Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 2

Kiwisaver_2

The trouble with coupons is they are usually for expensive branded products that I wouldn't normally buy, like the expensive gourmet catfoods or coffee. I got a $2 coupon for the latest Nesc@fe coffee and when I looked it still worked out way more expensive than the coffee I usually get.

I managed to stay out of the shops for 5 days but have had to give in today, as we had no bread and very little milk left.

redglass_2

tumptyteapot wrote: »

It was me and I'll take a photo next time we have a fire - it's been too windy recently - it doesn't look like much though when it is unlit :-)

Thank you! :T Seeing it unlit might still be helpful from the technical side, I'd be able to see the depth (or would I?). Anyway, it sounds fab.

Have just been to our weekly market. The apples there are actually dearer than Mr M's cheapest, and the quality is no better. Also went to the little market held in the Town Hall, which coincides with the street market but isn't the same, and bought some pepper plants and an outdoor cucumber. (Despite the hot weather, some of my seeds haven't germinated well this year, so this is a cheat's way of catching up.) My courgettes are raring to go, though, so I'll be planting them out soon and probably giving some away, too.:)

LauraM65

Kiwisaver wrote: »

The trouble with coupons is they are usually for expensive branded products that I wouldn't normally buy, like the expensive gourmet catfoods or coffee. I got a $2 coupon for the latest Nesc@fe coffee and when I looked it still worked out way more expensive than the coffee I usually get.

I managed to stay out of the shops for 5 days but have had to give in today, as we had no bread and very little milk left.

I know what you mean about coupons, I found some Tesco ones this morning, the ones they send you with your clubcard money vouchers. They have to be used by the 8 May, looking at them I will probablly only use 2 out of the 6 of them sent a 40p off Neurofen and a £1 off Ariel Excel washing liquid. One of them is for Iams cat food which is really expensive and I dont buy it, even though I have a cat. Hope your shopping trip goes well, its leathal when you run out of stuff the temptation to buy other items is always there, I had to go into T yesterday to get drinks and crisps for my son for school today and ended up spending £26 although I did have 6 quality sausages from the finest range off the reductions section for 90p instead of £2.50, managed to get them as the shop assistant put them straight down so was pleased with that purchase.

rising_from_the_ashes

redglass wrote: »

Tumpty, was it you that had the firepit made from the metal bit of a car wheel? Maybe somebody else. WHoever it was, if you have a photo showing it, I would love to see that (pretty pretty please!:)) as I think it's a brilliant idea.

tumptyteapot wrote: »

It was me and I'll take a photo next time we have a fire - it's been too windy recently - it doesn't look like much though when it is unlit :-)

redglass wrote: »

Thank you! :T Seeing it unlit might still be helpful from the technical side, I'd be able to see the depth (or would I?). Anyway, it sounds fab.

Can I 2nd that - sounds brilliant!


Have spent the afternoon slowly frying in the back garden, watered veg, planted a couple of new lavender plants I treated myself to (mine didn't survive the 3 weeks of being buried in 2ft of snow) and then sat in the windbreak cocoon and read a book for a couple of hours while the dog lay on an old duvet beside me!:D

Hosp appt tomorrow for MRI which I'm dreading, will need to be away from the house by 7 (I always seem to get early appts - good in that I get the rest of the day but it's a long way & I'm not great in the mornings so will need to be up about 5am:eek::eek::eek:).

Has anyone tried to make catnip from cat mint? I've some in the garden & my cats go nuts for the dry stuff - do I just pick the leaves, dry & crush?:question:

kittiej

Has he been reading that Guardian article?

This made me laugh redglass. The Sun's about his limit :rotfl:

I've still got £12 in my purse during mean May but I did cheat and bought petrol and 6 first class stamps on my debit card = £22.76 cos I went 2p over £20 at the pump. I wish they'd design a pump whereby you could tap in the amount you want to spend and it just dispenses that amount, I always go 1p or so over because pumps can need quite a bit of pressure sometimes.

dizzy_lizzie

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

Either went to DBF or home to 4 hot water bottles and a cup of tea, with a free magazine in bed before sleep.

That's my ideal night miss empty piggy, well almost

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Hosp appt tomorrow for MRI which I'm dreading, will need to be away from the house by 7 (I always seem to get early appts - good in that I get the rest of the day but it's a long way & I'm not great in the mornings so will need to be up about 5am:eek::eek::eek:)

Hope all goes well tomorrow rising. Make sure you have a nice treat after.

Have had a few cheeky spends myself but nice ones. DD and I went to the pictures at start of Easter to watch Arthur with Russell Brand in. Was pretty funny. Also had a cheese free pizza from pizza express, my that was tasty...
Also went to Blackpool yesterday with DS, his lovely girlfriend and hubby. We went to Madame Tussauds as it's now called and we had a brilliant laugh. Also a couple of other days out and spends so need to reign it in this month.
Was it Kittie that coined this month Mean May? That's brilliant. Will be keeping that in mind this month.
Luv to all
Dizzy x
♥

kittiej

Hi dizzy.

I must confess the 'Mean May' phrase was first posted by kiwisaver so all the credit should go to her :T. - I said I liked the idea and would like to use it.

I speak as one who needs a prompt to get myself back on track now and again ( all the time lol).

tumptyteapot

not terribly frugal start because I spent £70 getting an overlocker fixed, but it did only cost me £15 and is worth at least £200 so..... and I hope to make some money making things to sell on it
Otherwise went to Mr A, looking forward to checking my receipt on the internet tomorrow, bought some fabric in a charity shop and a t-shirt for my son to decorate for his dad's birthday present. The charity shop was good, I asked to look through the rag bags before they got weighed in for recycling and found a merrell jacket amongst all sorts of material I can patchwork!

tumptyteapot

if you have an android phone there is an app called vouchercloud that searches for discounts near you, near me there is 2 for the price of 1 lazer quest, 25% off cafe red, deals on specs....... I think it's worth checking out

miss_empty_piggy

Evening all, just wanted to say hope all goes well tomorrow rising. Thinking of you, and also to dizzie - I'm totally with you on that one, can think of other things more exciting to do, but cup of tea and hot water bottles are nice for those nights you really need them!!!

Have been mega busy (am still up working for tomorrow). We have ofsted in at the moment and as I work in 2 departments means double trouble, although I had one oberservation/inspection thingy today and the woman was absolutely lovely and I got a grade 2 which I am chuffed as mustard about. Just planning for the rest of the week now!!!

will report later regarding frugality (or lack of it) for Mean may(love that!). feeling very sleepy but need to finish planning etc but just wanted to check how everyone was doing. x night night. x