2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

SandraScarlett

mumwithamission wrote: »

OH dear - Valentine's evening atmosphere ruined when DH asked what I'd been doing and I showed him the total debt - he's not happy, had no idea it was that bad either. Seems really angry, but we've been together 20 years and with no secrets between us surely this is a joint problem...? Feel that I'm being held responsible. Doesn't seem to be any consolation to him either that I am tackling this head on.

What a rotten Valentines Day for you. Once upon a time, my DH said that my biggest fault was that I expected others to act in the same way I would, in similar circumstances, and when they didn't, I would be so upset. I agreed with him, and then kept my mouth shut, thinking of the zillions of times I thought he'd do something for me, the way I did for him.

This is not to say he's been selfish, more thoughtless - in fact, mannish! It would have been great if your OH had congratulated you on tackling a problem head-on, but perhaps his peacock feathers were ruffled a wee bit, and that he felt he should have sorted things out, and he felt uncomfortable, so reacted the way he did.

As I've said before, it is so hard to look at nasty things. I, for instance, could never read the reports about Baby P, or cruelty to children or animals, and still can't. You've shown responsibility and maturity by looking at things, and sorting out a plan, and being frugal and changing your way of life is hard - to begin with.

Do you drive? When I had my first lessons, I just couldn't get the "bite" of clutch and accelerator, and kangaroo-ed everywhere! I would look at people driving, with ease, and think "why can't I do that?", and then one day - I could. Being frugal will become easier, I promise you, and there's no time limit. Huge hugs to you.:)

Winchelsea wrote: »

Bread is very forgiving - just remember people have been making it for centuries, and didn't necessarily have access to tins.

Just do it and feel proud!

What a brilliant answer!!! You're absolutely right, why am I worrying about the tins!!!

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Oops forgot to post my pics up of the vegan onion tart. This is the first of a mini challenge to make myself try out new recipes.
My pastry shrunk a bit around the edges but no matter. It was absolutely delicious. Had it with chips and a salad. Notice the liitle hearts on top OH loved it too.
Also made a little apple pie for dessert. Had that with my favourite swedish glace icecream. Cost pence per portion to make so very frugal :j
Going to make another 'new' meal next week. Come on Lola, have you made yours yet?





x

Oh my goodness, these look wonderful! How clever are you producing such appetising things!

I now have all my equipment for My First (for yonks) Loaf. Taking DGD out tomorrow, and then we're going to bake bread on Friday.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for all New Frugalistas, who are doing their level best this year, coping with debts, overdrafts and Williams. You are all doing so well, and you have the support of the whole thread. So many of you have OHs, children, jobs, pets, perhaps elderly parents, all of whom claim your time, and I think you all deserve a virtual bouquet! :T

xx

SAVVYJADE

Just been to T*scos and stocked up on fabric softner as with the coupon I have and the current offer it's 25p a bottle!! This will save me a fair bit in future months, coupon expires end of feb so making most of it!

Temperature a lot milder today which is good for heating costs!

Hugs to those who need them!

findingmyfeet

dizzy-love the onion tart, is it just onions tomatoes and cheese on the pastry or are there other ingredients we cant see? could you use either short crust or flaky pastry do y ou think?

Today i have made leek and potatoe soup (again! big favourite here and leeks from the garden) and a batch of working mens scones as DH calls them, we have to have large ones he says the tiny shop ones are know where near big enough for him or he has to have 2 or 3 at a time. at least hm are very cheap to do.
mumwith a mission- dont get down hearted you have made a good start and travelling in the right direction, men just sometimes take a little longer to get there and a gentle shove or two in the right direction. I think sometimes they know what the problem is they just cant be bothered to tackle it and hope we will sort it for them. My DH leaves household money to me , has his agreed 'pocket money' every week and petrol and i sort the rest. He does have a debit card for any emergency but never uses it these days or just tells me if he has had to. Occasionally he will ask if we are doing ok with the budget or will we have enough saved for this or that but mostly its down to me.

I have just found some old ringbinder folders and clear wallets so im now going to collect frugal recipes, anything we try and like a copy will be inserted for later use, also anything i see in magazines, on the forum, on line etc. We always stick to the same thing so time to do the same as dizzy and try a few new things.

SandraScarlett

AN ODE TO NEW FRUGALISTAS - the hard road to solvency!

To be a Frugalista is, for some, a new career
When circumstances mean you have to do the job, this year

To begin, the job is tiring, and you find you really work
No bonuses, no holidays, and not a single perk!

Your brain's forever whizzing, with figures in your mind
It makes no sense, these pounds and pence, when sleep you wish to find

And just when things seem brighter, and you've saved, what, 50p?
And got so far - the bl**dy car, then fails its MOT! :mad:

Please - do not feel too miserable, dejected and down-hearted
Your journey into Frugaldom, has well and truly started

You'll find support and cuddles will, virtually, be sent
With sympathy and great concern, and loving sentiment

We'll send you virtual aspirins to help your poorly head
There's such a lot of friendship :beer: on the Frugalistas thread

And though we cannot promise you will be a millionaire
It's safe to say, that come what may, one day - you will get there!

xx

purpleorchid

SAVVYJADE wrote: »

Just been to T*scos and stocked up on fabric softner as with the coupon I have and the current offer it's 25p a bottle!! This will save me a fair bit in future months, coupon expires end of feb so making most of it!

