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

Puddleglum

Welcome back SF! Have a break NB, have a Kit Kat (or a coffee!) it really does help to see things more clearly.

We went camping for a couple of days at the weekend, more to try out the tent than anything else, and pushed up the cost of the Easter Holidays quite considerably. We had dinner out as a planned for treat on the second day which was excellent but quite pricey. DD has decided now that children's meals are just a bit too small for her - it's a shame that places don't do three quarter size meals.
My plants are all growing well. Every year I start off with really good intentions in the garden and every year it gets away from me eventually. This year though is going to be different, this year it will work. ("yeah yeah, heard that before" DH).
I have listed a load of specialist text books on Amazon but nothing has sold as yet. Am going to start listing a load of stuff on E by Gum this afternoon.

Puddleglum.

BigMummaF

NualaBuala wrote: »

....had more dandelions for a frugal dinner today. Watched the gardening programme on BBC2 and feel inspired to do more foraging and growing....

Have to say that those dandelion-in-a-pancake looked interesting! I watch these sorts of programmes & think 'ooh yes! I could do that!' but hardly ever follow it through It was like the medicine one earlier in the week, with the gloop for shifting ear-wax..but then I did wonder if there would be any extra benefit after all that work, when the oil on its own works pretty well..

lel3636

Hello everyone, I'm not signed up for your challenge but have been lurking around for a while and am impressed by all of you. I'm having a go at the Debt Free Wannabees and getting my credit cards down so a bit of frugal living is bound to help

I've been trying to pick up some tips from your postings... hope you dont mind?

A couple from me that may help someone....
I buy a bacon joint from Mr S for £3.99 and simmer it slowly in a pan for about an hour and then let it cool in the water. When cold I cut it in half so I have a flat edge to go on the board and slice it thinly. This week I got 1lb 7oz of lovely ham bagged up to use for sandwiches and lunches. So much cheaper than buying it sliced.

I also save all my egg shells, wash them out in cold water and put them in a bowl in the oven to dry. I leave them in there so they dry more each time the oven is on. They take a good few goes in the oven to dry out but then I crush them into very small pieces and mix them in with the layers mash for my chickens. They get the calcium back that way and their shells are good and strong.

I too have been growing in my garden, I have potatoes growing in bags; lettuces in my little plastic cloche; courgette, mangetout, runner beans, dwarf beans and lettuces in my shed and a little cold frame on the side of the shed. Already growing in the garden is garlic, shallots, sorrel, herbs and some leek seedlings.

All I want now is some warmer weather and no frost!

earthgirl

Hi All,

Had a ns week and trying to go light on the petrol. Spent £48 on a monthlyish shop, so just need milk and fruit for the next few weeks - I have £25 left in the budget, and £6 for toiletries, so should easily do it (she says!)

Planning on a relaxing and frugal weekend, OH to take me out for a meal (company pays) and maybe a walk on Sunday. Other than that need to raise more pin money by listing items on [EMAIL="eb@y"]eb@y[/EMAIL]! What joy!!

I have 6 big and about 12 small tomato plans,and loads of courgettes in the glass cupboard at work, and salad leaves seem to be coming on ok in the minigreen house!

Best wished to all - hope everyone is getting lots of gardening done and thats why its quiet!

phoebe03cat

Nuala: Hope this bright weather and taking a break is making you feel much better. As my mum used to say;slowly,slowly catchee monkey-you will get there in the end,just go at the pace right for you. I got a diagnosis of GAD finally yesterday-general anxiety disorder and was told I had been living with it for years and years. It finally gave me a tia and seizure. Think you are right finding a way to 'deal' with it rather than keep pushing on and don't feel bad about being kind to yourself.
Bit of spending this week to get ready for our new puppy. Want to get things set up early so the cats can view it all with deep suspicion for at least a month. Trying to view the hardware as one off spends and the walking will be a big part of my recouperation.
Have held off sowing as some of the days here have been quite cold;going to start today. Was wowed after watching the edible garden catchups yesterday, so nice to see an example of a smaller garden being used for once.
Have a great day!

pencekeeper

NualaBuala wrote: »

Hello frugallers :wave:

Pencekeeper, not sure if you've already bought your TV but just in case - I gave away a pretty good TV on Freecycle and I see them offered there all the time. Might be worth considering?

