Wow.... 2000 posts... that's good going!

toadfish - 2013-06-20 07:52:00

I also carry out all of the above plus I water down the milk, orange drink, Lux Liquid, liquid soap, hair shampoo etc. No one has noticed yet and I've been doing it for years. I wish I could also water down petrol but have taken up walking instead as the next best thing.

juliette55 - 2013-06-21 21:12:00

toadfish wrote:

Don't be shy..... never say no...

My daughter is a part time bar maid while she is at Uni - where she works had a function and it was catered for by generous sponsors - At the end of the day they were going to throw stuff away if people didn't take it.

She came home with Apples, 3 Pineapples, 1/2 box bananas, several Bags of pre made salad - And bags and bags of fresh rolls.
We ate Bananas for the first few days... then I made 2 x Banana loafs and mashed and froze the rest in 1 cup portions, Next the pineapple - I skinned and segmented it and put it into tupperware - (The reason I did that, is people in this house seem to like a quick grab - If I hadn't have cut it up it may not have been eaten before it went off) and we are onto number 3 today... and then we will be on to the apples... We are working in the order of quickest to go off lol. And we will have beautiful rolls for months in the freezer - Big enough for burgers....SCORE

Apparently other people were too "Shy" to take up the offer of taking it home - My Miss 20 has been brought up to say "Thanks that would be great"

Its been a very cheap week at the fruit and vege shop.

we were raised to 'never say no' if anyone offered us anything for free. and over the years there have been many many offers. mum and dad worked on the principal that if we could not use it or eat it etc that they would find someone who would have a use for whatever it was.

usualsuspect - 2013-06-22 11:53:00

One of the best suggestions from here was to get a whiteboard and itemise everything in your freezer and pantry and remove as you use items sure helps to know what you have available

raine8 - 2013-06-22 13:06:00

Right..... Big grocery shop done last night - List adhered to. Need to keep an eye out for Meat specials to stock up on, as freezer is a little low.
Anyone see a particularly good one let me know.

*goes off in search of Mojo*

Edited by toadfish at 7:48 am, Sun 23 Jun

toadfish - 2013-06-23 07:47:00

Use up everything before it goes off. I will be making a cake with mayo (egg substitute) next roast day as the mayo in the fridge won't last until salad season. I used a jam no-one likes in a pudding and it's gone down a treat saving me sugar and other fruit - no waste!
I'm currently passing on undersize spring clothes from the kids before people go out and buy new.

medicina - 2013-06-29 19:32:00

Bargain Alert!
Spices Bazar on 345 Chapel Road, East Tamaki - has 2 x 2 litres of milk for $4.49 and Bread for $1.75 -Also looks like good value takeaways - but am yet to try them yet as we don't tend to get takeaways too much.
https://www.facebook.com/ASpiceBazaar

Edited by toadfish at 6:56 am, Thu 4 Jul

toadfish - 2013-07-04 06:55:00

bump

angela137 - 2013-07-28 18:56:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2013-08-02 14:17:00

bump

novtrad - 2013-08-03 18:15:00

This message was deleted.

mycd123 - 2013-08-05 13:18:00

raine8 wrote:

One of the best suggestions from here was to get a whiteboard and itemise everything in your freezer and pantry and remove as you use items sure helps to know what you have available

Thanks Raine 8 that was one of my suggestions and it worked for me when we had the house full, now it just me and hubby and its not so bad.
But while the freezer was filled to the brim with diferent bits and pieces it saved me climbing in once a fotnight to see what was in there. I did the same for my pantry and as I worked full time the kids soon learnt that if they didnt subtract the items from the total or write down they needed something it didnt happen, once a month id have a good tidy up and do a full list of things that were missed like herbs, sauces etc but it worked for us, and sure saved heaps at the supermaket, Once every 2 months even though its only me and hubby I still so a full pantry and freezer list of whats needed as I tend to still have a an automatic shopping list in my brain and buy what I think i need, instead of what I actually need, which isnt thrifty haha when you have a clean out and you have 4 rolls of gladwrap, tin foil and lunchwrap lol, and so on so yes a good tip to live by

kob - 2013-08-07 15:58:00

usualsuspect wrote:

we were raised to 'never say no' if anyone offered us anything for free. and over the years there have been many many offers. mum and dad worked on the principal that if we could not use it or eat it etc that they would find someone who would have a use for whatever it was.

we were raised like that to and we always either used the item ourselves or managed to give it away to someone.

