2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Goldiegirl

I've been using my bread maker again today, this time I tried doing rolls.

They taste delicious, but they are huge:rotfl: I didn't realise how much they'd grow while they were proving. Next time I'll make them a bit smaller.

Apart from that, I've been busy on eBay. I was surprised that it was a free listing weekend. I thought they'd wait a bit longer after the Christmas and New Year listing bonanza!

Putting my feet up now - we'll watch a film we've recorded from Sky.

skintygerlinky

Evening all xx

mum2one - will deffo offer you 1st virtual pick of the rocky road haha!!

Well I had my spa day today - was absolutely lovely! Kind friend picked me up and dropped me off, then had lovely massage and facial, plus time using all the facilities. Great to catch up with old friends. Isn't it always?

Spent more than I thought I would - we had a bigger lunch with some wine which cost a tenner. Then before we went home we had a cuppa with cake which cost an extra £4. So will be limping over the finish line by payday!! January is always a skinty month isn't it - I've also paid out £130 towards my hols in July.
Hoping to make a realistic budget next month - will be trial and error but am glad that January has been the time to get used to Frugal '14. Ground rules have been set and am proud of my skinty self for using up what I've got in cupboards!
Next job is to go through my books and start to read the un-read ones! No more 'bargains' from Amazon!

It all adds up and is definitely helping me appreciate what I've got. Which is no bad thing, eh?

DawnW

Evening all :j

I have been a bit lazy today, but have looked after baby GD for a while, done the shopping and done some small biz bits. I ended up doing quite a big shop :eek: I am so in awe of people who only spend £20 or less. I probably average about £60 a week for OH, small dog and I . Having said that, I do always have quite a well stocked larder and freezers, even though the fridge gets to look a bit bare

OH had some more of his fish pie tonight, but I couldn't face it again - I am not mad on fish I am afraid I had marmite on toast instead There is a small portion left which OH can finish off tomorrow for tea or something, as we will be cooking a big roast lunch for DD2 and her OH. She had one of those 3 bird roasts in her freezer, really wanted to eat it but struggles at the moment to cook anything that isn't very quick with a small baby to look after :rotfl:So, I will cook it for all of us, and supply the veg

Better go and sort out the washing up and make a cuppa

Shortie

Evening all.. a spendy day for us as we went to get our 8 ex-battery chooks, and ended up with 15 As we offered to take 6 ladies with sprained legs, we needed to house them inside where it is warmed while they heal so we've had to make space in our recently restocked wood shed for them, and had to make extra bedding space in the existing run.... So we needed more straw for bedding as well as grabbing a bag of chook food

It's also accelerated us to sort the new chook run (bigger) out sooner so there will spends now next week on fencing etc

Whoops!

nannygladys

Just a quick note before I go to bed (on at 6 in the morning -day 4 ), hope it's all going ok, -managed to get new diary insert so I feel more organised now and I bought an accounts book so here's hoping I can manage to record everything, feel as if things are going well on frugal front and not too many blips but I could still do a lot better. I've been reading the thread most days and it keeping me focused - thanks everyone.

Ps I would love some chickens and aim to get some when I retire in a couple of years

On kindle and its keeps predicting text!!
Nanny g

sparrer

I have a gardening voucher for 6 items for the price of 5 so tomorrow I'll be stocking up on compost and maybe a herb variety pack. Had a nsd/npd today and am using up what's in the fruit bowl before I refill it.

chirpycheap

We realised that for the last couple of weekends that we haven't been out much. Largely because our winter leisure activities mostly involve shopping or going for coffee or meals out! We do enjoy walking but are real fair weather walkers.
Anyway today we decided to brave the wind and rain and went for a walk in the park. We actually enjoyed our stroll and even bypassed the lovely cafe in the park and returned to the car and had a cuppa from a flask! (Oh the times I've mocked my parents and their flask habit). but warming up in the car with my OH sharing a flask of tea and watching the pigeons was actually pretty romantic!
Maybe trying something new and getting out of your comfort zone is good for you!
Really looking forward to the warmer weather. Walks in the sunshine and getting into my garden and enjoying all the free, frugal fun that it offers.

skintygerlinky

Great news chirpycheap! Glad you enjoyed your stroll.

I've been 'flasking' it for a while to save spending and I love it! I agree with you re: getting out and about. I love visiting my local (ish) parks during seasonal changes and gazing open mouthed at the changes in the trees. Am clearly a bit of a 'Dylan' from the Magic Roundabout

KazLA

whmf00001 wrote: »

Being Old Style I have saved the peel from oranges/lemons/limes and also some halved kiwi fruits in freezer. Now after year or two must use them, but how??? You gave good ideas for marzipan thanks so live in hope.

Sorry if it's been said, but recently seen somewhere putting the peel in a jar, then added (I think) water & white vinegar, or maybe just vinegar, then left it for a couple of weeks, then used the liquid diluted in a spray bottle for cleaning, might need to look it up, can't 100% remember! but several people said how good it was.

littleskintdragon

KazLA wrote: »

Sorry if it's been said, but recently seen somewhere putting the peel in a jar, then added (I think) water & white vinegar, or maybe just vinegar, then left it for a couple of weeks, then used the liquid diluted in a spray bottle for cleaning, might need to look it up, can't 100% remember! but several people said how good it was.

I dont think that sounds sad,its making use out of something most people would throw away.

Talking about that ive been watching extreme cheapskates! So terrible how some people can live the way they do. I like to save money but not at other peoples expense!

Dd has two parties this weekend. So present needed buying and also popped to f.foods for 3 bags of meat for £10.
Hoping for a nsd today but its a little optimistic as ive been biying as i need which means im constantly in and out of the shop for one or two things!!