Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

purpleorchid

Aril wrote: »

Huge hug Rising- so sorry. It's always hard to lose a pet but I would imagine even harder with a dog because you build up such a strong bond with them.

Purpleorchid- fab tips thank you! Had a quick look at your list- not many frugal suggestions I'm afraid except perhaps you could add mushrooms to your batter to make a veggie toad in the hole and we mix cold cooked meat with stuffing and form it into burgers to make a main meal from it. My only other thought was have you considered nappy bags for the cats- mine always has a tray [erm apart from when she uses the carpet but that's a whole different tale:eek:] and I find the ones from Tesco are fine - 27p for 300.

All's fine and dandy here at GBT- been a good girl and used my bike rather than the car these last couple of days. I have to drive to work now so am trying to get places on foot or by bike when I have the chance as am well known for not going to the gym:o Just made a batch of soup from the frozen left over veg I've accumulated this week and the sauce left over from our SC meal. Mr GBT and I have been decluttering paperwork today- a good wholesome frugal activity:rotfl::rotfl: Whilst I was out Mr GBT made a start on the sloe wine- good oh more stores for the cellar [call that the garage!!] Have nearly finished knitting my blanket for the small person- it's 95% thrifted wool [either charity shop or freecycle] and I've really enjoyed doing it. Just got to find out how to do blanket stitch now to sew it all together- I'm tempted to use all the long bits that need sewing in for it or maybe that's a frugal step too far:rotfl::rotfl:
I had to smile this morning at breakfast- we ate our breakfast off plates from freecycle and used a cafetiere we bought from the car boot for 50p this summer. We had poached eggs [special offer] cooked in a pan [half price from the CS] in an egg poacher [recent CS acquistion] with crumpets [again special offer] with ground coffee that I get from Lidl when I'm near a store because it's the best deal I can find. Oh and the coffee mug was a present from a friend:rotfl::rotfl:This is a typical example of my daily life:D
Arilx

what a good suggestion using nappy bags as there are much more and cheaper:j
not sure about the stuffing though as i dont have much in the way of meat here apart from chicken that is already accounted for, but will keep it in mind for next shop.

also only have enough mushrooms for meals planned but im sue i could find other things i can put in toad in the hole.

purpleorchid

not been out today so not spent any money (not that i have any haha)
have not really had a good day with my bipolar so have spent most of it in bed.

day 1 of my 3 week challenge

weetabix x 2, sugar, milk
half tin of plum tomatoes on 2 x toast with 2 x dairylea, salt
4 x coffee, 2 sugar, milk
1 x tea, 3 sweetners
glass squash
glass milk

cats
half tin meat
2 bowls dry biscuits

as the time is now 11.40pm and i have not yet eaten my toms n toast then i wont be adding anymore for todays list.

purpleorchid

i have been wondering for a while now if i should get a trendy shopping trolley?

problem i have is that is suffer from pain with my hips and back so cant walk that far unless i use a walking stick. my tesco is about 10 minutes walk away but takes me much longer as i have to walk slow. i seem to rely on mum for shopping as she generally goes on a saturday i go with her. but i dont want to rely on anyone anymore i want to be able to sort it out myself (and without the expense of a taxi home)
so figured a foldable shopping trolley would look ok.
what do all think?
would i look like an old lady with shopping trolley and walking stick at 37 lol.
oh and they have some real nice ones on amazon, have already chosen 1 that will cost £12.98, so hoping to have an evoucher soon that would pay for it.:D

xx

purpleorchid

another sleepless night for me guys, so have been spending time looking through the old threads, gifts, baking etc. i must say i find it all good reading and very motivating.

however i have also sat and re worked out my debts and the total is
£3933.79, which is shown in my signature below.

my aim for 2012 frugal living challenge will be to clear at least the catalogues, as there are 3, 2 of which are mine and the other my friends.

i owe my friend £41.00 on her catalogue and she owes me £4 on mine so i only really owe her £37 haha.

my other 2 catalogues are £247.37 and has interest on it so hope to get this paid off sooner, and the other 1 has £290.05 left which i will paying just the minimum amount so i can pay more of the 1 with interest.

not sure if im going to be able to pay the overpayment of tax credit again this year but im hoping they will give me another year and then review my case again.

as for credit cards i will continue to pay the agreed £30 a month, once they have sorted it out and the other one i wil pay £40 a month off and hope i can get away without using it.

and with the help and support from everyone on here i know i am going to be able to do this, by living frugal with everything i can. x

p.s thanks everyone for the motivation. xxx

Cherryjack

Good Morning everyone.. its very early and im up..baby is kicking away..roll on the next 8 weeks

Ive found a massive bag of plain flour in my cuboard..also caster sugar small bag and icing sugar (box of).. have some vanilla essence and almond essence..
I made an apple crumble today.. have no idea what to do with the rest of the flour (i dont want it going to waste) any ideas?

Thank you x

purpleorchid

morning cj, well done on cooking already wow im impressed. i have been up all night and not done a single thing apart from look on old threads for tips haha. crumble sounds yummy.x

purpleorchid

how about making some jam tarts or pasties?
or youi could even make up dough and freeze it hun.x

Cherryjack

purpleorchid wrote: »

morning cj, well done on cooking already wow im impressed. i have been up all night and not done a single thing apart from look on old threads for tips haha. crumble sounds yummy.x

Morning purple..cant believe im up at this silly hour .. made 2 crumbles, OH has cleared one of them on inspection this morning.. (but im happy that he used the rest of the cream up as it only had a day left) instead of using the new squirty bottle
No point going back to bed now, as ive school run in a few hours..

sounds like you could save a fortune with the trolley..free exercise aswell:T x

natnat13

Any cake bakers, Co-op have 2 boxes icing sugar for £1 atm

purpleorchid

afternoon all

tumpty i will be reading with interest on how you get on with your challenge hun. x
cherry am gutted i dont live closer oytherwise i would have been around for crumble haha.x

im on day 2 of my challenge so will write up later what i had for the day.x