No need to go mad just because it's Christmas

No need to go mad just because it's Christmas

budgeting shopping cheap food food personal finance vegetarian

Hello and Good Morning. I've just had a good laugh. There is an article about me and how to save money at Christmas, in iNews, a budget daily newspaper. The journalist Katie Grant rang me yesterday for a chat. I usually get requests at this time of year asking for my money saving Christmas tips, but when I reply, I don't do Christmas, they usually give up and look elsewhere for their story. Katie stuck with it.

Click on this link and see the story yourself.  Britains stingiest woman offers her advice.

Anyway, let's press on. I did my Christmas shopping last night at Tesco. The yellow stickers cost me £6.21, and it's all good food. The total shop was £40.78, and with a voucher for £8 off this brought it down to £32.78.

There were only two of us waiting for the final reductions so we got the pick of the crop. Tons of veg as usual, broccoli and spinach my favourite. I will be cooking some of this up later today and putting portions of stew in the freezer. I might not have to go shopping again until after Christmas. In fact I could stretch what I have in my freezer and cupboards until the New Year.

I had it in mind to write something here about Christmas spending, or not spending, but Katie beat me to it, so I will add a few more thoughts on what she has already written.

Utility bills go up in winter, heating and cooking cost more, to budget for that savings have to be made elsewhere. Budgeting is an all the year round activity, there will be peaks and troughs throughout the seasons. Think about what you NEED, what you WANT, and what you will NEVER spend your money on. Compile your own lists on what is important to you, and what you can do without.

I can do without Christmas, not important, but I like a nice car, need to pay for my pets, and I like to go away on holidays and day trips. What I don't need is to shop at Sainsbury's Waitrose, and Marks and Sparks. I don't need a television set, don't need a licence. Don't need to eat out, don't need takeaways. I could list whole rafts of things I don't need, and my do need list will be very short.

If you have a partner, you should sit down together and do this exercise, you need to be singing from the same song sheet. No point in one person frugally saving pennies everywhere, when the other is squandering  it all away. That will only cause conflict.

If Christmas is important to you all well and good, go ahead, but do not go into DEBT for it. It is an annual event and there will be another one on the same date next year. It won't hurt to cut back on the spending for one year, or if you are like me, you might decide you can do away with it altogether.

I find it very liberating that I have chosen not to join in. My brain is not cluttered with the worry of getting the right presents, buying the right food, sending cards, and generally running around like a headless chicken trying to keep up. I can sit back and relax and watch everyone else getting their knickers in a twist. You will not see a furrowed brow on my face, you will see a wide grin from cheek to cheek.

No more lectures, do what you like, but don't come crying to me when the credit card bill lands on the door mat. I will just say, I told you so.

I had a lovely email from Amy of Hard up and Happy. She had difficulty commenting on my blog, so I will copy and paste it here.

 Hi Ilona,

I just want to say a huge thank you for your support and kind words on your blog - which is ace by the way. 

It means a lot when people are nice, as it's my philosophy to be as kind to others as I can, unfortunately this isn't always returned.

I won't concentrate on the negative Nellies though, as the positive comments are amazing. If I can help a few families be happy with what they have then that makes it worthwhile. I would have loved to have responded to each comment on your blog and my website, I'm afraid for some reason I can't? The comments plug in on mine is playing up. Anyway enough rambling I wanted to seek you out and say a great big thank you. You have made me very happy. From one thrfiter to another Merry Christmas!

Kind regards 

Amy 

Thank you Amy, lovely to hear from you. 

I'm beginning ramble now, it's lunch time, and I have things to do. An idea for another textile picture is creeping into my head, want to have a play with some fabric. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. 

Toodle pip. 

Mix and Match

Mix and Match

cheap food food

Hello. We've had a rotten morning weatherwise, piddling it down, but now the sun is out so I am tempted to go outside. Before I do I'll post this. Every morning I use my mini chopper to prepare my breakfast. Nuts, seeds, and fruit all go in there to be smashed to bits, then added to my branflakes, with a banana on top, and strawberries if I have some.  

I always keep my eyes open for other cereals when they are reduced. The Cash and Carry is good for this, and I have also found some in Poundstretcher as well. I usually put a few of these in the mini chopper as and when I need them, but I am concerned that I may be expecting it to do too much, because the lumps are pretty hard. I don't want it to conk out through excessive wear and tear, so this morning I decided to zap two whole packets in the big Kenwood, then it will be ready to use.

These were 50p each from the Cash and Carry. They are like small fruity Shreddies.

I have double bagged them to keep them dry. Two spoons in my fruit, nut, and seed mix will be enough.

This is the rest of my breakfast ingredients, I mix and match any of these. Three types of nuts, sultanas, linseeds, and porridge oats, plus whatever fresh fruit I have, bananas, strawberries, nectarines. If I see any other types of nuts and seeds at a good price I will buy them. This is what starts my day most mornings, though now the weather is getting a bit cooler I won't be using as much soya milk, I will start making hot porridge, with all the rest added.

