Keep the seeds from the veg you buy and grow your own
10. Make your own pizzas-taste great and much cheaper
11. Make lists of free places to go where you live
12. Drive more slowly-safer and cheaper
13. Start a supper club with friends and take it in turns to cook
14. Take packed lunch and drink to work
15. Cycle or jog to the gym and cancel your underused membership
16. Get a slow cooker for cheap cuts of meat and less electricity
17. Aim for more veg meals-eat less meat.
18. Mend old clothes instead of buying new
19. Customise your clothes for a new look
20. Get round the boot sales if you must get new clothes
21. Make a meal plan each week to use what you have
22. Cook meals together to use all the oven heat
23. Turn fridge and freezer down and Hoover the rear elements
24. Make sure nothing electrical is on standby
25. Stop unhealthy and expensive habits such as smoking. (I did so you can)
26. Stockpile items you use when you see them on offer.
27. Research discounted food suppliers such as Approved Food.
28. Cover windows and doors with heavy curtains in the winter
29. Use up all your toiletries and make up before you buy more
30. Have soup as a starter to fill up and have a smaller main.
This is on moneysupermarket. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/30-ways-to-save-1-pound/
You do a list and send them the link to your blog with your paypal details, which as far as I can see is your email address and they send you £30. Sounds very easy, we will see.
FIB. X
My life revolves around pounds!
Dear reader,
A lovely, sunny morning here in Buckinghamshire. I always want to get washing done and out on the line on days like these.
A warm welcome to a new reader as well which always fills me with cheer-DREAMER, so nice to have you here.
Yesterday we went off to Basildon Park, a wonderful National Trust property just outside Goring in Berkshire. It was raining as we got there but we were met by a super young greeter at the entrance who provided us with umbrellas for the walk through the woods to the house. I thought that was a nice touch. I'm not sure if they are volunteers or being paid but the guides in each room were so knowledgable and friendly they really made our visit more special. Pride and prejudice was filmed here and it's one of my favourite houses, so far. We are hoping to go to Clivedon today, of the Profumo affair fame.
Some of you have asked for the pizza base recipe. So here it is for you.
A lovely, sunny morning here in Buckinghamshire. I always want to get washing done and out on the line on days like these.
A warm welcome to a new reader as well which always fills me with cheer-DREAMER, so nice to have you here.
Yesterday we went off to Basildon Park, a wonderful National Trust property just outside Goring in Berkshire. It was raining as we got there but we were met by a super young greeter at the entrance who provided us with umbrellas for the walk through the woods to the house. I thought that was a nice touch. I'm not sure if they are volunteers or being paid but the guides in each room were so knowledgable and friendly they really made our visit more special. Pride and prejudice was filmed here and it's one of my favourite houses, so far. We are hoping to go to Clivedon today, of the Profumo affair fame.
Some of you have asked for the pizza base recipe. So here it is for you.
250g strong white bread flour
250g plain white flour
250g plain white flour
(500 g of white flour will do if you don't have bread flour)
1 tsp dried yeast
2 tsp salt
325ml warm water
About 1 tbsp olive oil
Put the flour in a large mixing bowl with the yeast and salt. Make a well and pour in the warm water then add the oil. Mix together to form a dough and kneed until smooth. I leave it to rise in a clean bowl with a plastic bag over it for about an hour in front of the log burner. Kneed again and either roll or if you want it thicker form into a base. Top, cook, eat, enjoy.
We had all day breakfast for lunch yesterday, veg sausage, poached egg, tinned tomatoes and a slice of toast. I had a beef stew in the slow cooker when we went out and added chucks of carrots and parsnips to it. I thickened it with some gravy granules. I had mine with mash and big man had his served in a large Yorkshire pudding with mash and roasties.
The weight loss has not been so good today. I have found myself feeling hungry and a salad has just not been cutting it. This week was not helped by my office having a buffet leaving do and there has been loads of goodies, tortilla chips, dips, cheese and cake in the office. I have to admit, I have had a pick. Only a poun off this week so I can't moan.
