Cost of living #2

[nightshade]

Finally reorganised my kitchen cupboards, I've been meaning to do it for ages. The food cupboard was the smallest one in the kitchen but I've now switched it with the pots and pans one so have more space and can easier see what I have.

I got a few free bits lately, some courgettes and pumpkin/squash thing that were going spare at the allotment, and I popped to the zero waste stall, not much available there, but got a pack of pancakes that I'll take to work for lunches this week. I'll do a risotto to use up the courgettes this week. Pretty sure I have everything I need for it, definitely have rice anyway!

I have used the hot water bottle a few times, and switched the dehumidifier once after doing a lot of washing and seeing condensation on the windows.

I do have a lot of gadgets, not tech ones, but kitchen ones mostly, I have a dehydrator that I plan to do apples in soon, free from my mother's tree

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Spanky has not really been affected at all save for the fact not as many people seem to be buying his widgets as before. Sales have certainly been hurt, but other than that... eh.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I think the time has come where I need to start shutting the windows at night, I usually leave them open an inch, but it's quite chilly this morning, so I'll start closing them up at night from now onwards.
I want to put the washing machine on a clean cycle today aka empty, hot and with some soda crystals in it, but that's a longer wash, so I won't be doing that as often over winter, just sticking to the short wash cycles.
One thing I don't need is more books, dvds, and jigsaw puzzles, my brain went into panic mode when that 80% was announced and I got loads from the charity shops, so I have plenty to watch and do over winter, and I'll probably not even watch half of it!

It's still so hot where I live - in the 70s! So I've been leaving them open at night with the fans on. Then if it gets too warm during the day I'll turn the air on.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

I've been eating lots of potatoes, salads, and boiled eggs. I LOVE potatoes with butter and cheese! Add a little garlic, salt, and pepper, oh my God..... soooo good. Also, eating more veggies is cheaper than eating meat.

Post automatically merged: Oct 13, 2022

It's still so hot where I live - in the 70s! So I've been leaving them open at night with the fans on. Then if it gets too warm during the day I'll turn the air on.

You wouldn't have survived the heatwave we had here a month ago. 😅 Upper 90's in the day, upper 70's/low 80's at night! It was a NIGHTMARE.

 

[November]

*LOLz in Australia summer*

My car has a full tank, still have $120 in electric credit and just under 2 tonne of firewood left. My dishwasher was also a prerequisite of moving here - uses less water than hand washing and frees up my energy for other things. I know a LOT of cleaners out of work now, seems to be one of the first things people cut back on when watching money. I cancelled my roadside assistance too, now I know enough people around here to get help if required, and I really only drive the highway so someone I know is bound to pass. Kept the rewards card - 4 cents off a litre on fuel and a heap of other discounts (like Nation park entry etc).

I am getting some roo mince in my next order. Half for burgers for me and half for the dogs. The veg here is very expensive so eating meat is actually the cheaper option with far more nutrients for less money. I'll just make some damper for my burger buns as I never get through a loaf of bread or 6 pack of rolls.

I must not forget to water the garden with the distraction of the new puppy! I need to adjust the net on my blueberries too. The herbs are going super great so I wanted to look up some smoothie or sauces I can use them in. Its nearly tomato seasons and I am not sure if I bother putting any in, since my neighbour always has so many.

No success with a choko vine yet 🙁

 

[nightshade]

@Joan the Vampire Slayer it's not actually that cold here yet, I'm just one of those who feels cold easily. I think so far its only dropped down to about 1-2c which is low 30s.

I need to finish rearranging the kitchen the jam maker can go on top of the cupboard, if it's not too big, essentially freeing up a cupboard for me. I need to get the dehydrator down from the top of the fridge freezer and dry the apples, if I say it enough times I'll eventually do it!

 

[TriBel]

it's not actually that cold here yet, I'm just one of those who feels cold easily. I think so far its only dropped down to about 1-2c which is low 30s.

