2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Shortie

Frugalling done today so far is lunch and breakfast from home into work. Tea from emergency rations still (it turned out not to be my turn to get the milk so I haven't yet got off my bottom to go and buy teabags - how lazy of me)

I spent last night doing more crochet of my mahoosive grannny square blanket while re-watching the self build program. Tonight I cannot escape finishing off my tax return though (oh joy). I have a rough idea of what tax I owe but one part has been taken already from my salary via my tax code and I won't know if they've been taking enough until I submit my return. Fingers crossed it's not lots more than I was expecting. And my next tax return will be done much, MUCH sooner whoops

I'm desperate to book a day off work to 'just veg' but I know that while there is clutter indoors, I will take a day off to 'just veg' and I'll spend the day getting stressed and tidying instead. Sigh.. So last night I got in from work and started tackling one of the hotspots in our dining room and Mr Shortie also chipped in. One bit tidied... The rest of the living room/dining room is pretty tidy to be fair so tonight I think I'll attack one of the children's bedrooms, the other the next night, and then our bedroom (which has become the 'item with no home dumping ground') over the weekend. Then I can hopefully book a day off and have some 'me/us' time and stink on the sofa doing craft stuff, or try and start sorting the greenhouse and garden out (which I find relaxing when I have time and the weather permits)

No frivolous spends here, but I did have to transfer moeny to school yesterday for school dinners (I know I can do pack ups cheaper but we like the boys to have hot lunches int he winter, plus it seems to make my youngest a little bit more adventurous with food) and the second installment to my eldest's school trip and the end of the school year so I'm feeling very tight on budget suddenly. I also need to ensure I have enough money to pay for the Sun Holiday if we manage to book one (has to be during the school holidays)

Cantfindafreeuserid

Thanks guys I really like the sound of that greek doner yum and think as a bonus my son would love it! Sadly he doesnt like stir fry grrrr I do buy savers fruit and veg but sadly due to my medical condition I cant peel and chop much so have to buy pre prepped veg so more expensive :-(

I am looking forward to keeping accounts on payments and saving and seeing if I can stick to this.

My problem is I was never taught what to do with left overs and am useless at throwing stuff in and making something out of nothing! I need to experiment more and think outside the box! I do make a lovely chicken soup with left over chicken. I also do bubble and squeak but its not enough I need to find a curry recipe that I can remember so I can russtle that up with left overs. Thanks to the suggestion of curry with my lamb mince it seems a good place to start :-)

mummy2threeboys

You can get those metal or plastoc travel mugs in poundland quite frequently...i use them at home as it means i might actually get a hot cuppa (have little ones) ..also go to poundland invest in one of thier tea pots they are 2 cup pots normally 1 tea bag works streaches for 2 cups. (this is perfect for me as i allways have 2 cups in the morning ..decaff)
With mine you can bulk it out with lentils i use about 1/3 . Also if you have spag bol, cut diwn the amount of meat you use n the plate and up the pasta..still tastes the same, the pastas much cheaper than the meat, hubbys never complained yet lol.

littleskintdragon

Cantfindafreeuserid - what about moussaka? Think thats lamb mince? Have made it a couple of times and was lovely but then i lost my recipie

Quiet day here so far. Put clothes on airer and tidied a bit. Baby is being a little clingy so im finding it difficult to do much!!
Need to have a think about tea time, have got some pork chops in the fridge so i might use up one of the packet mixes that have made their way to the back of the cupboard!

Was meant to b a nsd but have to pay £50 off out holiday later!

Cantfindafreeuserid

Thank you will look it up. :-)

afoolwithmoney

Salad in a jar sounds a good idea, will have to give a try when back on them. Started taking breakfast to work as no time to eat it before & that has stopped the snacking. Also made some leek & potato soup with dodgy looking leeks & took with me. That stopped me grabbing a tin off the shelf...Only thing is the boss commented that every time he looked in my direction I was eating! Made chicken curry for evening meal only using one chicken breast (see if OH notices) & a 20p jar of curry sauce as a base...really must try meal planning for more than one day at a time

Needhelpsaving

Cantfindafreeuserid wrote: »

My problem is I was never taught what to do with left overs and am useless at throwing stuff in and making something out of nothing! I need to experiment more and think outside the box! I do make a lovely chicken soup with left over chicken. I also do bubble and squeak but its not enough I need to find a curry recipe that I can remember so I can russtle that up with left overs. Thanks to the suggestion of curry with my lamb mince it seems a good place to start :-)

Hi all,

Delurking briefly . . . . I understand where you are coming from; when I moved out of home I couldn't boil an egg let alone use up leftovers; but once you get into the swing of it you will be fine.

For the lamb mince, I would just substitute it for beef mince - ie shepherds pie instead of cottage pie; lamb meatballs and pasta with tomato sauce or you could even add a beaten egg/salt/pepper to the mix and make into burgers (I usually cool them in the fridge for the egg to bind the mix for about 30 mins before cooking). I do the meatballs the same way but just roll them into a smaller ball. Would be good to get others involved (the burgers/meatballs also freeze well raw) so you can make them in batches if thats easier?

***re-lurking***

Goldiegirl

I've done some spending today, but I have attempted to get money off where I can


Moisturiser for DH (he's like me suffers with dry skin!) on offer half price at Boots, so stocked up - should be ok most of the year now


10 pairs M&S knickers for me at £4. ( was £14, but had a £10 underwear voucher from M&S) Will put these by until needed


Two filing boxes (two for the price of 1) which were desperately needed + 2 pen re-fills. Used 20% off WHS voucher


Wooden board - to be used for pastry and dough. (I did have a board, but stored it in the garage - it's filthy now, I'd never be happy using it again) Half price in Sainsburys




So, as most of these things were needed now ( apart from the knickers!) I feel happy that I got some money shaved off my purchases.


I think with this frugaling lark, you have to be willing to spend when you see the good deal. The real trick of it will be to know when enough is enough. There could be a danger of stockpiling more stuff than could ever be used. As in all things, a healthy balance is key!


Anyway, the next few days should be NSD's. All being well, I might not need to spend again until Monday

LolaLemon

happybird71 wrote: »

Ha ha :rotfl: brilliant! I just bought a baby wearing coat from eBay & DH says I look like I'm pregnant with quads!

Brill! I only seen these coats after i had put my sling away, would have loved thema nd wore my sing more if i had.

littleskintdragon

Just had a £15 off a £60 shop voucher from mr.t through the post for online orders, because i havent ordered in a long time. Baby event starts today so will have a look and possibly stock up on things ill need like wipes, along with my usual weekly shop!