Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 2

Milly-Ann-Molly

Can I join please? thanks x

tumptyteapot

rictus123 wrote: »

Just need some ideas for really cheap/ free hobbies at nights and Sundays that me and gf can do together or i can do alone....

BBC Iplayer has films sometimes, 4od has good classic comedy, jigsaw puzzles are often less than £1 in charity shops, libraries rent out DVDs and audio books, I buy dvds watch them once then ebay them. All the women in my family crochet or knit but my dad doesn't :-)

How is where you live for light pollution cos star gazing can be good fun. Also if you have outside space making a fire to sit around is lovely - I have a fire pit made of the metal bit of a car tyre, works a treat. If you have a gps (or google maps on your phone) geocaching is brilliant fun - google it for a better explaination but it is treasure hunting with technology.

Well done for reducing your debt!

miss_empty_piggy

WELCOME to CatherineMM

WELL DONE - rictus123 - are you sure you'll be awake to do anything, either alone or with your gf? I'd be half dead on the sofa with all those hours, I'd be half dead doing all that.

Well washer isn't spinning now either. I think it is truly broken. I will get plumber's advice on his return next week! Did most of my washing at BF's house while he was away. I cleaned his house from top to bottom whilst we waited so it would be lovely for his return. Handwashed the rest, it's now dripping on the washing line as we speak!

Have loads to do before my return to work so I best go and do it. Have a great day everyone.

minnie2

hello people!!! what a week!!! I have so much to catch up on!!! had to buy a new laptop - even though my last one was only 9months only!! apparently its irrepairable and the problem isnt covered under warranty - funny that!!! so just had to buy a new one!! can not remember what page i was up to so will have to catch up slowly!!!!

hope everyone is well and enjoying the lovely weather!!!

i have had a very up and down and tiring week and birthday!!!!! Bad news and big spends!!! and its not over yet!!

kittiej

Hi All

Hope everyone else has the glorious weather which we have in South Wales today.

I had a bit of a result from Freecycle, I advertised for tea pots as I'm organising an afternoon tea celebration on Thursday to raise funds for a local special needs school so they can make a sensory garden for the pupils to enjoy.

A lovely lady gave me 2 pots, one large and one small so I am well chuffed.

I just need tea cups now lol

miss_empty_piggy

Have been focusing on energy consumption today and trying to reduce it.

Took meter readings this morning, and have checked it a million times over.

Emptied kitchen freezer into garage freezer. No point running two at the minute. Defrosting kitchen one, may use it as a cupboard for a while. Got the kids to switch the TV off and get out into the pool I bought and we've had great fun with the water guns and playing "hot potatoe" with water balloons. Then watered the plants with the water from the pool as they are going away tonight (sob), and I'm back at work tomorrow (double sob). Will keep watering the plants until it is empty.

Also I had a broken airer which wouldn't stand up and I have managed to hang it from the roof in my garage so I can dry stuff in there when I'm at work and leave the garage door open!!!

Have been invited to mum's for tea which will be nice as everyone will be there. Then off to BF's for supper and staying over as it is nearer to my work as well. Will have to get to work nice and early to get prepared before the horror that is work. Is it just me or are the first few days after being off a killer?? At least it is only a 3 day week.

Here's hoping the rest of your day is great everyone. x

redglass_2

Welcome, CatherineMM !

rictus123 wrote: »

Just need some ideas for really cheap/ free hobbies at nights and Sundays that me and gf can do together or i can do alone....

Are you already raising some veg, Rictus123? I don't know if you have a garden or patio where you could plant something? I assume if you had an allotment you'd have mentioned it as this time of year allotmenteers tend to be quite busy sowing/planting. It's still not too late for many kinds of veggies.

tumptyteapot wrote: »

I have a fire pit made of the metal bit of a car tyre, works a treat.

That sounds brilliant, Tumptyteapot! Any chance of a photo to show us how it is? I would love something like that...probably don't have room, but still...I could try!

Aril

Hello fellow frugallers:j
Hope you've all had a good Easter. Have now caught up with the thread. As ever thanks for all your fantastic tips and pointers. So sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your friend Lola- words are inadequate really in these circumstances. Frugaldom...blimey great news but it's all change in your neck of the woods...congratulations on getting your own home. Never saw that one coming. It was a shame Lady Lesley didn't stay- I think she'd have fitted in brilliantly here and we could have had such fun exchanging all our mad frugal ideas. Ahh well.
Good frugal day here- we've been out for a walk and not used the car today. The left over hot cross buns were made into a bread and butter pudding yesterday and we ate our first ever chive flowers in hm coleslaw cobbled together from the left over veg from the bag of stirfry I'd bought.
Arilx

Erme

I know this was discussed ages ago (think Nuala did it...is she okay?) but I'm currently henna ing my hair for the first time (found a good link - http://www.hennaforhair.com)...got the henna from the asian store for £2.50 for 2 pks (2 different asian stores...Only in reality needed one pack...never mind) and like just wondering how long to leave it on for? My friend said 2 hours - it won't make any difference if you leave it on longer.....Others have said 3-4 - anyone any ideas?

E

rictus123

Haha i think il manage! Thanks for the bbc iplayer/4od suggestion! I dont wish to grow anything....my mum grows tatties and strawberries. Bear in mind im 19 and not really into some of the things that others on this thread might be...but try me! I am open to suggestions/ new things! Some people find the standard hours hard but i dont think its enough...doesnt tire me out or do that much to me pysically...i am really pysically fit, always have been. So it does help but it takes more to tyre me out. I could(if i had to) do 12 hour days for weeks on end...id loose it mentally before i did pysically.

So got my 11 hours done today...if tomorrow is the same fantastic weather as today then il be doing more than 11 hours, might go on and do 13 or 13 and a half...i have pound coin signs in my eyes!