2013 Frugal Living Challenge

spongy

[QUOTE=*Robin*;
I use a pair of Ecob@lls in the machine. They're supposed to replace detergent, but must say don't produce a perfect wash alone.
However, results are fantastic with the addition of a very miserly half cap of washing liquid (a German supermarket brand - the continentals have been designing washing products to work effectively in a cold :money: wash for a long time ).

So far the Ecob@lls have been going for at least three years (they are sold with a bag of replacement 'nuts' but I've not yet had to top them up). A bottle of washing liquid lasts for at least 50+ washes (claims 28 on the pack) and doesn't require softener/conditioner. [/QUOTE]


Thank you your top tip has prompted me to buy some Eco balls as I had some years ago and they were good I recall. However when you say "washing liquid" do you mean washing up liquid for dishes or some kind of laundry liquid? Is there a certain brand? Or is it from L*dl?

miss_empty_piggy

have been thinking frugal this morning, cleared cupboards out and reorganised so I can see what's in there. Got a packet of chicken thighs which I'm going to de-bone later and make chicken chow mein with a packet of noodles I found lurking at the back of the cupboard. This should make them go further for us. Also soaking a packet of chickpeas to batch make some hummus. I love hummus but it always goes off before I manage to eat it all. Found a recipe that's freezable so it should work out cheaper. Planning on making a carrot cake (never made one before) as got a huge bag of carrots for 17p at Mr T the other day. Am really enjoying myself. Hope you're all having a great day too. x

spongy

Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick here but this frugal challenge is costing me a fortune!

I was very proud to trim down my broadband,TV, phone package from £36 to £16/month! To achieve this I ditched cable as I only have the basic package and can get the channels free on freeview. I didn't realise however that I need a TV aerial on the roof which apparently owing to the required signal strength, and need for 3 off shoots into different floors will cost me a grand total of £272!

After 14 months i'll be quids in of course but thought I should check with the experts that £272 sounds right for a TV Aerial on a roof. Please let me know if I'm doing something wrong here as it will be fitted on Tuesday and I can cancel if there is something more frugal I can do.....

thanks all.

lbnblbnb

spongy wrote: »

Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick here but this frugal challenge is costing me a fortune!

I was very proud to trim down my broadband,TV, phone package from £36 to £16/month! To achieve this I ditched cable as I only have the basic package and can get the channels free on freeview. I didn't realise however that I need a TV aerial on the roof which apparently owing to the required signal strength, and need for 3 off shoots into different floors will cost me a grand total of £272!

After 14 months i'll be quids in of course but thought I should check with the experts that £272 sounds right for a TV Aerial on a roof. Please let me know if I'm doing something wrong here as it will be fitted on Tuesday and I can cancel if there is something more frugal I can do.....

thanks all.

I am no expert but that sounds outrageous! Can you ask your neighbours what sort if reception they get and what sort of set up they have? I know the strength of signal can vary, but wow!
X

cw18

spongy wrote: »

After 14 months i'll be quids in of course but thought I should check with the experts that £272 sounds right for a TV Aerial on a roof. Please let me know if I'm doing something wrong here as it will be fitted on Tuesday and I can cancel if there is something more frugal I can do.....

It's almost 12 years since I had mine fitted (new build property) but I went for a single aerial with a booster box (6 TV sockets in the house, though we've never had more than 4 connected to a set at any one time) rather than 3 aerials (which was apparently the other option). The signal here was also strong enough for me to have it fitted inside the loft space, which which was I wanted as it vastly reduced the possibility of any maintainance to it (won't get pulled off or twisted by a high wind, and cables aren't external for water to get into them). Cost me about £60.

I know prices went up a few years later (due to the rush of people wanting a better aerial to get Freeview), but I wouldn't pay almost £300 as I was led to believe it was a steady increase to about double what I'd paid :eek:

EDIT: My house already had the aerial points in the rooms, with the cables running from them inside the walls to the loft. It was just the aerial I was missing... If you need the various aerial sockets putting in, then I guess that will bring the price up somewhat, and '3 levels' implies you may be paying extra for height work if they're doing anything externally.

Kerry_Woman

Still plodding along. Started shopping in Lidl's beginning of the year. Still doing most of the shopping in Mr A. Still need to keep an eye of the food shopping. At the moment have saved some money compared to last year, but have to see how the year progresses.

Have got some bits from charity shop which I am pleased about. 2 blouses and a cardigan(all M&S) for just under £8. Also M&S placemats and coasters for £3.

Did some baking earlier in the week and am baking an apple crumble today.

Hugs to those in need of them.

spongy

Thanks for the advice CW18 re the TV aerial. There are not socket points in any of the rooms and can't have the aerial in the loft as it is about to be converted (hence the third level requiring a socket. Have decided to only have one socket to lounge and make the aerial ready for the new loft conversion. This will knock about £50 off the price. Still very expensive though.

Anyway thanks for the help.

[Deleted User]

Been shopping today for groceries and just had a light bulb moment. I use Listerine mouthwash and only ever buy it when it is on offer. Today in Mr T certain types of Listerine were half price so I thought I'd stock up and bought 4 bottles - 2 Total Care at £2.20 and 2 of the more basic ones at £1.75. Going over my receipt afterward I realised I had spent almost £8 on mouthwash (and this was it on offer) :eek:! Why this has never occurred to me before?

I do like to take care of my teeth/gums but I need to look at using more frugal mouthwash. Looking on Mr T website just now their own brand mouthwash is only 49p for the same size of bottle!! Going to give this a go once my 4 bottles of Listerine are finished.

dandelionclock30

You don't need mouthwash to have healthy teeth and gums.I had a long discussion about this with hygienist last time I went to the dentist. So there's a saving to start with don't buy any of it.
If you brush your teeth twice a day and floss them regularly then this is enough.

spongy

On the eve of having my shockingly expensive TV aerial installed in readiness for losing cable TV i just double checked and discovered freeview works perfectly with a small portable indoor aerial plugged into the TV. The signal strength is 10/10. Can't believe I almost spent in excess of £200 on this. I have absolutely no need of an aerial on the roof. Have cancelled the installation. REally pleased.

New Ecoballs arrived today and they are now doing their first wash so look forward to seeing the results in the morning.

Have resolved to eat up all food in fridge/freezer/cupboards. Tonight I made Cabbage Curry! Not bad at all and have lots left over so shall try freezing it.

All in all a pretty frugle day.:j