I will have a good week next week and will aim for 3 pounds. Does anyone else want to try for a weight loss challenge with me? I will post my meals so you can see what I am eating.
I am not doing a shop this week and we will eat from the fridge and freezer. We have a whole chicken which I will cook today, 2 packs organic mince, pork mince, pork loins and lots of chicken, thighs, legs and breast. I also have 4 jacket spuds, a leek, 3 carrots, potatoes, onions, frozen veg, frozen fruit, yogurts and fresh fruit. Lots of staples in the larder too, rice, pasta, noodles. We should survive on all that.
We have £45 left until pay day. We will need milk and my car is empty of fuel. Will be a challenge. 6 days and counting.
We had a no spend day yesterday and should have the same today. A pound was found in a drawer and added to the sealed pot challenge. So that's one pound lost and one pound found.
Today is sealed pot Sunday over at SFT's blog http://sftandthe101challenge.blogspot.co.uk/
I just need to lose some pounds this week only of the fat variety!
Wish me luck.
Have a peaceful and sunny Sunday.
FIB. X
Saturday 13 April 2013
Easy peasy pizza.
Dear reader,
Thank you all for your comments on saving money on food shopping. You have really got me back in the zone. I have been spending too much on food and need to cut back to my £50 a week budget.
Thanks especially to Sara http://afrugalwife.blogspot.co.uk/ who has sent me some great ideas about meal planning.
Big man fancied pizza last night so I made the dough. It's so easy and we used BBQ sauce as the base topping instead of tomato with chicken, mozzarella, onion and peppers.
Thank you all for your comments on saving money on food shopping. You have really got me back in the zone. I have been spending too much on food and need to cut back to my £50 a week budget.
Thanks especially to Sara http://afrugalwife.blogspot.co.uk/ who has sent me some great ideas about meal planning.
Big man fancied pizza last night so I made the dough. It's so easy and we used BBQ sauce as the base topping instead of tomato with chicken, mozzarella, onion and peppers.
A bit misshapen but tasted great.
Have a great day.
FIB. X
Friday 12 April 2013
Free days out-whats free where you are?
Dear reader,
First things first, I must say hello and welcome to a new follower, Janice Piper. I'm not sure if blogger puts the followers in order so I may welcome you more than once.
Many of you commented on my last post about fast food. I think we all agree how much food outlets have grown over the years and there can't be many high streets without several take always.
My food shopping budget has just been completely blown since I started the diet. I am buying a lot more chicken and have had to go to Asda to get the specific diet foods that I need. I'm really cross.
I only lasted one week with the envelope shopping system as I just couldn't get to a cash point.
I think I will just get a lump sum out for next month and keep it for the whole month. When it's gone it's gone. I would like to keep our food bill to a maximum of £250 per month. Is that reasonable for 2 adults, three meals a day including cleaning stuff and toiletries?
Have gone slightly off the menu plan. Big man fancied pizza tonight so we are making our own in true frugal style. No £30 pizza being delivered here! Can't believe that's what they charge for 2 large pizzas. I have made the dough and it is in a bowl by the log burner hopefully doubling in size.
We will be having BBQ chicken with vegetables and mozzarella. I may have a small one as a treat.
I find that if I am rigid with my dieting I get the hump and go on a splurge. My jeans are much looser though so I am pleased with that.
We both have the weekend off and will be National Trusting somewhere tomorrow, weather pending. We both love to explore the houses and gardens and are looking forward to taking picnics in the summer. One of my readers, (perhaps Karen at Chelmarsh Chunterings? ) takes a proper cream tea with her when they go to National Trust properties and has it on the grass. How lovely.
We still try to do free things at weekends and days off as we just haven't got an entertainment budget.
We like walking and cycling. I like bootsales but the increasing cost to get in annoys me and I always spend money on stuff I never knew I wanted.
