2014 Frugal Living Challenge

mummy2threeboys

Lol i couldnt afford a baby wearing coat , so i crocheted a panel to fit acorss the gap ..i undid my normal coat and made a crochet patch to go across it..like this ..hope you can see it lol http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seaweed

Did the job perfectly..trouble is being 5ft and tiny feet i resembled a darlek he he he

ellie-g

Goldiegirl wrote: »

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

I find myself agreeing with you again Goldiegirl. The main aspect to frugaling is investing wisely at the supermarket. I spot a bargain in terms of something that will keep and is not junk food. My mantra is that junk food ( no matter how cheap) is not a bargain! I combine my bargain purchases with vouchers etc and hit them hard, building my stockpiles up. Or I find yellow sticker stuff that will freeze and divide the goods into meal small portions. I am completely flexible on vegetables buying the cheapest (generally seasonal ones) and bulking out meals with them.

There is no room in my system for brand or supermarket loyalty and there is also no room for processed food, sugary goods or all those unhealthy things. I am constantly surprised when I go to the supermarket and see trolleys stuffed to the top with this sort of expensive, unhealthy nonsense, the bills for these shops are generally horrendous.

For frugalers, convenience meals consist of cooking great big portions and then freezing that into meal sized ones, ready to use when you are busy. Frugaling is a skill like any other and I learn new tricks every week. Its just so satisfying to produce healthy economical food by using your wits. Since I started using my wits I have saved so much money...not always been so thrifty though....

Money_Tree_Faerie

After deciding to have as many no-spend days as possible I dug out a huge bag of mung beans from the back of the cupboard. They have just passed their expiry date so I cooked as many as I could. After a brief search online I am trying a mung bean curry. We'll have it on rice tonight and I will save the leftovers for tomorrow (and the next night if there's enough).

Now I just need to figure out what to do with 500g of amaranth and 500g of sesame seeds. Any ideas? :think:

zafiro1984

Thank you frugalers!!

I have just spent the best part of an hour doing an online shop, first using mysupermarket to get the best prices and then I thought 'DO I REALLY NEED THIS, CAN I LAST UNTIL NEXT WEEK? so I cancelled the order.

All I have lost is time, not any money, belonging to this thread is working

skintygerlinky

Sesame seeds are gorgeous if they are sprinkled onto salads, soups or cooked veg.

I like to parboil root veggies (carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes are my faves) then roast them in a small amount of oil and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Just before they're done, I heat a frying pan (no oil) and add sesame seeds or any other seeds (or even chopped nuts) to the pan and heat them through ('toast' them). You know they're done when they smell 'nutty'! Keep an eye on them as they burn quite easily.
Sprinkle over your hot honey roast veggies. Absolutely gorgeous!

Money_Tree_Faerie

skintygerlinky wrote: »

. You know they're done when they smell 'nutty'! Keep an eye on them as they burn quite easily.
Sprinkle over your hot honey roast veggies. Absolutely gorgeous!

Oh my gosh, of course. I used to keep jars of toasted and ground sesame seeds in the fridge for the purpose of sprinkling. Thanks for reminding me - that will be my next task.

Caseymoo

Hi everyone, trying to befrugal by using up the eggs and cheese we have in so thought could make a quiche, never made one before as im not a big lover of eggy things like quiche and omelettes but we are getting married so needs must.

I have been looking at online recipes and they all have cream in, I don't haveany in and was hoping for a NSD.

Any recipes or how i can substitute the cream would be great thank you x

mooomin

You could make a fritatta if you have potatoes in.

I would make it with four eggs and sprinkle the cheese on top.

EDITED TO ADD RECIPE! Click here

Caseymoo

Thank you Moomin will have a look

cydney65

Found two picture frames in the loft which will be used in the nursery. Now looking at wall stickers on fleabay to brighten up the other wall. All this comes out of my spends account. I put £20 in there a month, which I can use on anything I want. It usually gets used for those little odd spends which crop up like cards and postage.

Have also bought 2 cards today, one for our son-in-law's birthday and a valentines card for OH as there was an offer on postage and 10% off £5 spend, plus cashback

Hopefully there will now be some NSD until next week.