2015 Frugal Living Challenge

viv0147

I have a large fridge freezer and a chest freezer and I have just completed an inventory of the contents there is only one word for it unbelievable! So my quest is to empty both before buying anymore except for fresh produce. My next job is to do an inventory of my stock cupboards I reckon I won't hardly have to do any shopping for the next 4 months at least. I have put all my freezer contents on a spreadsheet and as I use them I will tick them off, my plan is when both freezers are empty I will defrost them and then do a massive shop and have it all delivered, and from that time I will be able to know the dates of the food as it enters the freezer because at the moment I haven't got a clue lol.

sazzlebgood

DD1 decided she wants to make some fudge/ toffee for her friends birthday party. Off to sainsbob and i feel she's come back a little wiser for her trip as i said i wasn't paying for the ingredents. She downbranded but still came away £10 lighter as she's had to start from scratch. Felt really hard hearted:eek: but feel at 12 years old she needs to learn money doesn't grow on trees. We did have an interesting talk on the way home about if she really enjoys making it she could sell it to relatives etc to make some pocket money.

nannygladys

Still feeling very frugal as I haven't spent anything yet, but that will change come Monday or Tuesday as I will start to need basics. I took the Xmas tree down yesterday and sorted out a couple of bags of Xmas goodies for 2 dd's, if I open the box of biscuits I just know I would eat them all!!!! So all goody bits in carriers and in the car for when I see them. Starting to crave shep pie which I think I will make next week and ordinary food not Xmas stuff. It'll be nice to eat plainer food again.

Worked today and as I'm still under the weather I slept for a couple of hours this afternoon, working tomorrow and Monday and then have a couple of days off, looking after dgd, who is a little love.

So off to make a cup of coffee and then back to bed I think.
Nannyg

Mrs_Cheshire

Very frugal day here, took the kids for a walk/scoot in the rain to the local library to pick up a book, took drinks and snacks with us. Had food from stores for lunch and tea.
NSD no 3 this year so far!

maria3104

Not a fantastic frugal day here, but not got anything that is not in budget. Grocery delivery so am now up to £59.16 for Jan. Well on target for Jan.

Got some books from charity shop, some Christmas cards for 2016 that were half price and also a tree for 2016. All were in my list.

Now this week, my quilting equipment should arrive and I can start my new crafting activity. The idea being that whilst doing this it will help me break the shopping habit. That said my whole personal spend last year including groceries was £7800, fed up to 5 a day and never went on holiday. Spent a frightening amount on knitting wool! Lets see if quilting is going to cheaper.

YORKSHIRELASS

I am looking at those slow cooker recipes, thanks COOLTRIKERCHICK. One of my plans is to start cooking properly from scratch again as I have started to get lazy, using jars and packets of sauces rather than making my own. Today I cooked a double portion of stewing beef and made half into a pie with chips for tea and the other half to freeze.

Its been a frugal day here, although after shopping yesterday and buying DS a few bits of clothes from A*da (which were needed) I have had to juggle the budget a bit.

I am envious of those who have full freezers and cupboards. Mine are almost bare! DS wanted to make an omlette today but we only have 1 egg. We have enough to tide us over until Monday though when I will have a trip to L*dl.

lynnejk

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE


It's taken me ages to read through all the posts and welcome to all the new peoples on board now :hello:


Can't reply to all the posts/questions but just a few things to add :-


If you want to know how much electricity it costs to run something a useful site is www.sust-it.net/energy-calculator


I have a small 'worktop' oven which is ideal for 1/2 person bakes and also a combination oven/micro which is perfect for just re-heating pastry, browning or roasting veggies/potatoes


If you want to batch-bake for the freezer almost anything goes so long as covered in sauce or gravy. Most veggies/fruit can be blanched and tray frozen, although some lose texture. I also freeze any left-overs in a separate box and when enough make soups. I use labelled bags, placed in freezer boxes to freeze so get nice square shapes, then can re-use the boxes for next things.


I'm still working on my budget which I hope to finish tomorrow.


Hope you all enjoying your weekend
Lx

truebluemummy

naturaljazz wrote: »

Regarding the Card Warehouse, I typed it in google and it came up as Card Factory. They do online cards, free p&p by the look of it, so I will order cards for next years birthdays and a few get well types. I think it would be good for me to be ready and dates in the diary etc. I will spend less if I am prepared.
I wonder if they are the same company?

I tend to get most of my cards from card factory, they usually do 10 cards £1
And if you want specific ones they vary due to size either 59p, 79p, 89p, or 99p. Hth xx😎

truebluemummy

Hi everyone, would love to join in...just read through all the posts and picked up some tips which I will put into practice when I am feeling better. We had roast beef on Friday and dh put the rest in the slow cooker for stew I had a small bowl tonight which was lovely. Happy new year to you all, and I hope 2015 is good to us all. Xx ��

Bambywamby

Wombatchops wrote: »

Morning all. Was very naughty yesterday, we went shopping yesterday to look for tandem buggies, the kids were acting up, so DH persuaded me to have dinner out while we out (a pizza restaurant). It was very nice, but not budgeted for. Am I still allowed to stay in the challenge?

I have a question for you (I know I keep asking them, but you've all been so helpful so far). Baby number three is coming on 19th Jan, so want to batch cook and freeze some meals in preparation. I've already got tomato and pepper soup, chilli con carne, spag bol, lasagne, and cottage pie on my list. Does anyone have any other frugal ideas?

Aww a lovely new baby... what a special start to the year.


Roast a couple of chickens and make chicken stew, sweet and sour, curry, mediterranean chicken, a few slices of chicken for a roast etc.