The weather has been so grim it has stopped us getting out and about as much as we would like. We will be walking the neighbours dog and exploring the countryside. I like to get out as much as possible and do things so I feel like I have done something on my days off.
I am always looking for free days out and would love to compile a list from your ideas so wherever you are in the country or world, please drop me a comment and I will make a list.
Have a wonderful weekend.
FIB. X
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Are you a fast foodie?
Dear reader,
I was hoping for another sunny ish day today. Have woken up to drizzle and grey skies. So glad I got my major washing done and on the line yesterday.
I was up early again (it is for me) at 0630 and was hoovering by 7. Oh what a domestic goddess.
I sometimes just get the urge to clean and have definately got more energy since stopping smoking.
Started sweeping the hallway and hoovered the rug, both sides. Then took that up and cleaned the floor. I like to clean it by hand and do a little bit and then dry it as I go so there are no smears or smudges. I had thrown out an old sweatshirt yesterday, it was just so old and manky I didn't t even fancy wearing it for dog walking! It made good cloths though. When I clean floors I like to put a bit of fabric conditioner on the cloth just for the smell. We have a heated floor in the bathroom and it makes the smell rise and go through the house. I know some of you frugalers use vinegar as softener but I have to admit I love conditioner but do use it sparingly.
I washed and dried the hall then did the bathroom floor. I cleaned all the bathroom and polished the shower and taps with another bit of sweatshirt and dried all round it. There's nothing like getting under the bowl first thing in the morning to wake you is there? Lovely! Needs must.
I dusted everything in the lounge and wiped every slat in my blinds. We have white wooden blinds in the lounge but they do get dusty and it's a long and boring job. I think the log burner gives out a bit of dust from the ashes.
Another lot of washing in and this will have to go on the indoor drier and in front of the fire later when BM lights it.
I then did a stock take of the fridge and freezer and decided on a meal plan for the week. All cooked to diet plan.
Monday (yesterday) homemade beef burgers with sweet potato chips and salad. BM had has with cheese, mushroom and topped with a fried egg on each. No bread rolls though.
Tuesday spicy chicken noodle soup to start followed by chicken and veg curry and rice. Leftovers for work.
Wednesday Thai noodles with shredded chicken and stir fry veg
Thursday beef stew in the slow cooker with potato and sweet potato mash and veg.
Friday all day breakfast- eggs, veggie sausages, mushroom, tomatoes.
Saturday jacket potatoes, beans, cheese and salad.
Sunday roast chicken, veg and potatoes.
Am hoping for a good weight loss this week. My weakness is crisps and salty snacks. I love any kind of crisps, especially the posh thick ones, salt and vinegar.
There is an article today all about how crisps are making us all fat! They say lots of children have a packet every day and the fat in them is horrendous. We become addicted to them because of the salt.
The manufactures have even worked out the loudness of the crunch we prefer and at what poundage our bite should be before the crisp breaks. That amount of research just shows how much money they must be making on them. I was never allowed a packet a day as a child, maybe one or two a week.
I remember after having my dinner there was not often a pudding or sweet in our house. There was however a huge fruit bowl and I was told that if I was still hungry to have an apple.
There were nowhere the amount of ast food places in the 70's. There was a KFC and the Wimpy Bar
As we called it then. Perhaps fish and chips too. I don't remember seeing many fat kids either.
How times have changed.
The whole high street where I work is full of fast food shops. There's 2 KFC, 2 Subway, Pizza Hut restaurant and delivery shops, 2 kebab shops as well as loads of chain restaurants, Nanados, Ask, Prezzo, Pizza Express, Auberge, Bella Italia. Wow that's a lot of food.
We don't eat out very often now. It just costs so much. What's a meal for two now and a couple of drinks? £50 at least! I can get loads of shopping for that and I know what's in it (well, I hope so)
What do you think, are there too many food outlets now? Is this making us fat?
Let me know your thoughts.
All the best for today
FIB. X
I was hoping for another sunny ish day today. Have woken up to drizzle and grey skies. So glad I got my major washing done and on the line yesterday.
