My thoughts are now turning to the Christmas break, a lovely time to relax, spend time with family and just enjoy the time off from the 9-5.
There's wrapping to be done, mince pies and mulled wine to enjoy, friends to see - so much on! Yet I still try to find time to plan my ideas for the year ahead.
My plans at the moment are as follows, just whilst they are fresh in my mind. 2008 has been a year for 'homemade' and I have learnt so many skills. From lemon curd, rice pudding, chutneys etc, to more usage of my slow-cooker and spending more time planning ahead. In 2009 I am hoping to:
- Fine tune these aspects even more - this includes: Shopping for more items in the 'Reduced' section, whereby I will freeze more items to slow cook with. My husband loves cooking bread so hopefully we will experiment lots of new and tasty varieties in the new year.
- Make my own liquid soap (easier than making normal soap, which seems far too scary for me!)
- Make my own washing up liquid (more natural and less expensive than shop bought).
- Only buy new if really needed - otherwise search the Freecycle site, local second hand markets and re-using items we already have if they can be repaired.
- Save all coppers into a 'Food for Christmas 09' pot - and the same for silvers. We did this this year and it's great as December is so much cheaper then.
- Save all vouchers earned from surveys etc for Food & Drink next Xmas. We have done this for 2 years now and December is actually our cheapest month of the whole year as a result.
- Do even more 'Free Clicking' online - see right hand menu for details - as this earns me over £350 per year, for a few clicks a day in any spare time I may have.
- Eat less processed food - we make most of our own food as it is, but to cut out what we can in terms of 'lazy' eating when in town shopping.
- Buy second hand clothes if they are good quality, rather than new. I am a petite size, so this is hard for me but I have found a few bargains here and there. Whereas I was spending £15-£25 on a top, I have found items for £5 for example. It does not need to be on every item, but at least where possible.
- Make more chutney, learn how to make jams and jellies, cordials etc. These add such a fantastic element of luxury and cost so little compared to processed store bought.
- Buy more good quality bedding items that may last 10 years rather than one or two and try to choose items that will wash/wear well no matter what.
- Grow more of our own herbs and vegetables. Learn about seeds / best tiems to plant etc.
These are just what I can think of so far.
What are your ideas for the coming year?
3 comments:
Hello!
I hope that you have a lovely Christmas, are you staying in Sussex?
I have a good few plans for 2009, but am still putting my list together. I hope it goes well.
Happy New Year!
Hi all I hope you had a lovely 2008 and a great start to 2009!
I was able to get away for a few days hence my delay in replying - am now focusing on my next blog and the dreaded return to w-o-r-k! x
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