What's your favourite breakfast? Any good ideas that don't cost a lot of money and take only a short time to prepare it. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Watch out, there's a thief about

Watch out, there's a thief about

cheap food food vegetarian village life

Hello. There has been a bit of talk in the village about some recent burglaries. Robbers are breaking in houses in broad daylight, people have had jewelry stolen. A dark green Vectra has been spotted, it appears they are climbing over fences and getting into people's back gardens and forcing windows open. It's usually a very nice village to live in but this news is a bit disconcerting.

I think we need to be a bit more vigilant and look around when we are out and about. Be nosy and notice things out of the ordinary. I am always looking out of my windows when I am moving about the house because I am a nosy beggar. We sometimes get police patrol cars visiting, but not very often. Most of the time nothing happens for ages, then we get two or three in quick succession.

There are some very expensive houses here, so I am really hoping that they don't want to break into an ex council house owned by a pensioner that has no valuables whatsoever. There are some houses still owned by a social housing association, so I expect the occupants further up the street to be in a similar position as myself. I don't think anyone has won the lottery and has all the dosh stashed under their bed.

I am taking extra precautions, just in case, like keeping the back door locked even when I am in the house. Not leaving my keys in full view, hide them, and take them to bed with me. Also taking my purse and mobile phone to bed. I'm keeping all windows closed from now on, and putting a light on if I go out at night. And always be nosy and look out of the windows. Best to be careful.

Two very similar meals. Yesterday was a veggie burger, onion, left over steamed veg, and scrambled eggs.

Today was two Quorn sausages, sweetcorn and broad beans, in a garlic sauce over a microwaved spud.

I'm putting off going shopping, I've got enough for a few more days.

A new craft programme started last night on More4, it's called I Made This. William is one of the presenters. It was quite good, I watched it this morning on catchup. I don't know if it is a one off, or there are more to come. Worth a watch.

Thanks for all your comments yesterday. The kids are all ok. Heidi is back on one tablet a day now, she was getting a bit lethargic on half a tablet, so the vet said best to get her back on full dose. It seems to be working, she has a bit more energy now. I have to ring the vet tomorrow with an update. Rocky is soldiering on, he is eating well. Old boy Bugsy cat is amazing, he loves lying outside, and yells at me when he wants food. And Mayze is still scatty, dashing around everywhere.

Thanks for popping in, page views are on the up, more people reading, and welcome to the new followers. we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Monday's musings from Tightwad Towers

Monday's musings from Tightwad Towers

arty stuff cheap food garden growing flowers vegetarian

Hello. I'm waiting for it to cool down a bit before I go and do my walk. It's been so chuffin hot here, I've been indoors for most of the day. This morning at the Village Hall for the Crafty Club, we are three years old today, and Heather very kindly baked a cake with a raspberry and cream filling. We are planning ahead and thinking about what decorations we are going to make for our Christmas tree, and we have chosen a date for next years Art Exhibition. When I came home I carried on with sewing, because it was too hot to go outside. 

I have some flowers, some of them are a bit floppy but it all looks nice. Pictures taken from inside the summer house, looking out. The grass is growing nicely up to the bricks now, good to see all the bare earth finally covered in green. 

Some of the yellow sticker veg has been turned into stew, portioned up, and in the freezer. It's butternut squash, sweet potato, courgettes, and spinach. Six meals, plus three smaller pots, all for a cost of £2. A slice of bread to mop up the gravy. That will save a bit of cooking when I can't be bothered.

A few more snapshots of the felt exhibition at the Arts Centre. These are amazingly complex pieces of art. They look almost like porcelain.

Nearly 8pm, I think it might be safe to go out now. Thanks for popping in, and thank you for your comments. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

The time is right to go shopping

The time is right to go shopping

budgeting shopping cheap food healthy eating vegetarian

Hello. Not a lot left in my fridge so time to make a meal from a few bits and bobs. Three mushrooms, two onions, one Quorn fillet and frozen veg, on a bed of  cheap noodles. Curry and garlic flavour. That will do nicely.   

I was putting off going shopping, sometimes it is so boring. You buy food, you eat it, you go shopping again. Yesterday I had beans on toast twice. Once for breakfast and again for dinner. The second time I chucked a few chick peas into it to bulk it up, and added some grated cheese.

Oh dear things are getting desperate.

Never mind, I can stretch it to another day with this frozen soup, wonder what flavour it is, I will soon find out. Now I'm going to have to get off me bum and go. 

Last night it wasn't very busy, I had a £4 off voucher so I took my time to select the things I really needed. Found a good buy in the freezer, these packets of 8 veggie sausages were £1 each. Best to buy them while they are cheap. I sometimes grill these, but quite often I will zap one in the microwave to make it soft, then cut it into chunks to add to a stir fry.

