2014 Frugal Living Challenge

lhead123

Happy to report a NSD today. Had midwife appointment this morning and as its in the centre attsched to the library I spent the waiting time reading their suppy of todays papers.

I then went to help oh with his work computer as it was ultra slow and found that one of his colleagues had downloaded about 20 games along with all the rubbish that goes with them! And I got a free can of coke for my troubles

Came home and cleaned out the car, finding 8p and finally sorted the pile of stuff on my bedroom floor that needed sorting and found another £1.67 so have put that in my sealed pot and feel a tiny bit richer lol.

Not decided on dinner yet, amd have failed to make a meal plan so far this week -thats a job for tomorrow, so it will probably be whatever falls out of the freezer first!

Day off tomorrow and wont get a nsd as its dd toddler group, but its only £1 so a lsd

SarahB1989_2

Just discovered I need to find an extra £250 by June. Given that my monthly income is around £400, it's a big ask. I'm hoping to cover it by selling things but the more frugal I can be, the more I will have saved to cover the next blip.

Tonight's dinner is chana masala, reckon this works out at 37p a portion, plus 8p for a YS 'sandwich thin' as fake naan bread.

Biggest hurdle this week is four days away in a B&B for work stuff. So I have breakfast provided for 3 of the 4 days, lunch provided for 2 days, and need to find food for the other 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 4 dinners... I know I'll have to buy some food whilst there, but what could I take with me (on a domestic flight, forgot to add that extra awkward factor) that would keep for at least the first two days without a fridge? Or what could I cheaply cobble together whilst there? Am searching through all my vouchers/points to see how much free stuff I can use - so far one subway snack and one Costa muffin.

Frugalsod

Hoped to have a NSD but made a donation to a cause I support.

skintygerlinky

Afternoon Frugalites xx

Had an 'offline' weekend so am just catching up on threads and posts!! As always, it's really encouraging to read everyone's evaluation of Feb and renewed determination for March. Onwards we go, gang!

Mixed start for me! Lots to tell: I finally got a new phone on Friday! My old phone was falling to bits and the nice polite assistant in OhTwo said very nicely 'we don't make those models any more' and I am therefore now a proud owner of a SamSmug smartphone. It's not the most advanced model, but like I care! I only phone and text anyway. One of the teenagers I work with kindly said 'you will be OK with it, my granddad's got one' :rotfl:
Of course I hate it, but realise everyone goes through an expected, natural period of mourning when they get a new phone where they just want the old one back but I'll get over that soon enough!

Sat'day was a bit spendy - I had to go into Manchester which meant bus, train and tram fare. I forgot that my train tkt also covers use of trams -what a div! Will remember next time!
Went round to my friend's later, where I was fed, watered and thoroughly spoiled. Had a great night - we laughed our heads off from the minute I walked in the door, proper belly aching laughs. Can't buy that!

NSD Sunday but I ruthlessly went through the cupboards, fridge and freezer and meal planned. Was, as is my habit, going to do a 'big shop' today but I've held off and just spent £5ish on veggies. There is still plenty in the freezer and cupboards so hows about I go a bit mad, go a bit left-field and, y'know, actually EAT the stuff?!! No need to top up just yet!

So tuna salad sandwiches for dins and lasagne out of the freezer for tea with homemade coleslaw.

Also signed up to the Ipsos survey site - any thoughts on it from you guys?

Weather is lovely today. Giving me a lot more energy! Spring is in the air and I'm feeling.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR1bWhdoIXM

his_missus

SarahB, I assume your B&B room will have a kettle so what about taking some packets of instant noodles, pot noodles, cup-a-soup type foods? You could take some cereal in a tupperware for breakfast and buy a small carton of milk when you get there, perhaps. Maybe pack a bowl, fork and spoon too.
You could maybe buy some rolls and buy/take sandwich spread/pate type stuff for butties.

Not sure that's very helpful really, sorry, only ideas I could come up with.

SarahB1989_2

his_missus wrote: »

SarahB, I assume your B&B room will have a kettle so what about taking some packets of instant noodles, pot noodles, cup-a-soup type foods? You could take some cereal in a tupperware for breakfast and buy a small carton of milk when you get there, perhaps. Maybe pack a bowl, fork and spoon too.
You could maybe buy some rolls and buy/take sandwich spread/pate type stuff for butties.

Not sure that's very helpful really, sorry, only ideas I could come up with.

Thank you, that is really helpful! I hadn't thought about having a kettle to use! Used to eat instant pasta on camping trips so quite happy to have a few days of eating that and cup-a-soups.

skintygerlinky

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi folks, I am back at work again and up to my ears with development work to do so I haven't been on the thread as much as I would like. Just caught up with the last 4 pages of posts that I had missed.

Feb was a very unfrugal month for me and it looks like March will be much the same. OH and I have had a chat about money and from April we are going to aim to live on his wage alone and save my wage to see how we get on. I have decided to relaunch my massage therapy business and hope to start in a few weeks time taking clients. This is with a view to building it up over the next few months and years as a viable alternative career to teaching.

We did a shop today for the week and spent just over £18 which I am happy about.

Glad you're feeling a little better allie - especially as you're planning some alternatives to your current job if need be! Keep us posted on how your and your OH's new plan is working out.

lovefullshelves

SarahB - I'd agree on the 'just add boiling water' option. Especially cup a soups and rolls. Maybe some homemade cut and comeagain cake for those sweet need moments?
Ello Nargleblast
Well, this w/e was a bit spendy! A toy fair with OH on sunday and time to waste waiting for DS on sat meant time to mooch round shops! So I have new supportive trainers! (as these ones look like I've ran through a mud bath, and have lost their support, hence house trainers!)
On the plus side today was a NSD and I managed a full days work
And its 'Nile mince' for tea, the mince was given to me by a mate who said he didn't have room in his freezer and the quantity has been doubled with the judicious use of TVP! Add quite a bit of veg and I'm waiting to see just how many portions I can get!
2 tonight for me and OH, plain mince and tatties.
Shepherds pie tomorrow, which will be 4 portions
Then I'll see whats left and maybe make more potato than meat pasties! DS complains that he can't find the meat but he likes them just the same!
This month I'm putting the food budget on the kitchen noticeboard where everyone can see it. As a subtle hint I hope that food has to be paid for!
Teas ready bbs x
xx

Shortie

Evening all.

After a stock take of both freezers this weekend, I just sat down to do a mamouth multiple week menu plan. But I've managed one week but deciding to use up the housefreezer stuff first. It has gone well and some tasty dinnera in there

But I seem to have a bit of a block with the masses in the chest freezer... I've managed multiple week menu plans before but they're not flowing tonight so I won't force it. I'll keep the inventory and do next week's menu plan later this week instead..

I was thinking we'd be able to get food out of it for next pay month too (starts on 20th) but I'm starting to have my doubts. But still, let's see how we go :-)

Shortie

Actually, thinking ahead, we've got family staying this weekend so will pull out a pork joint with crackling that we bought for NY and didn't use.

Am hoping to have a nice chunk left over but other than extra slices for sarnis, and cubing for pasta bakes, slicing and freezing in gravy for another roast... what do others do with pork? I've never been a huge fan of pork (but will eat it) so I struggle for inspiration with leftovers?