I was up early again (it is for me) at 0630 and was hoovering by 7. Oh what a domestic goddess.
I sometimes just get the urge to clean and have definately got more energy since stopping smoking.
Started sweeping the hallway and hoovered the rug, both sides. Then took that up and cleaned the floor. I like to clean it by hand and do a little bit and then dry it as I go so there are no smears or smudges. I had thrown out an old sweatshirt yesterday, it was just so old and manky I didn't t even fancy wearing it for dog walking! It made good cloths though. When I clean floors I like to put a bit of fabric conditioner on the cloth just for the smell. We have a heated floor in the bathroom and it makes the smell rise and go through the house. I know some of you frugalers use vinegar as softener but I have to admit I love conditioner but do use it sparingly.
I washed and dried the hall then did the bathroom floor. I cleaned all the bathroom and polished the shower and taps with another bit of sweatshirt and dried all round it. There's nothing like getting under the bowl first thing in the morning to wake you is there? Lovely! Needs must.
I dusted everything in the lounge and wiped every slat in my blinds. We have white wooden blinds in the lounge but they do get dusty and it's a long and boring job. I think the log burner gives out a bit of dust from the ashes.
Another lot of washing in and this will have to go on the indoor drier and in front of the fire later when BM lights it.
I then did a stock take of the fridge and freezer and decided on a meal plan for the week. All cooked to diet plan.
Monday (yesterday) homemade beef burgers with sweet potato chips and salad. BM had has with cheese, mushroom and topped with a fried egg on each. No bread rolls though.
Tuesday spicy chicken noodle soup to start followed by chicken and veg curry and rice. Leftovers for work.
Wednesday Thai noodles with shredded chicken and stir fry veg
Thursday beef stew in the slow cooker with potato and sweet potato mash and veg.
Friday all day breakfast- eggs, veggie sausages, mushroom, tomatoes.
Saturday jacket potatoes, beans, cheese and salad.
Sunday roast chicken, veg and potatoes.
Am hoping for a good weight loss this week. My weakness is crisps and salty snacks. I love any kind of crisps, especially the posh thick ones, salt and vinegar.
There is an article today all about how crisps are making us all fat! They say lots of children have a packet every day and the fat in them is horrendous. We become addicted to them because of the salt.
The manufactures have even worked out the loudness of the crunch we prefer and at what poundage our bite should be before the crisp breaks. That amount of research just shows how much money they must be making on them. I was never allowed a packet a day as a child, maybe one or two a week.
I remember after having my dinner there was not often a pudding or sweet in our house. There was however a huge fruit bowl and I was told that if I was still hungry to have an apple.
There were nowhere the amount of ast food places in the 70's. There was a KFC and the Wimpy Bar
As we called it then. Perhaps fish and chips too. I don't remember seeing many fat kids either.
How times have changed.
The whole high street where I work is full of fast food shops. There's 2 KFC, 2 Subway, Pizza Hut restaurant and delivery shops, 2 kebab shops as well as loads of chain restaurants, Nanados, Ask, Prezzo, Pizza Express, Auberge, Bella Italia. Wow that's a lot of food.
We don't eat out very often now. It just costs so much. What's a meal for two now and a couple of drinks? £50 at least! I can get loads of shopping for that and I know what's in it (well, I hope so)
What do you think, are there too many food outlets now? Is this making us fat?
Let me know your thoughts.
All the best for today
FIB. X
Monday 8 April 2013
Pounds lost pounds spent
Dear reader,
I have been on my diet for a week now and the big weigh in was this morning. I felt I had done really well and was expecting to lose more on my first week. Four pounds, four measly pounds!
Then I thought about bags of one pound sugar and thought is was quite a lot.
I used to be able to lose a lot more but then I was younger I suppose.
I got up early this morning, day off from work and decided to have a really good clean and tidy around the house. That makes it sound dirty and messy, it's not but I needed to do things after being at work for 6 days in a row.
