Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

landregistrylass

SandraScarlett wrote: »

You are all doing sooooooooooo well! A special and huge congratulations to those of you who are sticking to a budget/making soup/ditching prepared meals for the first time.

If anyone has fallen by the wayside, bigtime or slightly, don't beat yourselves up about it. The very fact you are trying to succeed is wonderful. It's no good other people tut-tutting if you've got debts to tackle, because of how you lived in the past. It's what you do now that counts.

I bought 3 of the Sainsbury annuals online, reduced to £1 each, including postage, which'll do nicely for gifts for the grandchildren at Easter, and they have already arrived. As they were £7.99 each originally, I reckon that's a Very Good Deal!!!

xx

Lovely encouragement SS. Its weird that a lot of this frugal stuff is just what I have been doing for YONKS and thinking others do the same, but they obviously dont. But you are never too old to learn, and I am always happy to hear new tricks from the thread. Love the annual idea. Might have a look at that. And the Easter egg ideas from others are grand. I always make a big deal of "occasions" with the DGS as we dont get together as much as I would like. So egg hunt is a definite event every year, but it can get pricey, so frugal ideas gratefully received.

alec_eiffel

landregistrylass wrote: »

Lovely encouragement SS. Its weird that a lot of this frugal stuff is just what I have been doing for YONKS and thinking others do the same, but they obviously dont. But you are never too old to learn, and I am always happy to hear new tricks from the thread. Love the annual idea. Might have a look at that. And the Easter egg ideas from others are grand. I always make a big deal of "occasions" with the DGS as we dont get together as much as I would like. So egg hunt is a definite event every year, but it can get pricey, so frugal ideas gratefully received.

I sometimes forget that something is frugal and it's only when someone points it out to me that I realise how far we've come from the hideous spenders we used to be! It's as nice to be reminded of that as it is to learn something new.

minnie2

So had to put petrol in car - £9.38

so our overall spend so far this month is £45 on petrol between the 2 of us

and ofcourse £836 on direct debits so far!

havent spent anything else as havent got any money!

but come home to find a letter - car tax runs out end of this month argh!!!

lynzpower

Oh minnie what are you going to do?

It sounds very stressful indeed.

Do you Need both cars, can one of you do without? Can you walk more places to save petrol? Could you cycle? ( has anyone got a bike you can borrow even for a week it would save money?

lynzpower

Fresian

Definately ask for your Ipod back. I once met someone who worked in a lost property and they said people never collect what they have lost, scandal.

He did say, never buy an umbrella just go to the largest Lost prop in a station and say "left a black umbrella on the train" and you will be ushered into a world of brollies that have been there for yonks unclaimed

Blairweech

I am trying to knit a mug cosy, but I keep splitting the ply of the wool as I bring the needle through - does anyone know why this might be happening? It did not happen on previous projects

romylou_2

Well i've hit no.3 NSD today.:j

I cancelled my gym membership last year (saving £52 per month). So today I took my dog for a lovely long walk and then later I went on my wii for an hour. Im really exhausted now.:)

Lily_The_Legend

Blairweech wrote: »

I am trying to knit a mug cosy, but I keep splitting the ply of the wool as I bring the needle through - does anyone know why this might be happening? It did not happen on previous projects

I was about to say ask on the knitting thread on OS, but see that you already have! Sorry, no idea about these sort of things. Hope someone comes along who can help!

dizzy_lizzie

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

dizzy L when ex-live out lover was around I usually made him heart shaped biscuits and decorated them. He didnt say much being the strong silent sort that he was but usually smiled and seemed to enjoy them, I only used a every day type recipe so not expensive.......I hope he misses them this year.:mad:

I've got some heart shaped cutters I haven't used yet so that would be a good idea thanks

flying_fresian sorry to hear abour your ipod. DDs friend lost hers a couple of weeks ago and I think it's just the thought that someone could so easily give it back but don't. And even though it was insured she said it was all the photos on it etc. Hope whoever may have yours hands it in.

land registry lass LRG it's a great feeling isn't it getting a bargain. DD very kindly popped in Mr As for me when she finished work and got only what was on the list spending £9.57p so I'm sure that's saved me about £10. I would definately have spent more had I gone in. As for Boogie Wonderland, well it just sounds a great place to be in and though I don't like to admit it being a into mostly rock, I do like the song by Earth Wind and Fire

Blairweech is it different wool you're using? I know the only time this was happening to me was when using some of the wool I got free when I subscribed to the Crochet Magazine. The balls I get from the wool shop, though acrylic, are fine.

**Can I just say as well this is one of my favourite threads**

Luvz Dizzy x

Kerfuffle

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

*snip....well a bit bigger than the one I have got would be nice. :rotfl:

Well in that case maybe I should call it/her "Dolly". ( I know, that's not very original is it)

itsallinthemind wrote: »

I name everything worth a lot of dosh Freddie. Naturally. What else would he be called?

"Freddie the Freezer", has a nice ring to it

Inbox has room now

Thanks Lynzpower, your reply has kind of answered my question

lynzpower wrote: »

Fresian

Definately ask for your Ipod back. I once met someone who worked in a lost property and they said people never collect what they have lost, scandal.

Totally agree with this, you might just be surprised. We had lot of things unclaimed as I think people just assume it will have been kept.

HowlinWolf - thanks for the book recommendation, I might just take a look at that.

Apple_mint - hope you enjoy the soup.

Freedom2011 - thanks for the Mincemeat Bun recipe, I actually pulled the jar of mincemeat from the back of the fridge last night to remind to to use it up today, so I think I'll be giving these a go. Maybe have a couple with custard on for dessert.

SandraScarlett - thanks for the Hunter's Broth. It sounds lovely, at this time of year anything that sticks to your ribs is good as far as I'm concerned.

Frugal things today:

• Make Mincemeat Buns.
• Tea is going to be leftover cooked beef bits reheated in leftover beef gravy, served with garlic mashed potatoes (using leftover homemade garlic butter) and whichever veg look in most need of being put out of their misery.
• Another NSD so that's 5 so far this year.

Today I'm taking the Christmas tree and decorations down. Not sure if I'm a day late with this or not.

Hope you've all had good productive days.

Toodles