Frugal fun

Peggybabcot

I absolutely love sewing and enjoy making little girl's party dresses, which I sometimes sell. I also enjoy card making and have a massive collection of papers etc so don't really ever have to buy anything again! I also love cooking and trying out new recipes on the family and also baking cakes and biscuits etc. My biggest passion is designing houses and drawing scale drawings of them. I'm a frustrated architect and if I had my life again that's what I'd do. I can spend hours losing myself drawing plans to scale. The one thing I'd love to take up would be to learn to sing but I don't think the neighbours are ready for my warble just yet! x

miss_scrooge

I do bookcrossing put out my books for people to find in public places benches etc and they go on the bookcrossing.com website to say they have found book etc.They also have obcz (official bookcrossing zone shelves) a permenant bookshelf where you can get a book/books to read might be some in your area.Don't have to take it back just put it out for someone to find. Also I look in my local newspaper,library etc for free events in my area. Also I go to free museums always something new to look at.

building_with_lego

good_advice wrote: »

Just had to google "geocaching" to see what it was = treasure hunt game for smart phones.

I am happy with my pink PAYG phone. I do not need a contract phone.
Then that's just me!
I have read about these apps for games and would be worried. They start off free and then you have to buy add on extras.

Geocaching is the modern equivalent of 'letterboxing', hiding ice cream tubs on Dartmoor etc, with a notebook and stamper inside, for people to find. I did this once as a small child and still remember the excitement of finding the tubs!
Now with (or without the app) you can search for the caches via geocaching.com and log the ones you find. I've not used the mobile app much as I usually do it via the laptop but I can't see how they'd charge me in-app. No need for it to cost anything

sparrer

One of my hobbies is doing on-line surveys so I can earn some vouchers/pennies to pay for treats and petrol on the days I go out and about. There are so many and I've tried most of them, now got it down to the half dozen or so which pay reasonably quickly.

Lunching with friends, we always find the cheapest places, 241, over 55's etc, which make the meals very good value.

When the weather allows I spend a lot of time in my very pretty, very tiny garden, it takes an hour or two with breaks to mow the 14x16 lawn but would rather do that than pay someone £'s to come and do it in 5 minutes.

Reading, of course, mainly auto/biographies because I'm [STRIKE]nosey [/STRIKE]interested in how other people live

Most of all finding ways to save money on anything I buy, be it food, clothing, other essentials. I'll surf the net for the best bargains and never pay full price for anything if I can help it. That's where MSE comes in, it's the best way i know of budgeting for anything and I live by the mantras. It may sound boring to some but the pleasure it gives when I feel I've 'beaten the system' is well worth it

obiwanzamora

madmary wrote: »

I also love computer games but I can't afford this much these days although I have enough games that I like to revisit and I now trade in games and only buy one if I really want it.

Mary

You can use thetradeincompare.co.uk to compare trade in values across a range of sites to ensure you get as much cash/credit as possible when trading in games.

madmary_2

Thanks for that. I have very few games left to trade now. I have quite a few short downloaded games on my xbox and PS3 which I play again and again.

Mary

thriftwizard

'Nother idea - one of my friends, bored & very broke, has taken up Am Drams - she's absolutely loving it, luvvies! And it was huge fun to go & see her in the panto. That cost us, but not her!

There are other things, like bellringing, which keep you fit & have an element of fun & skill too. The problem with bellringing is that it's very thirsty work... it's the couple of hours after practice that costs you!

madmary_2

I used to love Am Dram and nearly got back into it last year. My job prevents me to committing the time, but if I didn't have this job or any job I would definitely get back into it. You don't even have to be able to act as there's loads of backstage and front of house stuff to do. Some companies do charge a small membership but it's worth every penny, for the company and the variety.

Good thinking thriftwizard!

Mary

rubytuesday

Mainly walking my foster dog for @ three hours a day but I need to get back into outdoor swimming. Haven't been for ages due to an op followed by a broken finger!

I have also just started keeping a daily record of the birds visiting my garden.

gayleygoo

I sew, knit, crochet and craft! Supplies can be expensive, it often doesn't seem worth the money for the wool or fabric to make a garment, and I don't like using the cheapest stuff unless it's of some decent quality. I try to recycle old fabrics though, and not buy into the "latest crafting gadgets"...although I do need a new pair of decent scissors!

I love baking, but it can get expensive. I buy my eggs from a local farmer so they are free range and affordable, I only wish I could say the same for chocolate and butter! Homebrewing is another - I use fruit juices and sugar to make very cheap wine and cider, and it keeps me quite busy, and as a bonus I can get drunk at the weekend for next to nothing