A thrifty weekend: Saturday

Most Wanted have asked me to see how far I could get in Manchester with £50 –“Will it last for a day out?” they ask. I am going to try and make it last over two days, for one to two people. Easy!

A cheap and exhilarating way to start the day is a walk in the country. Regular readers might know I am walking the 97 mile long Cheshire Canal Ring bit by bit, so let's head off to a stretch of canal for a couple of hours walk. There are so many stretches that are especially pretty. Today’s photo was taken on a frosty day last weekend, of a railway viaduct as seen from the Macclesfield Canal near Congleton. Parking at Henshall's Bridge and walking to Buxton Road Bridge is about a six mile round trip, and a gentle two hour walk. Cost: Petrol £4. See: http://www.waterscape.com/in-your-area/cheshire/walking

Back by late morning to On the Eighth Day in town for coffee and a flapjack. Stocking up with some of their wonderful calzones and wraps (e.g. smoky bean burrito, spinach and pea wrap, Mediterranean calzone) for a takeout lunch. Oh, and a copy of the Positive News paper for a 10p donation at the till. Cost £6.10.
(see: http://mancunianwave.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-mondays-on-eighth-day.html and http://positivenews.org.uk/ )

Talking of quality newspapers, a copy of The Guardian (which was called The Manchester Guardian from 1821 to 1959) is always a wonderful weekend-long read. It's worth the cover price but can be cheaper still at the newsagents around All Saints. 80p.

In the afternoon we are spoilt for choice for galleries and museums, but we’re off to the Gallery of Costume at Platt Fields. It’s in an 18th century house and has undergone a recent £1 million refurbishment. It contains one of the most important costume collections in Britain, second only to the V&A in London. Over 20,000 fashion items from the 17th century to the present day, plus exhibitions- free of charge: http://www.manchestergalleries.org/our-other-venues/platt-hall-gallery-of-costume/

Back on a bus into town- If you don’t have a season ticket then buy a Day Saver ticket. These can be complex as there are different fares depending on what combo of train, tram and/or bus you want, but worth the money (£4 to £7 for an adult). Or buy a Stagecoach Bus day ticket (about £3.50) if you are just hopping on and off buses only, as I suggest you do today. The free buses (Metroshuttles) in the city centre are also worth knowing about: http://www.tfgm.com/buses/metroshuttle.cfm

I'm often visiting charity shops to hunt some bargains. Suburbs with a good selection include Altrincham, Chorlton, Northenden and Sale. DVDs for £1.99+ and I am always finding good books for around £2.99+ (travel, fiction, whatever you are into). If you are lucky then clothing, footwear, jewellery or household goods can be sourced here too. So for £5 I’ve got a paperback and a DVD, which will make for two cheap evenings or more.

My evening meal and more (for two people for two evenings) can be sourced by going to a supermarket and hunting for reduced items or shop’s own brand labels. Being a veggie makes it cheaper too. Four baking potatoes for 35p, kidney beans 26p, olives 39p, three peppers for 56p, tomatoes at 41p, bananas 16p for a bunch of 10, tangerines- a bag for 26p, red pepper hummus reduced to 85p, bag of salad for 57p, a loaf of wholemeal bread for 49p. Wine £3.99. Plus sweetcorn, carrots, onion and courgettes. A total spend of about £9.

Popping into Aldi on the way back to check out their cheap fruit and vegetables, tortillas and dips, but only coming away this time with a lipstick from the Lacura range- I love the stylish silver casing and if you are lucky they will have the colour you want- I sometimes have to wait months for the colours I prefer, so, as with all bargain hunting, patience is a virtue. Coral is one of several I use, at £1.99.

A quick visit to the City Library and also the Tourist Info Centre, to pick up leaflets and see what is on for the next few weeks, and what is cheap or free. Many leaflets I make into cards and CD covers at a later date as they can have some funky designs on. Borrow a few books at the City library and a browse of the CD and DVD racks- all styles catered for.  See: http://mancunianwave.blogspot.com/2011/09/lion-cherubs-library.html and http://mancunianwave.blogspot.com/2011/11/they-return-love-around-here-dont-they.html

It’s time for afternoon tea and mine’s a cafetiere of mint tea at Cornerhouse cafe where you can relax, people-watch and look down at the bustle on the streets below. £1.85. (see http://mancunianwave.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-mondays-cornerhouse-cultural.html )

Home to put my feet up and read The Guardian and have a look at my new books. Then cooking up the ingredients- it’s my hardy perennial – a hearty bowl of chilli, with a side salad and some olives. Evening spent over two glasses of wine each, while watching the DVD bought earlier.

Total spend for the day £28.74