Are you living in your fridge or do you have your own climate system? I'm in the northwest and I don't think the nighttime temperature has dropped below 7C/44F. I haven't put any heating on yet - nor am I wearing the mythical "big coat". Perhaps you have too many fields? 😉

I'm impressed with your efforts BTW. So far (solar panels/new loft insulation aside), mine consist of praying for a change of government and wondering whether to buy a new microwave/air fryer. Oh - I also bought a couple of down jackets from a charity shop. And I bought my mother a "Snoodie" for Christmas - which she won't wear so I'll get back.

I'll probably draught-proof the doors and windows. If I liked the house I'd invest in triple glazing but I don't so I'll stick with double and the heavy curtains I bought last year.

 

[nightshade]

So far I've only had to clear the shop windows of condensation once, so it hasn't been that cold here yet, but it's definitely been 2c a few times. I haven't got out the big coat either, but I do have a scarf on today, if I left my hair down I wouldn't have worn one, but not washing hair til tomorrow.

When sorting out the food cupboard I found a lot of peanut butter, so I'll bake something with that next month, I don't need to bake this month, loads of sponge cake and bread pudding in the freezer. Also a lot of cous cous, so I'll do something for lunch with that next week.

I've been experimenting with the air fryer, did veggie rolls in it the other day and they went well, so I'll keep those in mind for future shopping orders.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I've been experimenting with the air fryer

Spanky has been contemplating buying one of those doohickeys lately. Are they easy to clean-up? He's currently going back and forth between an air fryer and a vitamix blender as to the next kitchen appliance he can buy to collect dust.

 

[nightshade]

Spanky has been contemplating buying one of those doohickeys lately. Are they easy to clean-up? He's currently going back and forth between an air fryer and a vitamix blender as to the next kitchen appliance he can buy to collect dust.

Mine is, you just take the bottom grill panel thing out and rinse it all, but if I was buying it I'd go for a bigger one, I was given this, and it's okay for a single person, but I can only just do a complete meal in it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Mine is, you just take the bottom grill panel thing out and rinse it all, but if I was buying it I'd go for a bigger one, I was given this, and it's okay for a single person, but I can only just do a complete meal in it.

Have you air fried tofu?

 

[nightshade]

Have you air fried tofu?

I have, done a lemon chicken style tofu dish with it, did sauce in pan but the tofu in airfryer

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I have, done a lemon chicken style tofu dish with it, did sauce in pan but the tofu in airfryer

What is the consistency of the tofu after the air fryer? Does it dry it out or is it still 'moist'? Spanky doesn't care for moist tofu.

 

[November]

Todays grocery delivery is cancelled 😭 truck breakdown. I should have suggested roadside assistance to Coles! Im super glad I filled up the car the other day, cos I am going to need to do another shop run this weekend. Boooooooo. They better refund immediately!

I'm gona get an air fryer when my oven dies, they seem like great little gadgets!

 

[Plasma]

I'm gona get an air fryer when my oven dies, they seem like great little gadgets!

I highly recommend them. They’re excellent multi-purpose cookers that are really nice for smaller meals. I own one and use it from time to time, but my parents have had one for years and swear by it.

 

[Bop]

The ready meals just aren't worth it anymore.

 

[nightshade]

The ready meals just aren't worth it anymore.

Never have been really. I don't always cook from scratch, often using a jar sauce instead, which for me works out cheaper, especially if it's something new to try, so I don't buy loads of ingredients I might not use again.

I've got a jar of carbonara sauce for next week, not really anything like the light sauce you have when made from scratch but it'll do for 3 -4 meals for me.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

I'm hooked on body wash, but my favourite brand is now $6 for 18 ounces. So now I'm using shampoo instead. It's MUCH cheaper, and pretty much the same as body wash!

 

[Skanky Vamp]

my favourite brand is now $6 for 18 ounces.

What brand is that? Still seems pretty cheap.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

What brand is that? Still seems pretty cheap.

Caress Daily Silk.