FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE 2010, part 1. (Living on £4,000 a year)

candygirl

slowlyfading wrote: »

Evening everyone.

I made it through my first placement! :j :j :j I'm so pleased with myself it's been hard work but worth it - I've enjoyed every (!) minute.

I'm going out for a meal with my subject mentor tonight, her husband who also works in the department part time and the other girl on placement in the department. I'm looking forward to it - we're going to a little Italian place in town, should be lovely

Cheryl - sorry to hear about your dog sending big (((HUGS))) your way xxx

Well done hun, I remember that feeling well when I did my teacher training many moons ago;)Hope the next placement is as enjoyable, and have a nice night x:D

mama67

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

If you have a tj hughs nearby thier thermals are all half price at 2.49 i resisted though !!

Just made 10l of laundry gloop i used to use this all the time then switched to mr t's value as it was so cheap but i am convinced the box shrinks each time i buy one?

Netto do really cheap seeds too 29p pack i think and lots of choice

Been shopping today instead of waiting till saturday spent just under £30 at mr m which is good for me and i stocked up on half price cheese and got lucky with extra spesh roast beef for sandwiches (made and now in the freezer) also got a load of organic apples for pennies stocked up on 19p pitta bread too ......kebab anyone?

Anyone know of a good deal anywhere on bacon? no costco here i am afraid but all other stores and a b00kers , supplies running low and the weekend is fast approaching ..................does anyone freeze ready made bacon butties ? do they reheat in the microwave ok?

Mexican beany pittas for dinner with some rocket from the greenhouse i did't know i had?!

coconut cake and custard for pud...yum

Shaz, I make up and freeze batches of my version of a golden arches breakfast muffin - (english muffin toasted, rasher of bacon portion of omellette and maybe a mushroom; wrap in kitchen roll and then bag. Defrost in fridge overnight then nuke in the morning). So I don't see why sarnies shoudn't may have to toast the bread though.

hth

NualaBuala

Lynz, SlowlyFading and Homegrown_Life – thank you so much for all your kind thoughts. I’m a bit better today – had a really rough meeting yesterday where I felt I was discriminated against because of my depression. Still, onwards and upwards – am putting it behind me now.

SlowlyFading, - good luck with the application. I thought your gift idea was lovely and hope you enjoy your meal tonight

Sophiesmum – I love your blog and the sock monkey is very cute!

Grandma247 – so it’s not just me! I really do find smell triggers memories. Sounds like you have lovely memories of your grandmother too.

Natalie, glad the council are helping you with housing.

Thriftylass – thanks for compost info. I remembered I have a bag of multipurpose compost in the hall buried under rubbish. I got it last year on offer in Aldi and then forgot about it!

Blairweech – sounds like a really good idea to study agriculture. Best of luck making your dreams come true. I truly believe that money doesn’t guarantee happiness and living a life that suits you and your values is what’s important.

Jtb2412, hope you’ll feel better soon. I saw that programme with Monty Don and really enjoyed it.

Fishcake, hope Mr Fishcake is better soon, even if it’s just so you can take him to task for the mess!

Cheryl, so sorry about your poor little dog – hugs to both of you.

Gilligansyle, thanks for the info on what to put in my containers. I don’t have any broken crockery but will try it without it!

Candygirl, I love the sound of lentil pate – any chance you could share your recipe? I need to lose weight and cheese is one of my downfalls - lentil pate could be a lighter substitute for me.


Spent nothing on myself today - was tempted to get a takeaway both yesterday and today but have resisted. Only spend was a small birthday present which I'd budgeted for.


Did a little in the garden - felt like having a duvet day but turfed myself out to make the most of the dry weather. Gathered lots of fire kindling which got the fire going in no time this evening.


Will probably spend the evening knitting and watching TV. There's a very strong chance that I will "tidy up" some lovely fairtrade choc I bought in Lidl yesterday. It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it


Have a lovely evening my frugal chums!

candygirl

Here is WEEZLS recipe Nuala:D


150g red lentils 11p
¾ pt water or vegetable stock left over from last time you boiled or steamed any veg
2 medium onions 8p
3 cloves garlic 9p
2 tablespoons sesame oil or olive oil 11p
3 tsp dried mixed herbs 5p
2 slices whole wheat bread crumbs 2p
1 teaspoon sea salt, to taste (may sub regular salt) 1p
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, to taste 1p
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 2p

Prices from asda total-50p, made approx 25-30 sandwiches last time I did it, so about 2p per sandwich, no need for butter.:money:

Wash lentils, drain, and place in a saucepan.
Add the water or stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
Chop the onions and the garlic very finely.
In a large frying pan, heat the oil.
Add the garlic, onions, and herbs and saute over medium heat, stirring, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions and garlic are brown.
When the lentils are done, stir them thoroughly to mash, add the onion mixture.
Season to taste with sea salt, vinegar, and pepper.
Spread on HM bread.
Enjoy!:j

mooomin

Hi everyone!