AS for the catering, I do catering myself as im a cook for the elderly and I quite often get asked to cater for a function or too for all sorts of occasions, which I do, and when I have left overs I always leave them for the clients to then divivde up afterwards, and now they are used to me doing it, they quite often come into the kitchen and say take anything left over home, we cannot use it, so I do and and what I cant use myself I dsitribute out to the ones that I think may be able to use it, sure brings a smile to their faces thats for sure,and its cost me nothing to put it there

kob - 2013-08-07 16:02:00

.

gilligee - 2013-08-16 13:06:00

Dam our New World in town has stopped the purchase of New World purchase cards to up your shopping amount so that you spend enough and can get the big fuel savings, I think thats criminal, you are still spending on the day at their store, I think that is wrong, im going to protest

kob - 2013-08-17 09:36:00

juliette55 wrote:

I also carry out all of the above plus I water down the milk, orange drink, Lux Liquid, liquid soap, hair shampoo etc. No one has noticed yet and I've been doing it for years. I wish I could also water down petrol but have taken up walking instead as the next best thing.

Juliette, I have been known to do a load of washing with a small full hotel shampoo bottle.
I have also taken all the little bits and pieces of soaps and either put them in a kiwifruit mesh bag and tied them to the washhouse tub or I have put them in a icecream container and melted them in the microwave until soft and pliable and shaped into muffin tins that are lined with gladwrap, and letting them set and dry, this way you get more soap out of scraps, that would normally be thrown away.
I also rinse out my soap powder box and scoop and get one extra wash out of the box, I may not do the other things anymore but I do still do that.
I check my thermostat on the boiler cupboard winter and summer and lower the temp in summer to save on the power usage.
I always check the reduced/damaged/short dated section of the supermarket and if I can use whats in there I grab it for a lesser cost., Only if I can use it mind you. Eggs are ok even after Best Before Date as long as you put them in a large bowl of water in a single layer and if they don't rise to the top of the pot or bowl they are fine to use and actually make the best pavlovas, and sponges rise heaps more than fresh eggs, you can even break the eggs and seperate and freeze in 2's or 3's for cake baking or pavlovas.Cheeses even brie and camambert can be frozen and grated to have on toasties or pizzas I always had a layer of brie/cam and then a layer of normal cheese gave it a terrific taste without anyone even knowing
Bakery bread if its unsliced and a dollar I grab it and freeze it, it can either be used sliced in three length ways and made into pizzas or big cheese toasties, or I defrost and leave it whole sprinkle a bit of water over the top of it and put into a low heated oven for 5 minutes and it comes out like a fresh loaf of bread, as long as its eaten while warm, if it goes cold it goes back to its stale form.

kob - 2013-08-17 09:48:00

My kids growing up always thought they were so lucky cause they always ate watties products and craigs jam, hehe they didnt.
I had a watties squeezy bottle which was filled with what ever was on special at the time, I had a large craigs jar for a couple of flavours and just transfered the jam into them, cornflakes and ricebubbles were brought in bulk in 3kg/5kg boxes budget brandings and transferred into tupperware containers so they were told they were Kellogs products, Meadowlee marg was always on the grocery list but it was always budget I brought and put into my handy little meadowlee pottles.
Bread was the same you might think this a bit padantic but when I did my baker training we went through the bread factory in Mania, where the bread is made and there were 4 different brands coming out of the same dough just cut slighly different to make there brand slice, SO i thought I can do this, so when Quality Bakers bread was on special id buy it and svae the bread bags and next shop id buy budget bread, or pams slip the bread into a QB bag and they all thought it was xmas, i heard my boy tell his mates one day on the phone, na mum never buys that budget crap, yer right what would they know

kob - 2013-08-17 09:54:00

oh yer and husband thought he was always eating a friend of ours homemade plum sauce cause he hated mine, but what id do was cause I had so much of mine to use and no one touched it cause I put raisons in it, i would blend mine in the blender and add to an almost empty bottle of hers and give a good shaking and he would keep eating it like usual and still comlimented her everytime he saw her for dropping him off more sauce.i had to fill her in eventually so she didnt think he was nuts but it did happen and although I didnt make anymore sauce I got rid of all my old stuff lol, the things we do aye to save a buck

kob - 2013-08-17 09:57:00

Instead of saving all those soap ends, just stick the last little piece onto the new bar. I have been doing this for years and never throw away any soap at all.

pamellie - 2013-08-17 10:18:00

Another thread has got me thinking.... I estimate I save well over $1200 per year (probably closer to $2000 - 52 weeks x $40) by shopping at Pak n Save rather than countdown. Add that to what I save by buying super specials in bulk.... I wonder what my yearly savings are? About 1 x month ago I brought our favourite Sunsilk shampoo/conditioner for $2 bottle (from over $4 full price) a super countdown special I saw in there flyer so I brought 25 bottles - saved over $50 - all that type of thing would be added to the yearly total. It all evens its self out as the weeks I am not buying shampoo I am buying other things that are on super special. Its not like we use extra shampoo or things like toilet paper just because we have it.
I might do a social experiment one year and add my savings up..... Think I would be amazed.

