Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2017

Broomstick

I've decided that, every time I pop in and look at this thread, I'll take it as a reminder to mmm something I've been procrastinating about. I've just popped a bit of insulating tape around my computer cable where the outside covering had been melted by the fan heater (don't ask) but the inside wires were still safely insulated. It's a job I've been meaning to do for months.

A tip that's useful, can't remember if I've mentioned it in the past, is always to have a couple of needles threaded up with black/dark and white thread so that if you spot a quick repair or a button has fallen off, you can do something about it instantly.

Bx

hollysnan

Morning everyone,
I need to minimise my clothes.
I have lost alot of weight through ill health so that is the plan to start and go through each drawer and wardrobe and get rid of anything that does not fit.
We have lots of food in the cupboards, freezer and fridge.
So we need to use some of that up before we buy more.
Since I became ill my OH who is retired as taken over cooking as I could not do it.
Hes very good at it, I dont eat much at all since becoming ill.
I have a few things that need mending so that is on the list for today.

Floss

I have just minimised some left-over wine with my left-overs lunch while watching left-over tv!

I am in the middle of making do & minimising in our back bedroom / dressing room. We have a rowing machine which both DH and I want to use regularly, so I need to make space for it to live, that isn't right in the centre of the room!

Mending will be fixing a couple of hems & loose buttons, when I've finished the clear-out upstairs.

silvasava

Mistara - thank you for starting the new thread to keep us all motivated! Thiftwizard - your quilting looks beautiful.
I need to make a couple of new cushion covers for our bedroom - the black silky ones are looking very tired and faded now but I will be able to reuse the pads. This year I am trying to be very objective over our current and future lifestyle (DH & I both in our early 70's) so I want to simplify and declutter some more and be realistic over our choices - proably easier to say than do but I'm sure you will all help me on my way

osbornbiscuit

Well I have managed to minimise all those recipes that you see in magazines, tear out never to make. I have been ruthless and have managed to store the recipes in two plastic folders. Indexed them so that I can see whether I have made them and then will throw out again at the end of the year if there is no comment attached to the folder. Also managed to minimise my huge wool stash by knitting two burial gowns for premature babies. (I knit for preemiesuk which send out cardies,hats, burial gowns and burial cribs to hospitals all over the country).
I have mended a rip in the seam of my cheap charity shop warm coat. A reminder that I also need to minimise my weight.....
Off to the gym tomorrow. I need to exercise more as the arthritis is worse when I don't move a lot and I definitely don't like this cold weather.
Glad to see it is not just me that has stopped lurking....

fiftyeighter_2

Hi everyone and a happy and prosperous new year to you all.
I'm a bit like athome1. I tend to read and very rarely post. You all are great but I also feel like I'm intruding. Stupid I know.
Well I WILL be more upfront from now on.
Thrift wizard the quilt is gorgeous.
This new year I intend to be more active and try to get more from life. I've been saying this for a long time, this year I intend to be better.
For a start my daughter and I both need to lose about a stone or so, not a lot I know but I feel dreadfully uncomfortable. So have started with a healthier lifestyle.
I am quite good at the three MM.,s but can always improve.
So here's to a new year and a new more confident and interesting me.

Newbie_Ginnings

I decided it was high time I stopped lurking in the shadows and started posting too - I've been reading these boards since 2006 when I was struggling financially and the old style board helped me get through those times more than anything else and taught me so much!

In the spirit of making do, I used up some leftover beef & roasties in a "deconstructed" cottage pie ( really just heated through with onions & carrots in gravy :rotfl:), and minimised 6 bags :eek: of ood & unwanted food stuff from the kitchen cupboards, which are still packed to the rafters!

No mending yet but there's still time

vodkawitch1

Hi everyone I have been a lurker for a long time but would like to join in.
I live alone too so its nice to come online and chat/read posts in the evening. I have loads of food in the freezer so will only need to buy fresh fruit and veg for weeks.
Love the quilt Thrift Wizard! I am making a much simpler one this winter for a new baby boy due in May.
I minimized a load of paperwork yesterday. Not done any mending yet.
Happy new year everyone.,

SmarterNotHarder

Hello! I lurked a bit last year, but I feel I would do better by joining in, if you'll have me?

I would like to spend less money, but also be less of a "consumer". I spend far too much time browsing shops and the internet for "stuff" that could be "useful" instead of doing something useful. I also would like to create less waste and maybe even be kinder to the environment. I may fall flat on my face, but then again, I won't find out if I dont give it a go!

Greenbuzby

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon too, and join in instead of lurking. I'm very conscious that my earnings are going to reduce in April by approximately £150 a month so I really need to get myself in order so that I can lessen the impact by then as much as possible.

In the next week or two I intend to go through my clothes that I don't wear anymore to see if anything is worth ebaying, the rest will go to charity. I also need to minimise myself, especially after I saw some photos taken of me on NYE!

I have a pair of jeans that need patching, so will try to get to that at the weekend.

happy new year to everyone x