We haven't been doing so well with the envelope shopping system. The first week, we duly drew the money out of the bank and I actually went and got an envelope from the drawer and wrote the shopping list on it. That's how dedicated I was. We only spent £30.
However, week two was a debit card shop and we spent £80-it's was an Aldi £80 so we had a load of food. We just needed a few bits this week and Big man spent £30 on eggs, milk and a few other bits yesterday.
I have been eating a lot of chicken, salad, fruit and vegetables. No alcohol and no wine. I have really cut down on my bread consumption and feel a lot less bloated. I'm sure it's the bread that does this.
I cooked some chicken breasts in the Foreman grill and sliced these up with loads of salad, a drizzle of chilli sauce, lemon juice and a smidgin of garlic mayo. It was honestly the best kebab ever!
I also made some hummus by blitzing half a can of chickpeas, one garlic clove, one yellow pepper and a bit of natural yogurt. It was lovely with carrot sticks as a snack.
I made a huge pastry free quiche with loads of veg in (I guess that's an omelette really) and cut that up for work. I also made some more sweetcorn fritters with fry light oil and dipped them in the hummus too.
I feel better, much more energetic and my jeans are a little looser which always makes you feel better.
I hope at payday I can make some movement of my other progress bars. The pounds just seem to slip through my fingers, I only hope they slip off me as easily.
In my healthy eating quest I have bought a huge sweet potato, I have made soup from these before and chips, has anyone got any other ideas that I can do with it?
Have a great week,
FIB. X
I have been on my diet for a week now and the big weigh in was this morning. I felt I had done really well and was expecting to lose more on my first week. Four pounds, four measly pounds!
Then I thought about bags of one pound sugar and thought is was quite a lot.
I used to be able to lose a lot more but then I was younger I suppose.
I got up early this morning, day off from work and decided to have a really good clean and tidy around the house. That makes it sound dirty and messy, it's not but I needed to do things after being at work for 6 days in a row.
We haven't been doing so well with the envelope shopping system. The first week, we duly drew the money out of the bank and I actually went and got an envelope from the drawer and wrote the shopping list on it. That's how dedicated I was. We only spent £30.
However, week two was a debit card shop and we spent £80-it's was an Aldi £80 so we had a load of food. We just needed a few bits this week and Big man spent £30 on eggs, milk and a few other bits yesterday.
I have been eating a lot of chicken, salad, fruit and vegetables. No alcohol and no wine. I have really cut down on my bread consumption and feel a lot less bloated. I'm sure it's the bread that does this.
I cooked some chicken breasts in the Foreman grill and sliced these up with loads of salad, a drizzle of chilli sauce, lemon juice and a smidgin of garlic mayo. It was honestly the best kebab ever!
I also made some hummus by blitzing half a can of chickpeas, one garlic clove, one yellow pepper and a bit of natural yogurt. It was lovely with carrot sticks as a snack.
I made a huge pastry free quiche with loads of veg in (I guess that's an omelette really) and cut that up for work. I also made some more sweetcorn fritters with fry light oil and dipped them in the hummus too.
I feel better, much more energetic and my jeans are a little looser which always makes you feel better.
I hope at payday I can make some movement of my other progress bars. The pounds just seem to slip through my fingers, I only hope they slip off me as easily.
In my healthy eating quest I have bought a huge sweet potato, I have made soup from these before and chips, has anyone got any other ideas that I can do with it?
Have a great week,
FIB. X
Thursday 4 April 2013
Not on your nelly!
Dear reader,
I got up at 0620 and decided to get cracking on making life easier for myself. I do all our cooking as I love it and we take lunch or dinner to work with us. A lot of my time is spent preparing food.
I don't know about you but I seem to chop an onion for nearly every meal. Curries, chilli, spag Bol, casseroles and so on. I buy a huge sack every month from Lidl, much cheaper that way.
