2014 Frugal Living Challenge

CT19720

Haven't been on for a while, but have had quite a few nsd, so really pleased with that, and have managed to put away £500 from Decembers pay packet. I bought all my Christmas presents last year, with cash that I had saved up each month, so there was no large credit card bill this month. Paying with cash seriously made me think about how much things cost, and whether I could find things cheaper.


Did an aldi shop today, because I got the voucher from the mirror paper yesterday, so have stocked up a bit but only spent £36, and that should last us til the middle of next month with all the other food and meat I have here. This was my first big shop since before Christmas.


Been making loads of hm soups and bread to take to work and it is so tasty. I just use a stick blender to puree the soup and it is perfect. Bought a bread machine about 8 months ago and it is the best thing I ever bought - cookworks one out of Argos that was about £35.00. I've perfected my loaves and they are so much better than any of the shop bought ones we used to buy. I make 4 loaves a week for us, and a couple for a friend, who buys me flour in return for the bread. I buy my flour when it is on offer, but have yet to be able to make the perfect white loaf, so now just stick to making wholemeal and grain bread. Unfortunately, I have problems with the muscles in my hands, so making bread by hand isn't an option for me.


Had to buy petrol today as well, because my son is playing football for our borough tomorrow down in Portsmouth - 140 mile round trip, but just discovered that there is a home bargains about 15 minutes from where the kids are playing, so planning to pop in there and stock up on some more bits and pieces.


Planning on a nsd on Sunday, and a big clear up in the house.


Saw a neighbour today who gave me half a stuffed pork joint, and a apple pie she picked up in waitrose, so that's sunday lunch sorted for free

Frugalsod

I had my delivery of Approved foods. Actually pretty impressed. Showed the details to my dad and even gave him some items to try for himself. Easy to be generous when it only costs 20p each. I have unpacked it all and now probably have another couple of months of food in store even if it is all out of date or will be close.

Other than that spending has been nil so not doing badly financially.

macwah97

Good evening all.

I look forward to a nsd.......sometime.

£50 = rates (instead of poll tax or council tax)
£20 = petrol
£25 = electric
£22 = a$d@
£10 = school dinners

about £2.00 to be spent tomorrow.

Will be making twinks hobnobs tomorrow for a first!!

littleskintdragon

macwah97 wrote: »

Good evening all.

I look forward to a nsd.......sometime.

I'm struggling to get nsd's 2, im trying to buy as i need, which means buying more often. Have got good at sticking to my list though, or only buying if its an absolute bargain and ill need it soon or use it regularly!
I need to start thinking about bulk buying some items.

mummy2threeboys

Morning all..off to knitting club in a mo, and to start getting my paint for the dining room. Sadly excited!

Have a lady coming round to look at a buggy im selling..fingers crossed!
And a friend was having a clear out and gifted me her old breadmaker Happy days! Have a good weekend all x

COOLTRIKERCHICK

morning all,


I don't know if it is a blip, but now and again they have the large 750gms packs of butchers choice mince beef for just £3.00, its not the basic stuff, as there is not a lot of fat in it.


In our local Arseda its hit and miss as they just fly out...


http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webstore/landing/home.shtml?cmpid=ahc-_-ghs-sna1-_-asdacom-dsk-_-hp#/product/910001005088


It looks a bit fatty in the link, BUT it is quite lean.....


My freezers are groaning with the amount of stuff I have in them.


We only light the fire now every few days, just to take the chill/dampness out of the air....

DawnW

Meal planning today, and shopping list to be made based on that.

Must pop down to unit to see if any restocking needed.

See what I can do to help DD with poorly baby after her jabs

I need to cook a red cabbage I have had since before Christmas before it goes off (it still looks fine atm). As this takes ages anyway, I plan to do it in the slow cooker. I have apples (shrivelled looking ones from fruit bowl), onions etc to go with it, and once it is done I will portion and freeze it (not needed today). It freezes perfectly, and makes a lovely vegetable side with a nice roast

Salad, jacket spuds and ham for main meal tonight, and I will investigate the water / stock that the ham (gammon joint from Lidl's, £3.99 and LOADS of meat, which OH sliced up thinly) was cooked in, and if not too salty will make soup with it for next week's lunches. I have some bendy vegetables that can go in with it

cydney65

Not been on for a few days as we are anxiously awaiting arrival of our grandchild...it's been a long slow labour for DD2

We have had 6 NSD this week but succumbed to a very welcome Maccy D after we had trawled round several bathroom showrooms on Thursday. Also found some half price chicken and cheap bread in the Co*p, so it's chicken stew tonight with bendy veg and cheesy bread and butter. Spent £44.77 on groceries this month so far...well chuffed with that although we will need to do a 'stocking up' shop at the beginning of Feb.

Today I have to finish my last unit on my (free) ITQ course and start reading for my OU course. Also need to decorate some furniture in the nursery with my cheap stickers

GreenTricky

Just been into Morrisons and they have boneless pork shoulder at £2.74/kg, don't think meat gets cheaper than that so time to stock the freezer and put the slow cooker to work for me this weekend.

MOT yesterday, thankfully nothing was needed but still £39 and got to get a tax disc by the end of the month, another £30, ho hum.

Frugalsod

littleskintdragon wrote: »

I'm struggling to get nsd's 2, im trying to buy as i need, which means buying more often. Have got good at sticking to my list though, or only buying if its an absolute bargain and ill need it soon or use it regularly!
I need to start thinking about bulk buying some items.

Actually if you need to get one item and only that item and can get it without being tempted to get something else then are lack of NSD a problem if you stay on budget and are spending less than before. I can get 6 or 7 NSD reasonably easily but that is because I have to get milk. Though some weeks something will pop up and you have to break that fast. The ultimate objective is to cut overall excess spending and it does not have to done instantly. Where I lived before I could easily get weeks without a single spending day but that is not possible in this place. I do not fret about it.