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

cw18

I've nothing ready to go up on eBay yet -- maybe later in the year if/when they have another free listing day (and I get enough notice) I may manage to get something up and (hopefully) sold.

I really need to find myself a large box (or 6), then as I find things that can go on I can get the listing ready in Word (and pictures taken and edited to go with it) and pop the item into a box...... then come free listing day I'm ready to rock 'n' roll.

(as for usernames - mine's easy to find on any site, unless they insist on more than 4 characters )

Skint_Lynne

ceridwen wrote: »

Thanks for the reminder about that tv programme - I made a note to watch it - but tend to forget about programmes I've earmarked for watching. I'll go and find it shortly on IPlayer.

I mustnt forget the latest Alys Fowler "Edible Garden" programme either.

Re the expected squeeze - personally I think there will be a little bit of "lull before the storm" in that respect - otherwise known as "time for horsetrading". The squeeze will then commence (but I bet they'll still be throwing money hand over fist at wars - Afghanistan/Iraq and anything else they come up with....:mad:). I'm feeling very puzzled as to how the HUGE amount of money spent on wars seems to be "going under the radar" at the moment. Don't get me started on that one......:eek:

I think maybe how we cope depends on what our attitude has been like all along - maybe thats where pessimists "win out" here in some respects....:rotfl:. I've been brought up by parents who went through a lot of hardship when younger - and I personally was given a far from luxurious upbringing:( by them and I've read a reasonable amount of history books. So - I guess that combination has meant that I have "learnt the lessons of history" and never believed that "Growth is Good - and Growth will continue ad infinitum" and have responded very cynically for some years now at the thought of people having an ever-increasing standard of living and there always being enough money for the Rich to stay rich/for endless wars to continue and for Jack/Jill Average to have everything they could ever want. The circle did not square - and I've been expecting this for quite some time. Sites like MSE have helped make a lot more people aware that "The Good Times aren't always going to Roll" and provide hints and tips for coping if we personally muck up on the one hand or Society "pulls the rug from under our feet" on the other hand. So - its good that we have this resource to help with "learning how.." - though its only one part of the jigsaw - it IS a start.

I think that not enough is spent on that particular war, not on the soldiers anyway - my DH is out there just now and buys the majority of the kit he needs himself. I do think that it is a war that cannot be won - afghans are fighting people and if the russians couldn't defeat them, no one can in my opinion. But I would welcome the powers that be spending more money to get the equipment that these guys need to keep them safe. Unfortunately, money will always need to be spent on armys and wars, the armys try their best to keep the rest of us safe. I say that cause I've got real experience of it, this is my DH's second visit. Best thing to do is to keep it at the back of my mind.

On other matters, I am still here and still read the thread to keep me on the straight and narrow. Hope everyone is well. xx

rozeepozee

Had a really quick skim read of everyone's posts in between breastfeeds!

Thanks so much for all your well wishes.

It's getting a bit easier around here but still really hectic and my own computer is packed away for the room being decorated so am on OH's and can't post any photos yet. I will do - they are gorgeous and seem to be thriving and blooming on mummy's milk.

Can't wait to get back to normal - actually, that's not going to happen, is it? But something approching normalcy and ability to keep track of spending again (though hardly been spending anything as have so little time).

You may find me posting less often - I now totally understand why we see so little of aeb!

Margaret54

Hi I too watched the programe about the vicar and thoroughly enjoyed it all. I recorded it for my dh to watch and he really enjoyed it too. I will look forward to next week to see how he goes. I thought the village was such a lovely place to live and the whole way of life is something I know I would love to be part of. I enjoyed it so much. My first thought was "I bet the folk on the forums are tuning in tonight as well":)

lyndasharp

Hi all, it's been too hectic here for me to keep up with posts so sorry for missing lots of peoples updates and news! We've had a busy day today repotting tomatoes, tomatillos and lettuce. Had our first home grown salad of the year earlier this week! We went to the Real Food festival yesterday and ate vast amounts of free samples, and got some potatoes and a growing bag for free! Didn't spend too much on food either, which was pretty good, though I do slightly regret not buying the nice gin...

Budget is just about on track. We've started restoring DH's Morris Minor, which is looking like it'll be a big job. My Dad is paying for the work, as I have swapped my restored Morris Minor for the cost of doing this one up, so he's just going to buy our parts as and when we need them. I'm glad my police panda car is staying in the family for now :-) DH's car is a police panda as well, os we can have a little fleet of them when we go and visit.

Chickens are doing fine. No eggs yet, but they are getting much more tame, and our cat hasn't eaten them yet.

cw18

Weather here's not been too bad this weekend (cool yesterday, but dry throughout), so I spent 4 hours yesterday afternoon and 7 hours today working on the garden.......

Totally shattered now.

But I need to go and cook tea then iron my uniform ready for tomorrow afternoon (I know from experience it won't get done until last minute if I leave it until the morning) before I can go to bed.

*** wonders how early wouldn't be unrealistically early for bed, and cause me to get up that early I'm nodding off at work in the afternoon ***

bails

Hello everyone! *waves frantically!*:D

How are you all?! It's been a while eh? I've just caught up on the last couple of pages and still see some familiar names so that's great!

We got back in the early hours of Thursday morning and it's been very strange ever since. Lots going on and we're both quite shell-shocked TBH. We're in Brighton at the mo, meant to be seeing OH's parents but they are stuck in France because of the volcanic ash! I did surprise the lovely BB though at her exhibition yesterday - her work was looking wonderful on the wall there! :T

As we're living at my parents for the first few weeks, frugalling won't return to any sense of normal for a while yet, but we did sit down and sort out our money from travelling yesterday so if need be I THINK I can just about manage without a job til September. I am of course on the hunt and have already been into one school the day after we got back

Anyway, there is of course a TON I could wibble on about but for now, it's lovely to see you all again xx

cw18

***** waves frantically back at Bails *****


Great to see you back

whitewing

Hi bails! Hi everyone!

Erme

Well Ma is here (though currently @ the B+B till she turns up this am) and has only done one whoopsie so far. She makes me feel like I'm not good enough though when she does a whoopsie.

Budget fine cos I just got cash only out on Tuesday and like Ma has paid for a few things and she's paying for coffees out etc cos I bought her train ticket to Ed for tomorrow. :t.

Tried getting her frugalliing but with everything one of her fave excuses is that she is too old and needs her home comforts. But she wants everything free and will fill in literally every prize draw going which I find a nuisance. I don't bother. God provides for what I need.

Got a good game from Newtondee on Friday - new for £1 which was good so Ma and I had good fun playing that on Friday night. (though I beat her :P). It's blokus...very good and educational (if you can get it cheap). So that was fun.

Got my rhubarb from the garden but didn't use it. Was too tired. Bought too much food from Mr A on Wednesday and bust my back lifting the stuff off the bike. Not good. You ought to have seen me @ the station on Thurs. I'm there doing my best impression of someone expecting constantly shifting and rubbing my back cos I'm in so much pain :eek: and have no pain killers @ this point and no stick and it's freezing!!!! Got Painkillers when I got home though. Pain is a bit better today but now more feels like a bad bum injection. Know it's muscular. Keep getting cramps.

Today we're off to Elgin and I loaned a friend £5 on Saturday/Friday (well bought him herbs from newtondee but alot so have no money so will need to blag £5 off Ma.

And I've done a whoopsie by ordering another pannier off ebay that I'll have to pay for tomorrow cos like the basket just isn't working out. So what with my pinking shears that's my savings gone .

Blessings....:)

E