I got 6 and peeled them and chopped them in the food processor, then I put them in my muffin tin to make little individual portions. I put this in the freezer and they will make perfect single potions for cooking. I put them in a sandwich bag after they are frozen to use less space. Just grab and go, I chuck them in frozen, they are fine.
I also did the same with some garlic cloves and made individual cubes for bagging up to save chopping every time.
On a roll now, I grated a large slab of cheese and put it in a Tupperware box in the fridge, we use so much less this way.
Dinner for tonight is going to be Spaghetti Bolognaise so I dry fried some lean mince just to see if I could get any fat out of it. Then I put that in the slow cooker with some grated carrot, garlic, onion and a tin of chopped tomatoes, I topped it up,with water and scattered a couple of table spoons of red lentils on top to thicken it up. I used 250g of mince which is not a great amount but I have padded it out with healthier foods so it will be a win win sauce. Will boil up some pasta when I come home.
I was ready for breakfast and had some left over sweetcorn fritter mix in the fridge so cooked them and had with scrambled egg and smoked salmon.
I got up at 0620 and decided to get cracking on making life easier for myself. I do all our cooking as I love it and we take lunch or dinner to work with us. A lot of my time is spent preparing food.
I don't know about you but I seem to chop an onion for nearly every meal. Curries, chilli, spag Bol, casseroles and so on. I buy a huge sack every month from Lidl, much cheaper that way.
I got 6 and peeled them and chopped them in the food processor, then I put them in my muffin tin to make little individual portions. I put this in the freezer and they will make perfect single potions for cooking. I put them in a sandwich bag after they are frozen to use less space. Just grab and go, I chuck them in frozen, they are fine.
I also did the same with some garlic cloves and made individual cubes for bagging up to save chopping every time.
On a roll now, I grated a large slab of cheese and put it in a Tupperware box in the fridge, we use so much less this way.
Dinner for tonight is going to be Spaghetti Bolognaise so I dry fried some lean mince just to see if I could get any fat out of it. Then I put that in the slow cooker with some grated carrot, garlic, onion and a tin of chopped tomatoes, I topped it up,with water and scattered a couple of table spoons of red lentils on top to thicken it up. I used 250g of mince which is not a great amount but I have padded it out with healthier foods so it will be a win win sauce. Will boil up some pasta when I come home.
I was ready for breakfast and had some left over sweetcorn fritter mix in the fridge so cooked them and had with scrambled egg and smoked salmon.
It was lovely and good on my diet.
I've just had a read of the online paper and went to the money section to have a nose. There is a big article on how to save money which mentions the cost of buying coffee and not taking your own food. They reckon £7 per day on eating out while at work. Please now repeat after me in the voice of Frankie Howard
NOT ON YOUR NELLY.
Us frugal lot could teach them a thing or 20.
Off now to continue being a domestic goddess. Have a super day.
FIB.xxx
Wednesday 3 April 2013
Cost a lot coffee.
Dear reader,
Hello and welcome to my new followers, Thrift Deluxe, Jo, Jules Boult and Greenflag. Thank you so much for joining me.
As you know I am on a diet. I want to lose 3 stone and have put up a progress bar to measure my loss.
I'm also hoping that by showing you, it will motivate me a bit more.
I have been a good girl. I am starting the day mostly with porridge but today I made sweetcorn fritters with two poached eggs. I use the spray oil now for frying anything. Then it's been a substantial salad, chicken or mackerel. Tonight I cooked a butternut squash and chickpea curry with boiled rice. Very tasty, very filling and cheap too. I mixed up some plain yogurt with a little mint sauce and chopped onion as a raita too.
I am trying to get out in my lunch break for a walk, just 15-20 mins which is more than I did before. I strolled up the high street today and noticed that the only busy shops were the coffee shops. Many of these have sprung up all over the UK and people don't mind spending £2-£3 on a drink. I was surprised. We are just managing on two decent salaries and I can tell you we don't go mad on food shopping or anything really.
