Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

NualaBuala

Lola, those owls are so cute and I too think it's very sweet that your son wants them. Your plans are very impressive, we had nothing so fancy in my day, we thought pass the parcel was pushing the boat out! Crikey, I sound about 100! :rotfl:

23rdSpiral,I saw my first snowdrops on Friday and it cheered me up no end, made me feel certain Spring was well and truly on its way (although I don't think I'll be turning the heating off any time soon). I hadn't heard of Imbolc till recently, a nice idea. I saw some mention of trimming candles - apparently Imbolc is the time to do it! Good news about the extra work!

Itsallinthemind- good to hear from you and don't worry about replying, I know what it's like. Sounds like you've been through the mill - take care and hope you're back on your feet properly soon. x

Did some shopping in Lidl today but came home with more than I spent as I returned a blood pressure monitor that seemed to think mine is so low I'm in danger of collapse! I suspect it's wrong and they took it back no quibble, fair play to them.

Hope everyone else is ok - sorry if I've missed anything as I am skim reading. Trying hard to cut down on my time spent on MSE (it's not easy I can tell you, think I'm addicted - you are a stronger woman than I am re withdrawal symptoms RubyTuesday! ).


Hugs,
N xxx

diddly74

I have just realised I have had a NSD! I haven't been out passed the front door today and not even spent any money online.

SandraScarlett

Lolalemon - what a lovely Mum you are! That egg cosy is super, and to think you've got to knit another 4 dozen! All your plans are involving loads of time, and that is so precious to you, so I think it's absolutely great what you are doing, and your Little Man will never forget it either. Those cabbage arrangements look amazing.

Itsallinthemind - sounds like you've had a dreadful time. I hope nobody is injured or ill.

I've just managed to get my friend who's away in Seville, 3 books she's been trying to get for about 30 years, on ebay. It's a family trilogy by Maisie Mosco. Two minutes after I sent her an email saying there was a surprise being delivered to her house, she sent me a text from the airport, to say she'd got me a surprise - how weird is that!

Love to all frugalistas.

xx

Savvy_sewing

I cant seem to keep up, and having been away at BF's for the weekend even more to read!

I am delighted that BF's Daughter was having a tidy, and cleared out a small bag of "smellies" which she gave to me. Not only is it another sign of her finally accepting me, (only taken 6 + years), but it will stop me having to buy anything for a while. I was surprised to see some small Clinique tubes etc inthere. Exactly what i use and love! So my indulgence for some lovely smellies has been satisfied (for a while) and it will help me with the "No buying toiletries" in February challenge.!
As we went to BF's it also means that our menu plan will stretch an extra 2 days.

Was thinking of getting a Veg box delivered, until I can get this garden going. But then am still undecided. So no spends.

I wanted to make a start on Curtains for my Frontroom. (new house, have temporary curtains up) and went to the fabric shop in Kidlington as was nearest. But I couldnt make my mind up as to what fabric I can actually use to go with my carpet. Its a striped carpet!
I was going to buy a metre of a couple of them to bring back, when BF said wouldnt it be easier to take a piece of the carpet wth me? So we didnt buy anything.

I am now home, and tired. So did a pizza from the freezer for our tea (on its own as was only DGD and I), was just not in the mood for cooking.

rising_from_the_ashes

Lolalemon wow, your planters are fantastic and I absolutely LOVE the egg cosy!:D

Apple_Mint - thanks, I may ring Sky and see if I can sort something out as been with them a long time. I've got FreeSat upstairs but have extra channels downstairs. If I take the cable out of the box & put staight into tv I can get HD but too much of a pain to do on a regular basis!


Well, went to farm shop to check out boxes of veg, they do them for £11/week and would be fantastic for a family but far to much for one person (only do them in the one size).

