2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

slowlyfading

Ooh isn't the weather just gorgeous? :cool: I've spent the last hour sat outside reading a book and eating an ice lolly - bliss!

I was at another interview today - didn't get the job - but I'm not too bothered. It wasn't the most positive experience, so here's hoping I'll get another one soon. I had to get some petrol on the way home and treated myself to a $tarbucks as a commiseration treat so not a NSD for me.

Hope you've all had a good day?

LL - ooh two babies at once! :j hope they're doing fine, would love to see a pic at some point, I'm a sucker for a baby picture

dizzy_lizzie

LolaLemon wrote: »

Quick post before I go catch up.
My cousin had her twin babies on Friday, 2 months early! A bonny wee boy: Lucas 3lb 14oz, and a gorgeous wee girl: Peyton, 2lb 2oz. I don't have much more details than these. All 3 (mum included) are doing well.
Instead of doing blankets for all the babies this year, I have learned to make bouquets of flowers using baby clothes, florist wire and tape, and they look rather good. I'll post a pic when I get a good one :-)
Dizzy, Congrats on the new car!

Thanks everyone re: my new car Sandra fingers crossed that petrol does come down
Lola congratulations on the sweet babes. Guess what, those two names are the exact ones that DD had chosen for her soon to be born little one!
Think they're from a series she watches. It will be Lucas for her as she's having a boy.
Love to see pics of the bouquets, they sound great
Slowly sorry you didn't get the job. Fingers crossed the next one will be the right one for you.
x

debbiedeejay

Evening all:)

Feel very guilty as not been near this thread at all recently -life has just got in the way. But have been trying hard though.

Last week I rescued a old & damaged but very functional pine solid welsh dresser from my next door neighbour who was waiting for council to take it away! Having cleaned and dusted it, and disguised a huge crack in the top with a pretty piece of fabric,it is now sitting proudly in my kitchen next to the pine farmhouse table & chairs given to me by other neighbour some time back!plus it means all my crafty stuff is put neatly away and not spread across said table!

Have been pretty good using food/meals from the freezer - but I might have to check out my fridge as it seems to be leaking under salad drawer:(

Shopped around for cheaper car insurance which I need to sort for start of next month and already got it down £113 by swapping plus a potential added £40 if I go through a cashback site (but may have to swap to monthly payments this time so the cashback will be useful).

DD1 has started making DD3 prom dress,totally bespoke including a fully lined fitted corset top(she did her degree in costume design so useful but not if I need curtains!)so hopefully DD3 will end up with a one off designer dress and me with a purse not too empty! Thank goodness DD1 isn't charging me for making it as there would be no way I could afford it!

Anyway am having to sign off- really tired (noticed have been feeling like this for a few weeks now,really under the weather,not quiet put finger on it though) so of up to bed.

Catch up reading rest of posts tomorrow.

Hope you are all keeping well

TTFN

dizzy_lizzie

Thrifty_Sister wrote: »

DL - missed it before coz I skim read too quickly but congrats on the new car. When y8ou spend all your efforts being frugal its nice to have something unfrugal (but necessary) now and again. I have just 'spent' some of my Mr T vochers on a couple of treats for myself. So unfrugal but frugal really as I didn't have to actually spend cash IYSWIM.
Lola lemon the wee babies sound gorgeous. Know what you mean re the nappies - I'm the same with bedding etc . Think we need to get out more but its nice all the same.:):)

Hi Thrifty. Hope you got some lovely treats for yourself. The best ones are the 'free' ish ones We don't get as many vouchers from Tesc* as we used to as I seem to shop more at Mr A's these days.

Debbiedeejay what a talented daughter you have. I think being able to sew as good as that is a gift. My mum was a fabulous seamstress and could make anything just by looking at it. Unfortunately she didn't pass that talent on to me. I am learning though.
The welsh dresser sounds lovely. We still have our solid pine bedroom furniture we bought years ago and it's still going strong
x

fuddle

Congratulations on the new little babies LolaLemon!

Been having to do top up in the local Coop. It's so expensive in there but I managed to get some things on offer that were on my list. It's difficult when you're used to hoping in the car to go to Aldi for top up's because it's so cheap in comparison but a false economy re: petrol etc. I have used the car twice in a month so goes to show I just don't need it. Road tax due end of next month so it must be gone by then!

My autumn house jacket is crocheting along nicely. I've got complete 1/3 of the back panel... it looks dreadful mind you - there's neon green in there, and a bright cerise pink. Still those horrible colours were just sat there (picked them up with a job lot on freecycle) so best used to keep me warm.

We're decorating so there's money being used there at the moment but it's has been needed doing.

My concern is a lot of weeds growing on the drive and how much weed killer that is going to need. V. expensive. Looking into salt as a weedkiller as that's looking to be a lot cheaper - if it works.

slowlyfading

Ooh fuddle - you were up late!

:hello: have a good day everyone

fuddle

slowlyfading wrote: »

Ooh fuddle - you were up late!

:hello: have a good day everyone

no I was up early. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I do that about once a week at the minute. I know just to get up :mad:

Hope it's as gorgeous everywhere as it is here today.

silvasava

fuddle wrote: »

My concern is a lot of weeds growing on the drive and how much weed killer that is going to need. V. expensive. Looking into salt as a weedkiller as that's looking to be a lot cheaper - if it works.

Fuddle - salt will do the trick but I bought a litre of Glyphosphate weedkiller in Wilkinsons that you dilute & can use either a watering can or spray gun. It makes loads so works out very cheap & glyphos kills right down to the roots (esp. if you make it a bit stronger!!) very useful for those weeds that manage to come up next to a favourite plant so you can't dig them out.

fuddle

silvasava wrote: »

Fuddle - salt will do the trick but I bought a litre of Glyphosphate weedkiller in Wilkinsons that you dilute & can use either a watering can or spray gun. It makes loads so works out very cheap & glyphos kills right down to the roots (esp. if you make it a bit stronger!!) very useful for those weeds that manage to come up next to a favourite plant so you can't dig them out.

Brilliant. thank you I will have a look when we're in town in the next few weeks.

Well, my car has been sold and is gone. I have mixed feelings about my independence etc but DH's company car is all we really need for the family now. It means no more petrol and I can cancel insurance and breakdown cover. It's a huge relief to not have that worry over how to pay for a big repair bill if something goes wrong. Car tax was due next month and it needed a new tyre. While I' a stay at home mum I don't need a car. Never say never though. I can but try.

slowlyfading

Afternoon everyone! :hello:

How is everyone doing? We've been to Mr Ts today so stock up on food stuffs for the week - managed to use a couple of vouchers to reduce spends so that's good. The only thing that snuck into the trolley that wasn't on our list was some ice lollies for me

Not done much today, just enjoyed the lovely sunshine by sitting in the garden. Only downside is that I've got sunburnt shoulders :eek: but never mind, worth it!