Making savings before it's too late

Katieowl

Tidying up over Xmas I discovered I have the most ginormous candle stash :eek: I was following "shop at home first" to stave off the urge to buy a Yankee candle, I have a bit of a collection of the small candles you have to burn in a little pot, but I distinctly remembered that I had some spicy airwick ones I bought reduced a few years ago, I found them (and I've been using those) but also discovered half a cupboard packed with ordinary candles, some of which I was given and some i bought enormously reduced...quite an embarrassing surfeit really.

Fingers crossed for a power cut

[Deleted User]

The work has started, I have another 6 minutes to the final stretch of my bread dough and then I will cover and put in the fridge for a day or two. I am making two rustic ciabattas. Ham is also out and de-frosting

What you said tori, argh suddenly made me take a gulp. Its not long to another very busy time on the allotment, so most of this stash busting has to be during the next 12 weeks, not a long time

The candles are very good in my house Katie, certainly keeping some ambient warmth downstairs. I do admit to having stearin candles though, non toxic. I will light some more later as it is going to be a dull day. Candle stash is reducing nicely but I have way to go

PollyWollyDoodle

When I gave up work to become s/employed in 2015 I had a self-imposed policy of no new clothes. That means (for me) buying second hand or making them, but not buying new. I exempt work clothes, which have to be very smart for my work, bras and shoes. I have managed not to buy any new knicks in that time, and following Kittie's lead on the sewing thread, I'm going to try making some.

Charity shopping is time-consuming, you need to trawl regularly to find the right things, but I got several compliments at Christmas on my outfits! My plan for 2018 is to sew more of my own clothes. I made a few tops last year including my first t-shirt, and I've learned a lot.

trailingspouse

OK, I've just audited my drinks cupboard, and started another thread, to see if we can 'Avoid Buying Unnecessary Alcohol' along the lines of the 'Avoid Buying Unnecessary Toiletries' thread on the Health and Beauty board.

[Deleted User]

it was from your post trailing spouse, I have used up one can of thatchers cider this morning and I found a half bottle of champagne, I remember buying it but I don`t hardly drink anything and it is bigger than mini. I am going visiting a dd next weekend, I`ll give her and her dh that with the nice chocs that I already bought . The ham did very well being cooked in the cider, so already I am getting through food/drink stash

Also a tip re shoulder-droopy jumpers and I have a couple. I am going to crochet a chain stitch along the inside of the shoulders, it will stop them being stretchy and will make them more wearable ie they will be worn

lessonlearned

Well the good news......my little car sailed through it’s MOT, just new wiper blades.: Phew. She’s a great little run about and although I’m often tempted to buy myself a nice sexy little convertible whilst I’m still fit enough to drive one I’m holding off for now because it’s on street parking where I currently live and it wouldn’t really be a good idea.

I’m working my way through my food stash too. I really don’t think I need to buy anything before I go away. Maybe just milk. I have recently switched to lacto free milk......much better for my IBS.

Yes I too intend to grow more this year. For some reason I didn’t last year. I am going to buy myself one of those little portable greenhouses. Don’t want to invest in a permanent structure because there might be a house move on the horizon, if not 2018, then certainly 2019 so a little temporary one will be fine.

I’ve got half a bottle of wine open and some rabbit in the feeezer. I think I’ll make a nice casserole. I can divide it into portions and freeze. Speaking of ham. I’ve got just enough left for two main meals. Tonight it will be with roasted root veg, then courgetti carbonara tomorrow and the last few bits will go with cheese into omelettes for brunches. Job done. .

I have spent nothing on food for over a week now. Isnt it amazing what we can achieve when we put our minds to it. I do need to pop into the city tomorrow for a few last holiday bits and bobs. Whilst there I’m meeting a friend for a coffee and a natter. I won’t have lunch because it’s in a cafe which serves mainly wheat based sandwiches and cakes and snacks which just don’t suit me. I shall get the free bus in and a taxi back. The taxi will be around £4 but as I shall be in town for several hours it will work out cheaper than car parking.

Sounds daft but I am really loving this challenge.

LameWolf

Katieowl wrote: »

Tidying up over Xmas I discovered I have the most ginormous candle stash :eek:

What I seem to have is a stash of wax and stubs waiting to be turned into new candles; I am hoping for a period of feeling well enough to do this when we're between Canine guests.

trailingspouse

Kittie - hope your DD enjoys the fizz!!

mardatha

I'd be worried about prolonged powercuts and me finding I had used up all my candle stash on heating ..
heavy snow this morning and more on now, I might end up with a powercut meself here!
Going to try and do Asda online twice a month, see if that works.
Meanwhile we are cooried in until next year here

Hev

Just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying this thread, very timely as both oh and I are now retired but living on oh's work pension until 2023 when hopefully the sp kicks in. Things are manageable but only if we stretch the pennies and we need to make savings for anything that may need replacing. We've downsized and moved across the country to be nearer family recently which should help us reduce outgoings, no more long car journeys to visit family/babysit grandchildren and a smaller house to heat. Although our council tax went up our other bills reduced so still winning

I used to be here as Catznine but can't sign into that anymore so a new start all round

I am lucky enough to have a new kitchen diner now and will have to now make it work to earn its keep. Today cooked for the freezer, making more chestnut stuffing for future treats from the leftover ingredients of Christmas and chicken a la king (a favourite way to use up the Christmas leftovers) the remains of the Christmas chicken are now in the slow cooker for a nice stock for soup making tomorrow.