Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2017

Floss

crazytree we now have Chr****** in February so there is no hassle with trains & time off is easier...two sons & one Dil living in different cities plus other family in other places equals chaos in late December

YorksLass

JackieO wrote: »

Hi Yorkslass I thought I was alone in doing small jobs like that. I too sew loops onto tea towels and have hooks in my kitchen to hang them up on.

One of the boys said but Granny the war and rationing has been over for years, and if people didn't throw things away then the economy would suffer as new stuff wouldn't be needed:( True in one way I suppose), but to waste something just because you need to ensure the economy grows still seems a daft idea , what do you all think ??? JackieO xx

We must think along the same lines! I’m very much “a place for everything, everything in its place” kind of person.

Not sure there is an answer to your DGS’s comment about buying new to help the economy grow although it did make me laugh. I agree with you, it’s daft; if something’s still in good nick why get rid of it? And, would you get the same quality now?

crazytree wrote: »

Mend - sewed the underwire back into yet another bra :mad: I seem to be doing this on a regular basis and none of them are that old! At least I can wear that one without getting stabbed:D.

Minimise - erm I've started sorting out the kids rooms to get rid of their junk. They left home three years ago! Nothing has actually left the house yet apart from a couple of bags or rubbish but I've made a start.... T

You're right, under-wired bras seem to part company with the wires very quickly nowadays. I gave up on them ages ago and have gone back to non-wired ones.

Another one here with remnants of kids stuff even though they moved out years ago. I’ve put DS’s books and CDs into a box for him to collect but I don’t think that will happen soon as he and DDiL are moving house (again) at the end of Oct – it’ll probably still be here in the NY.

Minimise: A summer top that just isn’t “me” into the CS bag. A bottle of shower gel we took on holiday – not much in it anyway and it doubled up as shampoo too – empty bottle binned at the hotel. A book I’d put on my “read again before letting go” pile that I took on holiday (yes, it did get read on the couple of wet days we had) and I left it in the hotel lounge for other guests.

Make do: Haven’t yet got my brain back into gear after holidays so meals currently coming from freezer/cupboards – sometimes it helps to have stocks in. Sugar jar topped up with the little sachets you get with tea/coffee from cafes – we did BBEM but needed a drink/snack at lunchtimes; I don’t take sugar in tea at all and DH only has one so we had a stash to bring home. At one time I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing this but now I do. Would you believe 4oz of the stuff? Using up after-sun lotion (will soon be OOD) as a moisturiser.

Mend: Cuff on DH's sweater had a loose thread so I sewed it back before it pulled any further.

Lynplatinum

Evening All

Make do: as always with us its on the food front - keeping to meal plans and using up old stocks in cupboards or that others give us! My friend donated some elderly lasagne - of course we could use it up! Also keep on using same t shirts I ve had for years! DIL keeps on buying new to her stuff (by which I mean - from a chazzer) but Im happy with what ive got!
Mend: covered my falling apart cushions on sofa with more of the denim from old jeans. Altered my bloomin bra straps which keep slipping such that, underneath my t shirt, I get a wardrobe malfunction - the darned straps will not stay shortened! So have tacked them up!
Minimise: Wel,l Im trying - have stuff on flea bay but no one wants to buy it - will try FB local sites next! Also, as usual trying to minimise me! As am house and dog sitting for my friend am trying a Satavistic diet (one used by yoga devotees - veg + fruit + minimal low GI carbs + some dairy) and yoga exercises + do walking. really enjoying the peace and quiet - my friend kindly put up her camping table in the conservatory and i am minimising my stocks of Scrapbooking paper as I am minimising the stacks of photos by finally getting them into albums!

NSDs so far this month: 8/12 quite proud of this! Tomorrow will be going out with friend's mum for lunch and taking her shopping - so although I only want milk, oatcakes (these form the basis of my breakfasts) and some coconut milk (for a veggie curry) i will still be spending.
Frugaling onward tho!

[Deleted User]

Make do: Definitely using up stuff already in stock NO shopping for me this week 13th of the month and only spent just over £15 so far .

Mend: will be sewing up some odd bits that need repairing, and a few buttons need sewing back on ,generally hoping to get my repair bag emptied before it gets out of hand .

Minimise: hopefully some of the stuff from my freezer as I want to defrost before Christmas. Trouble is I tend to get odds and ends given to me from my two Dds as they know I will use it up.
On Sunday my son-in-law gave me a bag of charlotte potato's that they didn't want ,he had bought them, and the boys wern't keen, so almost a kilo of small salad spuds and I already have potato's in stock.

