This is my main food cupboard, over the years I have called it many things, but these days it's just known as 'the food cupboard'. (See HERE for when I acquired it in 2016.)
It's always been one of the most useful parts of our home as it holds such a lot, and over the past day or so I have been finding out just how much food there has been stashed away in the bottom cupboard.
Over the past year or so I have been eating through all the tins in the top part of the food cupboard, alongside the few fresh things I was buying each week. Finally, last week this shelf just had a few tins of salmon and a couple of very out of date green lentils, so it was time to start moving things up from the bottom cupboard and having a good sort out.
I was amazed at how much was in there, so much so that I am still in the process of sorting through them all. Last year I moved all out of date food upwards and left the things dated 2026 and after in the bottom cupboard. Doing this worked really well and it has meant that I could use things up in chronological order and therefore nothing has been wasted. It also meant that anything that I bought and didn't use straight away was added to the lower cupboard if their dates were post-2026. Gifts of food were added, things that I brought home from Mum's bungalow were added. All added ... and then forgotten about until there wasn't even a tiny bit of space after Christmas.
Now obviously it is 2026 and with all this space in the top cupboard I am currently in the process of pulling out most of the foods with these best before dates to move them upwards ... and there is a lot more than I thought.
So I decided to move up what I could and then make an inventory of what will still be in the bottom cupboard, so that I don't go out and buy any duplicates of what I already have. I am on an extremely low budget until May of this year, so this brilliant stock of food alongside my Riverford veg boxes, that I wrote about yesterday, are really going to see me though nicely.
I'm hoping to finish off the sorting today, so if you are interested I will take a photo of my nicely restocked top cupboard and show it soon.
Talking about being on a super strict budget until May ... look what arrived on Saturday morning.
I can assure you that I was on the computer and applying for my State Pension within minutes of this invitation landing on my doormat. To be going from £77.45, plus the interest from my savings account, to £1001.18 a month is an amazing thought.
What will I be doing with all that money?
Well I can assure you I will not be wasting a penny of it and frugality will always be the name of the game in day to day life. Just so that once our renovations on the bungalow are complete we will be able to afford some lovely little holidays.
Sue xx
That's a nice pension amount. I look forward to a bit of a rise in April but still not to that full amount and they'll just tax my spouses pension more anyway!
ReplyDeleteWowsers, those extra £££ will make a difference! We're in the process of a major redesign to put in a new kitchen and replace the original with a loo and walkin shower room, and utility area. That lovely little cupboard of yours has given me the idea for moving cans and packets into utility area into a similar one to free up kitchen space.... hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI remember when you purchased that beautiful cupboard so useful I hope it will fit ok in your new home, your pension will make life a bit easier. Heather
ReplyDeleteKeeping check of the dates on food packets is a very good idea, presumably you'll have a new kitchen and design it around your cupboard?
ReplyDeleteDouble WOW! Wow at the amount of food which can be safely stashed in such an innocent looking cupboard.
ReplyDeleteSecond wow because you are only three weeks older than me {🤣🤪😘} so I might be getting a similar letter soon, x
It is paid four weeks in arrears, a very long four weeks, and then the day depends on your NI number, not 28 days after your birthday.
ReplyDeleteFrugal habits are so ingrained it is quite a challenge to choose the better cut of meat and the better quality ingredients. The vegetable box looks very good, though nothing beats freshly picked from the garden.
I understand that you can arrange to have it paid weekly but that you have to contact them and specifically request that. The default, and the one they prefer, is 4 weekly but you can ask to change to weekly.
DeleteI too remember when you bought that beautiful cupboard 🙂
ReplyDeleteI remember the cupboard too and wish I could find one similar for my kitchen here. It's so useful to have extra storage space isn't it, Sue :) I'd like to be more organised with dates.
ReplyDeleteWow, you'll find the extra money will make things easier. My current pension is £166.70 per week (or £666.80) per 4 weeks which is why I might have to move if Graham dies first. The amount I receive will leave very little once the rent is paid. Our monthly outgoings are currently around £900 per month and that doesn't include food either :0/ I dare not think about the implications.
Angie
Hopefully you won't have to worry about this too much. However, should the worst happen then it would be worth exploring pension credit. Depending on savings etc the amount that they currently top up to is a weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single. Plus if you qualify there is usually more help for council tax, and possibly rent.
DeleteI have always really liked your food cupboard and hopefully it will go to the new house with you. I remember being surprised when the pension application came in-I had assumed it came automatically on your 60th birthday (in my case). I receive my pension weekly on a Friday but I’m not sure you can do this now. Norrie gets his every four weeks so 13 times a year which we then divide into monthly amounts to keep the budget right. I hope you may also receive some compensation for the missing years.Catriona
ReplyDeleteLove that cupboard. I have a thing for pieces like that. We received a huge bump to my husband's military pension as well as his disability last year at this time. We pretty much live the,same way, and save most if it. I'm a compulsive $aver! But we have peace of mind more now and that is priceless.
ReplyDeleteHooray for state pension and for any type of pension! It might be worth looking into deferring it as you might get a larger amount. Whatever you do, enjoy it Sue!
ReplyDeleteThat lovely cupboard has always been a favourite of mine, glad its survived your frequent declutters!
ReplyDeleteHooray for the pension and for your plans to spend it on living! xxx