Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

alec_eiffel

l.m.hart wrote: »

Can we swap please,:rotfl:

I'll get back to you on that...

CRANKY40

I've done the weekly Asda shop, and managed to behave myself. Following weightwatchers is a good incentive not to pick up a load of junk, and the child doesn't eat sweets or junk either. It's his choice, he's 6 and still has some of his Halloween and Christmas chocolate left. He still has some sweets left from last year actually, in a box which I must throw out. He's sort of a fussy eater - he will eat just about anything as long as it goes through the blender, like lamb stew with carrots, broccoli and cauliflower in, but won't eat fruit. The doctor says he's healthy and the dentist says his teeth are good, so as long as the veg is going in, I suppose it's not worth worrying about. He will only drink milk or water too.

I still have a fair bit in the cupboards. I had the tatty back end of the house made into a new kitchen last year, and panicked at the empty cupboards afterwards. Cue massive stockpiling exercise, which we're still working our way through. Where does the urge to stockpile come from? It's not like I ever did without when I was small, although my sister has reminded me that we did spend a fair amount of time sat in front of dad's curried mince, which we steadfastly refused to eat.

Take care all of you.

never_too_old

I have just entered my meter readings on imeasure and my energy effitiency has gone from an E to a B within the last few weeks, this has been hard work as my previous posts have shown, dh and dd to share my fews on turning things off or down.:rotfl:

23rdspiral

i'm having a day at home as a man came to audit our electrics for our remortgage... lights on and off, and on and off, and the front door mostly open for 3 hours! the house is cold now but dont want to put heating on for just me. so it's a NSD for me! but overall it's higher electric and moving costs

rubytuesday wrote: »

:rotfl:Well I am in what is considered to be one of the worst boroughs in London and I love it but I do need my organic milk too! I asked the cashier if it was new and he said they'd had it for ages. I suppose I'd never thought to look. I'm really pleased!

i'll have a better look when i'm next there. (3 of 4 of the ones i pass have stopped doing Chocolate Soya Milk, grumble.)

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

I found a wonderfull cross stitch kit in Hobbycraft yesterday reduced to £1.99 from about £17... Frugal fun.
x x x

hi fishcake, that's a great bargain! what's the picture? your 'find' is making me want to go to hobby craft after work tomorow though. i'll try to resisit but i really can't promise to
did you know there's a thread for cross stitch on mse too? we're a lovely, but nosey, bunch! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2943532


CW18 - i'm glad your fella has been released from hospitale. i hope he gets better soon. loved hearing how calm you were with everything, and proof that a bit of stubbornness is a good thing!

rubytuesday

alec_eiffel wrote: »

I have to say I am soooooo thankful for my DH, he is far more naturally suited to frugality than I am. Were it not for him I wouldn't stick to things. He makes bread, makes his own museli, makes houmous and packs his lunch everyday, nips to the shops at lunchtime for things we need and just supports all of the experiments I want to try but is also the voice of reason if something is just beyond - he's even eaten the odd food disaster we've had over the years. And he earns all the money.

Hmmm, think I should make a cake today as a thank you treat..!

What a lovely post! So refreshing to hear someone have nothing but praise for their OH! Hope he enjoys his well deserved cake!

midwinter

cw18 wrote: »

I walk to mine at least 7 times a week...... and that's just to clock in for my shifts

Lucky you to be there for all the markdowns!! Hope you continue to find good deals...

I've yet to spend the £5 new year voucher, but saving it for as long as I can, so that I can do a £30 shop...... late evening of course, lol, to hopefuly find the bargains!

minnie2

[QUOTE=

(((((Minnie))))) I wish I could help - if you lived near me I would happily share my stores with you as I have loads. Have you tried the Up Your Income board - it tends to be small amounts and not immediate but it's all I can think of just now. Good news on the car at least, it will be a big saving..[/QUOTE]


Aww bless you thanx!!!! i have look at up your income boards tried applying for surveys but im no good for ny of them so far, all the secret shoppers are not near enough to me or at a time i can do!! plus i already have 4different jobs so havnet got a lot of time!! such is life!! im sure we will be fine!!! just need to slap hubby a few times!!!!!!!!

grandma247 wrote: »

:rotfl:MEN! What he means is there is nothing he fancies when he looks in the cupboards. My men are a bit like that but they soon find the cake and biscuit tins. I only keep a few convenience foods in, and that is thanks to ap, and before that all the food we had was stuff you had to actually make from scratch;)

indeed!!!! well i make most from scratch as i have allergies!! if he cant take it from freezer and put straight in oven he dont have a clue!!!

alec_eiffel wrote: »

I have to say I am soooooo thankful for my DH, he is far more naturally suited to frugality than I am. Were it not for him I wouldn't stick to things. He makes bread, makes his own museli, makes houmous and packs his lunch everyday, nips to the shops at lunchtime for things we need and just supports all of the experiments I want to try but is also the voice of reason if something is just beyond - he's even eaten the odd food disaster we've had over the years. And he earns all the money.

