This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

Watty1

A baby fell @Alchemilla A baby fell.  Oh how utterly delightful.  Cheeky little ponies but just the absolute best native possible.

Watty1

Frugal January.  Reading the Frugalwoods has been very thought provoking.  I already have reduced visits to hairdressers opting for the rural "scrape it in a scrunchie" look most of the time but keeping a good basic cut 4 times a year is important to me.

Clothes however are slightly different. I do look in local charity shop but suspect I need to go to different areas to investigate more shops.  I do wear everything in my wardrobe and I decided whilst my struggles with ex continue I will continue to spend mindfully on clothes and similar just because it does actually help me feel better about self.  As far as beauty stuff goes, the big clear out of the cupboards meant I know have a great box of "pamper goodies" so I don't need to spend there.      I don't think I've really subscribed to the  Ultra Frugal month but I have been really thoughtful about what I will spend and what matters to me right now.  It may not always matter but if it does right now then it stays.

However in the spirit of Frugal Jan I did make a vast pot of lentil soup for lunches and very nice it is too.  Popped it all in the freezer on the yard (my domain) and when at work can just defrost and reheat and yum.  VNM gave me some free soda bread he got from work so that and my lentil soup makes a delicious cheap lunch. 

Similarly in the spirit of Frugal January I did think about the number of candles I burn.  I use a lot at the place I rent.  There is something charming about coming in and lighting the candles and relaxing with them in the evening.   In the frugal way I had a chat with the charity shop staff, seems they get a lot of candles so when I am in the village I pop in and once a week I seem to find a candle for between 10 and 40p.   So that means I get to keep the candles but very cheaply. As I pop them in glass vases on a bed of sand they always look fantastic.  Never thought of looking for them there before so pleased with this saving and certainly have enough candles to go through to Spring now for pennies rather than what I used to spend.

Have been so much more thoughtful over my spending.   Am now considering if I should cancel streaming services too (Netflix and Horse and Country).  I'm keeping the licence as I listen to the radio and can often find things on the beeb I like but I'm seriously wondering if I  need 3 streaming services as well.  I don't watch that much TV I think I've just kept them because i worry about loneliness. 

Alchemilla

It's really good you're being mindful about spending. I can see you don't need life to be too spartan as you adapt to these changes.

Can I send you some Devon love for the "scraped back in a scrunchie" look?

NDN's Fell is a proper lad and oh! The feathers on him!

Honeysucklelou2

Loved that phrase “ the rural scraped back in a scrunchie” look. That’s a favourite here too!

greent

Also a fan of the scrape it all up and put a couple of bands around it look - that or the slightly crazy wild hair look 😁

Karmacat

That describes my hair too  

I'm not sure if you need a tv licence to listen to the radio, but I don't *think* you do.  But 3 streaming services seems a lot.  Loving the thoughtfulness, I really am.

BellaLasagna2018

Karmacat said:

That describes my hair too  

I'm not sure if you need a tv licence to listen to the radio, but I don't *think* you do.  But 3 streaming services seems a lot.  Loving the thoughtfulness, I really am.

I have just given up my tv licence as I never watch tv, not even on catch up. There were a couple of surprising things in what I can’t watch any longer but no mention of the radio. 

Watty1

BellaLasagna2018 said:

Karmacat said:

That describes my hair too  

I'm not sure if you need a tv licence to listen to the radio, but I don't *think* you do.  But 3 streaming services seems a lot.  Loving the thoughtfulness, I really am.

I have just given up my tv licence as I never watch tv, not even on catch up. There were a couple of surprising things in what I can’t watch any longer but no mention of the radio. 

Interesting.  I might investigate.  I thought I would need something to listen to the BBC radio so will check that out.   Am going to monitor TV watching to the end of the month and see what I really watch.   Have already started and was surprised to see I use the BBC more than I thought.

Slinky

No you don't need a licence to listen to the radio, unless it's in commercial premises in which case you need PRS (Performing Rights) licences.

It might be worth your while investigating buying a Firestick for £50. We only get a limited amount of TV stations as we can't get a signal from a main transmitter, so just the main 5 plus a few others. We can usually find something to watch via the Firestick if none of the others appeal. We don't bother with subscription TV.

Suffolk_lass

I'm a fan of BBC, especially radio, but I also watch a number of things on their TV and news channels. I especially enjoyed watching the Winter Walks series that were (re)shown over Christmas. I also watch a fair bit of Channel 4 TV. So I guess I am the archetypal middle aged, middle England sixty-something fan. And appalled by the half announcement by the Culture, Media and Sport Minister. Her credentials include taking part in "I'm a Celebrity..." I personally think it represents excellent value for money and public service broadcasting is superb in this country.