One of my first ploys is to eat everything in the freezer. I've lost count of the times I've put some nice steak or sea bass in the freezer only to discover it lurking there years later looking decidedly frostbitten. So this weekend this is how things are looking. Notice the "whoopsie" discount stickers on some of the items, we sometimes buy things like this and whack them straight in the freezer, a good thing to do with bread as well if you see it discounted.
We are going to eat you. |
I'm going to have a good look in my store cupboards as well and see what's there. Here are my ideas for store cupboard meals
Mother Hubboard |
2. Fly some onion and garlic, add tinned kidney beans and baked beans and some chilli powder. Serve with rice or baked potato.
3. If you've got some frozen fish, it might not work well defrosted and pan fried at this stage, but would work well as a fish pie. Cook in some milk, drain the milk and make a parsley sauce from it (fry butter, add a tablespoon of plain flour, mix, then slowly add 300ml of milk and some dried parsley), put the fish in the bottom of a dish with some frozen peas/sweetcorn, top with mashed potato and cheese.
In terms of what to do in the day, have a look at what's free in your area. Walks in the park, splashing in puddles, blackberry picking, walks in the forest, or just playing in the garden and having a picnic together are all cheap or free things to do that kids really enjoy and mean you spend time together as a family.
Every month why not try having one weekend where you spend no money at all. It will make a massive difference to your bank account at the end of the month with very little effort required!
What are your money saving tips?
How about a nice salad using wild foods - try a few lime leaves (from UK native trees, not the fruit!), willowherb, red clover (not tried this but in Stylist mag last week), dandelion leaves, nasturtium and borage flowers (from a neighbour?) to pep up the few lettuce leaves doing a wilt in your fridge. It's not just food that gets forgotten, try using up your craft box, an idea for drinking straws at http://homemadekids.wordpress.com Enjoy your frugal weekend, Nicola.
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea! I will take a look at the pictures of these things online so I don't end up eating a nettle or something. Wild foods might be the way forward, we have some lovely country tracks near us, will have a look, when this rain stops that is.
DeleteTop Tip for a cheap afternoon out is that this time of year alot of schools/churches are holding summer fetes. Its usually free to get in (or a small charge) and the kids can do a range of fairly cheap activities - think 20p for the tombola, biscuit decorating etc. Nice day out and you can probably get away with spending less than a fiver. EP x
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! and good way to make new friends in your local neighbourhood. Too many of us don't know anything about the people we live near.x
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