Already bought it - and am happy with the purchase. But I have offered the old one on my local freegle list

Blairweech

Hello everyone,

Have not posted for a few days, not had much to say!

Got various edibles planted in the garden, although nothing has sprouted yet

Went to Barrington Court yesterday (National Trust) with mum and brother - they were launching their 'Great Potment Scheme; to get people growing and giving away free seeds and tomato plants Bought some strawberry plants too which will go in the hanging baskets (job for today)

Had a job interview on Tuesday, which I will find out about next week. Just withdrawn my Ebay account, made £200 in a month so I am very pleased with that. I have also made a chart to track my 'house deposit' fund, currently standing at a pityful £300, but better than nothing!

Today I will pronbably do more Ebay, help my brother tinker with my car and do a bit of gardening. Have a good one :beer:

Edit: Kiwi don't say that! I have just booked a flight at the end of June, and I don't want to be grounded! My cousin is actually in Iceland (on a geography trip looking at the volcanoes), so is stuck there until further notice. And we have other friends who were meant to be flying yesterday, now 'provisionally booked' for Sunday.

Kiwisaver_2

I've generally had a crabby week and I'm glad it's over so I can stay home and avoid the world for two days. Seems like I've taken no steps forward and several back. I got a parking ticket earlier in the week for being parked 4 mins over the time :mad:, got my payslip today with revised ACC levy (similar to NI contributions) which went up from 1st April :mad: and notification of new council rates gone up 6%. It's all going the wrong way.

I got a voucher for $20 cashback if you spent $100 in a clothes shop that I usually would frequent. After a depressing forty minutes of trying to find something that I actually liked in my size and that fit me, I gave up. Stuff it, I decided there's no saving to be had from just buying something for the sake of it, so I kept hold of my $100 and the shop can keep their $20.

Just six more weeks to go and volcanic activity permitting, I'll be on my way 'home'. :eek:

Erme

Just a quick post...Have to go out to community nurse :P...not with it either...

Thanks for the tips on Hens...have sent to folk

Work order came just now - phew...will get most of money back on tues...just have to check it after nurse...(Ma used to do this with guide orders hence I know)

Lovely sunny day here...Anyone else hear the stuff on London community gardens or something on Farming Today on Radio 4...sounded really good!!! They are even growing stuff in skips ....really impressed...perfectly logical. I just need a parking space and a skip LOL and I'll be sorted.... My own mini allotment right on my door step

Had a coffee out yesterday but was within Starbucks budget so was fine...Didn't mind....Starbucks budget gone from £10 a month down to £5 max since starting FL...

GP was fine but wants me to quit cigs and coffee (due to my gastritis) - she has a point :eek:...

Anyhow don't know if I'm going to free dinner tonight or not with couchsurfing..depends how tired I am. Have sewing to do (started another bag last night to sell. Have LOADS of fabric off freecycle)... Sewing machine (the last one I got) is going like a dream...old Lidl's machine...They're about £20 on ebay last time I looked (victoria is the model. Just does basics)...dead easy to use as well ... Paid about £35 for mine but was so WORTH it...wish I'd done that sooner. DON'T BUY SEWING MACHINES FOR LESS THAN £20 THEY JUST DON'T LAST (or die as soon as you get them home) and DEFFO DON'T BUY THE MINI MACHINES FOR SERIOUS SEWING..(again won't last 2 secs...they're just designed for children to learn on).... Lessons learnt from my sewing machine fixation of earlier this year...and IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR GET A TRUNDLE (about £10 on ebay) to get them home (I practically killed mine with all the machines I got)...

Anyhow house smells of lovely SsS from Avon that I just used to drive a wasp out...I NEED CITRONELLA...

Hugs

E

slowlyfading

Need to find some motivation from somewhere...