Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 2

kittiej

Well done PIC, I've seen some lovely re-vamped caravans for sale on ebay over the years. If it's got an awning then you might find you have enough room to use it or caravan plus tent.

Sorry about the job SF.

Hello to everyone else, will report back shortly.

Hope minnie's OK

cloud_cuckoo_land

Hi guys, hope you don't mind me interrupting your little thread - but thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm a 31 year old mother of 3 trying to reduce debts and live more simply. I already do online surveys, a bit of mystery shopping, have an allotment and have started using coupons and sometimes just need a bit of inspiration to keep going - sometimes I need to remind myself it's more of a way of life than a quick fix!

I hope to hang around and keep an eye on what you lot are up to.

Cuckoo. xx

kittiej

Welcome cuckoo :wave:


well earlier I said I would report back because I wanted to make sure I got them before saying anything. A lovely gentleman gave me 3 demi johns and I am so chuffed cos they're about a fiver each in Mr T's. I've got rhubarb in the garden and later will have loads of apples and blackberries so I expect to be constantly merry (only joking work lol) I just need to source cheap sugar now and I'll be all set.

:j:beer::j:beer::j

cw18

Not long back from a couple of nights away - all paid for with a bonus I got from work and had forgotten I qualified for this year

Went to York late on Thursday (called in to see a friend of the way, so didn't actually arrive until after Midnight!), and took part in the final run for Challenge66 on Friday - managing to run around 10 miles in total (though I still need to upload the info from my GPS to check exactly how far I did). Didn't do it all in one go though, as I knew I desperately wanted to do the final lap with Andy whose challenge it was...... and their were loads of us did that one with him - and stayed with him instead of running at our own paces. Without anything being said we all made sure he was first to finish that lap, even though he then had a small distance to go and do on his own to complete the 50km. Others weren't allowed to do that with him as it was on the actual course - the rest having been done inside the rails where the TV vans normally drive round. Even got to see myself (at a distance, and side on from the back) on the local news last night

Stayed over last night as I was hoping to do some sight-seeing before coming home today, but a lack of communication between DS1, his house-mate and his house-mate's parents meant the lads were double booked as dog-sitters (at their place) from 9am today. As neither dog gets on with other mutts it did start to look as if I'd have to drive home straight after the run to retrieve mine, but in the end the other parents decided the other lad could stay at theirs with their dog until I'd managed to get back for mine (ASAP) today......

Whilst it would have been nice to be able to spend a few days in York (love the place, and haven't been since 2003), the atmosphere at the racecourse for the run made using a days leave from work, the travel, hassle with the dog and cost of accomodation well worth doing :T

Now need to catch up with some h/work that's been neglected for the last 3 weeks

And also need to sort out what I'm going to wear tomorrow night as I'm off out for a meal - hopefully followed by my first trip to the cinema since December 2005 !!

redglass_2

cw18 wrote: »

Now need to catch up with some h/work that's been neglected for the last 3 weeks And also need to sort out what I'm going to wear tomorrow night as I'm off out for a meal - hopefully followed by my first trip to the cinema since December 2005 !!

Well done, Cheryl, :T do enjoy your meal and your historic cinema visit!

Welcome, Cuckoo! :hello:

Help/advice please - I've just bought a big woopsied bunch of fresh coriander, any ideas for how to use it? So far I've thought of tomato salsa, of coriander pesto and of scattering it on my super-frugal potato & lentil curry...

miss_empty_piggy

sorry to hear about the job slowlyfading - I'm sure the right job will come along somethime soon.

Well this really is turning out to be my year. After my chimney problems earlier this year, I had the chimney lined but it was still a blooming nightmare with the room full of smoke. My boiler was condemned on Wednesday so I've no heating or hot water, and my washing machine is also broken. Oh, and I've a hole in my boots (which just destroyed me!!). This morning I had two washing up bowls full of hot water in the shower with me and then rinsed the conditioner off with the cold shower head - I think that my head froze for a little while there. I don't mind so much. Had a quote for £1669.00 to fix heating and boiler etc. Have to go to see mortgage adviser on Wednesday about my mortgage so think I may ask for a further advance otherwise It will be cold showers all the way!!! Love it when the sun shines!!! Am still smiling. x

redglass_2

Oh,((((( Empty Piggy)))))! Sometimes it all just hits you in the face, doesn't it! I hope things start to look a bit rosier soon.

Kerry_Woman

cw18 - Well done on your run. Hope you enjoy your night out.

miss empty piggy - Sending you hugs.

Doing well with the home baking this week. Phoned up enquiring about an organic garden association. Hoping to go down there next Sunday. Planning to go to a London Green Fair beginning of June. Not much temp work with my agency at the moment. Only a couple of hours a day at times. One week I only worked 2 hours. Going to go to other agencies at half term.

cw18

redglass wrote: »

Well done, Cheryl, :T do enjoy your meal and your historic cinema visit!

had a call this afternoon to say he needs to postpone it

needed some urgent work doing to his van today, and now can't afford to take me out tomorrow. and he's adamant that as a 'gent' he pays the first time he goes out with anyone, so me offering to pay's a non-starter.

paidinchickens

Hi cuckoo

Never mind SF the right job will come along I'm sure.

Must be the day for free demijohns as been given a stack today for free!!! had some friends looking out for some and two friends turned up with a load today ........plus some the other day from freecycle. 17 altogether so some have been taken to my cousins in exchange for free hair cuts for the boys at a future date:j

Planted some of my free plants today and some have gone to my daughters for her garden and some to my friend in exchange for the demijohns.

Went to a jumble sale this morning and spent £9:eek: all washed and dried :T some good bits but some my daughter did not want will go on ebay as its free listing weekend.

Hubby and uncle been tinkering with the caravan (boys time lol) and have fixed loads of little things so now we have gas and electric and just the water to sort...........still not a penny spent!!!!

Awning sounds a fab idea. A friend says there is a camp site near us that if you pay £20 a night for camping then you all get free entry to the petting farm for free which would normally cost us £45 for the five of us to get in so may take the kids and granddaughter.

Made another bread loaf.

And my little baby girl is definitely having kittens as she is really fat and squishy laying in the sun with her fat tummy sprawling out. I hope she has some grey and white ones just like her as she is so pretty but would like a boy as they are more loving.

Just going to decide to drink or not to drink tonight as I have loads to do tomorrow ummmmmmmm what to do

Have a lovely evening all xxxxx