2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

mumwithamission

Jo.Mo - I am in awe - what an inspiration you are! If I can achieve a fraction of your success I will be pleased, thank you for sharing your story.

Aril

Hello fellow frugallers:j
Hugs to those who need them- sorry have been MIA. Life is just too jolly over here at GBT:D

I have discovered a new website which has slashed the cost of Psychocat's flea treatment from the previous place I used- it's free p&p and my order arrived the next day. I am NOT linked to the company or site in any way
http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/Default.aspx

Other small frugal achievements- amidst all my decluttering I have discovered two tins of ma-made so am having a frugal jolly with equally gnatbottomed chum next week making marmalade. Us frugals know how to live:D Have sorted out spice cupboard and mixed all odd herbal bits and bobs together to create a unique GBT herbal experience:eek: Could be scary when I come to use it and have repurposed old eyeshadow brushes as painting brushes which the small person has utitilised for his models.

New frugal hobby- dowsing. We had great fun having a go at this last week during our frugal picnic up in the woods. Easy to make from metal coat hangers should you so choose!

Enough waffle from me.

Good luck everyone- even the smallest step is fabulous and gets you nearer to where you want to be!
Arilx

rubytuesday

Hello everyone need t have a catch up!

Another NSD for me and feeling rather pleased with myself - managed to rustle up three dishes with left over roast chicken today, coronation chicken for sandwiches, lentil and veg soup with the stock and a delicious chicken bacon and mushroom pasta bake.

dizzy_lizzie

Lola lovely picture. Looks like you had a great night I've crocheted my flower lariat and will post a pic once I have the energy. How you getting on with yours?
Sandra I'm sure you could make a living writing your poems for the public, all they need to give you is a bit of info and off you go...they are truly fantastic.

Just popped on quick before I nod off. Have had a quick catch up with the posts and there's a lot of positive vibes abound as well as some fantastic achievements :T
Back at work today so really tired which isn't a bad thing, I'll sleep well tonight. A low spend day today and some more £2 coins added to my piggybank
DD and myself are enroling on a 5 week watercolour course which starts next month so really looking forward to that. I've dabbled and have all the paints etc but would really like to brush up (no pun intended ) on my technique. I used to love 'Watercolour Challenge' with Hannah Gordon. You can still watch the episodes on 4od. So as I've already got the stuff in at least I may as well use them. There's a charge of £28.50 for the 5 weeks/2 hour sessions, but as I don't drink aside from a nice liquer now and again, smoke or go out much...I sound like a hermit...I think I'm entitled to a bit of me time
Warm hugs to all
x

SandraScarlett

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Sandra I'm sure you could make a living writing your poems for the public, all they need to give you is a bit of info and off you go...they are truly fantastic.

x

Thank you so much for your kind comments.:) Decades ago, when money was really tight, I decided to either become an Avon Rep, or see if I could persuade a card company, Hallmark I think, to employ me as er um, a poet!

I submitted loads, but I was turned down .:( I was particularly proud of an idea that I had for a card for a mother to send to her adopted child, after the child had been told they were adopted. Can't remember all of it, but I remember the last 2 lines were

Don't ever forget for a single minute
You didn't grow under my heart, but in it

I was so p*$$ed off, that I was determined to be the most successful Avon rep ever. I trudged the streets with the kids in the pram, one each end, I attended Avon parties wherever and whenever I was asked to, and, eventually, I had earned £20 or so, and was able to buy ...... a reconditioned washing machine. I was in heaven, as I already had a spin dryer (my 21st birthday present from my parents) and I now lurved washing!

Prior to that I had a converted tea urn, in which I'd soak the nappies, then boil them, and did the rest by hand. I did a Life Assessment, and realised that I didn't need anything else, so I stopped Avoning.

Just watching a programme about shoplifters. I can't get my head round how they consider it a proper job!

xx

patentgirl

Morning all

Jo well done what a great start to new year to be in that position
Lola love the pic looks like you all having great time
Sandra love the ode what about comptetitions needing prize winning captions have you ever entered or thought about them
Aril thanks for link I have never known our cat to still need de fleaing this time of year but still doing him monthly so will check it out

Still going ok here meeting a friend for coffee today my turn to pay but worth it as thats one thing I have missed since being redundant last Nov gossiping and talking with all the girls I worked with, need to resist any other spending while I am out really pleased that so far in Jan I have had 8 NSDs which is practically unheard of for me!!
Have agood frugal day everyone

LB29

Hi, sorry I haven't posted for ages. I have been doing ok (until this weekend). My shopping bill had been under 50 (2 adults and 2 children) and I had left my bank card at home when going to work. This weekend I overspent on everything, have been feeling really tired and miserable. Then last night I bought a takeaway pizza and sat around feeling sorry for myself.

I am going to snap out of it. Will cook cottage pie for tea tonight. Hoping for a nsd. Glad to here everyone is doing so well, keep it up!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

LB29.....

we all feel like this some times...think of your pizza as a nice cheeky treat, rather than a no-no, We all got to have a treat now and again.

I allways feel poo at this time of the year... I just wish every thing could be sunny and colourfull, with butterflies and singing birds all day, instead of the cold, grey damp lifeless days....

Injoy your cottage pie, i bet it will be scrummy yummy delishious.


Like LB29, i have been feeling as though i have got to really push myself to do the smallest thing... stroll on the spring....

Youngest has passed his gcse in maths and history, so dont have to do it in the summer... As he passed these exams he wanted ot have an indian takeaway, and some parts for a mini that he is 'tinkering' i mean doing up... so it didnt take much to twist my arm in to having the takeaway:D, but at least we can have the rest of it for tonight.

soooooooo flipping cold here, the fire had gone out while we were in work yesturday, so we didnt bother to light it, sorry now as i have been cold all night.

going to have anotehr cuppa, and then toddle off out into the cold abd go to work, We have a large industrial unit, and it is knee nobbling in there, as we ahve to leave the roller shutter doors open for the customers:o

System

So much for my efforts as a frugal housewife. I lower my grocery bill (which pleases Mr Judi), i manage to pay off my overdraft and now i'm saving for new doors for the house. I'll never get any cash behind me at this rate.

natnat13

Hi all
Still here, went to he pub last night for fat club meeting and realised I had no money! So had a glass of tap water then managed to tip it all over the floor!!
Started a new detox diet so have spent some money on fruit, veg and seeds, I have given up coffee and got such a bad headache it made me sick! It wasn't a good day yesterday, lets hope today is better!