Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

alec_eiffel

LolaLemon wrote: »

my image of many people on here (and OS) is of 'commune' type people, amish even, we all wear (rephrase that, you all wear... lol) floral pinnies, (y)our hair is scaped back and we have a different purses for different things.... reality is soo different from stereotypical images eh? lol/QUOTE]

Nooooooooo! Well, I do have different purses for different things but in terms of looking plain, wearing a floral pinny and wanting to live the simple life in the country, never in a million years!

NualaBuala

Welcome Artichoke and any other new frunchkins! :wave:

I love that story of your children in McD's Art! I remember my first time, I must have been about 10 or 11. I wasn't too impressed and couldn't finish it. I confess I did like the free pencil case, with pencils, ruler and eraser though!

I had planned to go to the shops for a few small top-up bits today but am feeling worn out so will put it off till tomorrow ... so hopefully today will be an NSD! :j

Hope everyone is well.

elly68

hi ev1,well i've caught up again i had family over and friends so spent 1 weeks budget of £100 in a weekend so going to try and spend very little until end of feb to catch up .i've got plenty of food in just need to start cooking again .so for me my mantra is going to be nsd nsd nsd lol
really like it here lots of useful tips .

natnat13

Thanks for your support guys I was feeling sooo fed up yesterday. Feel slightly better today although didn't sleep very well so tired.

Just been to Mr M, haven't been over there for a while, spent £35 but got my brothers b-day present, a whoopsied chinese meal which I will have tonight, trying to make an effort with DH in the hope that maybe then he will! Bought some whoopsied iced buns too, which we didn't need but they were a nice treat. Tinned toms with herbs are BOGTF, so that's 90p ish for 3 nice ones. H...z beans are 5 for £2 (I have to have nice beans!) Bought a veg stew pack for 50p too, good full shop so I am pleased.

Work has picked up too, some I have orders coming in which is spurring me on a bit.

Hi to everyone that's joined. I will go and ctach up with the last couple of pages now!

Nat xx

natnat13

flying_fresian wrote: »

I always assume that people on here are the same age as me (occupational hazard of using the internet, you reflect yourself in others!) so always get a wee jolt when people talk about their grandkids

A good frugal day for me...

I didn't end up going to the shops, so it's a NSD for me. I can't remember who asked, but NSDs for me are any days where I don't spend either cash or use my card. Anything coming out of my account by direct debit is a bill so isn't anything I'm willingly spending

I've had a day of good eating today:

Breakfast - wholegrain toast (loaf was whoopsied to 45p)
Lunch - sandwich with the same tasty bread
Snacks - pear, raisins, bits from my Graze box, banana
Dinner - "student dinner" made with tinned tomatoes, garlic, onion, chickpeas and peas. I had it with pasta and have made enough for lunch tomorrow too :A

I did also eat Maltesers, but my boss bought them for me and I thought it would be rude to say no

A big thank you to whoever said to try and cancel the Graze box - I am getting the next few for £3.19 which is a small saving but a saving nonetheless - woo!!

That was me who mentioned the graze box! Glad it worked for you, all the pennies add up xx

mama67

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Had a big spendy day today. DH bought a lifetime battery for his watch, for £17.99 - I told him he'd better live for a couple of decades more, at least (he's in his 70s).

Then we went to Costco where we spent £85! :eek: We go every 6 weeks or so and like their fish and meat very much. I cut everything up into portions and bagged and froze it, and we have 44 meals each for that money, which I thought good value.

Alas we need more milk and veg, so that's another Mr S visit tomorrow. I salute you ladies who have managed to have so many NSDs, and those of you that grow so much of your own produce, and have livestock. You are to be congratulated! :beer:

xx

I haven't got a Costco nearby but I use the butchers in the local town who do online ordering and delivery; I have just spent £106 but have got enough meat,pies etc for the 4 of us for the next 4-5 weeks, and we are big meat eaters.

23rdspiral

to those that wonder, i dont have seperate purses for everything (though its a good idea) but do have a perchant for 1950s-170s flowery aprons!

hello artecoke - thanks for sharing about your life, very interesting and inspiring.

midwinter - i hope the curtains are there for you on friday, with things like that i take the view that if its meant to be they will be.

rising from the ashes - was quite confused but now think i understand re your name change. i think / know i've been 'stalked' on here by my mortgage person due to the same reason... but i didnt want to change my name. i'm just sometimes a little more careful than i would otherwise be.

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Reupholster a sofa? Goodness, aren't you clever! :T Collectively, we're all terrific here, aren't we!!

xx

Sandra - lets wait and see if i can manage to do it first!!! though it's not quite such a thing i'm afraid as really its only making box covers, not a total fabric reupholster, as its a 1970s wooden frame sofa / pull out single sofa bed thing (ercol style but not). it'll still be a challenge for me though!
i'm inheriting it from a friends mum, and it needs work but will save
me buying a new one for my workroom in the new house. i love how retro it is, and its small and tidy. my OH isnt quite convinced and wants us to get a c500 sofa bed!! My view is to use a double air bed for guests... as hopefully fingers crossed in a few years we'll need the room for something else and would have to get rid of the big sofa then anyway!

HelenPie

Hello all,

How is everyone. Sorry I've not been about much, I've been working on setting up my baking business following the inspiration given by you lovely lot last month.

I've completed my first commission, found people to do free marketing, branding, photography, and web design (all in return for free cake, of course!)

I've got a few pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=317402&id=679411053

It's meant my Frugal-ness has taken a bit of a hit and my debt free target is moving a little away from me, but there shouldn't be many more costs and hopefully it should pay dividends soon

Take care and I'll try and catch up with everything IU've missed over the next few days.

H x

never_too_old

HelenPie wrote: »

Hello all,

How is everyone. Sorry I've not been about much, I've been working on setting up my baking business following the inspiration given by you lovely lot last month.

I've completed my first commission, found people to do free marketing, branding, photography, and web design (all in return for free cake, of course!)

I've got a few pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=317402&id=679411053

It's meant my Frugal-ness has taken a bit of a hit and my debt free target is moving a little away from me, but there shouldn't be many more costs and hopefully it should pay dividends soon

Take care and I'll try and catch up with everything IU've missed over the next few days.

H x

I had a nose they are fantastic, good luck with your new venture

mogan6

HelenPie wrote: »

I've got a few pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=317402&id=679411053

Helen,

Your cakes look really lovely. Good luck for the future, I hope everything works out well for you.

Mo
xx