I thank my lucky stars that I have always lived frugally and now that many people are losing their jobs I thought it might be nice to share some ways to cut back. Ilona has done a really wise and thought provoking video and if you are struggling to make ends meet then I would suggest you take a look at it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BClG4Jfla74&feature=emb_logo
I have just put a gammon joint on to simmer but it could just as easily have been a chicken. It weighs 750g and cost £3.50. I have added a couple of cloves, two bay leaves (from the tree in my garden) and a small onion to the cooking water. When the simmering time has finished I will bake it for twenty minutes before leaving it to cool and slicing it thinly. The cooking water will make a lovely potato and lentil soup and it will feed us for two days with some crusty bread. Half of the gammon will be used for Tony's salads and sandwiches for work. Some slices will be served as an evening meal with boiled potatoes and steamed veg. A few slices will be shredded and added to a sauce for pasta for tomorrow and then if there is any left over it will be chucked into a pan of lentil soup. We really don't need to eat a huge amount of meat and if things are really tough then perhaps now might be a good time to learn to cook nourishing vegetarian meals. It's a much cheaper way to feed a family. Meat could and probably should be kept for occasional meals.
While the gammon is simmering it's keeping the kitchen warm so if things were really tough for me I could stay in the kitchen. I am old school and we put a jumper on when it gets cold. We very rarely put the heating on. It drives me nuts to see people swanning about in t shirts in the middle of winter with the central heating belting out. We feel physically sick sitting in houses that are overheated. There are so many little ways to cut back and save money. Start today, don't wait until times are dire.
We are sisters under the skin. Our generation were taught to stretch a penny till it sqeaked and then give it another pull for luck. The shops are stacked to the gunnels with expesive ready meals, fizzy drinks and snacks that are loaded with sugar, fat and salt. We eat healthily on a budget because I cannot bring myself to waste money. Ilona is the mistress of making do and doing well.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely made in the same mould. I don't think people who weren't made in this mould really understand that it's fun to stretch that budget as far as we can.
DeleteWhen he kids were all at home and Tom was ill and not working I scrimped on everything, we got by and everyone was fed and healthy. Now at the end of our lives we eat what we want to and I do not scrimp any more. Actually it's wonderful to not have to watch the pennies after years of having no money.
ReplyDeleteHaving said all that I think it's great what you are doing.
Briony
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I am very fortunate to be comfortably off but love the challenge of living frugally. It's almost like a hobby to me and I am always looking for ways to stretch those pennies to see just how far I can stretch them.
DeleteThank you for the mention. Our messages of hope must filter down to the younger generation. They need all the help they can get. xxx
ReplyDeleteWe oldies have a lifetime of knowledge to pass on. If they are willing to listen and learn.
DeleteI was talking to my Mum today about how I cook a gammon joint in the slow cooker and then portion it up before freezing. Arilx
ReplyDeleteIt's such a tasty piece of meat and a little goes a long way doesn't it.
DeleteUs "oldies" are from the make do and mend era. I still hate wasting money, and if I can buy second-hand, or make it myself, I will do. xx
ReplyDeleteI love a second hand bargain.
DeleteI do bonfire stew in the slow cooker. Gammon, tinned tomatoes, baked beans, paprika, stock cube. Shred gammon when cooked. Tasty, cheap, freezes well and nutritious. Like you I have no real need to be frugal but I hate waste.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds blimmin lovely.
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