Hmmm, think I should make a cake today as a thank you treat..!

wow! i assume you dont want to swap him then?!!! i have honestly been ask people to take him in for a week and knock him into shape!!

NualaBuala

cw18 wrote: »

No-one should ever feel embarrassed by what makes them happy (though there are some things probably not suitable for sharing on an open forum :rotfl:)

I think it's great that you got to meet like-minded people, and I know that sudden feeling of being 'useful' as I felt much the same when I started doing voluntary work in the local pre-school class. Having been made redundant (and widowed) the previous November, starting this in the Feb was a great way of showing me that I could still do something and make a difference to others (as well as to my own mental frame of mind)

Thanks a mill for the encouragement! :A I would really like to volunteer but not yet well enough for the commitment needed for anything regular. Well done on doing it in the local pre-school, bet they were glad of the help.

seriouslyfrugal wrote: »

Cheryl I know exactly what you mean after being made redundant I started to volunteer as a walk leader for the health walks scheme locally ( we take people for a one hour free walk ) there i have met some wonderful new friends of all ages who share my love of walking and it's amazing what we can put to right's in an hour and it the company and feeling like i'm doing somthing useful for others thats what I like

That sounds wonderful and it's great that you did something to help others and enjoyed it so much yourself. I would love to join a group like that when I'm strong enough to do proper walks - must check what's available.

Cranky,how are you getting on with WeightWatchers? I got good results with it in the past but stupidly piled the weight back on then some! I am too stingy to join again (plus I'm not sure it's right for me) but I'm trying to be careful with my calorie intake at the moment and I am ignoring all the leftover Christmas chocolates! :A

Minnie I signed up for surveys and I find it's either a feast or a famine. I get none for months and then several come in a row! But it sounds like you have more than enough to keep you busy! Hope your hubby cooperates with you and things get easier.

lynzpower

Hello everyone :wave:

Hope everyone is ok today ( cheryl sorry to hear about your freind, Erme- dont be hard on yourself, im sure it wil pass, Nuala - brilliant news about your night out, im joined mine as well ( not greens) and am due to attend meetings as well, how cool)

OK well my exams are over. I dont know if I did very well, to be honest, Im hoping I get to resit as I should have done a lot better than I did. Hover, I wont hear for ages, so no problem, and I wont worry till then.

Frugal wise, its been ok. I spent less than I thought I would yesterday in the pub, so that was ok. I have been out today to ikea and get a few bits from lidl and that in total has cost me 15.00 and that includes candles, linting rolls for OH and loads more tupperwares for my expanding leftovers collection

Since i got back I made chicken & sweetcorn soup, adn made OH a bolognaise to take to work tomorrow. I am about to bake a cake and start preparing dinner as well. I have got meat out of the freezer to make a stew or chilli out of tonight/ overnight in the SC ( for freezing)

m going to have to redo the spreadsheet I think I might do it in the morning. I do have to take doglette back to vets tomorrow but she is loads better and back to her usual self. I think she mgiht have also alerted us to the potential for a mouse in the house, which is not so good!


My soap nuts arrived today, when Ive finished the liquid im using ill use that ( Im sure i have some oil of some sort somewhere)

I think im going to have a lie down and read a bit of my non-uni book and have a small sleep I think it is well deserved

Ps anyone who is buying appliances dont forget to sell the old one for parts, better than nothnig
Are you all checking freecycle? I gave away my dishwasher and it was in great order, someone did well out of it, and there were lots of people giving them away,. Our Fridge freezer is off freecycle, its briliant, cant believe she just gave it away ( well i can, as I do the same lol)

natnat13

itsallinthemind wrote: »

My Aunt puts about 6 childrens tumblers full off value type lemonade on the top rack and puts on a hot cycle. My mother always seems to have a lemon in the cutlery basket, she uses lots in cooking. Both wipe out with white vinegar every so often to remove limescale.

Well, the dishwasher is on with cups of lemonade in, so fingers crossed no more mucky dishes! I also gave it another clean and top up on rinse aid. Thank you ever so much for the tip :T