Edited by toadfish at 8:20 am, Sun 18 Aug

toadfish - 2013-08-18 08:16:00

pamellie wrote:

Instead of saving all those soap ends, just stick the last little piece onto the new bar. I have been doing this for years and never throw away any soap at all.

Me too , call It silly but I especially like to alternate soap colours so you can see the very last skerrit of soap being used up. Its like a symbol of not wasting a thing lol

toadfish - 2013-08-18 08:21:00

toadfish wrote:

Another thread has got me thinking.... I estimate I save well over $1200 per year (probably closer to $2000 - 52 weeks x $40) by shopping at Pak n Save rather than countdown. Add that to what I save by buying super specials in bulk.... I wonder what my yearly savings are? About 1 x month ago I brought our favourite Sunsilk shampoo/conditioner for $2 bottle (from over $4 full price) a super countdown special I saw in there flyer so I brought 25 bottles - saved over $50 - all that type of thing would be added to the yearly total. It all evens its self out as the weeks I am not buying shampoo I am buying other things that are on super special. Its not like we use extra shampoo or things like toilet paper just because we have it.
I might do a social experiment one year and add my savings up..... Think I would be amazed.

That's good for you but does not apply to every product or every Pak n Save. I have found Countdown are cheaper for some of my regular purchases, especially when on special. We have several Pak n Save in the Hutt Valley and the prices vary between each store. And not all the specials are available in each store.

kay141 - 2013-08-18 10:46:00

when I lived in the hutt the best savings I made by buying at the market on a Saturday morning, I would get all my fruit and vege and I would often treat myself to some lamb or fresh fish...the savings on the vege were fantastic but the best part was how fresh everything was, gosh I miss that

motorbo - 2013-08-18 15:31:00

Feeling very saintly - got up early.
Turned 1.1kgs mince into 3 meals - 2 x Lasagnes for 4 and 1 x Spaghetti Bolognaise for 3 and a Lasagne for 1 (hubby hates long spaghetti with a passion - the 3 of us girls love it with a passion - I brought a fab wee arcoroc bowl at an op shop - perfect for lasagne for 1 - so this is our compromise).
We had about 6 apples no good for eating fresh so turned that into an apple crumble.
Had a wedge of pumpkin about to turn..... cut off the 2 outside edges and it was fine, so turned that into Pumpkin, Peanut and Kumara soup.
Benches clean - dishwasher whirring ..... and its only 8.30am!!!
About to hop in the shower and start the day.
My fridge has had a good cleanout - we are off for brunch at the iconic Puhoi pub this morning... and I will do a veggie shop on the way home to start the week with lovely fresh fruit and veg.

Edited by toadfish at 8:36 am, Sun 25 Aug

toadfish - 2013-08-25 08:33:00

This message was deleted.

mycd123 - 2013-08-28 12:06:00

Hi all, I can finally reveal that I have done it, I have made a blog site, it may have taken me ages to complete, but life if extremely busy with working 2 part time jobs, and running the household, you know how it is, And I have exciting news im going to be a grandma in February, so im absolutely thrilled, and for some readon that has given me the motivation to get my A into G and get some things I have wanted to do, done.
So onto the sites, I have a facebook account which everything I place on my blog, automatically transfers over to so it is where most people spend their social media time, so if you are a facebook member, check out the link, like the page and make some comments, it will be brilliant to see you stop by,
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trinas-Beautiful-Budgeting-Ba
sics/204901043019884?ref=hl
and if you would like to check out the actual blog and sign up to receive updates, please check it out here http://trinasbeautifulbudgetingbasics.blogspot.com/,
I am still ading things to it, and you know how I work, my brain is full of ideas, so it is a definate work in progress.
I look forward to seeing you all.

kob - 2013-09-21 10:48:00

My dad in UK can get real bargains at the supermarket by shopping in the evening, much much better than we can get here. It always amazes me how much they reduce foodstuffs over there. Here they are only ever reduced by a tiny amount. If they want stuff shifted especially meat etc they should just reduce it by 50% or more not 20%.
Had a look at your blog kob - looks great. We are into economising more than we did before since hubby was made redundant. Now make my own crackers and bread.

village.green - 2013-09-21 17:09:00

Fantastic - Liked and shared with my friends on Facebook.....

toadfish - 2013-09-21 18:01:00

Thanks Julia, I'm wrapped its finally started,and it will Be a great help to the young adults, hence putting it on facebook

kob - 2013-09-22 07:03:00

http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/kitchen/tea-coffee-maki
ng/coffee-machines/auction-639479127.htm Just like this one.....

