2019 Frugal Living Challenge

tighteningthebelt

PipneyJane wrote: »

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.

Stopped in 2002, apparently only 1% of customers used it. Ahead of the times.

thanks.

AnimalTribe

Thank you for the information Hettyhound I'll give it a try.

I used to use baby shampoo for my daughter, as she had very sensitive skin. I found it was so thick though that I had to dilute it with water - half and half - it meant it lasted ages, and I suppose it cut down on the number of plastic bottles I used. A side benefit was that it made the shampoo very cheap as baby products tend to cost less anyway.

chocolatelover93

AnimalTribe - Welcome to the thread

tighteningthebelt - you're welcome glad we could help! it's a really good idea and makes you think was it really worth it? lol With plastic free I'm trying to reduce my plastic waste too. I already have been using bar soap (still have some liquid soap that I am using up) I've tried a shampoo bar however I did find I was washing my hair more often than with a bottle so I've been buying bigger bottles. Once all my shower gel is gone I am going to be using soap bars instead I also think if someone has been made and it is on its way to landfil (i.e. reduced) I'll buy that and save it from going to Landfill if that makes sense lol.

Nonna - my friend bought a water cleaner for in between her teeth and says its really good.

Still plodding along with my £100 a week. Did have to use £10 of my emergency money to join SW again but I see that as an investment in my health. Was naughty and sold some bits on FB and used that money for my last Chinese before being good which I kinda regret because I could have used that money for SW meaning not using the emergency

C xx

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

Hello all. I am was interested to hear that others on here are also trying to reduce their plastic usage as well as being frugal. I have been on that particular journey since last June and it has made quite a difference to what I spend, waste and generally use.


Where the bathroom was concerned I have managed to get rid of a lot of stuff. I do buy my shampoo and conditioner from Body Shop as the shampoo bars didn't work with my hair (and I got fed up after about 3 weeks) but I take the packaging back as they say they reuse it. I buy a bar soap which I use on my face as well as my body (no separate facial wash) and I have found my skin has improved considerably. I bought it from an independent retailer who sells handmade soaps. It is a little more expensive but it is lasting me for ages. I am slowly working through my make up remover stock (I don't know how I have so much as I don't wear a lot of make up) but when that is finished I will try and find something more ethical to use.


As to cleaning I am very lucky in that the independent retailer where I bought the soap stock BioD refills so I can take containers there to fill up with washing up liquid, clothes washing liquid, fabric conditioner and the like. Again it is a little more expensive but I feel it is a small price to pay to try and save the only planet we have to live on. I also use a diluted solution of white vinegar for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. It seems to be working so far and white vinegar comes in glass and is a lot cheaper than other cleaning products.


The next thing to start on is the food side of things. I recently had a go at making bread which I have enjoyed so far. I may have to start slicing it up and putting it in the freezer though as there is only me and I find that towards the end of the week its only really okay as toast. I was buying a sourdough loaf every week for £2.60 but one big bag of flour and some yeast comes to less than that and I reckon I will get at least 2 loaves out of that if not more. Also the ingredients come in paper and tin so no plastic waste there. I also had a go at houmous this weekend which I am really pleased with. Again, cheaper than what you get in the shop and it tastes just as good. I have also made biscuits which I prefer to the shop bought (no packaging or palm oil in). Its a start but I still have progress to make.


Better get back to work.

xhosa9

Houmous freezes really well if you want to make a big batch. I made a load before Xmas and have only just finished it. If anything it seemed to be better after freezing. Homemade pesto is also an excellent bulk make and freeze in portions option. I use walnuts instead of pine nuts and use half spinach, half basil to keep costs down. Supermarket own brand 'italian hard cheese' also a good alternative to parmesan. I was put off shop bought pesto when I realised how much potato starch there was in it!

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

Thanks for that. I will add pesto to my list of things to try next.

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

I had a go at guacamole last night and froze 3 portions for future use. Hopefully it will work okay. I have had a go at making bread lately which I have enjoyed but I'm not really supposed to eat too much yeast. I want to have a go at making sourdough bread but the recipes I have seen on line seem to be a little complicated. Has anyone had a go at this at all? Is it easy/worth it? I thought if I made some it would be a bit cheaper than buying a loaf every week from the bakers at £2.60 a pop.

mumof3.12kindebt

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MUMOF3.12KINDEBT
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Hello all . We are plodding along.

I've started a new job and adjusted the budget accordingly. I've included doing one shift extra (overtime rate of pay a week,) new budget means we should be able to save £20,000 a year rather than the 17,000 originally. But we are sticking with 17000 aim and anything extra is a bonus as I can't guarantee the overtime .

We have £2060 in our house savings so far so on track for our 17000 by December

Hope everyone is well . I will try and catch up with posts later tonight.

^^ posted in January

Hi everyone , I've just realised I haven't posted on this part of the forum since January

Since then we have managed to get our savings upto £12,300.00
We put an offer in on a house in February so continued to save as much as possible for this. We had £5700 in savings when we put the offer in and had spent £600 in fees so far.
We should complete within the next few weeks it's all very exciting . I also start a new job next week which is closer to the new house. I finish my current job on Friday.
Once moved our main goal is to rebuild oir savings. And ensure we don't go back into debt at any point (we have been debt free since November last year.)

We plan to rebuild our savings to £10k. I hope we can achieve this by December but a bigger home brings bigger running costs. (We are gaining 5 rooms and 2 extra halls/landings) also I'll be spending more on petrol due to commuting but we hope to switch to a hybrid car at some point to help with this)

Another thing that I have done in the last few weeks is bake more and cook from fresh more. I enjoy baking but never seemed to have the time. I'm working on using my time more effectively. And on that note I got rid of social media. I've banned myself for the rest of this year.

Today I brought us all water bottles for when we go out. To stop us buying drinks when we are out and about. We did this before then stopped and the kids lost all the water bottles we have at school. I'm also hoping it will encourage my family to drink more water.

I hope everyone is well. And you are doing well on your frugal living journey :j

DawnW

xhosa9 wrote: »

Homemade pesto is also an excellent bulk make and freeze in portions option. I use walnuts instead of pine nuts and use half spinach, half basil to keep costs down. Supermarket own brand 'italian hard cheese' also a good alternative to parmesan. I was put off shop bought pesto when I realised how much potato starch there was in it!

You can also make pesto with other greens, such as rocket and parsley, either on their own or mixed with others

mumof3.12kindebt

Hi everyone
Hope you are all well . Hugs to those that need/want one.
It was my last day at my current job today. Start training next week at my new job. We have also been contacted by the solicitors asking when we are ready to exchange contracts for our house move. So it's all go! Continuing with the frugal living to save every penny during this time.

Will update soon. X