WTF Do I Eat Tonight?

January, it seems, is not quite long enough. At least not long enough for me to share all the frugal tips that I seem to be learning. Focusing on my store cupboard, on what I have rather than what I want/can spend money on is really changing my relationship to food shopping and cooking. First, my fridge is no longer overloaded with more cheese than I can eat. Second, I am only buying one or two perishables at a time, so no more mushy pears or yellowing greens. And third, and third is my favourite, I am finding it a much more creative process than writing out a massive shopping list and spending lots of money. I am using up everything and I can honestly say that, this month, apart from undeniable necessities that aren’t on my store cupboard list, like cat food, loo roll and washing-up liquid, I have only bought refreshers so 1) some bacon 2) dairy (crème fraîche, unsalted butter, milk) and 3) vegetables and fruit. And, before you suggest that I have been eating out for four weeks, I have eaten out, or at someone else’s house, a mere four times. For someone whose usual penny-pinching never sees the light of day once through the doors of Waitrose, this has been a revelation. Continue reading →