But the older ones I shall peel and mash a few and freeze (blooming freezer will never get emptied ) before they get too sprouty

I have a feeling there are some frozen leeks in the freezer in which case I shall use some of the spuds up with leek and potato soup.

The newer charlotte spuds I shall use up in salads this week. I hate to waste anything if I can help it.

I also think I will poach some pears that I was given and use up the last of the greek yogurt (thats tonights pudding sorted:) ) and I think I have a recipe for a sort of pear sponge cake (bit like dorset apple cake only use pears instead ) so that will use up some more (I was given some lovely ones from my friends tree ).
Its juggling stuff around to get it minimised and used up before it goes off :):)

Onwards and upwards chums

JackieO xx

Rosesandrainbows

Hello everyone, I'm new to this thread and so far have read to page 12 so I have a long way to go. However I wanted to join in straight away as make do, mend and minimise is definitely needed in this household.

So this is what I have done today.

Make do - I have been wanting a new winter water proof coat but the ones I have been looking at have been quite expensive. I have taken a look at the one I have, given myself a good talking too and decided that a new coat is not needed, stuck mine in the washing machine and instantly a bucketful of cash saved

Mend - Mended a hole in a vest top. Although my sewing is not the best this particular top is only to go underneath jumpers etc so no one can see my rubbish sewing anyway!

Minimise - The ironing pile is being minimised this morning. I have also used up a couple of toiletries too and have recycled the packaging where I could.

Not a bad start I suppose and motivated to carry on

silvasava

Rosesandrainbows wrote: »

Hello everyone, I'm new to this thread

Make do - I have been wanting a new winter water proof coat but the ones I have been looking at have been quite expensive. I have taken a look at the one I have, given myself a good talking too and decided that a new coat is not needed, stuck mine in the washing machine and instantly a bucketful of cash saved

RnR - you can buy re-proofing sprays in caravan/outdoor shops - Ive also seen it in Aldi on occasions. May help keep your coat waterproof and you dry!

PS: Welcome to the thread!!

Rosesandrainbows

Good thinking Silvasava. I did wonder wether I might have to spray it once dry. Thanks for the tip.

crazytree

I love your idea of C********* in February, Floss. The only thing to look forward to in February is March, an occasion would be really nice!
Minimise - I've made zero progress on the clear out, partly laziness, and partly coz I tried to steam clean the tiles in the kitchen and ended up taking some of the paint off. They were tile painted as a temporary "until I can afford a new kitchen" measure when I moved in 17 years ago! I've patched up the paint again, so at least I can keep it clean! But that took more time than the quick clean I had planned!!!
Making do - with freezer surprise for tea! And using store cupboard bits to make puddings and snacks to take for lunches.
Mend - the carppy kitchen I suppose!

Well done to all of you who are making progress!
T

Lynplatinum

Hiya y'all


Welcome Rosesandrainbows - a friendly thread this one - loads of folks willing to help!!

Well am staying at my friends house and dog sitting at the moment - I need to say that she 'pays' me for this by paying for tickets to the Royal Cornwall show and the petrol and does the driving when we go away! Plus this is a bit of a holiday for me - her quiet and obedient dog is no trouble and living in her peaceful, uncrowded house in a village full of folk who know me, but dont interfere is bliss! So MM&M is even easier!

Make do: I am trying to buy as little as possible without taking the mickey and using up all my friends supplies !! (she left me loads of veg and I can use whatever I like and have strict instructions to eat up her HM frozen lasagne!) Having spent £15 so far I have another 2 days worth of food before I get to the lasagne! Plus treats and good fruit etc! Also I am living out of a suitcase - why oh why have i got so many clothes at home when am managing perfectly well on much less???

Minimise: My stash of scrapbooking stuff - my friend has set up a huge table in her conservatory for me to work on! the stash is going down folks!

Mend: the hood of my waterproof coat - the string of it had slipped round and was threatening to come out. I have had the time to sit and carefully thread it back through. My e-mail account - have had time to go thro and unsubscribe from things!! And get rid of all the rubbish e-mails!

NSDs doing well as am in a village in the middle of nowhere (so peaceful) 10/15 so far this month! :cool:
Nite all!

Rosesandrainbows

Thanks for the warm welcome Lynplatinum. It sounds like you're on to a win win with the dog sitting and the show tickets in exchange. I also go to the Cornwall Show and love it. Such a good day out.

I forgot to post yesterday but here are my MM&Ms for the last couple of days.

Make do - I went through all my cupboards and freezer before food shopping yesterday and by making do with the food I already had it meant I only had to buy a few bits and I managed to cut my shopping bill in half :j

Mend - No mending to be done.

Minimise - I took a bag of clothes to the charity shop and cut up some very old clothes to be used as rags.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.:)