Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

jk0

good_advice wrote: »

Hi everyone
Today is the first day of saving the 1kg empty marg tubs for planting seeds in.
Last year we found these large tubs so usefull for tomato, beans, marigolds and other seeds.
When planting out is done we then bin them.

Anyone tried using egg boxes? I'd have thought those were better for drainage, plus could be cut up and planted out without disturbing roots.

GreyQueen

jk0 wrote: »

Anyone tried using egg boxes? I'd have thought those were better for drainage, plus could be cut up and planted out without disturbing roots.

I have.

I can report that they're too small for a lot of things and that the spoonful of compost which each cell holds dries out very quickly and that the opposite side of the equation is that they go mouldy as well.

I have brought egg boxes back from the parental homestead but those are to be used from the middle of next month to stand the seed potatoes upright for chitting - they're just the ticket for that.

tooties

Good evening,

Prinz
your knitted hat is great!!!!
Very well done


Regards

savingqueen

Pleased to report have done a few sewing jobs today - 2 PE bags mended, 1 pair school trousers hemmed, 1 pair of work trousers mended, 1 school jumper mended and 1 cap with Velcro that had lost its sticky sorted - had no black Velcro so got perfect fit on DS10's head and then simply sewed the two Velcro straps shut. Yes his head might grow but then I can always unpick and resew!
Another layer of The Pile gone!
Frugal meal dished up to my lot - YS pork joint and used up old veg in slowcooker served with rice. I thought they would moan as it wasn't my best effort but they are all loved it (though I wasn't keen)
I want to do a few basic sewing and knitting projects, talking beginners stuff but until The Pile has gone, I am not allowing myself to start.

Winter_Phoenix

There was a good article in the Sunday paper a week ago (by Jeremy Clarkson of all people!), about Americans who prepare for the end of civilisation by building underground concrete bunkers and arming themselves to the teeth with guns.

His conclusion was that they were wasting their time if all they could do was shoot people who tried to get into their bunkers. Those who would survive post-apocalypse, would have skills such as cheesemaking, beekeeping, growing onions, making string. "A little old lady in a cottage in Devon who has spent her life making do and mending - she'll be fine."

I can't imagine Clarkson doing much make-do-and-mend, but at least he's endorsing those of us who do!

cheerfulness4

Glad you decided to start posting Wannabgood.

The one time you couldn't argue with Clarkson. The day had to happen!

Many of us seem to have these stashes of wool/fabrics that we've not found a use for yet. I'm like Sammy and have clothes, bedding and fabrics waiting for their moment to shine.

Like SavingQueen I've got all these ideas but I won't start them until I've cleared the decks so to speak of the priorities that need doing first.
And now I've a knitted hat to add to all the other projects I can't wait to begin. Thanks for that Prinzess. :p

I'm in danger of overload as I think to myself, must save those marg tubs for sowing my herbs, must make a spreadsheet for my freebie monies, must ........

A plan Is needed to break it into manageable, enjoyable little lumps. So here we go for tomorrow.
After a quick flick round the house when DH has gone off for his 12 hr shift, filling the washer and defrosting tea...

Repair the hole in my poncho.
Renew the bias binding on my old apron and make new ties.
Repair the last of my knickers.


If there's any time left after that (I'm slow if the TV's good) I shall inventory the freezer contents and check the understairs stores. I really need that space there now for other things.

The minimise part of my challenge regarding grocery spending is going well. Got a lovely little haul of YS's today which I'll post later. Very happy. :D

ejbg2001

Cheerful that tea looks yummy!

Black Cat, I try and throw OH sox away too, but either he intercepts them or I do my usual hoarding trick and put them in the "craft room" to be made into fingerless gloves or sock toys, or just chopped up and used for rags/stuffing. Needless to say with my variety of ideas but slowness in starting things (let alone finishing) means that my craft room is very full of stuff that OH despairs at.

Got one of those big One-Slipper things for Xmas and it started to part at one of the seams so I repaired it as it keeps my feet toasty in an evening. Yay!!

No cleaning done today, feeling low and OH is having really bad mental health day today to make things worse. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day.

ginnyknit

Curtains turned up, apron made and cushion cover now hs Dgs's initial sewn on, just needs running round the edges - am pleased I got myself in gear.

cheerfulness4

Sorry to hear todays been a difficult one, ejbg. A little bit of mending like that can at least give you a little positive moment in an otherwise tricky day, can't it? Tomorrow is only a few hours away.

Did my 'spends for today' total. After adding £3 to my purse this morning to add to the £3.42 already in there (due to my NSD yesterday YAY) I had £6.42 available.


Day 4
Money Spent Today - £5.29 Vouchers Spent - £0
Money Spent in Total - £10.87 Vouchers Spent in Total - £5
Money left in purse - £1.13 - Float left- £6.94/£15
Oct non-foods left- £11.65/£15

Here's what I got for my money. :j



The five little pizzas @ 5p each are for my son. He'll have those when he doesn't eat with us. The 2x pork pies@ 29p will had with salad for tea one night.
The long rolls @ 35p are for hot dog night. The huge pasta box @ 25p we will have with our lunches. (mum coming to lunch and she'll love that)
3x milk @ £3 should last the week.
A finally MY smoked salmon. Wooopeee. I waited and they knocked it down today to a price I COULD afford. :T
2x whiskey smoked salmon @ 45p each (from £4.99 each :eek: ) and 1x smoked salmon and cream cheese crescents @ 25p (from £3.99)

The crescents are a treat for me to enjoy. The lads don't like them. The smoked salmon is frozen and will be enjoyed with scrambled eggs for 'treat myself' breakfasts etc. I intend to look for other recipes when I feel like a little indulgence is needed.

I may have missed out on certain little luxuries by waiting for the reductions but I'm so glad I waited. We got chocolatey treats and now yummy savoury treats.
We might not have much money but we certainly eat well. :T

Goodness, Ginny. You're putting me to shame. Talk about in the zone. Go you!

savingqueen

well done cheerfulness, lovely treats for a lovely price, enjoy!