FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

ChinaTea

Well here I am back again, seems ages since I last posted but the time is running away with me just lately. Spending a lot of time in the garden and as it's takes me 3 x as long to do the simplest job I'm just about managing it. The weather here has been hot and dry for weeks saving a few odd downpours but everything has done really well. Had a good crop of potatoes, french beans and courgettes coming out my ears . Was so exhausted last week with both the heat and not a lot of sleep dcecided rather than making soup with the courgettes for the freezer I just put all the ingredients, courgettes, peas + pods mint and parsley into a freezer bag. Thought then I just need to put this in a pan add stock and away it goes. DGS's sunflowers are full of blooms and twice as tall as him so he's really pleased and the 1 pumpkin that is growing is now the size of a football and slowly turning orange.

After the builders finally finishing have been doing bits of decorating but too hot so waiting till it gets a bit cooler then persuade DS to do it :T. Didn't keep spreadsheet up to date for July so have a pile if receipts waiting to be entered but sure that I have been on target, well at least there is money left over at the end of the month and I'm not robbing peter to pay paul which is a big improvement for me.

Spent Saturday afternoon with DGS at the local garden centre pet centre. They have loads of animals, he really liked the bearded dragons and a huge pond with a bridge over it that we spent ages on watching the different fish. Had a lovevly afternoon all for the price of a 5m round trip so not bad.

Been hoping it's going to rain today so I don't have to water the plants, everything is so dry and the pumpkin and other squashes really slurp up every little drop. I've been using the watering can rather than the hose but the water butt has dried up.

Hope everyone is getting on OK, just remembered the garden centre had Christmas cards on sale and 1 part was roped off as they putting out all the other Christmas stuff.

Erme

They've reduced the meds and I'm not 100% well...this is worrying

Whilst it's good to be out of hospital yesterday was like sooo busy I'm now on the come down and paranoid... So not good. I'm really tired. Yet want to be up half the night tidying .

Hope everyone is well. I have Dr. C on Friday and veg box on Thurs but right now all food is poisoned...

E
PS. First veg box from organic farm comes on Thurs and I have stew till then so thinking some yummy bean and pasta and veggie bake for thurs evening ...E :j

lyndasharp

Erme, *hugs*. Hope everything settles down for you soon.

Budget went well for me in July, a slight underspend despite a few days in the Lake District! However August could be more expensive, as my neighbour has had a look at my bike and condemmed the gears - the chain's been slipping so I don't have a useable middle cog any more (which knocks out 6 gears overall). He thinks it'd cost too much to have it repaired, so am debating whether to buy another one new or second hand. Probably go to a bike shop at lunchtime today and get a second opinion on my bike, just in case the parts are cheap enough to make it worthwhile keeping mine going. There's someone on ebay selling new flat pack Raleigh's for £60 not far from me, but I've heard they aren't as good as they used to be. Any ideas?

I won a months gym membership in Swindon (Fit4less), have offered it in the free section of this site as there's no pool or fitness classes there, and that's the only bit I like about gyms. If anyone's interested in using it, let me know...

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Hi again everyone, I dont seem to log in very often these days but still trying to live the frugal life. I do try and catch up every now and again but my garden needs lots of attention due to the fact I got all behind when I went into hospital. I get very tired quickly and have put on lots of weight which does help me being active and I am much slower.

Nualabuala and Erme. you mentioned using soda bicarb. when cooking your dried beans, that is a very old way of keeping fresh beans a good colour, my Mum used to add a pinch whenever she cooked green vegetables. These days however its not recommended as it reduces some of the B and C. vitamins. Its use in dried beans is to soften the water and cook the legumes quicker. Just thought you might be interested.

Hugs to all who need/would like one.

Blairweech

Just a quick heads up to say that The Book People are currently doing selected sets (10 books) @ 2 for £16 - thats 20 books for £16!!! They have some good childrens books and several adult authors as well...

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_category_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&categoryId=77204

Erme

Morning all.mood still all over the place..:(...not sleeping.....going from very happy racing thoughts to paranoid..................Pray Dr. C can fix it....

Frugal wise = hair cut was amazing ...

Got a food processor for free off freecycle.....

Got a £3 toothbrush (this is a serious luxury...I'm normally a 2 for 10p girl from Mr A) from the dentist

£12 ice cream making book for £2 from charity shop...

and am now trying to get my frugal student friends kitted out with a new sofa for less than £20 (and believe you me poor bairns have manic me on this one LOL

also got cheap and easy or something cookbook by Rose Elliot for £2 from charity shop and the veg box looks good....

Whoopsie on more hair straighteners (cos mine are too wide)...:(

The radio I thought was a whoopsie is not cos it enables me to get a little more sleep....

Blessings

E

NualaBuala

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

Nualabuala and Erme. you mentioned using soda bicarb. when cooking your dried beans, that is a very old way of keeping fresh beans a good colour, my Mum used to add a pinch whenever she cooked green vegetables. These days however its not recommended as it reduces some of the B and C. vitamins. Its use in dried beans is to soften the water and cook the legumes quicker. Just thought you might be interested.

Hugs to all who need/would like one.

Oh that's interesting, I never knew that - thanks EFC - you're a mine of useful info. :T

Sorry you're having such a tough time (((((Erme))))) - hope they can adjust your meds or something so you're doing better. You reminded me I must make an appointment with the dentist. I got a free toothbrush and paste last time I went and I think the hygienist felt sorry for me as I was so delighted with them!

I hope everyone is frugalling along ok. It's tough here - got my bill for house insurance and it's gone up loads, more than I'd budgeted for. Seems unfair but I gather that's just how it is - lots of you have mentioned increased premiums. I will shop around though.

Also got the TV licence renewal and after all my humming and hawing I think I'm going to keep the TV and cough up for the licence. I'm really enjoying watching it these days.

Have a good day folks and hugs to anyone who'd like one.:)

NualaBuala

Yippee! :j I got more than €100 knocked off my insurance renewal quote by getting unnecessary extras knocked off. So now it is within my budget after all!

Kerry_Woman

NualaBuala wrote: »

Yippee! :j I got more than €100 knocked off my insurance renewal quote by getting unnecessary extras knocked off. So now it is within my budget after all!

That's great news.

I am extra careful with spending at the moment. Not alot of temp work around. Have been applying for both temp and perm work on a job website.

Kerry_Woman

Hugs for those who are in need of them at the moment.