Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Caterina

JackieO I am always puzzled (and delighted) for any roadkill find (or "doing a Reverbe" as we used to say in the old days of OS, in honour of Reverbe, an OSer who found extraordinary amounts of roadkill!). Ok, remembrance over LOL

But I was saying, I am always puzzled at how many people drop coins and don't bother picking them up, or see coppers and don't bother with them either.

Many years ago, when the kids were very young, around 7 or 8, I took DD and two of her friends to a mini break in Margate. The girls, both of prosperous middle class families, laughed when they saw me pick up the first penny from the pavement, said with scorn, it's just a penny.

I explained that it all adds up and by the end of our mini break I had found enough roadkill to buy them a mini candy bar each, in those times they cost only a few pence. That gave those two little princesses some food for thought, as well as a sugar rush!

skintmum2012

Hi everyone glad to see everyone is doing so well into the new year I have had 2 nsds so far this month alas have to spend money today my sons hair was to long so in the intrest of saving money I got a little scissor happy off to the barbers today. Approved food seems to cost me more money to be honest I buy loads of things I don't really need but want. Its a treat every now and again to shop their but I would not have it in my shopping budget.

Bobarella

A rainy day here so trying to find activities for a 6 year old with all the energy in the world. We've already been out feeding the wild birds in the park near us. He had a good cycle there and back but still is buzzing now we are home.
I think we'll bake a cake but after that we may well be back out in the rain for another go at defusing him

mrswive

Last year I picked up £19.36 off the street. 'How do I know?' you're asking yourselves. I'm afraid I'm really sad and have a spreadsheet pagefor all the extra/unearned money etc that comes my way ie. vouchers, roadkill, Yougov payout, premium bond wins and whatever else comes my way. Total for 2014 was...drum roll please...............£549.51 - not bad. As they say. little things really do add up!

CountingSheep

Hello,

Liking the thread. I sew, knit (badly and very slowly), crochet and cook - although I've become lazy.

I'm currently converting an old quilt cover - years old, gone at the edges - into a night dress, and then maybe some jim jams.

I'd really like to make some pot covers - trying to reduce our plastic use - I'm good with the circle but I have no idea how to finish so the edge is weighted. Any suggestions?

Cs

cheerfulness4

Countingsheep, do you means for jam pots? When I made some I just secured with an elastic band and a ribbon.
I like the covers that you pop over a glass when you're in the garden in the summer that stop bugs getting in your drink. Very useful. I think they are weighted by little beads.


JackieO I love my little cloths I hand hem from old sheets. I use them for all sorts of things. I even make some into hankies as I prefer those.

This roadkill idea seems most lucrative. I can see this is the way forward in expanding my Moneysaving Skills.

Ginny made me think of my mum when we were little. We'd definitely incur her wrath if we dare touch her dressmaking scissors. I thought what a fuss but now I understand why because mine got ruined.


I'm eyeing up a lovely blue gingham flannel sheet I have a wondering the possibilities. I had thought to cover some coathangers with it but maybe pyjamas might be a good idea. Ohh I just don't know. The fabric is gorgeous. £1 we paid for the sheet months ago.

cheerfulness4

Time to post my spends today on groceries. Another £3 added to my purse this morning bringing the total in there to £3.42.


Day 3
NSD:T:T:T:T:T

Money Spent Today - £0 Vouchers Spent - £0
Money Spent in Total - £5.58 Vouchers Spent in Total - £5
Money left in purse - £3.42 - Float left- £6.94/£15
Oct non-foods left- £11.65/£15


To save sausages I did the cut them in chunks trick. I prefer them like that anyway. Still wading through the excess Brussels in the fridge, not that its a bother because I love them.

Pulled out some YS steak for dinner tomorrow as a real treat. Will go the extra mile and make some HM onion rings to go with the rocket salad and grilled herby tomatoes we like. :drool:

After a really busy day running errands, delivering Grandkiddies to their daddy and visiting parents, I now intend to sit and watch a bit of tv and stitch some cloths. Bliss!

I might even research how to grow on the little 'baskets' (?) that have developed on my spider plant so I can have some more plants for the house.

Bobarella

mrswive wrote: »

Last year I picked up £19.36 off the street. 'How do I know?' you're asking yourselves. I'm afraid I'm really sad and have a spreadsheet pagefor all the extra/unearned money etc that comes my way ie. vouchers, roadkill, Yougov payout, premium bond wins and whatever else comes my way. Total for 2014 was...drum roll please...............£549.51 - not bad. As they say. little things really do add up!

well that is some impressive side hustling. Congrats!

cheerfulness4

When you gather all these roadkill finds or rewards/cashbacks etc, what do you all do with it? Spend it as you go along or save it for something planned?

We tend to save our vouchers for things that we need with the odd treat dropped in. Presents are often bought with them too.
One year when we were really skint we saved our vouchers and when we were on holiday, in a self catering house with wifi with my parent, we ordered a few lovely things to go home to. I'd won these Amazon vouchers so we deliberately saved some for our hols after we'd bought the things we really needed. It was like holiday cash and we enjoyed ourselves cruising the site and choosing some lovely things for us all.


Completely changing subject and thinking again about my birdhouse renovations, get a look at this beauty from Pinterest.





There are some incredibly talented folk around I think. I'd love something like this.
Might be getting a bit ahead of myself.

ejbg2001

Hi all, just been reading the thread and it's awesome.

I try to make do and mend, but I usually end up hoarding things to roundtuit until OH starts making noises about clutter and cost. I sew slowly (well fast sewing but takes soooo long to get to that point for me lol) and crochet occasionally, cook when I have cleaned the kitchen sides down and craft when I get the inspiration. I prefer to mend, esp clothes where possible, but OH and MIL are mostly the "chuck it and buy new" school. It does cause probs, especially when I buy lots more charidee shop clothes than I could wear or have space for, or go a little wild on fabric discounts that will take me years to make up, but I had so little growing up (one of 6 kids in a single parent family) that I now overcompensate (of course I recognise that now, only taken 20-odd years).

The only thing I have repair issues with are bras, all those darn pesky underwires wearing thru the plastic ends and then the fabric. I have mended knickers by hand and I made a winter skirt out of a donated jumper last year and I invested in a local education sewing class to help me understand patterns, so I have made to date a tunic top, two pairs of trousers and two vest tops and I am currently making a smart military jacket and trousers suit with a special deal Linton Tweed. I have been making it for 2 terms so I'm going to feel pretty good when I finally finish it, but I only do it in class to make sure I don't mess it up as I can't get any more of that tweed.

Tomorrow will be cleaning day, then I should have space to start crafting again woooohoo!!:T