My latest bargain. Went to a small school Ag day - It started at 10am and I popped in to the white elephant at 12.30 and no body had brought it (it was on a shelf away from the majority of the items). It looks like it has never been used and is only missing the milk steaming jug - I said "How Much" they said its yours for $1! (I paid them more as a donation)
......off to buy a stainless jug now but will use a Pyrex one this morning for my first coffee.....

Edited by toadfish at 7:15 am, Sun 29 Sep

toadfish - 2013-09-29 07:11:00

toadfish wrote:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/kitchen
/tea-coffee-making/coffee-machines/auction-639479127.htm Just like this one.....

My latest bargain. Went to a small school Ag day - It started at 10am and I popped in to the white elephant at 12.30 and no body had brought it (it was on a shelf away from the majority of the items). It looks like it has never been used and is only missing the milk steaming jug - I said "How Much" they said its yours for $1! (I paid them more as a donation)
......off to buy a stainless jug now but will use a Pyrex one this morning for my first coffee.....

Wow Toady what a great bargain, Ill have a Soy Mocha please, pass it through

kob - 2013-09-29 10:59:00

I have a quick queastion, when you water down the milk what do you do is it 50/50 or more milk less water? Thanks
Ps I am enjoying your new pages :)

fatboy6 - 2013-10-07 17:46:00

fatboy6 wrote:

I have a quick queastion, when you water down the milk what do you do is it 50/50 or more milk less water? Thanks
Ps I am enjoying your new pages :)

I have never watered down milk - so can't help you there. I have found a place that sells 2 x 2 litres for $4.99 - so that's almost half price.

I took a kilo of mince out of the freezer Tuesday night (cost $9.76 on special)- Yesterday morning I used 1/2 and made 4 fat juicy burgers (added half chopped onion, egg, breadcrumbs, S&P and a dollop of chutney) and last night we had burgers and wedges - I like to make them in the morning as they cook better when they have been sitting for a few hours. While those were cooking I used the other half and made Chilli con carne (Can Tomatoes 85c, Can Kidney Beans $1.50 and a Maggi Mix $1.70) This is now in the freezer for a night off cooking - we will have it with rice.

Now I am off to put $8 chicken drums in the crock pots - enough for dinner for 4 with leftovers.

toadfish - 2013-10-10 06:37:00

No worries toadfish, Those recipes look good. Mince was cheap at fresh choice this week so I went a little made and brought about $28 werth it was $6.99 per kg I used my gas and treats money as I thought it was werth it :)

fatboy6 - 2013-10-12 11:54:00

Bumping.
I have started getting this delivered every week.
https://foodbox.co.nz/
I get the $45 one. I was finding that I was time poor and had started to hate going to the vegie shop on the way home as by 5.30pm I was shattered. I think its good value for money - the fruit and veg is incredibly fresh. I think I am saving money in the long run... as I used to have to shop more than once a week to keep us stocked. Now if we run low on say Tuesday... rather than go vegie shopping we make do till Thursday when it is delivered - it kind of puts a "cap" on my spending. I am going to tweak it and stop having potatoes as part of it and buy a big sack as what they include isn't really enough for us.....and by doing that I will get more of something else.
I would highly recommend it.

Edited by toadfish at 6:47 am, Sat 16 Nov

toadfish - 2013-11-16 06:46:00

I rarely eat red meat now, and im now starting to try other fish - cheaper types to stretch the budget and it seems to make good sense, doing red cod tonight was 3.20 for two fillets at the market today

motorbo - 2013-11-16 15:39:00

HI All, I have a question.
Last year when I anounced that I had made my son's a recipe book with all their favourite meals in it including photos, everyone said they would be keen to purchase it, if it went up for sale.
So I'M thinking of publishing it as it would be great for guys and girls leaving home, to help them, and you would rest asured that they were eating well as they would have all the basic recipes to keep them going from beginner to experienced cooks, let me know your interest as I am looking into the cost of editing/publishing it and see what kind of number run I would need to do, as no point in getting 50 done if only 15 want them.
Please show your interest here so I get an idea of who would want them.
Thanks all

kob - 2013-11-17 15:44:00

BIG BUMP for budget knowledge-seeker in Parenting

medicina - 2013-11-21 21:59:00

bump

gosa7 - 2013-12-11 12:58:00

Bumping for a Fantastic 2014.