Temperature a lot milder today which is good for heating costs!

Hugs to those who need them!

what coupon is that? im going to tesco tomorrow hun. could do with stocking up.

Luv P
xx

SAVVYJADE

purpleorchid wrote: »

what coupon is that? im going to tesco tomorrow hun. could do with stocking up.

Luv P
xx

It's for comfort pure, it's a PDF coupon, also has a coupon for persil non bio on same sheet. Coupon has been pulled from coupon thread but I've saved it. If you PM me your email addy I'll send you a copy!

SJ x

purpleorchid

my cupboards are starting to look bear. for lunch i had the last to some rather small pieces of bread with cheese and onion, yogurt with 8th on it lol, and half a pck of not so fresh quavers.

i have worked out that i can only afford to spend £20 in tesco tomorrow so am now in the process of writing what i need and separating it into non food and food items. trying to see if i can cut out some of the non food items really as i find them more expensive, however i dont get money now for another 2 wks so have to spend wisely. would like to be able for it all to be spent on food for once but i cant see that happening.

hoping to get some money off my gran for my birthday on saturday, really need a hair cut and thought the rest could go to the non food items.

Luv P
xx

Igamogam

Kylieminoag wrote: »

Good morning all!

Please could you offer any advice?

I have inherited a rather luxurious feather and down duvet but it smells a little stale and the covering has turned a bit yellow/looks grubby. It doesnt have any washing instructions. The cover is marked as pure cotton. Am I ok to put it in the washing machine or do you think I should pay to have it dry cleaned:eek::eek:?

I'd be very grateful for any ideas.

Thanks

If its pure 100% duck/goose down I woukd suggest a specialst clean.............I think you can get special detergent though if you want risk it. We wash our down jackets in somehting called 'downey' I think. I ruined a jacket once by washing with normal washing detergent:(

rising_from_the_ashes

Frugaldom wrote: »

I worked out that it costs my 35p for every mile I drive by the time I add in the tax, insurance, servicing, MOT, parts and maintenance, hence the rason I don't travel very far. Works out at £14 for a return trip to my nearest supermarket, so I'm cheaper paying P&P to somewhere like ROSSPA for my groceries.

cw18 wrote: »

Just done the sums for mine based on 4.5k miles/year (actually did 4152 last year)

I added up petrol (based on 9 miles/litre, I seem to have averaged somewhere between that and 10), insurance (last years premium), road tax (this years figure), breakdown cover (this years), service/mot (last years) and a small amount for repairs (more than last year, but not a huge amount more)

This gives me a cost of 36.4p/mile

mmmmm I'm doing quite well with mine then - providing I've worked it out properly:

Tax, breakdown cover, service, insurance, fuel, 2 x tyres, 1 x wiper + £20 (odds & sods eg screenwash, deicer etc) = £1,562.50 / 7000 miles = .... 22.3p / mile

ETA figures are slightly off as the car was off the road for nearly 3 months .... my usual mileage is 9.5k / year so adding the extra fuel would change the figure to 19.6p/mile (ohhhh, I really thought it would go up but I guess it's 'cos the annual figures are split by a bigger amount!)

dizzy_lizzie

Thank you soooo much everyone for the lovely comments on my baking
:A
Findingmyfeet the recipe for the tart is so simple. It's a vegan recipe so no cheese and I haven't yet found a vegan cheese I like.
I used shortcrust jusrol pastry. It was on offer for £1 and I'd already used some of it to make 3 veggie pasties. I made the tart and apple pie with the rest of it.
Just gently fry/soften 1 small onion, 1 carrot, 1 potato and some cabbage, I used about 2 tbsps of cabbage. Add a dash of soy sauce and when soft leave to cool. Bake blind your pastry case. Add the filling with a sliced tomato or 2 on the top and cook for 10 minutes at 220 degrees. I can highly recommend it. Had a hot slice yesterday and today had a cold slice with a jacket potato.

Last night I managed to sew up teddy and he is just so cute. If no one minds I'll add a pic later and he was a frugal make because I had everything in to make him
I'd love to see pics of anyone else's frugal makes/bakes if anyone wants to post any. Would that be ok? I think seeing things visually is always inspiring.
I wonder if Aril has been crafting. Her makes are lovely and inspirational.
I feel a bit out of sorts today for some reason. Off for half term and don't seem to have much get up and go, I think it's got up and gone! Bought a cheapie sewing machine a few days ago and haven't even got it out of the box yet. Going to make myself a brew and hope it perks me up a bit.
Big hugs to everyone, especially those who are going through some tricky times. 'Through' being the operative word, through as in moving, not staying the same, making progress, reaching a goal. All worth it in the end
x