2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

SAVVYJADE

I bought the 'banana peel' book from readers digest that someone suggested and it came today, except it wasn't that book they've sent me a different one!! Not amused!

Hope all is well

rising_from_the_ashes

zafiro1984 wrote: »

Having read that Aldi came out tops for fresh fruit and veg in a Which Report recently I decided to give it a go. Our nearest is 18 miles away but thankfully it's nearly all duel carriageway door to door. Parking easy, store modern and in amongst a row of other shops like Wicks. I really only needed fruit and veg as I'm well stocked for other things at the moment. I have a weekly budget of £15 for fresh so off I went full of hope. Unfortunately, I have to say I was very dissappointed with the quality of the fresh fruit and veg, limp cabbage, sweaty parsnips, marks on the carrots, however, potatoes were good and a very good price, celery and bananas likewise.

Sorry to hear that .... I must say our Al*di has the most fantastic quality F&V but I guess it's like all the stores, it can vary.

Really wish we had a Morr*isons near here - I really miss that shop and it was my favourite SM .... can't believe there's not one between Berwick & Edinburgh :mad:

paidinchickens wrote: »

Next door had popped round for a gossip and she got more than she bargained for when I dropped the scolding hot cup into my lap and had to strip off while back was in full spasm, hobble upstairs to put a cold, wet towel on my private bits. I then had to shout downstairs apologising that I think it would be best if she went as I would be a while. Luckily I have not blistered but blinkin eck it was painful.:o

Ohhhh PIC, you're not having much luck atm .... (((hugs)))


Well, I did my 2nd rounding down last night so that's £17.48 in 2 weeks :j (although I do hope it doesn't always end up being £8 or £9 / week or I may have to rethink it).

I then tried to set up a new "pot" but it turned into a big saga as it disappeared from my list of accounts (after I'd put money into it) and ended up on the phone to the bank for a long time to get it sorted:mad: (what an exciting Friday night:o).

DM visited today and went to look at garden sheds (on my list of essential buys this year) but waaaayyyyyy to expensive so may have to wait until Ar*gos, B*Q etc have a sale.

Ended up at Dob*bies for lunch (fab food court) and DM bought me 2 lovely deep purple pots (houseplants) which were 1/2 price and I got 2 new plants to go in them (DM gave me 1/2 the money for them):) and I also got a huge bag of bird seed which was reduced & should hopefully see the birds through the rest of the winter if it's mixed with porriage;).

A quick visit to B*Q and bought a huge lovely clay pot (£5) and a big tray of primroses .... none of these were essentials but have come out my "anything else" budget and the garden / house are looking so much more cheerful with a few flowers out :T.

seriouslyfrugal

Did the shop today & managed to get 2 pints of milk for 20p :j
not many other bargins to be had but did have £8.00 worth of vouchers so thats good ( £5.00 off @ mr t ) the others were for products that were going to be got anyway

paidinchickens

Rising If you often pop into B*Q ask them when they have their stock take or if they are having a big Manager bigwig visit as they mark damaged/no packaging/untidy things down to very reasonable prices ;) always haggle on things already marked down.

All stores are the same it just depends on who you ask

PIC x

rubytuesday

Hello local Mr T has had a revamp so got a leaflet through the door with vouchers for the next four weeks -£5 off a £15 spend.

Got two leaflets.

Did first shop with it tonight so very pleased!

paidinchickens

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Hope the scald has cooled down now paidinchix!
Aw I loved watching 'The Good Life', many moons ago. Lovely gentle comedy. Another favourite was 'Ever Decreasing Circles' which Richard Briers was also in.
For a bit of frugal fun Me and OH potter around car boots, dog walks with a flask and a sandwich, mmmmmm not much else aside from the usual Must get out a bit more with him really.



determined new ms It is amazing how much stuff is out there free or bargain prices once you really look. Makes it all the more fun too

x

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: My nan used to say "many moons ago" I haven't heard that saying for ages, thank you xx

Not much to report, leg/back is still bad and DH is doing a good impression of Dobby the house elf by running round cleaning up. I think he is going to be at it ages as the sun is shining and showing all the muck up :rotfl::rotfl:

Had quite a few hours kip last night so I no longer feel like killing everyone :A:A :rotfl::rotfl:

PIC x

natnat13

Glad you're feeling a little bit better PIC, keep resting that leg.

The sun is shining here today, went for a good run this morning to blow the cobwebs (and doritos I acidentally ate last night) away!!

I fianlly sorted out all my stuff to put on ebay including my boys massive thomas take along collection, they seem to sell well so I hoping to raise a couple hundred £s to pay for a trip to lego land for his birthday.

Off to swimming lessons this afternoon, first making spag bol and homemade garlic and cheese bread, yum! Although I shouldn't eat it, I might have a little nibble!

Meal planned for the week and don't need much really, will pop to Mr L's whilst passing.

Nat x

enjoyfinancialchallenges

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Well, in a way, there is a TV series - Call The Midwife! It takes place exactly where I lived, and it evokes so many memories. B*gger all in the way of money and possessions, but lots and lots of love.

Yes, EFC, those Mums knew how to make a £ do the work of 2!!

xx

Back from my daughters now, everyone was poorly there and I felt very fragile but we managed still to love each other even after two days.:D Grandchildren are very special and so lovely I could eat them for dinner. ( not really as I'm sure you understand but very special in my life).

I almost feel that Call the Midwife is my lifes story because I started my general training in 1957 then I did my midwifery and trained as a what is now called a community nurse or midwife but in my days was a district nurse/midwife I did every thing that was needed and apart from calling the Gp when an emergency arose just got on with things. I think I was so full of confidence then, not sure how I would feel if in the same situation now but to be honest I knew I was well trained so nothing fazed me. I enjoyed all my professional working life and did everything I planned to do when I was as small as 8 or 9 years old. I always wanted to deliver babies and have no regrets I enjoyed every minute of it. I used to ride my bike around the streets of Hertford and then later on Leytonstone, not to far from your place of origin SS before I moved to a small village in Suffolk, we may have passed on the roads! I can still show you to this day how to make a strong bag from whatever newspaper I was given so the placenta could be wrapped to burn or buried in the garden plus many other frugal things that were everyday actions and happy memories. One regret I do have is that I did not keep my own record of deliveries because I have no idea the number of babys I delivered. Not that its important but I would like to know at this stage of my life that I made a difference.

Many thanks to those who sent me good wishes, yes, its a sad time for me but life goes on as they say and I am so grateful for the number of years my daughter was alive compared with the small number of years or days some parents had with a child. I try a focus on what time I had with her not what I missed out on. I can however remember one very stupid woman who obviously did not know what to say to me and said well its good that you have three other children, as if that compensated for one dying, believe me nothing does!

XXX to you all. I just love this forum and feel that you are my friends virtual or otherwise. I hope that all those who are not 100% fit at the moment get better and stronger soon.

mumwithamission

efc that's made me cry.

purpleorchid

afternoon all

i hope everyone is feeling a bit better.

i had a lovely time with my mum and my girls yesterday. mum bought me a slow cooker so i am going to try it out now. cant wait to see the difference in the taste.
will let you know

Luv P
xx