2014 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

Well this does not sound frugal but I popped into Lidl this weekend and they have Pistachios (spelling) a large sackful, and I just wanted to buy some - did not - but have no idea what to do with them. I THINK they have to be crushed and put into pastry but I buy ready made pastry so thats no good, the web gives lots of US recipes using a pudding mix, no good, and ice cream recipes (cold.......) I feel certain some of you will have either ideas or be able to talk me down - STAND AWAY FROM THE PISTACHIOS.

alja

Shortie wrote: »

If your phone is still okay, why not look at a sim only rolling 1 month contract? Last year I moved from an expired contract with one provider to another and took up their sim-only monthly contract and saved loads but was getting the same amount of minutes, texts and data.. I finally caved and went for a new phone about 6 months later but this phone seems soooo much better than my old one so I hope this one will let me stay on the sim-only for longer

I am definitely considering this! I have an iphone 4s and it's still in good condition as I have looked after and kept it in a case etc. I'm with 02 at the moment and I've been pleased with their service, but T*sco seem to do a few good deals. Will keep an eye out!

Mrs_Cheshire

sparrer wrote: »

Feel better soon Sarah. Another reason for not joining the gym again is copd, seems the only machines I can use without extra strain are the treadmill and the rowing machine and both are directly under air con blowers so the cold air contracts my lungs even more! I can walk at home while listening to the radio and not feel guilty that i'm not doing anything . I also have some weights 2.5kg and 4kg which I'm told are good to carry when walking so might try that once I've got used to the 'new' treadmill.

Having a nsd/npd so I can catch up on bits of housework that need doing before the weekend and some surveys,so not a totally wasted day.

Sparrer, I'm starting a module with the Open University on Saturday and one of the units is about COPD, I've not got any experience of it so do you mind if I ask you some questions once I get to that bit?

Mrs_Cheshire

Just spent an hour or so catching up with you all.
I'm trying something new this month coming, I already used to get the Aldi vouchers that are in the mirror once a month, this month I bought 2 papers and bulk bought tins, packets, loo rolls etc with one and the second I got my usual weekly shop plus a few dry goods. These should last all month if not longer, so now all I've got to buy is fruit, small amounts of diary, bread!
Hoping to keep under £20 per week, having spent £75 stocking up!

SarahB1989_2

Feeling a bit better this evening so looks like it's back to work tomorrow. Had a walk into town this afternoon to go to the pharmacy and picked up some shopping on my way back - £15's worth of food from M&S for £4, and £13's worth of toiletries for £6 in Boots (though bit miffed as I picked up their magazine at the till and only just realised that I could have got an extra 100 points from a voucher in the back of it! Oh well). And went to the local library for 2 new books, so absolutely no need to set foot near any shops over the weekend!

Been doing my budget/plans for Feb and realising that I need to cut back further if I'm going to avoid scraping the bottom of the overdraft this summer. February has more big expenses coming (weekend away plus need to pay conference fees) and then March is even worse (hotel for conference, and another weekend away).

Anyone got any tips for reducing spends whilst travelling? Airports are the worst, hate spending money on bottled water but when they won't let you take your own through security...

sparrer wrote: »

Feel better soon Sarah. Another reason for not joining the gym again is copd, seems the only machines I can use without extra strain are the treadmill and the rowing machine and both are directly under air con blowers so the cold air contracts my lungs even more! I can walk at home while listening to the radio and not feel guilty that i'm not doing anything . I also have some weights 2.5kg and 4kg which I'm told are good to carry when walking so might try that once I've got used to the 'new' treadmill.

Having a nsd/npd so I can catch up on bits of housework that need doing before the weekend and some surveys,so not a totally wasted day.

Exercising in the warm at home definitely sounds like a good idea then!

KazLA

DawnW wrote: »

Made a banana and walnut cake from more stored ingredients, including some honey that had gone crystallised and 2 bananas from the freezer. When they go black and yukky in the fruit bowl I don't fancy eating them so I put them in the freezer, and then they go totally black :eek: When they defrost they are SERIOUSLY yukky, soft and squishy :eek::eek: and you can squeeze them out of the skins like toothpaste out of a tube :rotfl:But despite all this they are fine for cakes

I peel the bananas first & put them in a bag, then they can go in a bowl to defrost for cake, or straight in a smoothie.

skintygerlinky

Evening Frugalites xx
A NSD hurray! Had homemade lentil and carrot soup for a late dinner and just made a pasta salad for tomorrow's lunch so just finished the end of that as was bit peckish!

I'm pleased to see that my local Aldini has recently started selling tins of cannellini beans and chickpeas at 39p per tin. This is great - I like to make a big batch of hummus every week and I enjoy it as a filling snack with something to dip in - carrots or the box of breadsticks that never got opened at Christmas! (remember Christmas?!) or on toast for a lovely breakfast.

I got a cheque through the post for £70 odd quid today!! Long and boring story as to why I received it, but it's finally here. Straight into my 'other' account which is now to be used for birthday and Xmas pressies only - loose change can go in here too!
I turned down an invite from mates at my old job to go out next week and honestly, I felt good about it. I simply can't afford to go and rather than feel down or resentful or embarrassed by that fact I just felt I was being proud and honest re: my current money situation. The 'old' me would have gone out and then been astounded at my reduced bank balance later in the month. What a divvy (Scouse for 'fool'!!)
I'm meeting up with one of my oldest friends for a coffee and catch up on Friday and then having lunch with two old friends I've not seen for ages on Tues. So can't do an extra night with the other bunch. Will see them in March!!
Thursday tomorrow and then a big 'see ya!' to January on Friday - yeeha!

lovefullshelves

Hello everyone, may I join in?
I'm already pretty 'careful', but I need to step it up to frugal as I'm trying to save for when DS leaves college!
I've managed £200 so far this year (and I'm planning on a lot more goin in the tin).
Paring back the food budget, hoping to eat more veg that we grow, need more than roast veg or soups. And things involving potatoes!
And no more recipe books for at least 3 months..I will try!!

afoolwithmoney

Oh dear so busy being careful I forgot to top up the electric lol OH not happy!!! At least we are saving tonight

Frugalsod

Today was my expensive day. It was my Dads birthday so took every one for a Thai meal. Plus updated one important piece of software and diary refill so another £60 outgoing. Plus raided the cash pile for the pub and restaurant tip, but have just enough cash left for the milk and cream for the month. So that will give me an incentive to not spend a penny. A few more months till the next birthday so I can cope.