A good 'n' frugal day for me today. It's payday today and I'm still working on the basis of the budget running from the 1st of the month so have sent money to the bills account and otherwise leaving the rest of it untouched :A

I treated myself to payday lunch with my M&S giftcard, so spent no money there. I also used a £5 off in Boots voucher to buy No7 facewipes, so that will come off the already over-budget toiletries money. Harrumph.

I did have a good spend day today though as I had to buy some groceries. I bought everything on my list for good prices and got the following excellent whoopsies...(prices I paid are in green)

Quiche £1.8819p
Cheese £2.56 £1.29
Fresh Soup £1 each 15p each (bought three!)
Sausages 79p 12p
Sausages £2.12 (!) 12p



Cheese was on my list, nothing else on the whoopsies were, but the soup is now frozen for lunches at a future date. We will eat one packet of sausages tomorrow, the others have been frozen and the quiche has been halved and frozen. I'm very pleased with this!


Other than that, I've charged my phone at work and had some lovely slow-cooked chicken for dinner. Hope everyone else had a frugalicious day

PS - Cheryl I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Xxx

ceridwen

NUALABUALA

Dont dont dont feel "guilty" over feeling depressed. In some ways - depression is a very understandable response to the world we live in.

So - theres two ways to look at it - either:
- it could be your body "chemistry" that is making you feel this way (ie YOU arent responsible for that)

AND/OR

- its a very understandable response to a world that has so many "problems" in it.

I take the view that its best to realise these two facts and then fight to get on with it/make the best of things - but I must not "beat myself up" about feeling the way I often do...as thats completely understandable and certainly doesnt reflect on ME in any way...IYSWIM.

NualaBuala

Candygirl, thanks for that recipe - isn't it great that something so scrummy and healthy is so cheap too!

Ceridwen, thank you so much - your post is one I've read and will re-read again and again. It really struck a chord with me. It took me ages to even admit I had depression and even longer to stop beating myself up over it and accept is as an illness. Recently I've been thinking, hang on, it's no wonder I'm feeling like this given my circumastances. But in the meeting, I went back to the old guilt and shame - I want to just shake off that feeling and carry on trying my best to get on with things. Easier said than done though!

lynzpower

JTB- wish my mum was as approachable at that age! Well done to you :T

SF- :T well done at finishing placement :T and in one piece too :j enjoy tonight!

Nuala- glad your feeling stronger- you show em

Natalie- so glad your housing is sorted- you must be so relieved. Will that mean lots of new lovely quidco cashback as you set up new utilities and providers :money:

Cheryl, hugs to you, Im a parent to a JRT, I just dont know how Id find the strength to let her go, so sending hugs for a bit extra to see you through

Sure Ive missed someone there but plenty of spare hugs for them that need them :cool:

Frugal living hasn't really taken off for me today and Im miffed. Too k no food despite having things in the house, and bought cokes/snacks. Did buy Saithe and chips on Ramsgate sea front ( 1.90 bargain) but had an unneccesary bread roll for 40p ( sigh) which I fed to the seagulls.

The gulls down there are pure vermin though- last time I went a swarm of them came and knocked my saithe and chips out of my hand and scoffed the lot the moment I came out of the chippy :rotfl: I so wish Id had that on camera! I always ask for them fully wrapped now ( tucked firmly under arm)

I went to M&S and got the meat deal. I bought 2 lots and got 2 of the soy pork belly ( which is gorgous and MASSIVE) a chicken ( should do 3 meals) a salt beef joint ( excited, never made this before) a huge gammon and a tray of chicken breasts ( should do at least 3 meals) Also their kitchen cleaner was half price at 59p so got a few of those too, some butter, rice and a lettuce. I had to make it up to 25 as I had a 5er o ff voucher. Total savings on the receipt was over 20.00 and I spent 21.00 of the food budget. Quite pleased really. We can now meal -plan using super6 type veg or what I can get at the market next week.

Oh is making fajitas tonight and will make the wraps himself ( impressive, he is superb with dough - lots better than me) using one of the chicken breasts, some tired pepper , lettuce, cheese and sour cream.

There is a possibility that me & OH might do some contract work for my job- keeping shtum about it for now, but its bubbling.

Finally sorted out a savings account and the pack is being emailed from the coventy. For other savers, the under 35yo one for "first time buyer" with santander is offering 5%. YOu can only save 300pcm in this tho, so Ill get oH to open this.

OH moved into his new office today ( his very own office) and I want to make him a card and a treat for his first day in there on monday

lynzpower

Recently I've been thinking, hang on, it's no wonder I'm feeling like this given my circumastances. But in the meeting, I went back to the old guilt and shame

Nuala

the guilt and shame is a social construct- created by britons to make people feel guilty about things they have no control over.Ive felt guilt and shame for physical health probs- lots of people do. I mean what is that about! makes no sense when you think of it.

I find now I know this, I have said "It feel to me like you are trying to make me guilty for having sick leave for a recognised illness?"

babyboysmommy

I made my first Wheatabix cake today & DH loved it so something else good for his lunch box.

Sold another book on Amazon

I did have plans to do more today but my energy levels have been really low so ended up doing very little, frustrating.