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

annie123

RE: growing spuds in old tyres, I've been doing this for 25 years with no ill effects that I'm aware of.

I find it really useful because they are easy to get for free, contain everything neatly, can be painted bright colours with daft pictures on, this kept the kids amused on many a sunny day, can fit them into small areas around the garden, get a good crop and are dead easy to harvest.
Dont put in front garden though, someone stole mine a few years ago, tyres, mud and tatties, was not pleased:mad:


Sorry, can't thank anyone today, cant see 'thank you' buttons

BigMummaF

cha97michelle wrote: »

....am not sure it is a good idea to use old tyres for planters for food. I saw a warning about it.... think it is worse when it is something that grows under the ground in close proximity to the thing being eaten. ....:D

I had a little niggle in a dark corner of my mind when I posted yesterday, but because my gardening know-how could be written in a full stop & STILL have room for the entire works of Shakespeare, I thought it best to bow to those who have more experience As it happens, the garage 'forgot' & had dumped my tyres before I picked up the car, so I didn't have to pay but didn't get my planter either..not sure if I'm pleased I don't have to justify my madness to The Offspring, or annoyed to loose out on a free flower-pot :mad:

rictus123 wrote: »

....Pouring rain so i am not getting to build today so came home....How silly was i even thinking of taking on more debt!....going to make the gf do with a card and flowers for valentines,she knows the money situation for me....:)

A) Sorry you're losing out on some overtime, I know you were hoping to make up some shortfall Unfortunately Mother Nature has her own timetable that over-rides anything else & will always be The Mistress of folk who work outside.
You're not silly--far from it! It's good to explore all options available, take advice & then make a decision you feel is right for you.
C) I'm 99% certain your Lady would appreciate you cooking for her next Sunday, even if it's only bangers & mash with the spuds in a heart-shape on her plate Well Done You too :T on letting her know you don't have cash to splash; a very adult approach that is often pushed to one side & causes a lot more trouble when discovered by the other partner.

chika

top_drawer - I adore that chest of drawers. I'm a massive WTP fan, it's just so cute. What an amazing bargain! I've been away on a Uni field trip this week so haven't posted much. Just wanted to let people know that if you're looking for a frugal holiday then the YHA is the place to go. I was dreading staying in a hostel but I was really pleasantly suprised.

The rooms are lovely, ours was ensuite, the food amazing - cooked or continental breakfast, buffet or packed lunch and an evening meal for an amazing £35 for two nights full board. If you want to self cater you can do that too which will bring the costs down a lot.

I wasn't intending to go on holiday this year but I think a few days in one of these places will do nicely.

candygirl

Lovely chest TD;):DAm just getting ready to go to see chicago, and wondering why my mate booked the matinee, as it will be so much more expensive after with meal etc:mad::mad::mad:ANYWAY apart from that no other spends today, thank god:(

Erme

Just a thought for those spending a fortune on WW etc and trying to lose weight - try http://www.sparkpeople.com or http://www.thedailyplate.com

I personally am a fan of SP...so addictive and got my head out the sand with regards my debt a few years ago (keyboard playing up sorry....last night it was the tab - argh - now it's the B and one of the arrows...another bash blow and dust with the pastry brush methinks). Also got me running (I'm another C25K fan guys)... but I haven't done that for months due to the snow and like boy am I suffering (ankle is REALLY hurting - chronic prob only fixed by exercise). I believe the DP is similar to SP. I think I got my scales for SP for like £15 from TK Max and I was set Scales even with my abuse lasted 2 years before I needed to change the batt .

Little spend day has gone into little spend plus whoopsie day. Bearing in mind I'm already £20 over budget this week this doesn't bode well. I couldn't resist going into the charity bookstore enroute for cig papers (cheap variety) and bought a crochet book I prolly don't need (just think I do!) for 50p. NSD tomorrow and only have 50p left in purse (it doesn't bear mentioning I didn't pay cash for my bananas) till tues so that should be another NSD on Mon DV. Because I simply refuse to pay £1 for a drop in I don't like and where I don't even get fed, I just get one cup of coffee. I can get coffee cheaper elsewhere (like home/chaplaincy and @ chaplaincy I get more food an it's free)...

