2014 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

OH has had other styles of LED bulbs from Costc0 over the last couple of years - some for his house, some for his Mum (his stealthy way of trying to help her out with her utility bills ), and has been happy with all of them in terms of cost of buying, cost of running and brightness in use. Certainly a place worth a look if you have access

quidsy

Just looking at their online store & they have some really good deals. Hopefully replicated in store

cw18

Generally cheaper in store if they have the same items

alja

I managed to sell another two items via fb yesterday. Two items out £13 in going to see what else I can list today. I think I have another coat that can go on.


Yesterday I grabbed a few Christmas presents. I bought a big notepad for my mum in the Mr T clearance, from £8 down to £2. And then a smaller one from £2.50 to £1.50. I bought a few other items for mum and dad too but they were just usually priced unfortunately!


This is a little naughty, but I have just looked up how much my friend has spent on another friend of ours' birthday present. £12.75. £8 for a book with little notepads inside (like mini post-it types in different sizes), £2 for a pen and then £2.75 for the card. A lovely present, but I'm so glad I don't spend that much on pressies and always seek out little bargains to put away. It's made me realise how much I'm saving if I was to spend about the same amount.


My present for that friend is coming to roughly about £3.35, but you'd never tell £2 for a bayliss & h set (originally about £8 I think - this is quite a substantial set with bath crystals, body wash, body butter and hand and body lotion - bought from the coop when they were clearing some out a few months ago), a little blue and white polka dot notepad (£1 from whsmith), a montagne jeunesse chocolate lip balm that I received for free from a friend's competition win (normally £2.99), a pretty pack of tissues (about 25p) and then finally a 10p birthday card (10 for £1 pack from Tesco) I hate spending too much on cards, as much as some can look really pretty, it's like throwing my money in the bin when the person chucks the card away.

Frugaldom

On the LED topic, I switched earlier this year but had to shop online, as no shops here. I went via topcashback and LED Hut, where they had 25% off at the time. Still need to change the kitchen strip light at some point but it has all made a difference to the overall electricity consumption, which means the bulbs will have paid for themselves by next year, including all the spares I bought.

Kitchen & cloakroom makeovers almost complete and less than £50 spent.

cw18

I've got a load of 'normal' energy efficient bulbs to use before I switch the rest of the house to LEDs (bought a 10 pack from Costc0 earlier this year). Only changed the kitchen over as they're a different fitting (the only recessed lights I have, and also the only screw in ones) so I've not kept spares in since I ditched the basic R80 bulbs.

Mrs_Cheshire

Still no heating on downstairs yet, the draught measures at the front and back doors seem to be doing the trick.
My sister has lent us a memory foam topper to help with my back, as we were considering a new mattress but giving the topper a go first. Seems to be working so far and also keeping us nice and warm.
All our bulbs except the kitchen are low energy ones, they seem to last years and years and we have a good stock of them in the cupboards. The kitchen lights aren't as bright as they need to be really, so need to look into alternatives. May have to get a different fitting as it doesn't illuminate the bits I need it to in the winter.

Busymumofthreeplusdog

Frugaldom wrote: »

On the LED topic, I switched earlier this year but had to shop online, as no shops here. I went via topcashback and LED Hut, where they had 25% off at the time. Still need to change the kitchen strip light at some point but it has all made a difference to the overall electricity consumption, which means the bulbs will have paid for themselves by next year, including all the spares I bought.

Kitchen & cloakroom makeovers almost complete and less than £50 spent.

Thanks for the tip. Been meaning to buy LED bulbs online for ages. had looked out for bargains in store but range very poor. LED hut is currently doing VAT free till end Oct and I went through tpcashback. Although total was a bit eye watering :eek: as I had quite a few to replace I'm happy with the savings.
Cheers!
Busy

COOLTRIKERCHICK

morning all,


I know I only post now and again, but I love this thread... there are 3 threads I call home lol this one, the SHTF on the os board, and the daydream thread on the greenfingered board..


I never send cards now, not even to my kids...( now 18 and nearly 20) why should I send cards to say happy birthday or merry chrimble when I can say it to their faces...


I haven't even send a Christmas card to friends in years....


Te$co have got their 3kg bags of pasta on offer for £2.. until the 11th November, so might stock up on a few of them as they work out at approx. 33p for 500gms, and the ones in lidl are 45p for a 500gm bag..


I very rarely go into Te$co now, and bloody heck I was soooo shocked at the prices... or is this a ploy.. where all the prices are hiked up, so they can put them back down again ready for the Christmas advertising offers etc??? I have been thinking this for the last few years.

cw18

Thanks for the heads up on the pasta - I've not been checking it as I got one on that deal not many weeks ago. But as I've finished the only other I had in the house (and I can get through a lot of pasta due to having it for lunches, and with DS1 not liking potatoes very much I often do pasta with casseroles) it'll be well worth me picking up a few more - especially as I have a double points voucher valid for another couple of weeks