Live on a tenner a week ???

vodkawitch1

I really like Ilona`s blog, very inspirational.

meritaten

I couldn't do it on a tenner a week - but then I don't live right by a supermarket that apparently has YS bargains every night!
in fact my favourite supermarket (Aldee) rarely YS's anything! I could probably do £20 a week for just myself -but OH loves his food and we can afford it, so my spend per week (and I include stuff I get in for the grandkids) is around £45 to £50 per week - oh and I would say that includes non food items too!

[Deleted User]

VfM4
Us east-end gals have to stick together :):) Madeira is doable I guess :):)

Bucketing down here in wet 'n'windy Kent so its a stay-indoors-by-the-fire day for me.Feet up and coffee and book at the ready. :):)

pigpen

PasturesNew wrote: »

I did think the underpants "tip" a bit bizarre. I get mine in packs of 3-5 for about £3-5 and so far the last lot I've got've lasted 10 years +.

Maybe other people do more stuff in their underpants than I do....I just wear them.

I got 9 pairs for £3 .. Matalan 3-4-2 offer and a sale on!!

Its fine I guess if you can go shopping at 7:30pm, have transport that you can legally drive and aren't too picky on what you pick up.

I have children to put to bed at that time.. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that!
I don't drive so going to the shop is an utter ordeal
I wouldn't choose to eat 90% of the reduced stuff.. ours all seems to be ready meals, popped yoghurts and really expensive meat with 2p off and cheaper to buy stuff with longer dates as part of the offers available!

However, in the last month I have provided Christmas dinner etc and fed 9 everyday, usually more for just under £350 .. I have a weekly veg/fruit box £25-30 2 huge sacks of potatoes £12 and 60 FR eggs £7, £65 of meat from the butcher, and a tiny Tesco order for tinned and frozen stuff £105.. the rest is top ups of bread and milk from the corner shop. ... I also provided coffee and tea for my guests!! I think asking them to bring their own is disgustingly rude! unless they want something fancy I suppose.

C_J

I read Ilona's blog from time to time, and I am full of admiration for the way she chooses to live her life - she has worked out what her own priorities are, and lives according to her own choices. She comes across as a very pleasant and interesting lady and she seems really happy with her lot, which is surely very important.

I may not wish to take my own moneysaving to the same level as her, but I have picked up a few tips from her blog or MSE posts and for that I am grateful

tessie_bear

i adore Ilonas blog...love her realness what she says she does...unlike other frugal bloggers whos preachy message is you live on nothing and feel bad if you fail....i on the other hand will buy everything i want including a second house

purpleivy

I was wondering about the pants tip....but went to the RVS cafe while waiting for DD this afternoon. There was a Daily Mirror on the table, so I leafed through it while having my cuppa. It had the whole list of thrifty tips. I used to read her blogs, but they were too interesting (when she went walking here and there with lovely photos!) so I stopped.

I'm not sure I would discourage visitors as they might not find my house warm enough. Nor would I expect that they might bring their own tea bag!

Softstuff

My guess about the tea, though obviously this is speculation, is that Ilona doesn't drink it so doesn't have it in. Previously I had the same rule about coffee, since we didn't drink it you had the choice of tea, water or bring your own. Buying a jar of coffee often meant it was stale when only a few spoons had been taken and it was a huge waste. Now I have more regular coffee drinkers here, I drink it too and provide it. We took tea bags to a friends house with no gripes, she drinks only coffee or herbal tea, we like black teas.

THIRZAH

My youngest DD doesn't drink coffee so I always take some with me when I visit and I try to remember to bring any that's left home-otherwise it just goes solid in the jar and is wasted.

Upsidedown_Bear

Softstuff wrote: »

My guess about the tea, though obviously this is speculation, is that Ilona doesn't drink it so doesn't have it in. Previously I had the same rule about coffee, since we didn't drink it you had the choice of tea, water or bring your own. Buying a jar of coffee often meant it was stale when only a few spoons had been taken and it was a huge waste. Now I have more regular coffee drinkers here, I drink it too and provide it. We took tea bags to a friends house with no gripes, she drinks only coffee or herbal tea, we like black teas.

Your guess is correct
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=69990500&postcount=23