Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

Fruittea

Hello Erme
I'm new to this and just catching up with all the posts. Just wondered about this 75p coffee lark - is it true. Sounds great can you tell me about the extras and do you get a free refill? I've just changed jobs and now work in town - so I can check out Starbucks.

All the best

Erme wrote: »

You know you can get it for 75p if you take your own mug in (i usually take a plastic one) and hope you got all your free extras and your free refill....it's a really good deal if you know what ya doing

Well....upto page 81 so that's almost 10 pages of frugal read and replied to tonight...good night tonight but not enough Boston (human nature in it's fourfold state - huge book - downloaded it for free) read alas cos woe is me - been playing games on facebook :eek:

Bedtime now....DON'T MENTION THE MENU PLAN and AM OUT OF ENGINE OIL (instant coffee) so must go to Mr A tomorrow for 4 jars @ 50p ea... praise God I still have some posh stuff else this could well be 911...lol

I'm not joining you on the no caffeine challenge just yet though you never know

e

grannynise

Erme wrote: »

first question (sorry it's so late....been unwell..crazee sleep and not on MSE for a few days)...did you do it in the washing machine and was it easy cos I have a pinafore I'd like to die back to navy (it's ancient but I like it) from when I did weird things with bleach years ago (over 5 - pre current consultant) and it splashed on it

If you dropped bleach on your pinafore I don't think you'll be able to dye the bleached bit at all - I tried with a jumper and it just won't take. I don't know why.

never_too_old

grannynise wrote: »

If you dropped bleach on your pinafore I don't think you'll be able to dye the bleached bit at all - I tried with a jumper and it just won't take. I don't know why.

I have dyed a few black things with bleach stains on them back to black with the dye that goes in the machine and that was a success.

Marru

It was supposed to be a NSD today (had brekkie and lunch packed to take to work and tea planned from storecupboards) but yesterday I forgot my phone at work and as I use it as alarm I ended waking up every hour last night to check what time it was. So I ordered today an alarm clock for myself £8.- including delivery so not too bad . Haven't updated my sig. Will probably assess the total damage at the weekend.

Erme

Fruittea wrote: »

Hello Erme
I'm new to this and just catching up with all the posts. Just wondered about this 75p coffee lark - is it true. Sounds great can you tell me about the extras and do you get a free refill? I've just changed jobs and now work in town - so I can check out Starbucks.

All the best

You basically need to use the starbucks loyalty card for budgeting for coffees out....and register it online. then you get all the extras free as it says on the tables with regards the card and free wifi...if you take your own cup in it's 75p for a filtered tall coffee (85p next size up) with all the extras as opposed to £1.50 without the card...if you forget your own up no sweat - it's just a £1 so ya paying 25p for using their mug

E

PS. supposed to go to Mr M or somewhere for groceries late tonight but I be very tired so possibly mega nap time

JayneC

Lily_The_Legend wrote: »

Hello everyone! :hello:

I've got a lot of reading back to do! :eek:

The latest frugal news from me is that we're selling some old DVDs, CDs and games to Music Magpie. We've been offered about £18 for those, so need to box them up when the Freepost labels arrive. Thank you to whoever it was who mentioned that website on this thread! :T

I've had two NSDs this week so far and got some freebies in Tesco on Monday! :j

I've just done this too... Finally sorted out a load of old CDs and DVDs that have been hanging around for ages. Offered just over £10 for about 15 items which isn't brill but better than a poke with a sharp stick. Went through Quidco so should get cash back too Not been paid for an item sold on ebay on sunday, how long should I leave before logging an issue with ebay - I've e-mailed the buyer twice-nothing , they have 100% feedback too so v v frustrating!

Some people at work have decided to start a knitting group, they're meeting tonight but I'm at drama workshop so can't go shame as I would've liked that. They've said they'll look at changing the day next time so maybe I'll join them then!

Have signed up to the Permaculture Design Diploma, my next step towards the Good Life! It's 7 weekends spread over 7 months starting next month. I'm really looking forward to it.

Well better go and get changed for my drama workshop, the thread seems to have slowed a little so maybe I'll do better at keeping up.