So yeah....trying to cook chick peas in pressure cooker right now but I'm a newbie with the pressure cooker (and only soaked the peas for a few hours) so it might be sos chickpeas out of a tin for my houmous today ....

E

babyboysmommy

BigMummaF wrote: »

As it happens, the garage 'forgot' & had dumped my tyres before I picked up the car, so I didn't have to pay but didn't get my planter either..not sure if I'm pleased I don't have to justify my madness to The Offspring, or annoyed to loose out on a free flower-pot :mad:

If you still want to use them, go to any garage & they should give them away free

shaz_mum_of__2

Erme wrote: »

Just a thought for those spending a fortune on WW etc and trying to lose weight - try http://www.sparkpeople.com or http://www.thedailyplate.com

I personally am a fan of SP...so addictive and got my head out the sand with regards my debt a few years ago (keyboard playing up sorry....last night it was the tab - argh - now it's the B and one of the arrows...another bash blow and dust with the pastry brush methinks). Also got me running (I'm another C25K fan guys)... but I haven't done that for months due to the snow and like boy am I suffering (ankle is REALLY hurting - chronic prob only fixed by exercise). I believe the DP is similar to SP. I think I got my scales for SP for like £15 from TK Max and I was set Scales even with my abuse lasted 2 years before I needed to change the batt .

Little spend day has gone into little spend plus whoopsie day. Bearing in mind I'm already £20 over budget this week this doesn't bode well. I couldn't resist going into the charity bookstore enroute for cig papers (cheap variety) and bought a crochet book I prolly don't need (just think I do!) for 50p. NSD tomorrow and only have 50p left in purse (it doesn't bear mentioning I didn't pay cash for my bananas) till tues so that should be another NSD on Mon DV. Because I simply refuse to pay £1 for a drop in I don't like and where I don't even get fed, I just get one cup of coffee. I can get coffee cheaper elsewhere (like home/chaplaincy and @ chaplaincy I get more food an it's free)...

So yeah....trying to cook chick peas in pressure cooker right now but I'm a newbie with the pressure cooker (and only soaked the peas for a few hours) so it might be sos chickpeas out of a tin for my houmous today ....

E

I love my pressure cooker you don't need to soak beans to cook them though unless you want to

theres a really good cooking guide here

http://www.fatfreevegan.com/pressure/pcbeans.shtml

Shaz

lyndasharp

An expensive pet day today. Took Bessie for a check so I could get her some worm and flea treatment - she had to be looked at as it's a new vet. £39 for the flea and worm bits, which I've now found cheaper online (grr) though one is prescription only anyway. Her gums looked sore, so she's going back in a fortnight to see the vet. I suspect that's going to be expensive, as she wouldn't be covered even if she was insured due to preexisting mouth ulcer problem. Her teeth look pretty clean, so I just hope it's not a sign of some more serious problem.

We also stocked up on seeds and got the seed potatoes. The seeds were half price :-)

Two mystery shops now booked, so free food tonight and Monday!

homegrown_life

afternoon all

I'm afraid I'm feeling a little under the weather this afternoon so I'm cosied up on the couch with the laptop and MSE. OH taken kids out so enjoying some peace!

Had work this morning and picked up some whoopsied rolls at the cash and carry, also got a case of fresh OJ (UHT type stuff) that was going out of date this month. Worked out at £4.35 for 12 cartons so much better than even the basics range for price.

Oh I forgot. I also managed to pick up some walking type trainers in the charity shop for me for £1.95. Kids and OH got some last year and I never ended up splurging on some for myself. So now I have my own. Trouble is, the kids have grown out of theirs now so still have some more purchases in the future there. Maybe next month. Also picked up a pair of jeans for my DS for £1.50.

Thankfully I have a bean casserole in the slowcooker for tea. I'll probably add a couple of sausages with it, but really not much to do and a filling nutritious tea to give everyone.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

rictus123

Just cleared my Rbs credit card - £551.75:j:j

Just got a loan for 3 times that amount to fight now....:mad:bring it:mad:

Being able to pay that off is down to everyone on here, thanks guys :T:T Frugal living and budgeting everything is working wonders!:T