Everyday Value Curry

One of our favourite treats is Chinese but unfortunately we can't always afford the £20 or so it costs to get it for the whole family. This is a very cheap alternative. We manage to feed 3 adults and a toddler all for under a fiver. Tonight's dinner however was just 2 adults and one toddler and here is how it totalled:

500g chicken (frozen 1kg used half) £1.98
Everyday value curry sauce (2 jars)  £0.40
Tesco boil in the bag rice (99p a box of 4 used 2) 0.50p
Fridge leftovers peppers and mushrooms (I consider these a free optional extra as already had in fridge and you don't need it)

Total £2.88

Just defrost chicken night before then brown off in pan. Add any optional extras to it such as onions, peppers, mushrooms, peas, etc. Add sauce and simmer for about 20mins. Boil rice for about 20mins in hot water. Serve. It really is simple and it's delicious. The sauce itself contains raisins which I love in a curry. We only ever add what is in the fridge as it's delicious without any extras but I love a chunky curry and it's an easy way to get some veg into my toddler. So tonight's add ons were mushroom and peppers. Here is how it looked all cooked and ready to it. 

There we have it folks. A full meal for 3 for less than £3.

Disclaimer: I am not in any way shape or form affiliated with Tesco. I just love their products. I buy these products myself and am not paid for featuring them.

Clean Hair for just Pennies

I warn you this is not a detailed description of the no poo movement just a quick insight into how you can save money on your hair routine. If you need more information there is a link below, I strongly suggest you research no poo for yourself before jumping in also.

In the spirit of saving money it would be wrong of me to not mention the way we wash our hair here at EV Mansion. Ok, so its a 2 bedroom flat but you get the drift... If you want to know more about no poo or about my journey then click here

Shampoo:
Baking Soda 1TBS
Water 1CUP

Conditioner:
Distilled White Vinegar 1TBS
Water 1CUP

Use pretty much the same as you would use shampoo and conditioner but you MUST leave at least 4 days between washing. It gets easier, I am now on 10 days in between and loving it. You must be dedicated to going through a nasty transition period where your hair will hate you and be a greasy horrible mess but it really is worth it. If you want to know more detailed accounts of no poo please click the link above and if you are on Facebook there is a fantastic group called No Poo/ Low Poo.

But yes, thats the gist of the money saving shampoo and conditioner. You can pick up a pot of BS for just over a pound in supermarkets and Tesco sells DWV for 44p a jar.

Good luck guys :)

Homemade Deodorant for Pennies!

Since embarking on my no poo journey (see here) I have also been looking at other thrifty ways of saving money and going harsh chemical free. One of my favourite discoveries has got to be homemade deodorant. See here for a detailed account of how to make it and some other harsh chemical free tips.

This deodorant really works. It really does. Before going chemical free I used various antiperspirants up to twice a day. If I didn't my pits would have a full on stink party. Sorry. Now however I can go two to three days without even wearing any and get no smell at all. It really is amazing. Here is the recipe:

• 1/4 cup cornflour (cornstarch) or arrow root powder
• 1/4 cup baking soda (bicarb) 
• 5 TBS of coconut oil
• 4-6 drops of essential oils (I use rose)

Just mix all of these ingredients together and put into either an empty deodorant stick or into a plastic bpa free container to scoop out and smear on. I love it. It is so creamy and soft and makes my armpits feel nourished.

Please please please try this recipe and let me know what you think I would love to know.

Water (and Money!) Saving

Seeings as we live in the most expensive area in the UK for water rates we have picked up a tip or two on how to save water, and money in the process. Some of these ideas may be slightly out of your own means or comfort zone and that's fine. Using just one of these methods can cut your water bill significantly.
So here goes:

• Do not pull the flush on your toilet unless its a number 2. If its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down.
• When running the tap to get hot water (thanks crappy boiler) you can keep that water and use it for cooking, drinking, or washing your hair with.
• Save rain water in barrels and use it to either wash your hair (ultimate soft water) or use it to flush the loo. Its not recommended to eat or drink this water.
• Go onto your local water provider website. Most offer water saving packs such as Hippo Bags, shower timers and tap pressure changers for free. 
• Start a no poo journey (see No Poo Wiki) and wash your hair once a week or less!
• Water your plants with used dish water. 