I am an active relaxer and this morning I am going to turn about 2 thirds of a grey pumpkin into "Soup for Ones" to take to work in the new year (Jam Jars are the perfect size - I use large vegemite ones). We moved offices and lost a kitchen for a couple of weeks and I got out of the habit way too easily - plus our new offices has a Kreme café next to it. Their date scones are amazing.... but at nearly $4 not a habit that is good for my purse (or waistline) I make a pretty good date scone so may make a few of those for the freezer as well for a "free" treat. I can make a whole batch cheaper than one of theirs!

I did my massive Christmas Club shop on 17th December and the cupboards are still chocca - I am avoiding the malls and supermarkets and only stocking up on Milk, Bread & Veg and the fruit shop. My aim is not to shop till late January - and may even try to make Feb!

So my goal is to STAY OUT OF KREME!!

Have a fab 2014 everyone. Small steps lead to a goal....
Now is a great time to start up a Christmas Club - I like the Pak and Save one as its done by automatic payments - so I don't have to worry about it each time I shop.
http://www.paknsave.co.nz/paknsave/christmas-club/?gclid=CNX
S_uTd3bsCFQeVfgodqR0AiQ

Edited by toadfish at 8:42 am, Thu 2 Jan

toadfish - 2014-01-02 08:36:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/298500306.jpg

mmmm Took aging pumpkin, sautéed with onion, garlic, carrot, potatoes, salt and Moroccan spices.
Added water to cover - simmered till tender - cooled and blended (added a bit more water as it was too thick and some chicken stock as it was missing something) And voila - 7 lunches for work (or less if Miss 19 & 21 take it to work for their dinner/lunch) Just add a bread roll or luckily we have a toaster at work so Vogel toast is my favourite accompaniment. Would be well under $1 per lunch..... Plus you don't lose relaxing time going out to buy it!

toadfish - 2014-01-02 17:12:00

happy new year toadfish!

motorbo - 2014-01-02 17:34:00

I did my massive Christmas Club shop on 17th December and the cupboards are still chocca - I am avoiding the malls and supermarkets and only stocking up on Milk, Bread & Veg and the fruit shop. My aim is not to shop till late January - and may even try to make Feb - quote from Toadfish!

We did our big Xmas Club Shop about the 10th Dec from memory (including ice cream and meat pack for Boxing Day BBQ) and went to the supermarket last night - out of essentials (milk, coffee, loo paper, fly spray). Have obviously bought fresh fruit, milk etc weekly in between then and now.
Bought no meat (got awesome bulk specials in Dec, and bagged up into "meal sizes").
Had been very naughty during the year and due to illness, paying for a wedding and buying our 1st home, we had dipped into Xmas Club, so only had $300 of the $500 we would usually have, New Year resolution is no early dipping!!!
Our 1st year with a vege garden, and crikey, never imagined it would actually grow!! Have already put carotts and broccoli in the freezer, need a super special on Malt vinegar so i can bottle my beetroot (op shops, eco shops are awesome for Agee jars by the way - i have 60, which have cost me $25) and the tomato plants are literally sagging under the weight of the fruit, can't eat the strawberries fast enough, so have pureed & frozen for yoghurt flavouring (easiyo maker!) and my poor fruit trees are on major sagg with the weight of the fruit - black boy peaches and nectarines soon!!
Went for a nosey @ a few factory shops last weekend, 2kg Tegel Takeouts for $6.00 (usually that for 350gm from memory), great in wraps with garden fresh lettuce, carrots, beetroot and a sprinkle of cheese, mixed vege $8 for 8kg.
Lets keep this awesome thread going for 2014, thanks everyone!!!

Edited by kay34 at 10:16 pm, Fri 10 Jan

kay34 - 2014-01-10 22:16:00

Good for you Kay34!! Sounds like you have got it handled.

