Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 2

rising_from_the_ashes

Arrrrrgh, just updated the SoW.....

Groceries now seem to be back on track (haven't been this week, as know if I go, I'll buy loads more than I need - this always falls down when I run out of milk though as the local shops don't keep it so I end up having to go Mr A or Mr T - should have enough to last until Weds).

However, the pets is now the one that's looking terrible! Think this needs some work but it's really hard as I've never kept track of what I actually spend on them before (also now more since the dog's now on medication) - don't want to just keep adjusting it upwards every month!

tumptyteapot

big bottle of fizzy water 19p, reduced tuna (was £4.50) £1.05, reduced prawn laska (was £5 something) 85p

Winchelsea

tumptyteapot - I guess you're somewhere in our part of the world -we go to Slimbridge sometimes. It's half way between us and DD3, so we can meet up and have a family day out (including DD2 and her family coming over from Newport.) I agree it IS expensive. But we just do it for a treat once every year or two, and always enjoy it so much. We always take a packed lunch though - the tickets themselves clean us out!

Haven't been since DH has been in the nursing home, but last time we went it was when he was getting pretty bad, and, because the day had tired him out, he was quite agitated and aggressive until I got him to bed. But, I know he'd had a lovely day.

tumptyteapot

Winchelsea wrote: »

tumptyteapot - I guess you're somewhere in our part of the world -we go to Slimbridge sometimes.

We are in Bristol, it might be cheaper if I go as a carer of my son who has a Bristol disabled card or if we go as low income people. We are definatly taking a packed lunch! And a change of clothes cos I want to go on the canoe :-)

tumptyteapot

curse you ice cream van - £1.30 for an ice cream :-)

fingersxed

I been busy with me vouchers. Got £5 off my paint in homebase. Savin £6 for next few weeks in Sainsburys when I do a £30 shop. No problem there for us!!

I am gettin much beta at usin everything in the fridge and nothings being wasted. And the thing about this it really gives me a buzz rising to the challenge!

miss_empty_piggy

Found the blue fence paint lurking in the camping cupboard!!!

23rdspiral

hi everyone, hope you had a good wknd? i'll catch up later, after the dentist, but just wanted to note Friday and Sunday were a NSDs! Friday was spent stripping wallpaper and chipping off old bad plaster - what a way to spend an annual leave day! and being out dancing Sat night till 5am Sunday morning, then not getting up till 1pm means there isnt really any time before the shops shut to spend money!:rotfl:

23rdspiral

tumptyteapot wrote: »

made bread, made scones, got soil out of last years grow bags to start peas and beans off, looked up how to make plant pots from newspaper all ready for tomorrow.
It's the holidays now, can't see it being that frugal with a 7 year old, cinema tomorrow which is a big spend but I don't need anything else. Got a trip planned with a friend and her daughter (http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/slimbridge) and that is going to be a pricey day we can go as a family but that is still £15 each for admission, plus petrol to get there, and I really want to do the canoe trip which is another fiver. We will take a picnic! It's going to be tough sticking to budget for the next 2 weeks.
I've added a couple of simple maths bits to the SOW so it tells me how much money I have left in the budget for the remaining weeks of the month - I find it difficult to think and budget over a month and I need it broken down.

noticed the Slimbridge reference.. i went there every year as a kid. i think my parents were there yesterday, that or Chew Valley Lake, i cant remember. either way they were meeting bird watching friends.

I hope you had a nice time? do the 'nay nay' geese still eat grain out of your hands?

mooomin

Morning all

I've been lurking rather than posting as I've not been doing much that's worthy of mentioning to be honest!

This weekend I went to the farmers market and splurged on some yummy cheese and veg, making a delicious fritatta for dinner on Saturday night. I could have done it for less money, but the ingredients were amazing so I didn't feel too bad about it.

Yesterday I met up with a friend from MSE for lunch and a reasonable amount of wine. I spent about £20 on that but had such a lovely time that it was entirely worth it.

I need some information if possible. I have mould in my bathroom - not loads but enough to be unsightly - and had read on the internet that vinegar might work to remove it. I'd rather that than spraying lots of bleach around the place. Does anyone know what kind of vinegar I should buy? I'm hoping to head to Aldi later today so it would be good if I could pick some up.

Thanks in advance!