Have I missed anything that you would like me to add? Let me know in the comments :)

Family day's out for less

As parent's of a small, 2ft tall dictator who doesn't speak English very well (or any language other than what sounds like very broken dutch) we often find ourselves on days out. Being that Mr Grump only gets 1 day off on one week and then 3 days off the next, we like to make the most of his time off. So here are our very fun and very cheap ideas to get out of the house. Bare in mind we are very fortunate to live right on the sea front and a half an hour drive from Dartmoor...

• Plymouth National Marine Aquarium is one of our favourites. Get a Day Plus pass, this means you pay for one days entry and you get an entire year free of charge. We often go there to just sit and have a picnic in front of the big tank or the sharks on a rainy day. 
• Jump. Our toddlers paradise. We have loyalty cards up to our elbows and that means when you pay an entry you get one stamp. 4 stamps equal a free adult drink, 5 stamps equal a free meal and 6 stamps equal a free admission and you can redeem all of these at once. Entry for a 1 year old is £3.75 and adults go free.
• Swimming. We are fortunate enough to live by a tidal pool which is completely free. In the hot summer it is a refreshing change from the chlorine environment most are used to. We also live near another open air pool which is free. If it's cold we go to our local swimming pool. Because Mr Grump has Military discount, its £4 for a family of 3 to swim! 
• Dog Walks. We frequent local dog walking areas as our toddler loves to feed the dogs treats (with owners permission) and for him, that's like paradise.
• Plymouth Museum is free and on a Saturday morning they have cinema showings for free. Check your local What's on guide for local attractions and events.
• Duck Pond. We have a local duck pond where we take Mini Saver. He loves feeding the ducks and its also surrounded by a gorgeous green area where he can run safely.
• Local Children's Groups. Our Church holds a parent and child messy play on a Wednesday morning for just a pound. Check your local area.
• Play parks. We have known to have traveled miles to attend new and exciting play parks but luckily on our doorstep we have one at the bottom of the road.
• Boat Trips. We are extremely lucky to live on a water taxi route and also a ferry route, if we are at a loss of what to do its always a huge treat for Mini Saver, he loves it!
• Feeding the Horses. Because we aren't far from the moors we are able to get a bag of cheap carrots from Tesco (89p 1.5kg) and off we go to feed the horses.
• there are so many other ways you can cheaply occupy yours and your family's outdoor time. Check the whats on guides for your areas.

Any ideas to add? Let me know!

Cheap and Great Nappies

Our favourite brand of nappies might not be glamorous or endorsed by celebrities but we have found they are the best. Yes we have used Pampers, we have used Huggies and we have also used other cheap brands but for us, out on top, is Mamia Aldi's own brand.
Our toddler has used them on his bottom now pretty much since he was born after a brief stint trialing others. He no longer has nappy rash and they only leak if he drink 2ltrs of juice in the day...which happens often I'm afraid. This is not the nappies fault though, its the toddlers.

Totalling in at £4.49 for 40 size 5 they hugely out pocket the Pampers brand which charge £9.99 for 39...

Not being crude but for something your toddler vents his bowel and bladder into that is an awful lot of money. Mamia is soft, it boasts a cute design with different zoo animals on and its comfy for our toddlers bottom. They have also won the Mother and Baby gold star award, best baby and toddler award, Prima baby award and the Loved by Parents award.

Here is what he has to say on the matter:

feferogjtrkljreg
rfkgrelkjdvv               jkrlgjerlgjrkljioe vfi


So that seals it. Mamia FTW. Have you tried Mamia? Love it? Hate it? Let us know!

Pocket Warming Slow Cooker Casserole

This is ideal for the Autumn coming up, I have already made it twice this month ;)

One of our favourite money saving meals which is filling and delicious is a chicken casserole made with you guessed it, everyday value and a bit of love. Here is how you do it:

• 1KG frozen chicken £3.99 (use half)
• 1KG frozen casserole veg £1
• Colmans casserole mix 75p
• Tesco dumpling mix 50p

Total= £4.33

Defrost the chicken overnight. In the morning put into slow cooker diced. Add frozen veg. Mix the casserole mix with water stated on pack and pour into slow cooker. Cook for 8hrs on low or 5 hours on high. In the last hour make up the dumpling mix and put dumplings into slow cooker on the top of the casserole and leave lid off. Cook on high for an hour. Serve.

A cheap and easy dinner for 3. Happy slow cooking :)

Disclaimer: I am not in any way shape or form affiliated with Tesco. I just love their products. I buy these products myself and am not paid for featuring them.