Village living on a budget what NO ALDI!

jackyann

Hope you're settling in, OP. Just wanted to say that we had a grand night out: Village Hall Xmas dinner yesterday. 3 courses - with a choice of mains & trifle or xmas pud for dessert + cheese & mince pies after, including 1/2 bottle wine each (bar for extras). Entertainment by members of the committee, communal singing & a quiz, then we pushed back the tables & danced to old jazz until after midnight. £15 each! Of course, at some point you have to take your turn at sprout peeling!

brunettegirl

well we are in and have had a fire all weekend - alas we have run out of coal and as yet I haven't found a nearby coal merchant, time to introduce myself to the nearest neighbour and see who they use i think! my kindling is keeping me warm tonight but it is burning very fast! Suggestions on free wood would be great

ninnoodle

I have shops in 3 different directions, each about 30 mins away. I stockpile, and plan shopping if I'm either in the area or running low on several items.
However I get a weekly veg box from some folk a mile or so from me which is brilliant value. That really is the bulk of my weekly food shop. I occasionally nip to the village shop - it has great stocks of just about everything but can be dear. Also about 5 mins away is a local 'country emporium' type place which has good outdoor, household and gift things, all pretty reasonable prices. I factor in the cost of petrol all the time, so if I got something cheaper in say, Home Bargains, than the country store, it wouldn't necessarily be cheaper after the drive there and back.
The secret really is to stockpile. Nothing worse than realising you have no loo roll and it will be a 30 mile round trip to get some! :eek:
Firewood and coal get also delivered locally.

meganandben

We live in the country and have found that a breadmaker (also for jams etc.) helps. Also, we have got to know the local farmer, who does us some good deals. If you don't have gas, try getting together with some more people in the village to buy your oil - it's cheaper.

Itismehonest

brunettegirl wrote: »

Suggestions on free wood would be great

The problem with free wood is that it's often not legal. Many people think they can just go out & raid woods & forests but that's not the case. The Magna Carta right to gather wood has largely been turned around.

thegirlintheattic

Itismehonest wrote: »

The problem with free wood is that it's often not legal. Many people think they can just go out & raid woods & forests but that's not the case. The Magna Carta right to gather wood has largely been turned around.

You can always ask people if they have fallen branches or trees they need to get rid of. Driftwood on beaches can be used if it is dried out first.