Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

lynzpower

thankls seriously frugal. I did see that i am not a pepsi fan unfortunately. I have had a glass tonight as a headache just kicked in and it is vicious

I have been getting 3 litres for 1.69 at Iceland, if this is still on on the wekeend I might have them deliver me a job lot in with thier free delivery.v Or jsut wean off. I have weaned off before, it ended up ok, till I had some one day adn relaised what I was missing :eek:

midwinter

And I saw 2 pairs of gorgeous shoes in a charity shop today..tried them on, fitted well (not an easy feat when I'm size 7 and broad feet)..... but they were pretty shoes, and felt I couldnt justify buying them, as I dont go anywhere to wear them now.... but they were gorgeous...... and left them on the shelf

Aril

Evening all:j
Thanks very much for posting the link to the citrus cleaner- that looks fab:D
Only spending on essentials going on here this week- the cat and I have both needed new prescriptions but needs must. Haven't bought anything unnecessary- going to push the boat out tomorrow to buy some pipe cleaners as a friend and I are having an evening making stuff tomorrow and they are needed for that. I have found both The Works and Poundland to be great for all the bits and bobs I need from time to time. I'm also planning another make and have discovered that I have everything I already need hiding away in my stash:D
Am helping out at a jumble sale on Saturday- am totally prepared to go wild with a few ten pence pieces if I find any treasure:rotfl::rotfl:Woohoo I know how to live
Aril

Laushappy

Can i ask if anyone thinks it is worth buying a bread maker, would it save money in the long run? and how easy are they to use?
I was looking at a panasonic one with a gluten free option, anyone got this one? Its £75.00 :eek: so want to make sure it will be worth it.

Left over pasta bake was lovely, i bulk mine out (whilst making it healthier too) with courgettes, aubergines, onions and any other veg on offer.
Frugal and healthy meal idea:
If i make a chilli, then i add loads of pulses and beans (even baked beans!) and veggies such as courgettes and carrots its yummy, healthy and seriously frugal!

Someone asked me for packed lunch/healthy meal ideas, homemade coleslaw is lovely, cabbage, onions and carrots can all be brought cheap (lidl!) grate them up and add lemon juice, black pepper and some light mayo or salad cream, crush some hazlenuts (or any favourite nuts), this makes for a healthy balanced and cheap meal
Houmous and crudites is a nice alternative to sarnies.

Hoping tommorow will be another NSD, got plenty of food in fridge and freezer so defo don't need to buy any more groceries :j
Sleep well x

twiglet98

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..!

Lost in admiration, I didn't know men like that existed. After two rotten marriages and a longish relationship that turned out to have been rotten all along, I have no intention of getting involved with anyone else EVER but I hope - I'm sure - your DH knows that you know how lucky you are!

mooomin

Laushappy wrote: »

Can i ask if anyone thinks it is worth buying a bread maker, would it save money in the long run? and how easy are they to use?
I was looking at a panasonic one with a gluten free option, anyone got this one? Its £75.00 :eek: so want to make sure it will be worth it.

I suspect you'd have to make a lot of bread to make that one worth your while :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Why not see if someone is getting rid of one on your local Freecycle or Gumtree?

rubytuesday

ceridwen wrote: »

I'd be interested in a few details re the losing "just over a stone and a half" by walking - as am looking for easy ways to lose a bit of weight.....

- Did you keep eating the same sort of diet/same amounts of food as previously - ie the weight loss was JUST from walking alone?

- How long a walk do you think you took each day?

- How long did it take for the weight to come off by "walking it off"?

I haven't been on a diet as such, I have dramatically increased my fruit and veg, reduced my portions sometimes, although not noticeably and usually walk for about an hour a day. ( Have been slacking lately though!) I bought a pedometer and aimed for at least 10,000 steps a day. I have also started swimming in the outdoor pool recently. It has taken me a year and a half to lose that weight.

mooomin

Today has been pretty frugal.

Lunch was a sandwich and some cake leftover from the funeral I attended yesterday (t'other half's stepmum made me take a doggie bag)

I managed to not buy milk, leaving it to Mr Fresian to get some and he bought a massive carton which should see us through until Friday at this rate!

Dinner was dull but functional - fish fingers! I've also taken some pasta sauce out of the freezer and will make pasta in the morning so I can have pasta and sauce for lunch. I think there's enough there to do two days as well.

I'm really tired tonight, so I'm going to quickly update the Spreadsheet Of Wonder and head to bed. Night all!

SandraScarlett

Regarding home made coleslaw, I make something that we call The Fodder. I use cabbage, carrots and leeks, and mix this with half light mayo, and half Total fat-free yoghurt. Most of it is air, but mixed with a bit of chicken or grated cheese, and some salad stuff, it makes a satisfying lunch.

Then I add to The Fodder mushrooms, courgettes, peppers and bean sprouts, and stir fry this with the weeniest amount of oil and it appears you have a huge portion, again mostly air, which is a good way of getting your 5 a day, and I serve this with rice, and a bit of something, like salmon fillets, which I add to the stir fry.

I used to buy a big lump of cheese and grate it, till I grated my finger as well, so now I get a big bag of ready grated, and split it into smaller bags, then freeze it.

I know it's not the most economical way of living, but it's the safest! Why is my DH "watching" cricket again? I thought England had won and it was all over. I'd ask him, but he's asleep!!!

xx

SandraScarlett

rubytuesday wrote: »

I haven't been on a diet as such, I have dramatically increased my fruit and veg, reduced my portions sometimes, although not noticeably and usually walk for about an hour a day. ( Have been slacking lately though!) I bought a pedometer and aimed for at least 10,000 steps a day. I have also started swimming in the outdoor pool recently. It has taken me a year and a half to lose that weight.

Yes but taking a year and a half to lose it, means you have a greater chance of keeping it off. Look at all these "stars" who lose 3 stone in a fortnight, produce a Keep Fit DVD, and then put it all back on. Well done, that's a brilliant weight loss. :T :T

xx