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Monday 9 April 2012

Those Magnificent Men ....

.... in their Flying Machines

Most of my afternoon today was spent standing out in the pouring rain and fog, video-ing my DH and sons "flying" their Hovercraft in earnest. A very large, open flat piece of land, was ideal for some serious flying. This was not just the foot up the drive which was achieved on Saturday, but covering quite some ground. 

As always seems to be in the case in these scenarios, far more time seemed to be spent tinkering and adjusting the engines to ensure it was firing just perfectly than actually flying, but at least they were having fun. Sadly no photos as I was stuck behing the camera, but when I have mastered YouTube, I will share some video.

 The Weekly Shop, yawn!!

Monday is my night for telling Mr Tesco what I would like him to deliver. A very tedious task but necessary, nonetheless. I normally book my usual slot, one of the cheapest £3.00 slots, a few weeks in advance and then update my order nearer to delivery. As my 'local' supermarket is 10 miles away, I believe that the cost of my pertrol, wear and tear on my car and the time taken for me to go around Tesco myself, (plus all the extra items I get persuaded to buy when I'm there in person) is probably more, or at least the same, as my £3.00 delivery charge. All the lovely Frugal ladies out there might feel otherwise, if so let me know what you think.

As I no longer have an income now and I was the main earner in my household, financial concerns are rising and if I think about it for too long, it makes me quite panicky. I do know that this is one very BIG change that we absolutely MUST make in our household is to cut back on our spending. However, despite avidly reading several Frugal blogs, and having tried to take the lead from all the lovely Frugal Bloggers, plus my friend who can do a weekly shop of £35 and feed four amply, I am really struggling. The lowest I can get my weekly shop down to is around £85, but normally it is more like £95 - £120. Please, please bloggers give me some more help, ideas and inspiration.

One of my main problems is that I do not know how to cook, it was one thing my mother never allowed me to do at home. She did it all and was a matyr to not having any help from anyone, refusing any she was offered and complaining later. Therefore any dish like a Cabonara, Lasagne etc are bought as ready meals. My friend suggested I make a white sauce and then I could do my own. White sauce.......how? It's on my long list of things to learn. I'm sorry womankind, I am really letting you down I know, but don't get me started on my many failures or this blog would be endless.

One of my other problems is that I have three extremely fussy eaters in my house. Both boys are taking after their Dad in their dislike for all things vegetable or fruit. I have tried several Tesco value products which proved to be a false economy as they were refused point blank and ended up uneaten in the bin. Anyone who tells me " given a choice of value food or no food, they will give in eventually, when they are hungry enough", has met their match in these three. I do believe they would actually starve themselves rather than eat what is offered. Having said that, I have got them on to Value brands of some things, but No. 2 son just eats such a lot. He is the epitomy of the hollow legs syndrome. All the biscuits we now have are Value label, Baked Beans, Apple Juice, Gammon steaks and one or two other things. I do try to go for the special offers and I do have a set 4-week menu so our meals are planned rather than wasting food. I should be grateful for small mercies but even so I need to do something else to get this down. 

Ideas please.....? By the way, I'm not sponsored by Tesco for all the name dropping, it just happens to be my nearest store. The next nearest is Sainsbury's and that is even more expensive. Sadly we don't have a Morrisons or Asda near us. Other supermarkets are available.

Crochet Update

On the crochet front, I have been trying to watch some Youtube tutorials but they go a bit quick for me to see where the hook is going in, but I now have my own personal tutorial set up for later in the week. Pop back and see my results later.

..... And Finally

Thank you to my 3 (yes count them, 1,2, 3) Followers. I am stunned, but so, so chuffed, I can't tell you.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

17 comments:

  1. I cook everything from scratch..I'm vegan but the same principles apply. There are lots of easy recipes you can Google or find on people's blogs. Don't be initmidated..just try...it's cooking ,not rocket science! It's so much cheaper to cook from scratch.
    Jane x

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  2. Hello - thanks for commenting, ref the fussy boys, hide veggies in the mash in cottage pie, and finely dice the veg in the ragu sauce for the lasagne - put lots of ketchup into the sauce, it will be sweet and familiar and they'll eat it. oh, if you want them to eat what you give them, don't have any snacks or any other food in the house, they will not starve and you are doing them a dis-service by letting them get away with not eating veg - anything you want to learn to cook? then I'll blog it for you xxxxxxxxxxxxxx love Froogs

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  3. Thank you for joining my blog - great to have you on board. I only learnt to crochet in January and I used youtube too. Keep pausing the videos until you get what they mean. It is easy - I promise.

