2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Busymumofthreeplusdog

OH loves holidays! If it was up to him we would live abroad( I don't think he gets the bit about the fact we would need to work too!). I'm happy to potter about and would love to cut our holiday budget severely. The one time I did take charge and say we weren't going abroad I booked a caravan ( very nice it was too) up north but it rained every day and there wasn't that much to do locally. I did managed to keep us within the budget I'd set for the week but the kids still refer to it as the terrible holiday! OH would go all inclusive abroad for 2 weeks every 4 months if I let him.

lynnejk

Picklepot wrote: »

Would like to ask what ys'ou all think about sending cards and gifts to family who never respond or who's relatives say a thank you on their behalf but they recipient doesn't contact?
I cant decide whether i am being really horrible questioning this or just being realistic?

I think that you're being realistic. I think they are being very rude and ungrateful not to contact you with a 'thanks'. A card to show you've remembered their special day/Christmas/whatever is more than enough in this situation

lovefullshelves wrote: »

I was wondering, does everyone have a 'proper' holiday? We never have, we just have days out in the summer. Am I really, really mean?!
Off to make a cuppa x

We didn't used to have a 'holiday' as were running own business and then later on didn't have the money. Last two years we have taken a long holiday in Jan/Feb to get some winter sun and warmth (live in Scotland !) and otherwise don't get many days free together due to working commitments. Also much cheaper then and you save money on heating your home here We are having an extra week in September this year to visit my son :j


Have opened one of the new TSB current accounts as they pay 5% on it as long as you pay in £500 a month - also can apparently have 2 of these if you want


Hope you all have a marvellous Monday
Lx

supersaver1000

ALJA wrote: »

Thank you! I always forget about that place! I'll definitely have a look in there next. I also have a bit of money on a M&S gift card, so it might be worth a look in there too. Good luck with your job!

Sorry for late response, I've subscribed to too many threads this month so its taking me a while to get through But I was in the same position last year and bought some new dresses from TK Maxx in my local town. Then I discovered that they have a website so you can buy online. Although, I discovered that what the clothes look like online can appear very different when they turn up - the fabrics can be very thin - so what I tend to do is have a look online, then go into the store to see if I can spot it, then if I like the look of it and they don't have my size I'll go online and order. Its free delivery over £50 and you can return in store for free (otherwise you have to pay the postage yourself). I bought a few dresses last year, although you may live nearer a much better TK Maxx than me? I went to the Sheffield store last summer and was amazed at the choice of clothes, sizes and the much better lay out - my local store is definitely more like a jumble sale! (I had a quick look on quidco and there isn't any cashback, but a page appeared advertising a £20 TK Maxx gift card available soon from Asda Direct with 3% cashback - may be worth looking out for).

Just_be_2

Anybody got an alternative recipe to pasta bake from a jar? I tried with passata and a few other things but it just didn't have the same consistency. My little girl loves a pasta bake but I hate paying on average £1.50 per jar (and that's on offer!) that's before I factor in chicken/tuna and veg/salad! Any advice appreciated!

Ches

lovefullshelves wrote: »

I agree Picklepot, a card would suffice, as past 18 they should be earning! At my age I'm just glad to get a card! ->A<- card!!
Today has been most idle but i have been nowhere and therefore spent nothing!
Tomorrow we're off to pick up some free seed potatoes:D yay! My rainbow chard is up too:)
I was wondering, does everyone have a 'proper' holiday? We never have, we just have days out in the summer. Am I really, really mean?!
Off to make a cuppa x

Picklepot I stopped buying gifts when I thought the childen were old enough to say thank you for themselves and the parents never did.

Loveshelves we have proper holidays in fact we have more than most people we know but thats the reason for me being frugal in other ways. Can only spend money once and after the bills its nice holidays for us.

alja

supersaver1000 wrote: »

Sorry for late response, I've subscribed to too many threads this month so its taking me a while to get through But I was in the same position last year and bought some new dresses from TK Maxx in my local town. Then I discovered that they have a website so you can buy online. Although, I discovered that what the clothes look like online can appear very different when they turn up - the fabrics can be very thin - so what I tend to do is have a look online, then go into the store to see if I can spot it, then if I like the look of it and they don't have my size I'll go online and order. Its free delivery over £50 and you can return in store for free (otherwise you have to pay the postage yourself). I bought a few dresses last year, although you may live nearer a much better TK Maxx than me? I went to the Sheffield store last summer and was amazed at the choice of clothes, sizes and the much better lay out - my local store is definitely more like a jumble sale! (I had a quick look on quidco and there isn't any cashback, but a page appeared advertising a £20 TK Maxx gift card available soon from Asda Direct with 3% cashback - may be worth looking out for).

I will definitely pop into tkmaxx next time I head to a shopping centre. I live between two stores, each roughly the same difference away, so I'll check them both out!

SarahB1989_2

Just_be wrote: »

Anybody got an alternative recipe to pasta bake from a jar? I tried with passata and a few other things but it just didn't have the same consistency. My little girl loves a pasta bake but I hate paying on average £1.50 per jar (and that's on offer!) that's before I factor in chicken/tuna and veg/salad! Any advice appreciated!

Either Colmans or Swartz do a packet mix for tuna pasta bake that's around 50p on offer or less than a pound full price. Needs milk to make up the sauce so not sure it works out much cheaper on the whole though...

alja

NSD for me today, not a lot to report. Went to work as usual.

Think I'll spend the evening adding to my survey website points!

My friends have just said about going for a meal tomorrow evening, which will be lovely. Just had a look at the menu and I think I'll opt for the lasagne (one of the cheapest meals but obviously still yummy!) at £8.95, which will help to keep the pennies in check a little bit! Thankfully I can walk to the restaurant, so no travelling costs and a few calories burnt too!

DawnW

Holidays - hmm, can't really be doing with them myself

We are happy to visit friends at home or abroad, often go out for days, and have the odd weekend away, but 'proper' holidays, no thanks. Not sure why - I have had to travel a lot for work, and we just like being at home. And I HATE all the hassle at airports with a passion! Not keen on hotels / resorts either

I'm not really a misery, honest :rotfl:

On the frugal front, not spent anything today with personal money except for the train fare to work, but OH collected our auction lots and paid for those :eek:

We finished off leftovers from the weekend for lunch and supper - well, I did cook quite a lot! So, I had soup and OH had leftover hotpot for lunch, and we finished off smoked trout pate with hot buttered toast this evening

Might have coffee and cake in a minute

lovefullshelves

Oh dawn at least its not just me, I miss my favourite cup too much I think!
Just be - I use aldi cream cheese with herbs and garlic and a pint of homemade pasta sauce (tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil), fairly good creamy tomato pasta bake. As half of it is homegrown it costs about 50p! (for me)
Well, the april challenge is working. OH gave me £100 towards groceries today. Although I have over £40 in the food pot still:) I do believe they are thinking about how much things cost a bit more.
And I got a trailer load of free potato seed today that has saved me alot of money!
Altogether a good frugal day. Didn't spend a penny!