2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

cw18

Thrifty_Sister wrote: »

Just got to try to convince him that there is no shame in standing waiting for the food to be reduced!

Not only is there no shame in standing around, there's also no shame in getting to know the staff who do it if it's the same ones on a regular basis

I worked in the local Mr M for 2 years so know most of them now (they were taking on new staff as I left last November, so there are a few new faces around), but when I started there a few of the staff recognised me instantly from my regular Whoopsie hunts :rotfl:

Thrifty_Sister

Dizzylizzie - thanks for your support and the menu planner idea. It has given me something to think about and i intend to do as you suggest. Started yesterday on my own personal frugal using what I have in challenge and will only buy what I actually need. Did well yesterday - earlier post will explain and am going to start on my cupboards doing a stocktake of evrything in them. You are all inspirational - my heartfelt thanks for giving me the boost I needed to take control.

Dizzy - hope the toothache has gone x

Savvy_sewing

Bit behind with everything, nothing unusual there. I was away for the weekend with my BF, which was lovely. We stayed in a hotel by the sea. I do love to watch the waves hitting the beach, and the sun filtering through the clouds and looking at the way it dances on the water.! It was a frugal weekend for me, as BF paid. I spent only £15, when I bought the drinks one of the nights.
I have come home all inspired to get back on track with my Frugal Challenge, but first today I have been re-arranging my front room. I have been offered a wardrobe, which I will use in DGD's bedroom, when it is decorated. I now have everything I need to do it. Just need the family to help now.
A few of the books on Ebay sold over the weekend, so I have posted them off, and it has put some money into my daughters wedding funds. It has spurred me on to get a few of the other bits and bobs lurking out and sold, with any luck.
I had an Ocado shopping delivery just before the weekend, using a £15 off voucher so I am pleased with that. I dont buy from them often, but with the voucher, I thought it was worth a go.
Menu wise, I havent made a menu plan this month, but I will get on and tackle it when DGD is playing after lunch.

Thrifty_Sister

Mooloo wrote: »

Bit behind with everything, nothing unusual there. I was away for the weekend with my BF, which was lovely. We stayed in a hotel by the sea. I do love to watch the waves hitting the beach, and the sun filtering through the clouds and looking at the way it dances on the water.! It was a frugal weekend for me, as BF paid. I spent only £15, when I bought the drinks one of the nights.
I have come home all inspired to get back on track with my Frugal Challenge, but first today I have been re-arranging my front room. I have been offered a wardrobe, which I will use in DGD's bedroom, when it is decorated. I now have everything I need to do it. Just need the family to help now.
A few of the books on Ebay sold over the weekend, so I have posted them off, and it has put some money into my daughters wedding funds. It has spurred me on to get a few of the other bits and bobs lurking out and sold, with any luck.
I had an Ocado shopping delivery just before the weekend, using a £15 off voucher so I am pleased with that. I dont buy from them often, but with the voucher, I thought it was worth a go.
Menu wise, I havent made a menu plan this month, but I will get on and tackle it when DGD is playing after lunch.

Hi Mooloo :wave: Not been able to read up on you for a while. Various family problems as well as health stuff going on. Been giving myself a bit of a talking to to get myself back on track and hope to catch up with you asap.

BTW, hows the sewing going? Note to me - stop waffling and get on with menu planner:(

Thrifty_Sister

cw18 wrote: »

Not only is there no shame in standing around, there's also no shame in getting to know the staff who do it if it's the same ones on a regular basis

I worked in the local Mr M for 2 years so know most of them now (they were taking on new staff as I left last November, so there are a few new faces around), but when I started there a few of the staff recognised me instantly from my regular Whoopsie hunts :rotfl:

Thanks for that CW :T - OH seems to think its degrading somehow whereas I think needs must etc. Think men on the whole find it harder than women when they have to down shift - ther pride seems to be hurt. All I am bothered is I can look after the family as well as possible.:beer:

Blairweech

Just a heads up - Mr T has their frozen salmon fillets on half price atm - £5.50 for 6 pieces. I use these all the time in fish pie

Thrifty Sister - V. impressed with your whoopsie haul! If I try and stand around at my local (Mr T), they basically just tell me to clear off and come back later!

Thrifty_Sister

Had a good morning so far - finally getting head in the right place! Attacked all the utiliteis and managed to make decent savings. Also, internet/phone/tv. Got a hospital appointment this afternoon but feel quite pleased to have done something positive - oh, and dinner (curry) is made so I can take things a bit easy when I get back.:)

dizzy_lizzie

Aw thank you for your concerns over my toothache. :A
Got in at the dentists this morning and had a wisdom tooth out Glad I didn't know about it before I went! So at home now and resting. I'm soooo glad it's all over. I haven't felt pain like that ever! Not even in labour!

Thriftysister wow well done on the whoopsies! Once you start to see how much you can save on your groceries with careful planning it almost becomes second nature. I say 'almost' because I do slip up occasionally! But it makes sense to stick at it. And it's amazing how versatile and creative you become with your meals. Have you had a look on Weezls site? Some excellent meal plans and all at a budget cost. Just in case you haven't seen it it's here
May help other newcomers to the thread too. If you manage to make the meal planner menu frame would love to see a pic.
PurpleOrchid I love bananas and custard. Such a comforting pudding.
Ruby have fun when DS and girlfriend visit.
JayneC I gave up working on Fridays a few years ago. to reclaim a bit of time back for myself, and I'm still working on getting into a routine with it I had lots of plans but somehow I just seem to flit about on Fridays achieving very little.

House is a little quieter as eldest DS moved out on Thursday (3rd time) he's only 5 minutes from his work now and only a 10 minute drive from us. Youngest DS will be going to uni this year so that leaves only DD at home and she's either here or at boyfriends.
I'm not sure I'm ready for this!
Going to make some homemade leek and potato soup. It's all I want when I'm under the weather.

Just another thought for anyone who is veggie or uses a lot of quorn. We ordered the quorn cookbook when it was on a promotional offer from quorn and the quorn website has loads of recipes too, probably ones that are also in the book. The websites here
I can highly recommend the book and worth having a look at the website.

Hope that helps someone.
Warm hugs
x
P.s I'm sooo glad I copied that reply as when I came to post it I'd been logged out. Thank goodness for copy and paste

Savvy_sewing

Thrifty_Sister wrote: »

Hi Mooloo :wave: Not been able to read up on you for a while. Various family problems as well as health stuff going on. Been giving myself a bit of a talking to to get myself back on track and hope to catch up with you asap.

BTW, hows the sewing going? Note to me - stop waffling and get on with menu planner:(

Hi, life does seam to throw things at us at times. Dont worry about keeping up with me. I am doing quiet well at the moment, although the budget has gone haywire already.! I go for my MRI scan next week. Fingers crossed they can see something that will be treatable!.
The sewing is going ok. Bit slower then I would like, but family commitments or energy are the problem. Once I am sewing i am as happy as Larry.! Latest lot of stuff is on my homepage.
Sold some on Folksy and via direct contacts so I am hoping that word of mouth will help and more will be interested.

Hope the menu plan is working, I am supposed to be doing mine, but cant seem to be inspired by what I have got in the house at the moment. Cauliflower and Brocolli cheese for tea tonight. Hope DGD will eat it!.

tylersbabe

Well my start nearly ground to a dramatic halt and a major budget rethink over the weekend :eek:


There was a meeting at work and we did not know if we would have jobs today. Luckily for our team we are being moved and not closed, but who knows what the futhre holds for us in the short term. Lots of changes that is for sure

Anyhow, managed to buy lunch out in my attempt to manage my stress. Think my budget is definately going to be a work in action lol