I heard on the radio tonight that you know you are successful if you have a 50" TV and shop at Waitrose or Marks and Spencer. I did laugh. I think you are successful if you can run a home, feed you family and get rid of debts, that's what we are aiming for.
I had my £4.50 M&S bra on though-does that count?
Have a nice evening.
FIB. X
Hello and welcome to my new followers, Thrift Deluxe, Jo, Jules Boult and Greenflag. Thank you so much for joining me.
As you know I am on a diet. I want to lose 3 stone and have put up a progress bar to measure my loss.
I'm also hoping that by showing you, it will motivate me a bit more.
I have been a good girl. I am starting the day mostly with porridge but today I made sweetcorn fritters with two poached eggs. I use the spray oil now for frying anything. Then it's been a substantial salad, chicken or mackerel. Tonight I cooked a butternut squash and chickpea curry with boiled rice. Very tasty, very filling and cheap too. I mixed up some plain yogurt with a little mint sauce and chopped onion as a raita too.
I am trying to get out in my lunch break for a walk, just 15-20 mins which is more than I did before. I strolled up the high street today and noticed that the only busy shops were the coffee shops. Many of these have sprung up all over the UK and people don't mind spending £2-£3 on a drink. I was surprised. We are just managing on two decent salaries and I can tell you we don't go mad on food shopping or anything really.
I heard on the radio tonight that you know you are successful if you have a 50" TV and shop at Waitrose or Marks and Spencer. I did laugh. I think you are successful if you can run a home, feed you family and get rid of debts, that's what we are aiming for.
I had my £4.50 M&S bra on though-does that count?
Have a nice evening.
FIB. X
Tuesday 2 April 2013
Sometimes it's hard to be a womaaaannn.
Dear reader,
Thank you Tammy Wynette for my title today.
I have had many comments about weight loss, it appears its something many of us want to do.
One of my lovely followers, a man, kindly advised not to worry about size and enjoy a little of what we fancy. I explained that I had been enjoying a lot of what I fancied.
I started thinking about being a woman though and wondered why there is a lot more need for us to worry about our looks than men.
I know there are metrosexual males out there who have a few treatments and get their brows threaded but I started to compile a list, from head to toe.
Women
Hair-usually some sort of colour and cut. Regular styling, wash, condition, some product, blow dry, straighteners.
Face- make up on, make up off, moisturise, cleanser, eye make up remover. Eye brows styled in some way. Any other facial hairy bits dealt with.
Torso- usually some sort of hair removal of the pits and legs. Moisturiser. Tanned skin- probably faked by bed or lotion, spray or mitt.
Hands and feet- manicure, pedicure, hard skin removal.
Not to mention all the other bits and pieces you can have waxed, plucked or threaded. Oh I've been to Brazil and let me tell you it's not somewhere I want to go regularly!
Then, there's the body pressure. The pictures and let me tell you they are heavily airbrushed, of skinny girls, all fake tan, teeth and tits. You cannot pick up a magazine without feeling inadequate.
Men
Haircut
Shave
Deodorant
Maybe a bit of moisturiser?
Ooh, it's enough to make me want to burn one of my new bras! That would not be very frugal would it?
Anyway today is day three of the diet. So far it's been good. I had:
Porridge made with water and splash of milk plus sweetener.
Salad with lemon juice and a pinch of salt with some left over chicken on top.
Fresh raspberries and fat free yogurt
Homemade fagotts with potato and butternut squash mash, cabbage and carrots with a little gravy
made from granules.
I'm hoping for at least 4 pounds loss this week. I will be making salads mostly for work and really cutting down on the bread. I'm not going to deprive myself and will be having a few treats (like the homemade Yorkshire puddings last night)
Have I gone all women's lib? Do you feel under pressure to look good?
FIB. X
Thank you Tammy Wynette for my title today.
I have had many comments about weight loss, it appears its something many of us want to do.
One of my lovely followers, a man, kindly advised not to worry about size and enjoy a little of what we fancy. I explained that I had been enjoying a lot of what I fancied.