    Like Jane, I try to cook from scratch and if you have a slow cooker this makes life easy. Like Jane (again) we don't eat meat and this is often the most expensive thing on the shopping list, so try to cut that down. Quorn is a very good replacement - low in fat - and I think it is a good substitute when it is seasoned well. With veggies, if you grate them really finely you can add them to bolognaise and chilli and the like. The Frugal Queen often puts really good recipes on her blog, and there is a lasagne on there right now. You are wise to do the Tesco delivery thing, because as you say you aren't tempted by extras. I use to spend around £150 a week on food. My oldest 2 have left home now and #3 is at uni, and for 3 of us I spend around £50 a week. Have you looked at the Approved Foods site? You can get some real bargains there. Try also not to et hung up on other peoples' fads - if they are truly hungry they will eat what is on offer - I would be tempted to be low key and not comment if things aren't eaten, but don't offer substitutes. Hope this helps xxx

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    1. You are definitely right about the meat. The 800g of beef mince on my last shop (for the Spag Bol without Bol), was the single most expensive item at £7.60. This was closley followed by the chicken breasts at £6.40. That's £14.00 spent already!!
      Will try the boys on Quorn in secret because I know if DH spies the box, he will convince himself its tastes worse before he even tastes it!! Sshh

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  4. I re read I will blog white sauce, with a video next time - anything else? your friend in faith xx

    love froogs

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  5. Had another thought, you're in devon, I'm in Cornwall, how about joining me for a bulk cooking day and I can show you how xx

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    2. Froogs, I've come over all giggly excitement at the very thought of it. I would love to learn at the feet of a Master!
      Ta ever so much.

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  6. That is what I call synchronicity (Deppak Chopra) - I was writing about Froogs at the same time she was commenting - how weird is that! 'Morning Froogs xx

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    1. It's really brightening my days at the moment! So many lovely people in the world xx

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  8. Cooking from scratch is the key. I'm feeding 3 of us on around £100 a month. I make all my own bread, cakes etc aswell which saves a lot of money, and our meat consumption lessens all the time which as other have said helps to keep costs down. If you can meet up with Frugal Queen and learn how to cook from scratch that would definitely set you in good stead.

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    1. Hi Scarlet, thanks for popping by and becoming a Follower. I really do appreciate it. As you will see from today's post, I have started by learning how to make Chapattis. Just white and brown flour, plus water. Who knew? Well probably everyone except me, I'm so thick as far as cooking is concerned, but at least I have started to change that, along with a good many other things. Better late than never!

      Arwedd x

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  9. The key to saving money is to cook from scratch. Buy or borrow a simple cook book, I bought my daughter and son the Dairy Book of Home Cookery when they set up their own homes. Its recipes are simple, tasty and not full of fancy ingredients. When I first had to economise I bought basic ranges which my kids turned their noses up at. I soaked off all the labels, wrote the contents on the tin with black marker pen and they were non the wiser. Try using Approved foods, they have great offers on bread, pizza flour and other tasty store cupboard essentials. How impressed will your family be with home made bread and pizza's etc. Look forward to seeing your crochet, I still can't master that.

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    1. Hi Sal, thanks for stopping by and becoming a Follower. I'm overwhelmed, really. I am soaking up all the various Blogs with recipes etc and I am definitely going to check out Approved Foods. Maybe not tonight, but once I can bear to put the crochet down... lol. If I can do it, I promise you anyone can, but it really is something you need to learn from somebody not some-book!!

      Arwedd x

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  10. Good luck in cutting your food bill down, I will blog hints and tips I discover on my journey to do this. I see you posted today about learning to cook that will definately help- off to check out that post now

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  11. Approved Foods are highly recommended for lots of storecupboard staples (and cheap treats to keep your youngsters happy), and accept Froogs's offer of a cook-in session, you'll learn SO fast and then save so much money in the future.

    There's loads of good tips around in Blogland, you'll soon be saving a fortune AND eating better too.

    Sue xx

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