Popped to market (very quiet as chucking down), found a couple of fuit & veg stalls, one very much the same price as the supermarket but the other was significantly cheaper: bunch of leeks (1.5kg) for £1, cauliflours 2 for £1.50, the hugest swede's I've ever seen 2 for 80p, and also got a huge bag of mushrooms for £1 - also have really cheap potatoes, carrots etc - def going back!:D

Anyway, quick question - is there any way to keep veg fresh for a long time: they had bags of 12 swede's for £4 and huge bags of potatoes but it'd take me ages to get through them.

Not really got room to keep in the house - would they be OK in the garage?:question:

Thanks

natnat13

Ask the fabric shop for samples, my local one will just cut off a small strip from the end for you to take home for free. x

jade86123

lilylass wrote: »

Lolalemon wow, your planters are fantastic and I absolutely LOVE the egg cosy!:D

Apple_Mint - thanks, I may ring Sky and see if I can sort something out as been with them a long time. I've got FreeSat upstairs but have extra channels downstairs. If I take the cable out of the box & put staight into tv I can get HD but too much of a pain to do on a regular basis!


Well, went to farm shop to check out boxes of veg, they do them for £11/week and would be fantastic for a family but far to much for one person (only do them in the one size).

Popped to market (very quiet as chucking down), found a couple of fuit & veg stalls, one very much the same price as the supermarket but the other was significantly cheaper: bunch of leeks (1.5kg) for £1, cauliflours 2 for £1.50, the hugest swede's I've ever seen 2 for 80p, and also got a huge bag of mushrooms for £1 - also have really cheap potatoes, carrots etc - def going back!:D

Anyway, quick question - is there any way to keep veg fresh for a long time: they had bags of 12 swede's for £4 and huge bags of potatoes but it'd take me ages to get through them.

Not really got room to keep in the house - would they be OK in the garage? :question:

Thanks

Garage is perfect, keep your potatoes in a paper bag/sack and in darkness to stop them sprouting or turning green.. not 100% about swedes but would think as they are a root veg, storage should be the same as potatoes..

HTH:)

enjoyfinancialchallenges

lillylass I have kept my potatoes in the garage since I dug them up from my garden in the Autumn so I think yours will be fine. Other root vegs I would buy also, I know turnips, swedes and carrots etc last forever in the fridge and Ive had a couple of swedes in my unheated conservatory for weeks now just make sure when you buy them that if possible that they do not have any cuts on them. The onions I'm using now I bought in a special offer just before Christmas If they are in the still in nets just hang the nets up in an unheated place like your garage. By the way cover your potatoes up so no light get to them and if they do go a bit green be sure to cut it off because it is will give you an upset stomach if eaten in large quantities. Hope this helps. XX

rising_from_the_ashes

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

lillylass I have kept my potatoes in the garage since I dug them up from my garden in the Autumn so I think they will be fine. Other root vegs I would risk, I know turnips, swedes and carrots etc last forever in the fridge and Ive had a couple of swedes in my unheated conservatory for weeks now just make sure when you buy them that if possible that they do not have any cuts on them. The onions I'm using now I bought in a special offer just before Christmas If they are in the still in nets just hang the nets up in an unheated place like your garage. By the way cover your potatoes up so no light get to them and if they do go a bit green be sure to cut it off because it is will give you an upset stomach if eaten in large quantities. Hope this helps. XX

jade86123 wrote: »

Garage is perfect, keep your potatoes in a paper bag/sack and in darkness to stop them sprouting or turning green.. not 100% about swedes but would think as they are a root veg, storage should be the same as potatoes..HTH:)

Fantastic! Thanks to you both - will be going back next week to get big bags!

I've got Crohn's so my intake of fruit & veg is pretty restricted - the "roots" seem to agree with me so would be great to be able to bulk buy and keep.

fizz

Hello everyone, would you mind if I joined in please. Finances have gone to h8ll in a handcart over the last 6 months and if I don't do something about it now, I'm going to be in serious trouble. Will try and do a budget over the next week or so but have only been in the house since Nov - would be an estimation but would be hoping for 8/9k. You all seem like a lovely lot and reckon that if you can't help, no-one can!

fizz.xx

ps. It's me, dd and the dog.