Thrifty Thursday | Credit cards.
Sometimes it can be useful to borrow money, but paying interest goes against the grain for us thrifty and frugal ones. A credit card can be useful for emergencies, but borrowing on one can also be useful for small investments. I have to buy some food in bulk and so need a freezer. If my freezer broke down and needed to be replaced, I would consider buying a new one using a credit card. There are some that have a interest free introductory period like the Barclaycard Platinum purchase card that offers an interest free period for 15 months and balance transfers with a 2.9% fee, but the interest rate is 18.9%, so make sure it’s paid off within the 15 month period! (more…)
Frugal | Cheap meals
I think it was Mrs Beeton who said the cheapest meal was a piece of toast between two pieces of bread that were spread with butter. I don’t see the point, just have a couple of rounds of toast, spread with whatever.
If you’re really desperate crumble a Bovril cube into a soup bowl and fill up with boiling water then dip your toast into that. You can also grow herbs on a windowsill, then chop herbs like basil into your saucepan, add a Bovril cube and simmer for 5 minutes to make a soup to dip your toast in. If you have a onion lurking in the fridge, chop it as small as possible, fry it in a little oil, add herbs, salt, your Bovril cube and water, then after the onion is soft, simmer for 30 minutes for a nourishing soup.
Thrifty Thursday | Fresh, frozen or tinned?
Fresh
I find fresh fruit, vegetables and meat in the discount supermarkets but you should try outdoor markets too when you’re searching for bargains. This week I found grapes at 1.25, down from 1.99 and fresh vegetables to make a chicken stew. I also bought fresh chicken on offer for 1.99 a kilo and I had 400 grams of diced lean pork for just 1.34. The pork will make a nice stir fry later if I add rice, bean sprouts, soy sauce and 5 spice! I’ll add some finely chopped red onion to my stir fry too. I bought a basil plant that I now keep on my windowsill that adds a fresh flavour to soups and stews now. (more…)
Thrifty Thursday | Little luxuries
Prawn Salad
You might remember my gourmet food blog that featured an Icelandic prawn salad. I was looking forward to making another one on Sunday and went foraging for another little tub of prawns in Lidl. The price went up! They were £1.19, up from just 65p a couple of weeks ago. I still had them but made two meals this time with them. I used half the tub on Sunday with half a tin of white crab meat and a little iceberg lettuce, tomato, Branston and chips. The white crab meat was from Poundland. Yummy… (more…)
Frugal Friday | Cooking
Waste not want not
I was reading how many billions of pounds people waste by throwing away food. The meal in the picture was made from left over boiled potato fried to golden brown and I added some veggies and a chicken drumstick. Very frugal, quick, easy and delicious. I wish I had browned that chicken drumstick a little more though… (more…)
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