Back soon x

dizzy_lizzie

Fruittea wrote: »

Hi Everyone
What a great thread - can I tag along please. :j Looks exciting.
Needing to be frugal more so than ever and hopping to pick up tips from everyone.

Hi CW18 is it you I need to ask if I can join. Let me in please..... :rotfl:

Hi Fruitee and welcome. We're all singing from the same songsheet on this thread (had to use that smiley lol)

slowlyfading wrote: »

:hello: evening everyone!

My smoothie maker has arrived today so I'm looking forward to making lots of healthy concoctions It does mean that I've got to pop to the shops tomorrow so I can get some more fruit in, but I'm hoping that it'll kick start my weight loss - it's going slow so far.

I've had another NSD too which is good. Tired though, definitely need an early night.

Ooh smoothies are sooooo nice

[QUOTE=Erme;_The_veggie_meatloaf_would_easily_serve_6_so_it's_in_the_freezer:)_and_so_cheap._I_didn't_have_chick_peas_ready_so_used_a_tin_of_cheap_red_kidney_beans_and_it_was_fine._Only_thing_I_can_think_being_expensive_long_term_is_the_seeds_but_when_you're_not_making_it_that_often_why_worry?_(it_needs_1/2lb)._Also_just_took_1__hour_(just_over)_from_start_to_finish_which_is_a_lot_quicker_than_one's_traditional_meat_loaf_and_that_includes_cooking_time_E[/QUOTE]

That sounds so tasty. Just the kind of thing Iike. I would love the recipe if you've a mo

IAITM Hope you're feeling ok.
You too Lily_the _Legend.

Was very good and didn't open my parcel until I'd tidied my wardrobe and drawers. So this morning, propped up on my pillows and at 1.30 am I opened it Going to have a go at some of the easier ones.

Luv Dizzy x
♥

natnat13

Evening all
I have had a very spendy day today. Ventured to Exeter and stayed clear of all the clothes shops! Went to poundland and got the green veg bags, big thank you for that suggestion / advice. Also bought mini cheddars, nothing else took my fancy, we're stocked up for tea / coffee etc at the moment.
Then went to macro, spend £136! But got lots of bulk stuff including 36 roll double velvet loo roll for £9.49, a massive block of cheese the width of my fridge for £14.49, that should last a month hopefully (we eat lots of cheese), also bought 48 walkers crisps for £3.99 and lots of other things including a loft ladder! It was on offer and we really need one as balancing on an old chair is not safe!
Then I got home and hubby wanted takeaway for tea but he paid for that from his birthday money so not counting it in the budget.
On the whole though very pleased with how things are going, I haven't used the tumble dryer for a week and the bank account is looking very healthy, this is usually our low point as DH gets paid on Friday. I also took sandwiches today instead of buying Maccie Ds!

23rdspiral

a medium spend day today, but should mean a no spend day tomorow, unless i go to the opticians.
again i needed cake for a friend, a birthday this time, and again Mr M did me proud and sold me 2.14 of cakes for 1.19!

wornoutmumoftwo wrote: »

For any Boots shoppers my friend told me the 75% sale is on, but surprise surprise - website down and I'm nowhere near a boots.

:T thanks! i spent 4.75 on 19 worth of goods... 1 gift, some sweets for the wknd that i'd have bought elsewhere anyway, a pretty tin of biscuits and a gift for me (it's my birthday on friday) (the gift for me is lovely Almond Body Butter & Scrub rrp6.00, down to 1.50!!! i'd have bought the contents anyway later in the year... so a future saving! BUT it's meant i've broken my signaure challenge of no toiletries.

JayneC wrote: »

Have signed up to the Permaculture Design Diploma, my next step towards the Good Life! It's 7 weekends spread over 7 months starting next month. I'm really looking forward to it.

ooh, it's fastinating! i did a day seminar once but couldnt see the point in continuing as at that point i didnt have a garden. good luck!

cw18

23rdspiral wrote: »

(it's my birthday on friday)

And mine on Sunday

I booked a long weekend off work to celebrate (so I finish at 5pm tomorrow until 1pm on Wednesday) - and then went and booked myself a place on a 10km race on Sunday !!!