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Dear Cath
Q. Hi Cath, Just wondering. I am trying very hard to live on 75 dollars a week of shopping but don't have any spare cash for stockpiling. Can you suggest where I can find extra money in the budget for it?
Sophie Burness
A. You don't need to "find" spare cash for stockpiling. As you become more adept at your $75 a week grocery budget you'll find you'll have money leftover - we call this the grocery slush fund. This is what you'll use to build your stockpile. It won't happen overnight, or even in a couple of months. It could take you a year or more to build up a one month stockpile of your basic grocery needs. Of course that depends on just what you consider basics.
Start by looking at your regular shopping list and use it to make a list of items you want to stockpile.
If there anything on it that you can find a cheaper version of, then switch brands.
Only buy the things on your list when they are on sale. This may mean you need to make substitutes or go without some things for a couple of weeks, but it will give you more spending money in your grocery budget.
When you find things on your list on sale you can either buy one and move the price difference to your slush fund or use the leftover money to buy a stockpile item.
Do you only buy on sale? If you do, do you then move the price difference to your slush fund or use it to buy a stockpile item?
You can also use bonus money to build your stockpile. Bonus money could be refunds, excess money in spending plan categories, part of a tax refund or even gift money. You could choose to sell some unused items and use the money to build your stockpile.
However you build it, it will be worthwhile and allow you to not only eat well, but eat well for less. You'll also have peace of mind knowing that if money is scarce for whatever reason you will still be able to feed your family.
Sophie Burness
A. You don't need to "find" spare cash for stockpiling. As you become more adept at your $75 a week grocery budget you'll find you'll have money leftover - we call this the grocery slush fund. This is what you'll use to build your stockpile. It won't happen overnight, or even in a couple of months. It could take you a year or more to build up a one month stockpile of your basic grocery needs. Of course that depends on just what you consider basics.
Start by looking at your regular shopping list and use it to make a list of items you want to stockpile.
If there anything on it that you can find a cheaper version of, then switch brands.
Only buy the things on your list when they are on sale. This may mean you need to make substitutes or go without some things for a couple of weeks, but it will give you more spending money in your grocery budget.
When you find things on your list on sale you can either buy one and move the price difference to your slush fund or use the leftover money to buy a stockpile item.
Do you only buy on sale? If you do, do you then move the price difference to your slush fund or use it to buy a stockpile item?
You can also use bonus money to build your stockpile. Bonus money could be refunds, excess money in spending plan categories, part of a tax refund or even gift money. You could choose to sell some unused items and use the money to build your stockpile.
However you build it, it will be worthwhile and allow you to not only eat well, but eat well for less. You'll also have peace of mind knowing that if money is scarce for whatever reason you will still be able to feed your family.
Q. Hi Cath, My MOO yoghurt doesn't always set and I can't work out why :( Would you have any tips?
Michelle Fulcher
A. There are two reasons yoghurt doesn't always set - lack of setting time and lack of fat. Commercial yoghurts have setting agents added to them to make them "thick and creamy". MOO yoghurt doesn't - hence the full cream milk powder in the recipe. It is the fat in the milk that helps the yoghurt to thicken
If you use skim, Low or no fat milk powder the yoghurt won't be as thick as there isn't enough fat in it.
You can leave your yoghurt for up to 24 hours to set. The longer it sets the thicker it will be, but it will also be tarter (something to remember if you like mild yoghurt). Once the yoghurt is in the fridge it will stop the setting process and won't thicken any more. If I am leaving my yoghurt to set for 24 hours, I refill the thermos with fresh boiling water after 12 hours to help it along.
Michelle Fulcher
A. There are two reasons yoghurt doesn't always set - lack of setting time and lack of fat. Commercial yoghurts have setting agents added to them to make them "thick and creamy". MOO yoghurt doesn't - hence the full cream milk powder in the recipe. It is the fat in the milk that helps the yoghurt to thicken
If you use skim, Low or no fat milk powder the yoghurt won't be as thick as there isn't enough fat in it.
You can leave your yoghurt for up to 24 hours to set. The longer it sets the thicker it will be, but it will also be tarter (something to remember if you like mild yoghurt). Once the yoghurt is in the fridge it will stop the setting process and won't thicken any more. If I am leaving my yoghurt to set for 24 hours, I refill the thermos with fresh boiling water after 12 hours to help it along.