Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

rising_from_the_ashes

Sorry been missing for a couple of days - hit my download limit at the weekend (1st time ever & had been expecting it with being online so much more than usual!)

paidinchickens wrote: »

Risingwhat is the best cat food? value/best for cats.

Are you after wet or dry food?

Dry - mine get Royal Canin which looks hugely expensive at first glance (but is a great quality food so they don't eat as much of it & there's no carp in it) - I used to get at the Pet Shop it cost £8.50 / cat / month.

Recently I've been getting when there are really good deals online with big sacks / BOGOFs etc and have managed to get this down to £3.50 / cat / month - cheaper than buying stuff from the supermarket!:D

Wet - this is where the extreme fussiness starts to show.... boy cat will only eat meat in gravy and girl cat pate.

I've been fighting a losing battle to get them to eat better quality foods for several months:( I've tried loads but they either pick at it or don't touch it at all. It's not gone to waste (the shelter's benefitted loads;)) but I just can't afford to buy them stuff that they won't eat so ..... it's back to Whiskas, Sheba and Gourmet:o

Again, you can get pretty good deals online by shopping around (4 boxes of Whiskas for £10 etc).

A few places I've used and have had no problems with:

http://www.medicanimal.com/index
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/ (quidco available)
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/
http://www.petsathome.com/ (sign up for the newsletter & you get notified of offers often available online only - just got RC dry for BOGOF)
http://www.seapets.co.uk/ (quidco available)


For dogs this food is fantastic - wheat & gluten free & hypoallergenic. It's also VAT free which helps keep the costs down a bit:

http://www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk/products/field---trial-products/duck---rice/

It's £23 for a 15kg bag in the pet shop (RRP) but have just managed to get 2 x 15kg for £36 online from Medicanimal (free delivery) so really good value too. It's been fantastic for Ben as he's wheat intolerant and I was really struggling to find a good, wheat free food which didn't cost the earth (previously on Wainwrights - again a great food but £33.50 a bag!)


HTH:) Sorry about the long post:o especially to non pet owners!

rubytuesday

Lola well done on the charity night! x

tumptyteapot

sorry, been awol, got the flu, feel foul, heating not on yet though (it is sunny) and the flu is making the pounds drop off! and I'm not spending any money being stuck in the house

rubytuesday

Wishing you well soon Tumpty!

23rdspiral

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Oh spiral. I would looooove a wood burning stove. Especially for the Winter. How cosy and romantic is that going to be in the cold months coming up?
Nevermind the argument with OH, whats done is done and look what you've got to look forward to
x

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

:j:jFantastic news ..... ohhhhh I'd love one too!

I'm a bit of a "list freak" (worry I'll forget things which stops me sleeping etc so just easier to write them down - I can then forget about them as I know they'll not be forgotten IYSWIM) ...

I've got lists for everything and for my "next house" one - an open fire / stove is high on the list.

Thanks both!
Dizzy, you're right. the argument was soon forgotten (though i hope his priorities stay at least partly on track!) hope you feel better soon x
Rising - the stove was top on our 'next house' priorities list... just so disapointing the one in when we bought the house got condemned. And good luck for your extra mortgage payment, it'll be eroding the capitol so is a good thing i'm sure.

we've been away for a long weekend -stayign with very kind friends so no b&b costs, but still an expensive time. did get a lovely velvet dress for the xmas work parties for 25 from M&S Outlet in Street, and also thermals! at 30, i'm just so rock n roll! :rotfl:


the builders did a great job on Friday putting in a new lintel and hearth tiles, then plasterer was coming monday and stove fitters tues. Plasterer didnt come till tues...so no stove :0( . And no phone call to say the plans had changed. We got in at 10.15 last night after a very long drive to find All lights on downstairs (even for rooms we'd shut off), plaster splatters over the furniture we couldnt move out (ie, plasterer didnt put down dust sheets), filthy kitchen & dining room floors and sh*t in the toilet.:mad: Not a nice homecoming.

23rdspiral

LOLA - congrats on the charity night going so well. a very nice way to remember and honour your friend.

paidinchickens wrote: »

I have now been with hubby 4 yrs and married 2 of those we have our problems with both our ex's etc but he is a lovley, kind man and I feel blessed to have met him. The mortgage statement came through and it is now £62 800.

that's not waffle, that's encouragement!! well done on eroding your mortgage! :T

rubytuesday wrote: »

Happy Halloween to those who enjoy it!

I stocked up on sweets but we've hardly had any trick or treaters this year!

I'm disappointed - and now have a sweet surplus unless we get some more later!

Here's a link to our pumpkins - done my OH and his twin brother.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=48134653&postcount=1

:T wow! they are AWESOME! :T

Happy Halloween / Samhein / New Year to those that mark this time of year.

paidinchickens

I hope everyone is well

Not in the mood for much of anything today. Tooth has been killing since Saturday and I have had enough now DD is picking me up to take me to the dentist tomorrow, I never thought I would say I can't wait to get there and have it pulled out but I have had hardly any sleep for days.

Mardy !!! PIC

slowlyfading

Tumpty - hope you're feeling better x
PIC - ouch! hope it gets sorted out tomorrow

Spent this evening writing out wedding invites got quite a lot done, just need to find out other addresses now before I can complete the rest! Another NSD to boot to, so plodding along definitely taking each day as it comes at the moment

tumptyteapot

slowly! you are engaged! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

slowlyfading

tumptyteapot wrote: »

slowly! you are engaged! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

Haha I've been engaged for ages! But thanks not long til the big day now, getting excited :j :j