2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

mcculloch29

Well, not exactly frugal, but I had two faulty windows replaced today, one has been broken since 1992, when someone tried forcing it when the house was empty and I was waiting to move back in having let it out.

I was already claiming on the insurance for something else and as I hadn't reported it (because I was overseas) I just had to put up with having it sealed up with tape. I did manage to negotiate £500 off the total price of two windows (they are BIG windows), so that was something.

It's been very satisfying in being able to fix something that was broken for so long. The other one was my son's bedroom window. He completely broke the catch so it had to be propped shut to prevent it falling in. We tried to get it fixed by someone who advertised that he fixed faulty windows but no joy, it was too old.

A nicely frugal summer tea with YS chilli chicken skewers, Heron Foods buffalo wings, Value stretched coleslaw* and half-price Jersey Royals. Yummy.

* Value coleslaw is always swimming in dressing so I grate extra carrot in to soak it up. You can double the amount of salad easily and still have enough dressing.

Thrifty_Sister

Morning all - think you're so right Dizzy re feeling tired. Hope you had/have a good day.

I always feel better when its sunny so think I'm solar regulated too. I always seem to achieve more/quicker when the sun is shing and yesterday was the summer solstice :(:(. But I'm not going to go there yet and will instead keep my fingers crossed that we do get something rexembling summer. An American friend says that the've got it hot atm and some of it should eventuall get to us - Yay:T:T:T:T

slowlyfading

Morning everyone

The weather here is awful it's raining, and it's really dark and gloomy. So did not want to get up this morning!

I'm aiming for a NSD today; I've brought my lunch with me from home and don't need petrol or anything else, so it should be one. I do not need anything! :rotfl: I have to remember that at the moment....

I hope everyone has a good day

dizzy_lizzie

Ooh grim weather again...when is it being sent over from America Thirsty? Tell them to hurry it up a bit
Lola what a busy time you're having at the moment. Sounds like fun though doing all that crafty stuff.
Cuddly hope you managed to get the ironing pile down. Not one of my favourite jobs and to be honest I rarely iron but when I have done the odd bit it does feel good. I bet you had a good sit down and a brew after.
Slowly I think it should be made law that when the weathers grim we can have duvet days.
allie hope you find a system that works for you. I flit between weekly spending budgets and then change to monthly, no wonder I never know if I'm coming or going
McC great idea with the coleslaw. And extra healthy too.

Off work now till Monday and was relieved to get to Thursday. Haven't got anything planned especially. Will just see what the weekend and weather brings!
Hope everyone has a lovely day tomorrow
x

Thrifty_Sister

Dizzy - not sure when the decent weather will come (if ever) but if it doesn't my friend that said we were due some is going to get some stick lol. Can't come soon eneough.

Just gave in and put the heating on for a while - crazy isn't it in June? This is exactly when we should be reaping rewards for being frugal.

Havn't done a budget yet but am doing well with the menu plan - its saved me a small fortune. NSD for me today so thats one good thing to come out of this spell of dreadful weather. Might have been tempted to shop but going to make do instead:D:D:D:D

dizzy_lizzie

It's ridiculous isn't it Thrifty? We've got our heating on again today. Though every time OH goes upstairs he turns it down a notch and then when I go upstairs I turn it back up again! I'd planned to go to the library and pop to abakhan for some material but tidied up, polished, hoovered and had the washer and dryer on instead. Just popped out to pick DS up and gave him a lift to his mates. Passed over the motorway bridge and looked down and saw all the traffic bumper to bumper going nowhere. Glad I wasn't stuck in that.
Just too grim all this rain. Don't mind a Summer shower but where on Earth is all this coming from?!
On a more postive note I've knitted the cardigan that goes with my little mousey but I used the next size up needles and it's quite big on him but it does look cute
A relaxing evening planned. Hope everyone is okay today
x

slowlyfading

Woohoo it's the weekend :j :j :j

LolaLemon

Erm, can't remember if i told u all abt the 'stray' cat that came in on Wednesday? Well last night someone came to see it, and it isn't their, so I arranged with the local cat protection group to come get it today.... but last night, it came out of its hiding place for some food I left it, and that is when I seen that it is MalleyCat! My kitten who dissapeared last Septemberish time! She looks good, well fed, coat is good too, but she is absolutely petrified. Cat protection can't get it today, just as well ... I'm going to leave the cat carrier out so she gets used to it and on Monday I'll try n get her to the vet for a check, so far she is confined to the living room, I'm a little confused to what to do, as she runs away if you even notice she has moved.


Having a cheap nite at the boyfriends, a DVD, some pakora, he has abt a quarter btl of vodka in the house, I got some blue cacarau, going to make myself blue lagoons and relax.

Have a good weekend everyone :-)

SandraScarlett

Hi all. Just popped in to say Hallo, and hope everyone is well. Alas, things have deteriorated very quickly with DH, and I'm now caring for him 24/7, and unable to go out at all, as he gets so anxious if he can't see me.

I've spent the last few weeks exploring the complicated labyrinth of Age Concern, Alzheimers Society, Social Services, Crossroads Care, etc, and have had home visits and assessments from some, and the others are next week.

Basically, I can have as much care for DH as I want, as long as I'm prepared to pay ................... £19.46 per hour!!!! This would make a day out a tad expensive! The problem is, we've been too frugal! But I really can't take myself too far, anyway, as I'd want to be home very quickly if DH needed me.

However, he may be able to go to a weekly centre, 5 minutes drive away, that's £35, without transport, or refreshments, but I'll willingly pay that if it means I can have a few hours to myself. The problem is persuading him to go, even for an hour or 2. There is no treatment available for DH, other than the Aricept that he's been taking for 8 years, and sadly, he's now not recognising friends we've known for 40 years.

To have Multiple System Atrophy, and Alzheimers, and an artificial knee, is a lot for DH to cope with, but I just hope that I can give him a decent quality of life, whilst he's aware of it. Consequently, I'm getting all my shopping delivered, and am being the opposite of frugal, getting him treats as if they were normal everyday items. He still enjoys his food, so I'm happy to get him what he likes.

As my day is pretty busy, and I'm not a Frugalista Sister anymore, I'm leaving the thread, but can I thank everyone for all the laughs, tips, and excellent posts, and most of all, for your support when DD was so ill.

Take care.

xx

slowlyfading

I'm sorry to hear that you are leaving us Sandra, but understand the reasons why. I hope you and your DH enjoy the rest of the time together as best you can xx