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

LilacPixie

Thanks ladies well I presume you are both ladies, if you are gents then oopsie.

Feeling a bit more positive this morning. my major worry last night was that he had jepordised our ability to get a mortgage but according to the advisers on the mortgage board we should be ok thankfully. I am still angry at him, more than words can actually express and certainly more than i can type without breaking the swear filter.

Nyk whats aspic??

pink_numbers

ust seen this and had to tell you girls!!

Aldi from this coming Thursday (18th) 5x100g double knit yarn for £.3.79 and they also have aran, baby and fluffy yarn too.

I'm so kicking myself for starting the buy nothing new challenge - hope everyone else has lots of fun

FrankieM

Morning everyone,
I've got the children off this week but I'm still at Uni for 3 days so DH is in charge! I think they'll be playing out and perhaps going swimming which is free.
I'm currently cooking up pig's trotters. I'm not sure if we'll be eating them tonight but at least I'll be able to freeze them for another night.
We have leftover chinese takeaway for lunch and I'll have a little look for something for tea unless I go ahead with the pig's trotters.

I planted up by soft fruit bushes from Aldi over the weekend and turned over and fed all my raised beds.
It's raining today so I can't get out there but I have a list ready for saturday!

Hope you all have a good day.

candygirl

Morning all:j:j
Listed lots of stuff on ebay yest, then found out this morn it's free listing on Thurs n Fri this week:mad::mad:I have more stuff to list so will do it then:D:DOff out today to take Mr on/off ex his bday prez n card, n might pop into shops to get more veg:p:p
Have DGD over tonight, and have made her a little lentil bake and peach yogurt concoction. she loves my cooking :D:D
Just found out this morn, my fantastic doc is leaving this month, so luckily am going to see her tomoz and will take a card.She has been in rock in the past 2 years for me:o
Have fabby frugal days everyone xx:A

Frugaldom

Just a quick response to Lilac Pixie - Aspic is the jelly you get from the meat after cooking it all up. If you cook the chicken on top of a wire rack in your roasting tin, the juices and fat all run off and into the tray. Cool this then the grease can be run off the top of the jelly. The jelly that's left is what I call aspic, it's like homemade gelatin that can be cooked, strained and set for eating with an assortment of ingredients set into it - eggs, veg, herbs, meat, pate etc. My mum & gran used it for various dishes, I believe gran's generation would even serve it as a meal in itself.

Savvy_sewing

Still lurking, cant keep up but need to be reminded I need to be careful, so thought I better have a read before I go shopping. Frugal mind now set, so its time to get DGD dressed.(Been potty training so shes in her dressinggown at the moment). Then we are off to see my new grandson too. Hes nearly a month old already.! Where does the time go?
I am having meatloaf for tea that i made at the end of last week, with my stretched mince meal.
Will try the chicken next week, I think. Not sure if I have one in the freezer or not/ Better have a look.

[Deleted User]

SuzyWuzy wrote: »

Hi all,

Well I've been anti-social for the most part of this challange so far,and now that the thread has slow down a little I'm getting withdrawal symptoms and refreshing that button far too often waiting for someone to post! Go on..make my day

I enjoy reading tips, peoples journeys and inspiration for ideas that I can use in my own life.

The real change for me in all this has been .....ME! I can't believe how much I have changed since the end of December when I first signed up to this. I'm constantly weighing things up in my mind and asking / myself..

Do I/we need it ?
Ok If I need it.. can I get it cheaper/ make it myself?
How can I use these peppers I've got left over?

The way I cook has changed dramatically. We eat the best we have ever eaten and I've even now reduced the shopping further this month as I know I can easily make my personal target. How cocky am I?! I don't throw any food away. Everything gets used.

I want to thank everyone for all ideas , suggestions and the encouragement you give to us all. Keep it coming

Frugs to all!

Suzanne

That's so true :j I like it when you think you've done all you can to save money and not waste etc. then suddenly something pops into your mind and you save even more almost effortlessly. I never thought I would automatically think 'Do I really want it?, need it?' etc but I have found that same amazing change of mind-set too.

pagangirl

Hi all

Had 3 NSD Fri/Sat/Sun, but had to go out this morning - spring has sprung Seriously, it was lovely to see the snowdrops peeking through and crocus just out. Not that its any warmer here. Sun did try & come out but at least rain kept off till I got back.

Small spend today in Mr T & Home Brrrgains £5.23 , but saved £6.81. This week's treat was crossword book £1.65. It was so nice to get out for a bit - I hate being stuck in - ok when you want to, but not when you have to iyswim ???

Lilacpixie - sorry about your news, but as others have said - at least he has opened up to you and been honest. (I can lend you our virtual baseball bat if you like - it goes around friends and family - you imagine hitting 'em with it, really makes you feel better, then you can start the process of talking about whatever the problem is, and finding a solution). Good Luck !!!

Like someone else said (soz, can't remember name) I am getting too frugal for me own good - got a DebnhAms gift card when leaving work which was nice, have walked round store checking things out, and came home with it as disgusted with prices and nuffin I needed - will prob save it towards birthday/Christmas prez. Couldn't have done that a while ago - this is a whole different mindset for me, but I love it - just cringe when I think of all wasted over the years. Never mind, new start.

Also thanks to whoever mentioned Green Metropolis for books, signed up with them yesterday, have 1 book for sale so far. Could kick meself as only took bagful to charity shop t'other day. (No brains).:o

Queen-Bee_2

LilliacPixie - I am sorry to hear your news. Whilst, as others have said, OH has at least owned up to his sins, that doesn't mean you won't feel disappointed and let down by him. Whilst you might want to share some of those feelings with him, so he realises the impact of his actions on you, it's then time to move onwards and upwards. I'm not judging you in any way (I'd be :mad:) but please don't let it undermine your own efforts. Queen-Bee x

Queen-Bee_2

Frugaldom wrote: »

Have just posted the figures for the chicken to show that it's enough for a dozen meals plus soup for the week.

Afternoon Frugaldom! Just wondering where I might find the meals and soup suggestions for the chicken... Could do with some inspiration! Thanks, QB