Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

seriouslyfrugal

Dizzy : that's right he was in winchester

Nat : thanks for the E*ay update

Cherryjack

Have fun lizzie totally love garden centres for gifts etc.. enjoy yr sunday lunch x

natnat13

Well, I have posted 12 items on ebay and the same on fb, already sold 5 books on fb :-)
Also making a nutella bread, it hasn't risen much but smells yummy (still cooking)
Here is the recipe if anyones interested:
275ml water,
6 tbsp nutella,
300g strong bread flour,
150g plain flour,
1 1/2 tsp salt and the same of caster sugar,
1/2 tsp yeast.
Bung in bread maker in that order and cook on normal bread setting.
I would be inclined to use a full tsp of yeast and half the amount of nutella next time as it looked a bit runny and very chocolatey in the early stages!!! I did use value choc / hazelnut spread though not sure if that makes any difference.
Went to Mr M's and got whoopsied yoghurt 25p, apple pies 75p (3 happy males in my house at teatime!), bread (I know, but it's gone in the freezer for emergencies, it was 19p!), rolls 15p,muffins (big pot for £1) and picked up the last pack of porridge oats and when I got to the checkout realised they had a timy split, they were 89p so I asked them to reduce them and got them for 40p :j Good shop today.

dizzy_lizzie

Thanks natnat. Sounds like it might be worth it for us then. I love my bread

Had a lovely time thanks cherryjack. Trouble was so many colours, ah, we ended up still not knowing what colour we'll have.
Just finished our Sunday dinner! We even had roast parsnips and brussel sprouts. Was like a Christmas dinner, was delish

Did a shop too and have got most things for meals for next week. It got a bit much calling at Mr As on the way home from work.
Have got tickets to see Deep Purple on Tuesday...looking forward to that :j
Hope everyone has had a pleasing day
x

Aril

Hello fellow frugallers:j:j
Welcome Jammie Dodger
It's been a moderately frugal week here at GBT except for yesterday when we had a day out in Winchester with family- we wanted to go round the cathedral so had to pay entry but did take advantage of the guided tour which was really interesting. We used the park and ride, visited the City Mill which was free as we're NT members and we had a pizza out for a treat.

This week I've started to make Christmas decorations- I won't be making many but I have finished a little felt snowman. Already had all the bits so no money paid out for that. My Mum passed on a frugal tip that I thought I'd share- if you want to make baubles you can use the balls that come in the roll on deoderants.

We've enjoyed a frugal family Sunday- OH popped into Mr T as he was passing and bought some bits on offer. Made soup from all my leftover veg and added the last few pickled onions that have been lurking in the back of my fridge since1875 and the remainder of a jar of opened salsa. We had salsa with tortillas a few days ago and I used the rest as pizza topping- it worked really well on our pitta bread pizzas:D:D We've been pouring rainwater through muslin today to filter it- I use it in my iron as I can't use tap water in it and it's way cheaper than the distilled water we used to buy. Beyond that it's been a day of knitting- I need to check out the local CSs tomorrow as I've found that that I haven't yet knitted enough for the small person's blanket- when I laid it out it was a bit on the narrow side so need to make another strip.

With regards to bread makers- we bought a couple and used them constantly. They broke after a couple of years so this time around we were lucky enough to receive one from freecycle. We use it from time to time and also find it's good for making cakes but we buy our bread most of the time these days.

Arilx

tumptyteapot

the week of ww2 rations are over, we stuck to it apart from some pretzles, an egg and a teaspoon of butter! I'll weigh myself tomorrow but I don't think I will be any lighter - I was trying to use up the sugar ration in cakes etc and my son didnt like them so I ate them all!
Had a free trip to the SS Great Britain today thanks to a friend who had free tickets, spent £20 on food and beer! but for a big day out that was pretty good I think. It's been a very frugal week.
I've loads of xmas presents stashed away that I need to go through so I can see what I have and haven't got, need to go to a supermarket to buy a big fish to chop up for the freezer (so much cheaper than 3 packets for a tenner) and I have loads and loads of work to do, we had an inset day last Friday and next Wednesday will be striking so I've missed 2 days when I could be working. I'm trying to get loads done now so I can have a break at xmas. Bit scared to look at the bank balance at the moment.

SandraScarlett

Just popped in to give you an update. Everything's the same, apart from the fact that I'm getting so tired, trying to fit things in. Visits to, and conversations with doctors, social workers, staff at DGD's school etc, naturally take up an awful lot of time.

DSIL works such long hours that he had no time for things like normal shopping, yet alone Christmas shopping. So I am trying to fit in all his needs, as well as my own. I'm afraid I've had to take some short cuts and get gift vouchers for him to give to some of his present recipients, not something I like to do, but needs must.

I have my BC check-up tomorrow. I have one every 6 months for 5 years, and I only have just over 6 months to go now, so one more check-up, and then my sign off appointment. :T:T

I'm always bricking it before this, or my annual mammogram, so please all keep your fingers, legs, arms, toes and whatever crossed for me - I haven't the time to fit in any illnesses!

xx

Sorry, I'm being so rude. Welcome to the new Frugalista Sister, and a big hug to the poster who has lost her best friend.

23rdspiral

Hey Sandra, I will keep everything crossed for you for tomorrow. You're so good to your family, they are so lucky to have you.

Only spent on reduced bread and milk today, so that's good.

Dizzy - thanks for the advice. I need to find out if it's repetitive strain, even though I've not been sewing much at all (so really am blaming the apples), due to the cold or due to B Vitamin deficency really (have to take supplements, but not sure if they are good enough, will ask for a blood test I think).

dizzy_lizzie

Aril I think we have some condiments lurking around from the same date Sounds like you had a lovely day out. Apparently this time last year we had snow!

tumpty well done on sticking to the diet ration challenge as much as you have, I would have given up, I'm sure

spiral if you have a blood test at least it will put your mind at rest.

Sandra sending you lots of good luck thoughts, also have everything crossed for you too.
Take lots of care.

I must get to bed soon, just finishing a brew off. Looking through the paper trying to find that penny pincher programme and have just seen there's a money programme on Tuesday 9 oclock bbc2 about the get rich quick gurus. quote This is first in a 3 part series about gullible people shelling out a small fortune to hear money gurus spouting their magic formulas. unquote. Says you will be aghast! Oh sounds interesting. The ultimate guide to penny pinching is on thursday channel 4 8pm as mentioned earlier by natnat. It's a cutting edge film about people who have turned bargain hunting into an art form includes voucher obsession and road kill meat...exploring the lives of some of the UKs thriftiest people. That might be worth a watch.
Right up the wooden hill to bedfordshire I go...
Warm hugs
x

rubytuesday

Thanks for your thoughts on eBay folks.

I am still undecided.

I give a small monthly donation to a few charities but was thinking if I took it to the charity shop I could view it has giving a bit more and it would be relatively hassle free.

NSD for me yesterday and made a lovely apple cake to take to dinner - should have been apple and almond but didn't have any.

Sandra thinking of you. Take all the short cuts you can. You need to take care of you too! X