Live on £4000 for a year - Part 3

slowlyfading

lingojingo wrote: »

Off to stay with Mum for a few days from tomorrow, so have a good week everyone.:hello:

Have a good time. xx

bails

You know what I love about this forum? The way someone starts talking about something they want to focus on e.g. cutting down on hot water and then it triggers others to think about that area of their life and see if they can frugalise it too :T I have learnt so many tips and thought about things in a different light so many times from other people's posts and yet again I'd just like to say thanks so much for all your inspiration :iloveyou:

I hope the rain has held off Janey and you've mananged to get most of your logs cut. If I'd have known there was a bacon sarnie on offer, I'd have made the journey myself (just so I could smell it of course ). I think it's a great idea to pass some inheritance onto your kids now - my parents did the same thing last year which was how I was able to put a deposit down for the house, and it's given me a such a sense of security that I'm grateful for daily. Please make sure you leave yourself some though. And have a hug from me :grouphug: xx

They were great tips indeed about the basket pole and guttering, had OH nodding approvingly when I told him last night so thanks Sophiesmum :T
Hope you've had a nice adventure out in the car Nyk

We picked up the radiator cover this morning and with a bit of work it'll do the job just great! I love free things I do! As we were near where I used to live with ex, we had a wander round there, first time I've been back in 8 years. Had a drink in a lovely cafe there which had sails up to keep the rain off, so we're thinking of doing the same at the back of our house as we love eating outside and can watch the rain bucket down Will get my mum on the case once she's finished the bridesmaids' dresses (my brother's not mine before you start :rotfl:) and get her to help me make one :j Went to Asda on the way home, no real deals to speak off, although a reduced pack of chocolate chip shortbread threw itself into my basket :rotfl:
You did well with the loo rolls BB - ours now cost £4.30 odd :eek::eek: And good point about the ramoska, and the freezer (I seem to be winning the space battle with OH and as we've put a lot of stuff on Freecycle recently I might see if we can get one from there, fingers crossed).
Have a great time at your parents Lingo, and a great afternoon to everyone else. Get darning BB, you frugalite you :T I told you this place was addictive!
ps I made yoghurt for the first time last night - it was a little runny BB but definitely going to do it again!

Penny2myName

Decided last night, that to help me cut down on electric usage, to make a flask of coffee in mornings, whether I am going to the allotment or not. Boiled kettle at 8:30 this morning, then again at 6pm where I made a second flask. This second flask should defiantly see me through to the end of the night. Rather than the constant boiling every 40 minutes or so, and sometimes reboiling. This should cut my electric usage down considerably. I am also making sure that I actually peg the clothes out and turn all the switches off at the wall in the kitchen after use.

Burlesque_Babe

Well, as an interesting comparison how much things can cost - I am on good speaking terms with my ex and when Iwent to get my dog today we were talking about British Gas etc.

We are both with BG at the moment and I asked how many kwh he used on his last gas bill.

We live in similar properties - 2 bed bungalows. My last quarter bill was £60 less than his on an identical tariff!! The only difference - he leaves the hot water on permanently (eek!) I've told him to switch it off. The timer is knackered but I've said to look to switch it on when he needs it - he's there alone and is paying a fortune for nothing. Think about how much extra he's paid since I moved out over 4 years ago!!

He said 'I'll try to remember'..........no, you HAVE to remember if you're ever going to have any money!

Brighton_belle

bails wrote: »

Will get my mum on the case once she's finished the bridesmaids' dresses (my brother's not mine before you start :rotfl:)
I'm sure he'll look very fetching

ps I made yoghurt for the first time last night - it was a little runny BB but definitely going to do it again!

Mine has been a little runnier lately...mmmm, you could try semiskimmed instead of skimmed. I am going to try a bit more dried milk next time - I'm loathed to give up the skimmed UHT yet as it so suits our sw healthy eating plan and although a bit runnoer at the mo that I would choose is ok. You could also try straining it with muslin if you want some of it thicker, but of course that does reduce the amount of yogurt, and therefore raises the cost. If you want to try straing and haven't any muslin, I could pop a spare bit in the post.

bails

Thanks BB. I used full fat UHT milk as was for OH, full fat YV yog and skimmed dried milk The UHT milk was brimming over the top so might try a different one as might be slightly thicker? Will keep experimenting but pleased to say OH thinks it's quite nice :T I would love some muslin BB but can get some myself I'm sure, thankyou xx

sophiesmum_2

Good evening frunchkins:D

Spent some time sorting out veggies today, have cut down a couple of tomato plants in greenhouse that have finished producing toms and added them to the compost bin. Also moved some of my peppers into big pots and put in space left by tom plants, as they are now getting too tall to be on the staging and need to be on the floor.
My cucumbers are doing well, have lots of little cukes setting now, and I swear the runner beans grow inches overnight, had another batch ready to pick tonight:D Last year we did broad beans but there is much more return crop wise on the runners, and you don't waste anything.
Over the last couple of days I have made 15 jars of tomato chutney, some for friends and some for my stockpile. I have also made a big batch of tomato sauce base for pasta etc. Add to that all the toms that we have been eating with meals and my HG toms have more than paid their way so far:T

I dried some blackberries,and banana slices in the dehydrator too, which can be added to cereals etc or eaten as snacks, they taste lovely and the flavours are very intense.

BB i am still deliberating about the remoska I may set myself a challenge to make the money to buy it then I won't feel guilty spending money on yet another kitchen gadget:o

sophiesmum_2

Bails how are you making the yog??
I use the easiyo to make yog but don't use the mixes just the uht skimmed milk, yog starter and spoon of dried milk powder. I usually warm the milk a little in microwave before putting into the easiyo but that is all, then drain off the small amount of whey when it is made before putting in fridge.

Optimisticpair

bails wrote: »

the deer :eek: .

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek.

Just popped in to say hi and thanks as I am learning from you fru-gals and fru-guys.

bails

Hi Optimisticpair! Glad the thread is helping you, feel free to jump in any time you like

I'm using an Easiyo without the mixes too Sophiesmum. When this lot has gone I'll have another go!
As you can see I can't sleep :rolleyes: Been up since half 3 reading about Montessori schooling :rotfl:but have the kitten for company, she's asleep on my shoulder.