No spend January is going well for me. I did have to go to the supermarket as we had about 25 people coming for a BBQ - We brought some bits and pieces and got an amazing deal on an enormous ham. Beginning of January the butchery in New World had hams half price - but they were huge. We grabbed a boneless leg for $68 instead of $136 and we got the butcher to chop it in 2. I glazed half and it looked impressive at the dinner as hubby carved it up warm - then the other half we planned to freeze but instead we have had ham lunches and dinners ever since - Just finished it.
Just yesterday I wrote a couple of things on the shopping list - not because we are out of them but because I had just opened the spares.
May pop into countdown today as they have our favourite shampoo/conditioner (sunsilk - black) 2 for $5 so will buy 20 of those ($50) - otherwise they are closer to $4 each - don't think I have ever paid full price. My goal will be to only buy those as I don't "need" anything else.

We had a shared lunch at work yesterday - made an old favourite weetbix slice, took about 15 mins go to wo - everyone raved about it - and I sat there smugly knowing it all came out of the cupboards - 95% of the food on the table had been brought on the way in.

I have spent $9 on a trade this week http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=682719666 - have been trying to locate a toasted sandwich maker that doesn't cut them in half. Found one - great price and pick up 5 mins from where I work. I can now have a loaf of bread in the freezer - take in half a dozen of my free range eggs and have "Egg Toasties" for lunch at work. Just crack the egg on the bread - sprinkle with S&P - Toast for about 5 mins - And Voila - a quick, easy, nutritious lunch for the cost of a little chicken feed and $1.50 for a loaf of budget bread will do about 10 lunches.

Edited by toadfish at 6:41 am, Sat 11 Jan

toadfish - 2014-01-11 06:36:00

Toastie pies are a staple in this house in winter for lunches. Both hubby and I have them most days - great way to use a leftovers. We make them the night before and have cold for lunch. Mashed potatoes, rice, little bits of stews, meatloaf, casseroles, you name it we put it in lol. But yes needs to be the type of maker that doesn't cut them in half.

32oscar - 2014-01-11 12:53:00

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=682610384 - Latest Bargain. $250 - have sanded top down and looks Iike new, if we brought the same new would have been $480 for the table http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/lounge-dining-hall/desk
s/auction-683303200.htm possibly another $200 for the matching chairs (if I could source them) plus the cushions maybe $60 - $740 in total - so a saving of about 65% and what's better it is exactly what I was after! Ikea is so sturdy and classic. Would rather have second hand lovely than cheap new.
It was a necessity as we have friends visiting and was required for where they were staying. But that's it NO MORE SPENDING!

toadfish - 2014-01-11 15:53:00

Hi thou guys happy new year to you all.
I must admit after my Christmas shop on xmas eve which was 300 and freakedme out totrally I've I only been buying salad top ups at the supermarket probably 100 so all in all not bad considering we have been home heaps and have had extras.
Today was a bit of a blow out as im doing the low carb diet so needed to grab stuff I could eat and access easily. So yes first real shop today.
Started back at work on Thursday after 3 weeks off was amazing too.
My first grand baby is due in 3-4 weeks so is a patient wait (not) going on here lol.
Pleased to see you girls still here

kob - 2014-01-11 20:36:00

Lets not lose this after so long.
How to help make marg/butter last longer. Mix half cup oil, half cup cold water and 500g marg/butter and pinch salt until smooth. Keep in fridge. Goes further

akalea - 2014-01-25 12:30:00

o don't want to use oil, can you add water to butter and whip it to create a softened butter to store in fridge?

motorbo - 2014-01-25 12:41:00

I don't tend to make marg last - I am more about making sure I buy it at a really good special in the first place.

Tonight we have 8 people for dinner. I have taken a huge hogget leg out the freezer and will slow roast that with roast vegetables - but dessert is a bit of a Coup .... I had my last bag of mashed bananas from months ago when we were given a box and I diligently mashed and froze them in portions, And I also had 1/3 block of philly cream cheese left over....
So for dessert and coffee - banana cake with lemon cream cheese icing... delicious... for very little cost. Will put it on my cake stand so will look impressive - think that's half the battle.

Still haven't done my big shop since the 17th December - I did send DD to the supermarket for a top up - and that cost $70. I should be ok for another week or so now... just eating from the cupboards/freezer/fruitbox and buying milk and bread.

Life is good and on track. Have a couple of holidays planned this year - paid for by air $$ but need to squirrel away some spending money.

PS - STILL LOVE MY TABLE its so perfect - We have guests staying now and they love it as well. The 2 spare chairs have doubled as bedside tables and do not look out of place.

My goal today is to make a decision on some Tupperware and list what I don't want.

Edited by toadfish at 10:13 am, Mon 27 Jan

toadfish - 2014-01-27 10:10:00