2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Hettyhound

Hello AnimalTribe. I know what you mean about pet insurance! My Hetty had extensive dental treatment in January and although it was an eye watering amount it was still cheaper than if I’d been paying a premium each month for all the time I’ve had her. Also what she had done wouldn’t have been covered on any standard policy so I would have had to be paying extra to get a payout! I put money into my bills account to cover pets and just use that when needed. I get her joint supplement from an online vets supply that does a good TCB amount, 7 or 8% I think, it’s also cheaper than the mainstream stores/vets but is run by the son of a vet so there’s knowledge in the subject too.

tighteningthebelt

Hi, how do you frugal people go on with plastic waste?
i'm thinking about toiletries rather than plastic from food at the moment. I'm making my first trip to a zero waste shop next week (I'm a country girl... we're behind in these things... or is that ahead?!!) so wanted to plan. I'm generally a low volume user and this keeps things under control. I have difficulty with the nerves in both my hands which makes bars of things really hard, so I tend to go for pump bottles of soap, shampoo and shower gel, so I can manage. I do decant into them so I'm not buying the pump bit each time. I think there's top ups available at the shop if you take your own jars and containers, but I'm expecting them to be expensive. There's loads of stuff online about making your own stuff etc, but I just wondered if anyone would be prepared to share what they actually do when faced with this ecology/economy dilemma.
I'm pretty much the same with cleaning products. I use a limited range of products, in small volumes. My house seems perfectly clean (to me!!).
Much of the zero-waste movement seems strangely market driven and focused on buying new stuff. I'm figuring that if plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade then it might as well do it in my bedroom/bathroom/kitchen/garden while it's still serving a purpose.
I'm going on... In summary I'd like to be refilling my existing bottles but don't want to be out of pocket. I'd really like to know how some real live frugallers are handling this... I'd be grateful for your thoughts. x

Nonnadiluca

I have used shampoo and conditioner bars, but didn't get on with them. This was my solution, not perfect but one I can live with: I bought a 5ltr bottle of shampoo from Suma, (I got mine from Amazon for about £18) the one I chose has no scent so OH is happy to use it. I got it in September 2017 and have still got loads left so it's very economical. It is a plastic bottle, but instead of 20 X 250ml bottles which would end up in landfill, I have one 5ltr bottle which will be used for years - OH uses them for comfrey plant food and for watering and other garden/allotment things. I also buy 5 litres of Ecover wul and, as the shampoo was a success, conditioner.
We both use the solid deodorant from Lush, again very economical as it lasts for ages.
My quest at the moment is for an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic interdental brushes, any suggestions gratefully received!

datlex

My frugal living at the moment is decorating my brick built porch. I wanted it to feel more like a room then just have bare bricks. Most places masonry paint was at least £14 most £20 or higher. Aldi had it for £6.50. A massive saving. Given it is actually inside it doesn't need to be weatherproof. It is going on fine!

AnimalTribe

Hettyhound wrote: »

I get her joint supplement from an online vets supply that does a good TCB amount, 7 or 8% I think, it’s also cheaper than the mainstream stores/vets but is run by the son of a vet so there’s knowledge in the subject too.

Hettyhound I'd be interested to know what joint supplement you use please. One of my dogs has just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and any recommendations for supplements would be gratefully received.

As to plastics, I too am trying to reduce what I bring into the house, but I still have a very long way to go. The only thing I do at the moment for bathroom products is to use bar soap, and to use as little shampoo as I can. I've found I don't need much shampoo at all. I don't use conditioner every time I wash my hair. I probably use it 1 out of 3 washes, and this seems to be enough for me.

Hettyhound

Hi AnimalTribe. I use YuMove by Lintbells. The vet said it was the one they would recommend but my original recommendation came from one of the other dog walkers who use it for their hound which is a similar age to my girl. I’ve checked the packaging and it’s for stiff joints, joint structure and mobility. Hetty hasn’t got arthritis but the vet described her joints as a little crunchy. It does get really good reviews and my 10 year old girl is acting like a puppy again in respect of “attacking” her soft toys and stretching when she gets up, the two things she had stopped doing. I get it online from Viovet and I checked the TCB deal today and it’s 6.3%.

PipneyJane

tighteningthebelt wrote: »

Hi, how do you frugal people go on with plastic waste?
i'm thinking about toiletries rather than plastic from food at the moment. I'm making my first trip to a zero waste shop next week (I'm a country girl... we're behind in these things... or is that ahead?!!) so wanted to plan. I'm generally a low volume user and this keeps things under control. I have difficulty with the nerves in both my hands which makes bars of things really hard, so I tend to go for pump bottles of soap, shampoo and shower gel, so I can manage. I do decant into them so I'm not buying the pump bit each time. I think there's top ups available at the shop if you take your own jars and containers, but I'm expecting them to be expensive. There's loads of stuff online about making your own stuff etc, but I just wondered if anyone would be prepared to share what they actually do when faced with this ecology/economy dilemma.
I'm pretty much the same with cleaning products. I use a limited range of products, in small volumes. My house seems perfectly clean (to me!!).
Much of the zero-waste movement seems strangely market driven and focused on buying new stuff. I'm figuring that if plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade then it might as well do it in my bedroom/bathroom/kitchen/garden while it's still serving a purpose.
I'm going on... In summary I'd like to be refilling my existing bottles but don't want to be out of pocket. I'd really like to know how some real live frugallers are handling this... I'd be grateful for your thoughts. x

Regarding refills for pump action bottles, does the Body Shop still allow you to bring back a bottle for refilling? I have vague memories of them providing that facility back in the 1980’s/1990’s but it is years since I shopped there - don’t have one local - and Anita Roddick was still in charge back then.

I love L’Occitan’s Lemon Verbena Body Wash so request their refills for birthday/Christmas presents. 500ml lasts me about 9 months at 2-squirts per day (using their original pump action bottle which gives very small squirts). The packaging is recyclable in my area.

HTH

Pip

greenbee

My local branch of L'Occitane says it accepts all cosmetic packaging for recycling, including that from other retailers. I took a photo of the sign to remind myself

Igamogam

I am a complete convert to shampoo bars.......there are plenty being made but I have sourced mine from independent UK makers and I am very happy with results. I am also using up all the toiletries in the cupboard before buying any more so still have bottles of shampoo etc which I take to gym for now

earthgirl

I'm still using up hundreds of bottles and little travel bottles of shampoo and conditioner. They don't seem to go down! My kids have to use baby shampoo as their skin is so sensitive and it's cheaper than other senseitive skin wash.