Struck lucky in the fruit and veg department, 75% off. I've already cooked some of this up in a big pan and made stew for the freezer. Lots of strawberries to scoff, they normally sell for £2. They were knocking them out for 50p a punnet. Had to have some.

Portion control? Bugger that, I will eat as much of this green stuff as I can pile on my plate. Just chomped my way through this like a rabbit, a whole bag of salad leaves, ha ha.

It has been three weeks since my last yellow sticker dash. In between my Tesco visits I pick up a few things from Aldi when I am in town. I spent £30 last night, cat food and a bottle of wine included, I have enough to last me a couple of weeks maybe longer.

Well I hope you are having a nice weekend. Thanks very much for all the comments on yesterdays post, it's good to get your perspective on health care where you are. Have a nice Sunday. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Cherry picking around the shops.

Cherry picking around the shops.

budgeting shopping cheap food

Hello. Thank you for your tales of decluttering. I went to town today and took a bag of clothes, an atlas,  and a pair of boots to the Age Uk shop. I also had a table lamp to get rid of but they can't take electricals so I had to traipse up the High Street to the British Heart Foundation shop. They are the only shop that takes them because they have the authority to test them to PAT (Portable Appliance Testing), standards.

I took trolley to town because I had a lot of shopping to do. I had almost run out of cat food so I did the rounds of the discount stores. I picked a few things up from the Cash and Carry on the way in, cream crackers 25p, Ribena squash 60p, linseeds 30p, and a 500grm block of cheddar cheese for £2.50. I called in Aldi on the way back. Baby potatoes 59p, broccoli 37p, butter 75p, eggs 79p, multigrain loaf 85p. quiche £1.19, walnuts £1.29p.

I got some Danish Blue cheese last week from a freezer shop called Fultons, I rarely go in there. Last week the cheese was 50p, this week it had gone down to 35p. A bargain. Wilco have got 12 Felix pouched for £2.50, that's about as cheap as you can get them. I got some Gourmet Mon Petit on offer at £1.25, for Heidi, she likes that. I have never tried Wilko's own brand cat and dog food in pouches so I bought some to see if they like it. Bugsy likes Felix As Good As It Looks so I got a box of that from B & M for £3.29. The tuna was only 39p a tin so I got some of that for the kids. I like to treat them once in a while. I got Rocky's doggy treats from Home Bargains, he loves chicken jerky fillets and chicken rice dumb bells.

The credit card statement came yesterday so I paid that into the bank today. There was only one item on it, I have been curbing my spending. On checking the bank balance it's creeping back up again after the large bills for the car, and a new fridge have been paid for. It's amazing how quickly it recovers after a hammering.
I got an hours digging in today, though the weather has not been as good as yesterday. I did my walk earlier so no need to go out tonight.

I'll sign off now and have an early night. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Would you like tea or coffee? I have both ;o)

Would you like tea or coffee? I have both ;o)

cheap food food vegetarian

Hello. I'm a bit stuffed, I've just eaten a plate of steamed veggies, going to have to let that go down a bit before I do my walk. How has the day gone then? Well, I cleaned the house, made it look respectable, picked up the newspapers lying around Bugsy's bed, and moved the litter boxes to just outside the back door. Can't move them too far away or the kitties won't find them. I blitzed the kitchen, scrubbed the bathroom, Dysoned the carpets, and dusted the dusty bits. 

My visitors arrived just as I put the duster away. Not a real duster, a home made one out of an old sheet. They are coffee drinkers so I didn't use any of the five tea bags I have in the cupboard. It was just a drop in on their way home, an hour and three quarters later after a look at the summer house, they were on their way. 

They had had a big breakfast and didn't want any food, but I was ready for my lunch. As soon as they were gone I was tucking in. Two boiled eggs, served on a bed of rocket, with tomato, chick peas, and pickled onions. Very nice.   

It's been a gloriously warm and sunny day here. After a Rocky walk I loaded the car up with the scrap pallets and took them to the council dump. It's a big yard with big skips around the perimeter, each one is labelled saying what you can put in it. The man keeps it clean and tidy, he has been working there a long time. They have spent a lot of money installing new steps up to the platforms between the skips where you throw things over the side. Quite a good set up, not like throwing it in from ground level, makes the job easy.
I checked Tesco, Co op, and Spar shop on the way back for any reductions. Got a few items at the first two, but nothing at the Spar. How to get the last bit of tartare sauce out of the jar. Stick the food in there on the end of a fork and wipe it round. This jar was out of date in October last year, it only cost 20p.

I'm pleased to say that Mila, who has been wandering through the whole blog has at last caught us up, so welcome Mila. Well done, a round of applause for her, she must be knackered, ha ha.

Now we are coming into the weekend again. I hope the weather is nice tomorrow I have work to do in the garden. Whatever you are doing, don't spend too much money, save a bit for another day.

Thank you for popping in, now I must go for a walk. I have just cracked the 200 miles, but I see that several of you are ahead of me. I am working on 250 miles in three months, so another 50 by the end of March should be easy. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip