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

jtb2412

Hi everyone

Back from hols (just !) ..... had a fantastic time and didn't know anything about the volcano until we got to Calais to board the boat !!!! :eek: That's what happens when you go away to the wilderness with no TV, newspapers or radio and it's just us and the kids, good food and a few bottles of wine . Mind you, it was bliss !

Back to reality now though (tis nice to be home if I do admit it myself, I missed my allotment ! :rotfl:)

I was really pleased with myself as I tracked ALL my spending on holiday :jand even though we did spend a bit more than expected (basis v. expensive, we're talking £2.50 for butter ! :eek: :eek: :eek:), it hasn't affected the overall budget. I've set aside money for holidays/travel to see relatives.

Anyway, frugality is still very much ongoing here. More seeds have been sown, potatoes are now in the ground and the new plot is shaping up very nicely indeed. Won't be long now before my food bill is halved :T.

We're having roast turkey (whoopsied just after easter) for dinner and I've half of the rhubarb crumble left over from yesterday (first pickings and it was delicious !) Food bill has been very low this month due to picking up lots of reduced items and a weekend at parents, plus food for holiday coming out of 'holiday' budget. I might use the leftover budget to stockpile a few things that are on offer but I'll wait until month end to see the state of play.

I'm expecting water bill in any day so it'll be interesting to see how much we've managed to reduce it.

Right DH is home and probably wanting a cuppa. Hope all is well with everyone xx

JayneC

Hey everyone,

Added to my food growing escapades today - got 2 gooseberry bushes from poundland, one red one green. I've not even tried gooseberries before, lol, so hope I like them!!Also got a rhubabrb crown from someone at freecycle, that can go in the front garden as it doesn't mind shade.

Took most of the rubble from the front garden to the tip yesterday, so will get some compost at the weekend and mix it in before planting it up.

Was back at work today - really didn't want to go after having the week off. Quite enjoyed being out in the garden and looking after DGS last week. Ho-hum, just keep thinking of getting that smallholding!!

Erme

Och I've been so 'not with it' today...spent a whoopsie £4 something at the cafe delivering work order then decided that my citric acid leaky kettle had to go...WHY I didn't like just go to Mr S (have some fab rapid boil kettles there for £13 right now..Black ) I don't know but trapsed round the charity shops fixated :eek:..

Got my kettle. Now figuring that my 'practically falling apart' dish rack has to be replaced before Ma visits and so like that folding design so looking for one for less than £10...Hmmm...But maybe NOT this week....

Anyhow the kettle DOESN'T LEAK (unlike previous 2 charity shops buys one of which was an £8 one from Mr As) and is QUIET and does what it says...REALLY chuffed...

and also got salad seeds (T&M) from Mr LkL when passing (got about 5 packets...would have got more but shop assistant was watching )

Blessings

E

cw18

Got home about 30 mins ago. Have had the most fantastic and totally chilled day.... just a shame I put off ironing my uniform until I got home, as I now need to do that before turning in and I have to be up again at 5:30am :eek:

Got to OH's almost bang on the agreed 9:30am, which wasn't bad as the tail-end of the commuter traffic through my town and the next was worse than I'd allowed for. Had a brew and quick chat, then went out for a few hours. Quick discussion on whose car to take saw him agreeing to using mine, which I was impressed about (his is a little sport convertible, so not as good for my back and has been known to leak in the rain )

Went to Glasson Dock as I've never been there before (not much to see, but a quaint little place where he bought me a cuppa in a cafe), then on to Beacon Fell (another place I've never been). Changed into my walking boots when we got to Beacon Fell, and was really pleased I'd taken them - OH actually seemed surprised I had, but my shoes are very thin on the soles from so much wear so wouldn't have coped with the terrain.

From there we went back to his place and he cooked lunch - an offer he made as an alternative to eating in the cafe before heading back, so another pleasant surprise. Then we spent the rest of the day chatting, going through some of the (looks like thousands) of photos on his PC, playing with Google maps/earth (they've updated my area, and from not being on them you can now 'walk down my street', which means he's seen the outside of the back and front of my house), and watching TV.

Got to meet his elder DS, who is the spitting image of his Dad when he was younger. He remembered seeing me at a work event in July/Aug 1998, which OH was insisting I wasn't at before I confirmed I was.


I'm going back up again on Saturday (have been invited up from Friday evening, but have said I'll get back to him on that closer to the time), so he's now trying to figure out where else I may not have been to - or somewhere that I've probably not been to for years that's changed a lot so is worth seeing again. He did mention he "doesn't do shopping", which means my money is safe with regards to touristy type days out - something I'm very grateful for.

I'll have to fill the car up before then though, as I'll probably drive again given OH wasn't toooo scared by my driving, even on the narrow country roads which terrifies most people I give lifts to. Problem is that I'm very comfortable driving on those as I learned to drive on them, and did a considerable amount of country style driving for 16+ years after passing my test (until we moved down here). Also means his DS has the use of OH's car if he wants to go out that day, as they share the one between them.


So all-in-all a great day in great company, and not a penny spent (other than the fuel for the car that will need replacing)

ETA: And found another thing we have in common.... we neither of us like BBQs, as we can't be doing with all the smoke and the smell

NualaBuala

Hello Frugalites :wave:

Hope you're all having a Terrific Tuesday!

Lynz, have you got a new secret identity yet? How will we recognise you? :rotfl:Thanks for your lovely post, put a big smile on my face! I'm not on MSN, must be the only person on the planet really. There are only 3 internet things I'm addicted to; MSE, online banking and a brilliant site called 43 Things. Not bothered at all about facebook etc.
Am sending hugs your way and hoping your hand and the rest of you are doing better. The masters sounds so exciting (despite technical probs) - keep us posted. I've been studying pharmacy BTW which I was passionate about till 2 years ago when my Mum died after 6 months in hospital. Maybe it's just the depression but I feel disillusioned with it now. But things will work out I'm sure - once I can be useful somehow I think I'll be happy no matter what I end up doing.

EFC, hope the op went ok and you are taking it easy

Cheryl, were you hosp too? I seem to remember you had an eye thing that needed sorting? You sound like you're really enjoying the new romance and having lovely outings - am delighted for you!

Fingers crossed for Rozeepozee - hope all went well for you!

Kerry Woman, that event sounds great - just my sort of thing. I'm a big fan of soapnuts (my first lot are lasting forever it seems). And I too have books on green living out of the library. Isn't it great how green living and frugality go hand in hand?
Great tip about the peanut butter jar, thanks Winchelsea, :T

I reckon family visits are wonderful but potentially stressful Erme! Try not to stress about your Mum (easier said than done). I don't mean to stick my nose in but maybe she will learn by your example if you gently show her how you do things without making an issue of it. She might just learn by your example. But of course I don't know the situation so please ignore this if it doesn't apply! Your bike looks terrific BTW (even if it's cost a lot recently).

Hope you're feeling better Lynne, glad you've turned a corner.

You're all doing so well - so much growing and frugalling, I'm very impressed! :T:T:T


I have been quietly frugalling away. I've been doing little bits in the garden weather-permitting and eating from my freezer and store cupboard.

My main frugal activity these days is simply not buying things. There have been things I've wanted; things that I have even thought that I needed like a hairbrush. But I add them to a column on my Planned Spending worksheet. I give myself a cooling off period and I usually don't buy the thing I was so convinced I "needed". I usually think of some way of making do with what I've already got and that is a very satisfying feeling which lasts much longer than the thrill of getting something new.

Have a lovely day folks and hugs to all who'd like one!
!

cw18

NualaBuala wrote: »

Cheryl, were you hosp too? I seem to remember you had an eye thing that needed sorting? You sound like you're really enjoying the new romance and having lovely outings - am delighted for you! !

My hospital visit was Friday. I'd booked yesterday off work just so I could be sure I wasn't rushing back if my vision was still a 'bit wonky' after the procedure, and it turned out to be a day that OH was free as well (actually the only one this week, and he was away all last week, and I was working extra hours the week before) so it all fell together really well..... couldn't have planned it better really, even though I didn't realise it at the time I moved the hospital appt from mid-March

The outing was fab, and apart from the petrol (which I'm going to have to replace this week) and the cuppa (which he paid for) it was totally free as well :T

top_drawer_2

hi,

CW - I'm glad the op went well and things are going well with OH.

Lynz - Hugs for whatever it is thats affecting you at the moment and another for ur poorly hand.

RoPo - I am so looking forward to a pic of these long awaited babies, I hope everything went well ....

I've had kind of exciting developments, things are starting to sprout in my pots and today I bought a mini greenhouse and some large ceramic pots with the idea that I would grow herbs in them. I also bought compost from the market (£14 for 3 @ 60 ltrs, decision mainly based on that they will deliver without a fuss).

On sunday I also made some of the Health bars that we talked about awhile ago and they were pretty good .... a little gritty but definitely edible. I also made a Ham and Pea Soup which I didnt taste at the time ..... I did blend it up cold (I hate trying to do it hot!) so I just bagged them up and put one in the fridge for today and the rest in the freezer. I've just had it and it was really saltly - I used cheaper cuts of ham/more like gammon to look at, as they were being boiled anyhow so figured why pay more? However, now it tastes like eating salt!!! Any ideas on how I could make them edible? What I should do next time?

Jen

whitewing

Adding sugar, or potato, will apparently reduce the salty taste. Worth a try, at any rate.

We are still lurking but not managing to read all the pages. Our highlights:

DH is really enjoying his OU degree. I am very impressed with how well structured and precise it is. Lots and lots of guidance on the study skills too. Would definitely recommend it.

We have been given lots of new and pre-loved baby clothes, so still not needing to buy anything. Got her pushchair half pice off the boots website and it's great. Were going to use DS' old one but technology has moved on in the pushchair world and the new one is far, far better (has swivel front wheels). Am doing daily walks and have been told today that I look healthy and have lost weight (always nice - but rare! - to hear).

Bank has refunded me a £20 bank charge after I wrote in so am pleased about that.

Looks like I will be getting the Maternity Grant. Was turned down but have appealed.

Things are pretty good. Love to you all.

slowlyfading

:hello: whitewing it's nice to see you! Glad to hear it's going well

earthgirl

NualaBuala wrote: »

I usually think of some way of making do with what I've already got and that is a very satisfying feeling which lasts much longer than the thrill of getting something new.


!

NualaBuala - :beer:Thanks I love this idea, and it has inspired me to try and do the same thing!!:j

OH had a win on horses - I don't advocate gambling, but he is very good at it and I don't mind him doing it. He took me out for a meal on Saturday with his winnings, and I really enjoyed not worrying about the budget -its nice to have the night off!!

My plants are growing really well, need to restake my tomatos soon.

I have bought a kilo of soap nuts inspired by the thread, so I hope we like them! They have took me £5 over my toiletry budget, but I haven't spent any money topping up my phone, so as long as everything else stays ok, I should come in on budget overall, and it was worth bulk buying.

I have a new tutoring client starting tomorrow,and one wants two lessons per week, so I should earn an extra £45/week for the next month. An exam board has offered me a marking position, so that should be another £1000 gross in the summer.

I am coming to the end of the month, and therefore the end of the budget. I have £13.50 left to spend on fuel and £10 to spend on food. This proves to me that really focusing on reducing spending is the right thing to do, as the budget I have set is a challenge but not unachievable!

Enjoying reading everybodys frugal tips and news!!