FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE 2010, part 2, April - June.

Frugaldom

Nuala Buala - I have rehomed all spare cockerels along with hens, none have been killed and I have no intentions of ever killing any of mine. But yes, you are right - in order for the general public to have eggs, many chicks die, just like many calves die in order that we can have a ready supply of fresh milk. If you're squeamish at all, it's best not to even think about what happens to surplus to requirement livestock within the food chain. (Or chemicals, clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, fishing, tourist, pet, performing arts or any other industry, for that matter.)

Sun's been shining here for quite a bit of the day and, shame on me, I didn't do a washing! All I managed to achieve in the gardening stakes was a bit of tidying in the greenhouse and planted a couple of aubergine seedlings into pots on the windowsill. Now have a pasta bake in the oven for tonight's dinner and plan on watching the 'Edible Garden' programme on BBC 2 tonight at 8pm.

earthgirl

Hi all, have been enjoying reading the thread. I have had nsd and used no petrol.

And today I managed to slice £80 pounds off my yearly spends by adjusting my teaching union membership, and will save money and got £10 cash back by changing to the best energy supplier (again!) locked into this one until August, but it is the best on the market for us, and I can't see anything beating it for a while. I just hope that the direct debits from my current supplier match the final bill they send!!

phoebe03cat

Hi everyone, have been out in the garden fighting my bamboo jungle over the last few days. DD1 is getting frugal and is experimenting with making a twee line of the different colour canes to cover our fences. I was impressed! Have just heard the mother of our (potential) puppy won't go past the weekend so getting quite excited now.
Hit lucky with Mr T who is still getting rid of surplus Easter stock I guess. Freezer nearly full again of 75% off generic meat/fish. Spending more than usual weekly outlay but then intend living out of the freezer for a considerable while.Couldn't believe it tonight, people were jostling to the front, leaving the generic stuff to cook with and fighting for ready made sandwiches.
Thanks for the nudge Earthgirl time we checked our suppliers again too.

minjara

Hey to all. Bad day eaty wise as the demon from AF came with a box of goodies. And now my OH's cholestrol hasn't com down he says he isn't eating as much. Arrghhh, oh well I'll just have to up the exercise.

Thanks Pagangirl, I do that but as I said I think my problem at the moment is my mind is overruling the actual symptoms and I'm feeling anxious and nervous. Only been diagnosed a month. Only took them from July last year!

slowlyfading

Morning all

Weather is a bit cloudy today so we're not going to go to a little island as planned. Going to go and have a look in the city and then go to one of the massive shopping malls they have here! So, today could be a SD, but we shall see

I've already managed to get 6 NSDs for April already, so I'm really pleased about that. Obviously going on holiday and staying with a parent helps I've got my car in for a service when I get back, so I think I will have to have as much money spare as possible for that

Hope everyone has a good day

Erme

jtb firstly try walking down the old railway line to Anglesey Abbey . Fabbo walk...but the fens are quite flat so there's lots of good walks - however DO take a compass along with the map so you don't get lost...

nuala My ma has read that book 'how I lived on a £ a year' or something and is bringing for me when she visits so looking forward to a heap of frugal tips :T. She reckons some are a bit whacked. I'm like 'I don't care!!!'. I already blag two dinners a week as it is (possibly a third).. I simply don't eat if I don't get those (or eat very little).

very tempted to buy a new bike basket this am that I've been eyeing for a few days all cos there's like £60 in savings but savings have to get to a min of £130 (30 in cash in house) before technically I can spend and next week I have work order to put in (don't know how much that'll be for - mostly me trying out products :P) and like my wee break in Ed at end of month to save for :P...so I guess I should resist but it's hard...wondering if I can buy a cheap treat for a few pounds rather than £20 for the bike basket. I've always thought a bubble bar from lush is quite good for these days...or maybe even some radox that's on offer @ Mr.C. But a bubble bar is sheer LUXURY and a good idea when trying to get a 'treat' on the cheap. If I can resist that is? Or even (I'm just thinking out loud here) a wee latte @ home with the espresso maker, aero latte and vanilla stuff I got from the shop last week for ice cream (that I haven't made this week after 'losing' all my grocery monies last week on ice cream stuff)..

Also just checked the store cupboards and they're running a little low . So will have to begin to start a restock of sos meals in the next few weeks (on a food budget of £10 a week this should be interesting LOL).

Anyhow another sunny day . Had a free coffee yesterday courtesy of a manger. Still rowing with a drop in centre that charges a fortune and says it provides for me in crisis yet is far from it. What gets me is they say it's only me who complains, but I know of others who feel the same way/similar way yet don't complain but just stop going - argh (pulls hair out :P). Also knitting group was good:)...£1 for two hours but good home bakes (better than the drop in and same price) and nice friendly ppls...

Well best go

Blessings

E

Blairweech

Erme - Aw, your knitting group sounds lovely. So does your latte at home come to think of it mmmmm. I have actually made a list of 'little things that make me feel rich' for when I need a treat, there are a fair few on there! Could you try making one of them? I could send you mine if you like to get you started

Frugaldom - So glad your eggs were ok :j

Have been reading but not kept up, sorry. Had a lovely couple of days with OH, we went for a couple of walks and just generally chilled out. As the weather looks glorious (lets hope there is not a cold wind), todays plans involve valeting the car, sanding down my dressing table and getting a couple things to the post office.

Hope everyone is well x

Erme

Somebody tell me like ASAP if this is the wrong thing to say but I remember someone talking about slug probs etc and there's a whole range of stuff for these things (from pot makers for seedlings @ £9.99 downwards and upwards) on the gardening bit of W - by work from home eco friendly business. So let me know if anyone wants the link for my site ....Copper tape is supposed to be good. What price is it @ B&Q? It's like £4.99 for 5 metres on my site? but there are other solutions.....

Just happened to find it.....Think the pot makers would last years and we're already using them in the veg garden and they save a fortune in seedling pots

Hugs

E

Erme

Blairweech wrote: »

Erme - Aw, your knitting group sounds lovely. So does your latte at home come to think of it mmmmm. I have actually made a list of 'little things that make me feel rich' for when I need a treat, there are a fair few on there! Could you try making one of them? I could send you mine if you like to get you started

I typed in a search for something similar on old style thrifty board....will research it again later and find it for you (think I found it under fly lady)...a whole massive 200 page thread on the subject LOL.....

Off to get a banana and like make a frugal list for Mr. A - so far resisted the bike basket :t..

E

slowlyfading

Me again

Currently inside as there's a thunder storm going on and torrential rain - and yet its still 35 degrees! The weather certainly changes here at the moment. So, making egg mayo sandwiches for lunch instead of going out somewhere the rain is making it smell all fresh - it's needed to rain for ages I think!