Meet the frugal's, 365 day challenge of buying nothing.

CFC

Tustastic wrote:

Don't know about the petrol and the toothpaste, but people really did use to cut newspaper into squares, thread string through and hang it up in the loo.
HTH :eek:

My top tip is to use the cheapest loo roll you can buy, as it prevents toilet and sewer block ups. Newspaper is not good, it could block up yer loo leading to a pricey plumber event!

ampersand

black-saturn wrote:

Good luck.

I'd like to give you a tip about magazines. I get loads of free magazines every day from places like Asda, Somerfield, Morrisons, Tesco, Specsavers, McDonalds (occasionally has a free one), Holland and Barratt and an independent health store. Keep your eyes peeled for these as they can satisfy your magazine "craving" without costing anything at all.

###########
As above - not only for the coupons, but join Tesco's wine/healthy living/food/mother and baby etc(the lot!)clubs and you'll receive free vouchers and points incentives. Don't know if other stores honour vouchers which are not their own. Ensure that you BOTH enrol and you'll receive double goodies. If you don't need/use them, nothing's lost and you can Freecycle.
You'll do well and I'd recommend you just make bread ordinarily, sans machine.
If you have a decent hot water cupboard(I have heating/water switch on twice daily @2 hours each time)you'll have perfect rising conditions and it's an excellent, simple. quick, cathartic, cheap thing to do. Mr T's bread flours, yeast, seeds from somewhere(not their Whole foods range, which have doubled in price/halved the contents-get them from the ordinary home-baking aisle)and you'll be fine.
Happy days.

hilla_2

lauren_1 wrote:

Already got 12 tubes of smile!, went on to boots online last week and got a load of clearance items like lynx gift sets for £1.22 not bad for the deodorant, shower gel, aftershave and little bag. I will miss my bootsing trips but i have more wraps, bags, free makeup and 19p shaving foam than boots probably do! lol
My mum has also given me her boots card with £80 worth of points on there so that will cover some toiletries, toys and urgent baby clothes for a while

At the momet the Tesco quit smoking pack (on the pharmacy counter) have £1.00 off coupons on Plax Mouthwash and 40 p off toothpaste. They are also buy one get one free. You can also use the £1.25 off toiletries and £1.25 off beauty products at the same time(also in the Quit packs). This will give it all to you for free. So if you buy 2 toothpaste at £2.88 x 2 and 2 mouthwash for £2.88 x 1 . This will come to £5.60 minus £2.80 in coupons plus another £5.00 toiletry and beauty coupons Tesco will actually pay you to take the stuff away. Stock up for the year

bigbadbiker

When I need newpapers for DIY covers etc I pop down to the local recycling bank and take a bunch out of the paper bin. You could use them for cleaning windows and even in the loo (not sure about ink on tender areas, though!). The most recent issues are at the top if you don't mind your news a few days old.

Gilean

I'm impressed - have tried some of the 'green things' too - so altho not money saving I take the bus to work 2 days a week now - have too much to haul in to do it every day( teacher,see) - I get to walk across the park and enjoy the walk, the exercise and then I get a lift home from someone who literally lives down the road (car sharing is so the way to go) Have offered to car share but doesn't want to be tied down to it.
Also use the moon cup - honestly it's comfortable and has been 'safer' than some cheap tampons - think of all those tampons floating out to sea!
Have also been trying to wean myself off the magazines - and my biggie has been takinbg lunch to work - that has saved me a fortune - goal is 4 out of 5 days and not doing too bad - just need to be more organised....
Looking forward to reading your comments Lauren
I think banana and walnit bread is best made by hand btw - it's easy enough to whip up in the food processor, doesn;t need yeast or anything
All the best
You go , Girl!
Gil

lauren_1

Cleaning windows?
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Day 3

Ok im not that frugal just yet, I picked up a few multi packs of morrisons face cloths (4 for 79p i think), much better than cleaning cloths and last much longer and our old tooth brushes go in to the cleaning kit, much easier to clean the taps and plughole with a baby tooth brush especially if you need some bicarb.

Our sons old muslin squares and terry nappies (yes i boil washed them first)seem to have been recycled in to teatowels, hand towels, face towels and any other way you can use a small towel. My mum has been using the same ones for the past 26 years as teatowels and my old johnsons baby towel (any one had one of those?)

I am still having trouble sleeping (i know its only been 2 nights) but i had no idea how much spending is a part of everyday life, i actually feel kinda heartbroken about stopping my boots and primark spree's i can actually feel the dull tingley feeling in the pit of my stomach.

One good thing though, at least my dentist is still free until the little guy turns one, i have a cracking wisdom tooth trying to fight its way through.

Will report back on the joys of free dental care later xx

pmd

dreamalittle wrote:

FYI: Judith Levine's book - Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Buying-Year-Without-Shopping/dp/1416526838

Borrow it for free from your local public library - might have to pay 80p or so to reserve it if you can't find it on the shelves, but it's cheaper than buying. Also have a look at books there in general, as a change from magazines. And all free (or rather, you're already paying for it in Council Tax so go and enjoy it).

Pam

Sexy_Em

Don't forget boots Health & beauty mag every month - free if you have an advantage card!! x

Sexy_Em

CFC wrote:

My top tip is to use the cheapest loo roll you can buy, as it prevents toilet and sewer block ups. Newspaper is not good, it could block up yer loo leading to a pricey plumber event!

I'll second that ... I work for a company that makes toilet roll

Wiggly_Worm

halloweenqueen wrote:

I might join you in a few months!! Thanks for posting this, even if some of us can't get as extreme its an inspiring thead and may keep our impulses squashed!

Yes, that's what I meant to say - thanks Halloweenqueen! must remember not to post late at night when I'm talking gibberish