FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

NualaBuala

(((((Jen))))), I understand why you feel defensive and don't want to tell your housemates - but keep reminding yourself you haven't done anything wrong. They might just surprise you and be supportive. We all make mistakes, we're only human! Really hope things pick up soon.
Re the borax - I haven't had success looking for it either. Maybe a hardware shop? Or try ordering from a pharmacy?

Loving the fancy coffee machine Erme ... not sure it's the best thing for insomnia though lol! Best of luck with the job app, have everything crossed for you I'm thinking of getting rid of my TV too - having mixed feelings about it though.

Hope everyone else is well! Please stand by for a confession ...

I managed to save a bit but am blowing it by going on a meditation retreat for a week (not Plum Village like I'd hoped). So not frugal at all, but hey, it's good for me so I figure it's worth it. And at least I won't have to buy groceries for that week, that's something at least.

So I'm trying to get all my clothes washed and then got to squish them into a small bag to take as hand luggage. Did anyone see Martin on TV with those jackets you can pack to keep luggage costs down? Very funny I thought - they had a laptop in a pocket! I wont' be going that far but think a bit of creative packing will suffice.

slowlyfading

NualaBuala wrote: »

I managed to save a bit but am blowing it by going on a meditation retreat for a week (not Plum Village like I'd hoped). So not frugal at all, but hey, it's good for me so I figure it's worth it. And at least I won't have to buy groceries for that week, that's something at least.

That sounds amazing! I'd love to do something like that.

Well, me and the BF may have found somewhere to live - applied so please keep your fingers crossed! :j

Going to Italy on Sunday too, so all is good in the land of SF

Winchelsea

TopDrawer I got "Borax Substitute" the other day, brand name "Clean&Natural", made by Dri-Pak, who do the washing soda. I bought it from a traditional ironmonger's shop.

Have bought it before, but have only this time noticed the word substitute - but it works just as it used to.

NualaBuala

slowlyfading wrote: »

That sounds amazing! I'd love to do something like that.

Well, me and the BF may have found somewhere to live - applied so please keep your fingers crossed! :j

Going to Italy on Sunday too, so all is good in the land of SF

I think Italy sounds pretty good too! When you're lazing in the sun eating fabulous Italian food you can think of me getting up at the crack of dawn and sitting cross-legged for hours on end with a numb bum! :rotfl: Ah no, truth be told I'm really looking forward to it, I think it'll do me the world of good. It's in Devon which sounds really pretty, I've never been there before. Wouldn't say no to a trip to Italy though! Best of luck with the home-hunting, hope you get the place you want!

Kerry_Woman

slowlyfading and NualaBuala - Hope you both enjoy your breaks.

Hugs to those in need of them.

NualaBuala

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

slowlyfading and NualaBuala - Hope you both enjoy your breaks.

Hugs to those in need of them.

Thanks a mill Kerry Woman (loving the name by the way!) - I can't wait!

lyndasharp

Hope everyone is OK and having a lovely weekend! DH and I have just been picking vast amounts of Morello cherries from the trees growing wild out the back of our house. We've got 10lb worth, 4lb for jam, 4lb for wine and 2lb for making cherries in brandy :-) Had to go and buy brandy, but we can use part as presents and part for us... Supposed to be cooking roast pork for tea, but it's too hot at the moment.

I'm off to Yorkshire with work Mon-Thurs. Going to be a very early morning - I've booked the taxi for 6.30am. At least I'lll get a lie in for the othe rmornings, in a very nice sounding hotel. I'm hoping to catch up with friends who live about 40 miles from where I'll be staying. but depends if they are able to get to me, as with only public transport it's hard for me to get to them. I don't like putting in huge mileage claims if I can help it, and Yorkshire and the Lake District on one claim would have been a lot!

Erme

Nuala...enjoy the trip ....Going away next week leg depending to a friends for a few days. ...cheap free bus journey (no loo on bus for 4 hours each way though)...

Did I tell you guys about my leg? Stupid burn is infected :mad: have very strong antibiotics from A+E after the nurse on Friday said it was fine :P..

Anyhow...bed time now...hugs

E

rozeepozee

NualaBuala wrote: »

Hope everyone else is well! Please stand by for a confession ...

I managed to save a bit but am blowing it by going on a meditation retreat for a week (not Plum Village like I'd hoped). So not frugal at all, but hey, it's good for me so I figure it's worth it. And at least I won't have to buy groceries for that week, that's something at least.

Surely this shouldn't be confessional. Remember, the thread says "The challenge is about living a frugal lifestyle - establishing your true cost of living, sticking to your budget, clearing any debts and making savings wherever and however you can to enable you to live the life you really want.

We were able to buy our campervan from our savings because we are frugal. It's not a rehearsal

grandma247

Well said rozee. I hope you are well. Your babies must be getting big now.