2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

Thrifty_Sister

Been enjoying a frugal hour or two catching up. My, you are a resourceful lot with your penny saving ideas. Sandra your sofa idea is a really good one and one worth pinching if I may say so. Do you know the name of the seller you got it from or do you have a link? Although the weather is atrocious at the moment my thoughtss have been turning to spring hopefully springing and I feel like brightening the house up a bit.

Hope evrybody safe and ok in the dreadful weather we are experiencing x

LolaLemon

Just a quick hello, working a bit more over the coming weeks, taking son to go see Avengers Hero's Assemble tomorrow, and I don't know who is more excited, him or me! Cost shouldn't be too much, as our local cinema has a voucher for one pay get one free, so abt £6 for the two of us. Shall be sneaking in some sweets and just buy a slush for son.

On Friday their, I went white water rafting and river bugging, was a valentines present from Mr F, but he couldn't make it so my friend came too.
It. Was. One. Of. The. Best. Days. Of. My. Life.

Feels like I'm skiving off work, as I went in 6 hours early, to work the old firm game (Celtic v rangers), as the potential for trouble is magnified 100% so we just close early and only let in regulars.... so as I'm 'skiving' I'm snuggled up on the couch with my fav person, watching The Incredible Hulk, in preparation of tomorrows film.

Mooloo, I hope it all gets sorted out soon x

Sandra, as always, I'm very jealous of what you achieve.

Savvy_sewing

I have often made covers for Sofa's. usually for others and not me though. I used to make a paper pattern of the cushions etc and the shapes of the arms etc, and miriads of measurements!. A continuous panel is so much easier.
Rufus d!!!2 on The Sewing Room forum made her covers just before Christmas, and she went on to cover the dinning chairs as well. Looked so good.

The JSA actually have paid DS afterall today? So no idea what they are playing at. hes not due to be paid till next week. So they havent a clue what they are doing have then. It was only Saturday that they sent the letter to say he wasnt going to be paid anymore!. Derrrrr. Still better check out what they are doing. Dont want this to be the last of his money afterall.

I was paid the normal fostering allowance today. So at least I can catch up on the rent. Worry about the rest of the bills later when I have done the school run, seen the Social Workers about twin1, and sorted things out.
Fingers crossed it will not be as lean as I fear.

[Deleted User]

Morning All. I have lost track of my frugal spreadsheet but have been keeping up with monthly budgeting. I find it easier to do things monthly somehow but harder to get my head around the full year bit.

Going on holiday this month which I am really needing! I tend to overspend on holiday so any ideas for more fugal holiday would be great. We are heading down to Cornwall but will stop overnight on the way down to break the journey. Anyone have any suggestions of places to stay on the way down? We are hoping to stop around the Peak District somewhere but don't know the area at all.

dizzy_lizzie

allie 23 Cornwall is our most favourite holiday destination, especially Padstow in the evenings and Tintagel...have a fabulous holiday!

Been plodding along quite nicely, touch wood. Decluttering here and there and reigning in the spending.
Apart from that not much else to report which isn't such a bad thing really.
Keep well everyone
Hugs x

slowlyfading

I've not got much to report either - still plodding along and trying to spend as little as possible!

[Deleted User]

I have been decluttering too. I handed alot of stuff into the local charity shop last month and I have just had a letter from them saying that it sold and made them just over £85. I am really pleased that my stuff has made them some money for a good cause.:T

Still got a way to go with the decluttering though. I have alot of clothes that no longer fit me but I always intend to 'silm into them' but never get around to it:rotfl:. When I was decluttering last I did throw out some stuff that was too small and it felt good to think that everything in that drawer now fit me. Think I do need to do the same with the wardrobe but some of the dresses were quite expensive.

suzitiger

Hello everyone, well I am a serial lurker on this page but thought it was about time tht I popped in to chat to everyone, I'm sure I can pick up lots more tips about how to live more frugally from everyone as I am pretty new to this.
Allie23 you could stop in Buxton in the Peak district on your way to cornwall? it is lovely and has plenty of B and Bs that shouldnt cost the earth.

LolaLemon

Avengers Assemble; Best. Movie. Ever!
That is the verdict from my 5 year old, who can't wait to go see it again. And I rather agree with him :-)

Was in town today, shuffling some money around, making sure the mortgage got paid.
I'm down to work 2 extra shifts a week to cover a girl who is off on holiday for a month, I plan on paying off the over draught with this extra money, so instead of living in my overdraft, it will then be used as i had intended, for nasry surprises.

Randomly sunny AND hot here today, so I'm off to hang out the washing, attempt to wash the windows before I pick son up from nursery, then off to swimming lessons we go.

SandraScarlett

Thrifty_Sister wrote: »

Been enjoying a frugal hour or two catching up. My, you are a resourceful lot with your penny saving ideas. Sandra your sofa idea is a really good one and one worth pinching if I may say so. Do you know the name of the seller you got it from or do you have a link? Although the weather is atrocious at the moment my thoughtss have been turning to spring hopefully springing and I feel like brightening the house up a bit.

Hope evrybody safe and ok in the dreadful weather we are experiencing x

It's Pandora's Upholstery on ebay. I have today treated myself to some shears and upholstery pins as well. I know how to have a good time! I decorated one end of the lounge last week, and I'm doing the other end now - and that's the whole bungalow painted since March 31st, plus new flooring in the bathroom, which I fitted! :j

I've cut out the material for the 2 box cushions, using greaseproof paper to make patterns. The material is 54" wide, so I measured the depth from the frame at the top of the back of the sofa, then added 18" for the front part, plus a couple of inches for seams, then I folded that in half lengthwise, drew a curve, and pinned that.

Then before I cut it, I tacked it, to check that it was OK, and it was, so I've cut that. I went onto YouTube and there's a great video showing how to make arm covers, plus loads of other upholstery videos. So that's going to be my summer project.

Here's another soft furnishing tip (!) I can recommend. I had some beautiful lined curtains made, in something called "cotton sateen", about 25 years ago, that cost me a fortune, full length ones, that were each end of the through lounge where I used to live. Prior to moving, I had one pair cleaned, and that cost £70, 15 years ago! :eek:

So what I've done since is to fold a single curtain, and soak it in luke warm water in the bath, to which I add some washing liquid, and a squirt of bleach. I leave that soaking for a few hours, change the water to rinse, and then roll the curtain up, transport it to the washing machine, and spin for about 20 seconds, to remove the excess water, then hang it on the line, on a sunny day, if any of you remember those! No ironing is necessary, and they still look like new.

I think one of the reasons we chose the bungalow where I now live is because, by moving the rails up high, the curtains fitted! So there you go, Sandra's Soft Furnishing tips!!

xx