2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Ceres3

The cutting food costs challenge continues, there is so much food stockpiled for xmas and given as gifts in the fridge, freezer and larder. I want to see how long we can go without buying food! Three days into the challenge and I have fed 6 or 7 people very well for those 3 days on what we had in the house. If I don't do a weeks shopping that's £140 saved towards the new bigger mortgage we have to take out this coming year, a lot of food used up and nothing wasted!

mum2one

DawnW wrote: »

Just sent OH out in search of a bag of spuds and some chimney rods and brushes. DD2 is taking her LO to the doctors and is popping in on her way home, and I don't want to be out when she comes. Poor little baby has her first cold, nothing serious I am sure but she is only 5 weeks old and finding it hard to suck

For me today, alongside cuddling poorly DGD:

Xmas decs to put away and tree outside
Put more items on ebay, for small biz this time
Sort out banks etc
Make a choc and banana cake (Nigel S's recipe) to use up squishy bananas.
Dinner tonight, roasted haunch of venison from the freezer, which I have marinating in red wine, herbs etc at the moment, along with leeks from the garden, roast potatoes and whatever other vegetables are lurking in the bottom of the fridge.

Spending diary begins tomorrow (and will include the Direct Debits for bills which leave my main account on the first of each month) :eek:

Hope dgd is ok, sure snuggles will help, could I be cheeky and ask for the recipie, got some bananas that need using up xx

DawnW

Well, due to cuddling DGD all morning to give mum a break, I have failed on the banking, ebaying and venison roasting tasks (we had smoked salmon sarnies instead). I will cook the venison tomorrow, it is back in the fridge for now, in its marinade.

Nigel's chocolate muscovado banana cake is however made, and slices eaten - probably shouldn't type out the recipe, but can link from here:

http://www.redonline.co.uk/food/recipes/nigel-slater-chocolate-muscovado-banana-cake

It is lovely, and really easy to make. I just use the cheap plain chocolate bars from Lidl's (but not "cooking chocolate" as it bears very little resemblance to chocolate IMO)

Happy New Year!

Frugalsod

DawnW wrote: »

Well, due to cuddling DGD all morning to give mum a break, I have failed on the banking, ebaying and venison roasting tasks (we had smoked salmon sarnies instead). I will cook the venison tomorrow, it is back in the fridge for now, in its marinade.

Nigel's chocolate muscovado banana cake is however made, and slices eaten - probably shouldn't type out the recipe, but can link from here:

http://www.redonline.co.uk/food/recipes/nigel-slater-chocolate-muscovado-banana-cake

It is lovely, and really easy to make. I just use the cheap plain chocolate bars from Lidl's (but not "cooking chocolate" as it bears very little resemblance to chocolate IMO)

Happy New Year!

I am so nicking that!

mum2one

Frugalsod wrote: »

I am so nicking that!

it looks gorgeous xxx

zafiro1984

Frugal New Years resolutions.

1) I am going to light the woodburner in the kitchen every day and cook on it as it has an attached oven and two hotplates. I've tried it for a week and it's saved me an average of 5 units of electric a day. Also the central heating doesn't come on in the daytime so I'll be saving on oil as well and the wood doesn't cost me anything.

2) Turn off the computer when I'm not using it. I tend to leave it on 24/7 but only use it for 2-3 hrs a day.

3) Only shop when I need something.

4) Bulk buy non-food items, and items that are not 'interesting' like pasta, soup,
Bulk bought some Ecover washing up liquid today. £1.50p instead of £2.25 so bought 20 - should last me for almost a year. Also, it's the very first time ever, I've walked into a supermarket, ignored all the food isles and walked straight to the item I wanted, bought it, and walked out - that's a huge achievement for me. I've made a column on my spread sheet into which I enter 'money saved' by bulk buying. It will be interesting to see how much I can save over the months.

5) Both of us are going on a diet starting Jan 2nd - so that should be a saving. We're starting off with 'smaller plates' as I think we live reasonably healthy but the portion sizes are just too large.

wilf55

Hi. Please can I join ......just sick of wasting money. X

Coulddobetter

Happy New Year to all
We had a great night with friends and it was a NSD, everything was taken from fridge or freezer. I even have enough meat left to freezer for another supper with other friends later on in Jan. I made a chocolate torte and we have only eaten half of it so again the freezer will be used. Not only am I saving money but time for later in the month. Yippee!!!!
OH and I have made a pack that we will only buy essentials in 2014 including clothes. We both have enough stuff. I am looking at getting rid of 365 things out of my house in 2014.
I feel so inspired, hope it continues.
CDB xx

alja

Happy new year to you all! I usually spend this evening quite a few miles away from home with friends, but this year decided to spend it with family who live within walking distance. As much as I missed my friends tonight, it does mean I saved a substantial amount of money, as it would have cost at least £25 in petrol alone, let alone the fancy dress outfit I would have needed to buy along with extra drinks and food etc!!

I plan to see them in a few months anyway, so I'm pleased I have at least started the year on a saving foot! Well, it's about time I got some sleep but I'm very excited and ready to make 2014 one very frugal year

Frugalsod

zafiro1984 wrote: »

Frugal New Years resolutions.

1) I am going to light the woodburner in the kitchen every day and cook on it as it has an attached oven and two hotplates. I've tried it for a week and it's saved me an average of 5 units of electric a day. Also the central heating doesn't come on in the daytime so I'll be saving on oil as well and the wood doesn't cost me anything.

2) Turn off the computer when I'm not using it. I tend to leave it on 24/7 but only use it for 2-3 hrs a day.

3) Only shop when I need something.

4) Bulk buy non-food items, and items that are not 'interesting' like pasta, soup,
Bulk bought some Ecover washing up liquid today. £1.50p instead of £2.25 so bought 20 - should last me for almost a year. Also, it's the very first time ever, I've walked into a supermarket, ignored all the food isles and walked straight to the item I wanted, bought it, and walked out - that's a huge achievement for me. I've made a column on my spread sheet into which I enter 'money saved' by bulk buying. It will be interesting to see how much I can save over the months.

5) Both of us are going on a diet starting Jan 2nd - so that should be a saving. We're starting off with 'smaller plates' as I think we live reasonably healthy but the portion sizes are just too large.

1) I cannot do. No wood supply or wood stove.

2) I turn one computer off when not used and the other is actually running 24/7. Though the screen is turned off.

3) I already do but I do get sidetracked by the clearance bins.

4) I love my big bulk buy shops. At the moment I still have three Tesco crates with items to eat. I think that will keep me going for another couple of months at least. It also cuts down the delivery charges as I only do such a shop 3 or 4 times a year, all for £3 a time. Car wear and tear and petrol would cost more than that.

5) I have cut down the food portions and lost nearly 3kg in the week prior to Christmas. Only 0.5kg above my pre Christmas weight so should be back below it by the end of the week.