I started thinking about being a woman though and wondered why there is a lot more need for us to worry about our looks than men.
I know there are metrosexual males out there who have a few treatments and get their brows threaded but I started to compile a list, from head to toe.
Women
Hair-usually some sort of colour and cut. Regular styling, wash, condition, some product, blow dry, straighteners.
Face- make up on, make up off, moisturise, cleanser, eye make up remover. Eye brows styled in some way. Any other facial hairy bits dealt with.
Torso- usually some sort of hair removal of the pits and legs. Moisturiser. Tanned skin- probably faked by bed or lotion, spray or mitt.
Hands and feet- manicure, pedicure, hard skin removal.
Not to mention all the other bits and pieces you can have waxed, plucked or threaded. Oh I've been to Brazil and let me tell you it's not somewhere I want to go regularly!
Then, there's the body pressure. The pictures and let me tell you they are heavily airbrushed, of skinny girls, all fake tan, teeth and tits. You cannot pick up a magazine without feeling inadequate.
Men
Haircut
Shave
Deodorant
Maybe a bit of moisturiser?
Ooh, it's enough to make me want to burn one of my new bras! That would not be very frugal would it?
Anyway today is day three of the diet. So far it's been good. I had:
Porridge made with water and splash of milk plus sweetener.
Salad with lemon juice and a pinch of salt with some left over chicken on top.
Fresh raspberries and fat free yogurt
Homemade fagotts with potato and butternut squash mash, cabbage and carrots with a little gravy
made from granules.
I'm hoping for at least 4 pounds loss this week. I will be making salads mostly for work and really cutting down on the bread. I'm not going to deprive myself and will be having a few treats (like the homemade Yorkshire puddings last night)
Have I gone all women's lib? Do you feel under pressure to look good?
FIB. X
Monday 1 April 2013
New challenge new knickers
Dear reader,
I hope you all had a lovely break and enjoyed the bank holidays if you are here in the UK.
I have been walking around looking like a bit of a scarecrow in old clothes, worn jeans, bobbly jumpers, some of my knickers have four holes in them!
I was wearing the same clothes to work as I was to go walking as they were all scruffy. My boots have holes in the sole and my bras are so old and worn the metal underwired bits were stabbing me in the side.
I HAD to go clothes shopping. Nothing major but a few nice bits in the sales.
I saw some heavily discounted underwear in Marks and picked out a couple of bras to try on. The nice lady came in with her tape measure when I squeezed into the first one.
Imagine my shock, I was two sizes bigger. It was the same with the jeans I tried on and the tops were just as unforgiving. It seems, dear reader that Frugal in Bucks has not been quite so frugal with food!
Not so much a muffin top as a whole bloody cake. It was not good.
I bought the new bras in the correct size and got a couple of tops. I then went home and had a serious and honest talk to myself. I used to be slim but my weight goes up and down depending on happiness. It usually looks something like this:
Terrible relationship=nice and slim.
Happy relationship=bit of a porker
I had noticed myself starting to make jokes about my weight (before anyone else could) telling people how fat I was (before they could say it) and being the funny girl in the office. Oh ha ha ha, she may be a bit chubby but she is funny. Yeah that's me.
So that is my new life changing challenge, sorry it's not that exciting but it is to me. I have been slim before, I know it will be difficult and sometimes I won't feel like dieting. (You can call it healthy eating if you like but to me its dieting!)
So I have rejoined a slimming club that I have had success with before but this time I have joined online as I can't guarantee getting to the class.
You may have noticed a new progress bar. Hopefully they will all start moving soon.
I will be weighing myself once a week and hope to lose three stones that's 42 of these!
Wish me luck. You spurred me on with my stopping smoking and I hope blogging about this will give me the same motivation.
PS. Two tips for round the shops. Marks and Spencer still have a lot of bras with mega savings. I got several for £4.50 reduced from £20. Also, if you eat tinned tuna, Lidl are doing John West packs of 4 for £2.99.
Have a good week.
FIB. X
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