Instead of having too much week at the end of the money, the roles have been reversed and any extra is going towards the mortgage. The cupboards are bulging and we've never eaten so well. Chicken nuggets, frozen chips, etc, are totally out of the question, along with takeaways. Everything is made from scratch. If the elder 2 choose to eat out they do so with their own money, they are both working after all.
My shopping bill has reduced each week because I've stocked up on items that I know I will use. I have used Approved Foods a couple of times, and again only bought what I needed. There are some groceries on there that are more expensive than my local Heron Food store but others that cannot be sniffed at. McDougalls Scone Mix £2.99 for 3.5kg and extra virgin olive oil £1 for 250ml. I am still trying with baking my own bread but have quite a way to go. Still not perfected it yet. That's why I always look in the reduced section first at Heron. Today I was able to buy a full loaf for 20p because the sell by date is tomorrow. After putting up the lunches most will be used, and the crusts will then be saved and frozen to coat Friday's fish.
I have been decluttering by either giving items away to people who need it, see here.... or selling it on Ebay and Amazon. Remember that untidy bookcase? Well, some of those books are surprisingly worth a small fortune. Ebay is going well, the television we had in the bedroom sold for £57.17. Not bad considering Hands On was going to tip it and said we wouldn't get anything for it. I sold 2 dresses, 1 brand new for £5.52 and another one that I had worn for £9.70. I couldn't quite understand that.
The thing is I want to share this with everyone. Why has it taken me to the grand old age of 36 to realise it??? That's why I am finding it increasingly frustrating when friends and certain family members (Unthrifty Sis is not included in this statement btw) say they are struggling to make ends meet, yet in the next breath tell me about where they are going out for their next meal or where they are going at weekend. Putting this diplomatically without sound didactic I suggested they cook their own meals to which their answer was that it was cheaper to buy a carvery than to cook it themselves. I'm sorry, I have to disagree. I'm going to be blunt here, it boils down to laziness. I too have been guilty of this in the past but now prefer my own cooking to anyone elses. We live in a society now where everything is so rushed that actually cooking a proper meal is too much effort for the majority, which will only be passed on to younger generations. As much as elder 2 think it's time to call the men in white coats, they do appreciate a home cooked meal and seeing me cook for the family every evening will hopefully be something they will take away with them for the their future families!
