Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

skintbint_2

thanks maz1964, am fed up throwing things out especially veg, was thinking could get one of those thingy's and the dice veg, unwrap stock cube and seal altogether so have soup pack ready to just pop in pot or slow cooker in morning before i goto work, also if the gammon or whatever is sealed the OH and kids wont pick at it everytime they walk past the fridge. Am fed up using boxes in freezer as they take up so much room so would reckon i'd probably get twice as much in freezer. will check out Lidls and Argos and see how much they are

grandma247

the cat I don't think it is cheating to buy before next year,a lot of us did that last year. Not buying when you see stuff cheap is silly if you have the money.
I buy at our local Asian shop at this time of the year because they have great bargains on bulk stuff like sugar which works out at 50p a packet.

Skintbint I have often wondered if the slicers were worth it so thanks for letting us know I will look into that and may get some gammon joints as well as pork for sandwiches. They will be much better value anyway without the injected water.
I have a vaccum packing machine. I have had it a good few years and It is great for packing things for the freezer. Also I have been known to make mini bags to put sugar and coffee in individual measured amounts for picnics. Saves a lot of messing about and extra weight.

lindadykes

I think that signing up to this challenge is already saving me money as I now think do I really need to buy that? rather than just walking around shops in a daze picking up things "just in case!". For example went to Boots in my lunch break for dry shampoo and ONLY bought that - and I paid with my Boots points rather than cash. Normally I'd have looked around and picked up bits and bobs just cos I could!!!! and I'd have bought one of their meal deals even though I had HM soup waiting back at work - because I'd have thought "oh don't fancy that soup now - and the meal deals are good value. " This time I thought "it's £2.99 I don't need to spend". Am planning on doing my budget soon and hopefully making 2010 the year I stop wasting money.

eggybread_2

EggyBread:xmastree:

trex170104

lindadykes wrote: »

I think that signing up to this challenge is already saving me money as I now think do I really need to buy that? rather than just walking around shops in a daze picking up things "just in case!". QUOTE]


I absolutely agree lyndadykes I've been feeling the same this week nd being really careful.

maz1964

skintbint wrote: »

thanks maz1964, am fed up throwing things out especially veg, was thinking could get one of those thingy's and the dice veg, unwrap stock cube and seal altogether so have soup pack ready to just pop in pot or slow cooker in morning before i goto work, also if the gammon or whatever is sealed the OH and kids wont pick at it everytime they walk past the fridge. Am fed up using boxes in freezer as they take up so much room so would reckon i'd probably get twice as much in freezer. will check out Lidls and Argos and see how much they are

hiya skintbint - also another idea and ive bought from lakeland those green bags that you put fruit and veg to keep them fresh they do work, i think ive seen a bit of a cheaper version in asda where the jml is it stand is they have similar but not used them personally

just another thought for you and for others

have a fun eve maz

VickyA_2

Ooooh, can I join please?

VickyA
I'll work a budget out soonish, but DH and I have just bought our first house so we need to be as frugal as possible. We already live quite frugally, but I think that we need to hone our skills! We'll be living around the corner from the in-laws with FIL being a keen gardener and veg grower. I'm anticipating a cuttings and seedlings swap next year.

kayharcombe

Id like to join in please, i did join last year but moved house in february so bowed out, in order to spend all the money id saved over the last few years sorting house. House is now nearly done, so i need to start being really careful again now.

struggling for christmas so am already trying to eat out of pantry and freezer, we have loads of meat as i buy in bulk from a farm, already have turkey ready for christmas, so might toddle over to gc for december, as i need to have a really tight month this month, but good practise for next year

Kay

BigMummaF

Listening to the news--admittedly with only half an ear --but there's some speculation that vat could be up to 20% by this time next year _pale_

taka

BigMummaF wrote: »

Listening to the news--admittedly with only half an ear --but there's some speculation that vat could be up to 20% by this time next year _pale_

Looks like it is reverting back to 17.5% as of 1st Jan 2010.