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2019 Frugal Living Challenge
Comments
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Hello everyone,. I hope you are all well.
We have had 2 no spend days in a row.
Today we are going to the panto. It's tradition for us to go to MacDonalds after . Most of the family go on my mum's side. We do it every year .
I'm waiting for some money to clear to transfer it too our house fund.
I've put a load of laundry on. And have loads of laundry to put away. I'm going to run the bath and get some housework done before we need to leave .
Will do my diploma tonight and some eBay listing Tomorrow.
Have a good day all ❤️June 17 £16,000 debt ~ nov 18 DEBT FREE •June 21 £16,308 debt / july 22 debt free •Original mortgage free date 01/06/2059 current mortgage free date 01/05/20460 -
Over Xmas I had an idea. Rather than pay £50 for my favourite moisturiser , I asked my daughter to buy me a book on how to make my own personal care products as my gift . I have quite a few essential oils already and therefore only need a few more ingreadients so have asked my family for vouchers for my birthday so I can get the other ingreadients without having to pay anything plus I will know what goes in to them . Now I’m saving all the old pots and bottles I would normally throw away . As much as I love stores like Lush and their ethics etc , their prices are extortionate! I will keep you all updated ❤️����
Please do keep us updated as this is an area that I have noticed many people stumble over if they use luxury products like cosmetics. (Country bumpkin here so I use almost none. :rotfl:)
This thread is moving so quickly that it is impossible to find the time to respond to everyone so well done to all who have set off on their journey the way they mean t go on and good luck to all. It can be a tough lifestyle if you are living it to the extreme, which I need to do, but it's through choice and love for the frugaldom lifestyle - and its ultimate rewards. :j:beer:
Smeone asked about allotments in Wales - I'm in Scotland and n allotments anywhere near us but there are countless scraps of land and neglected gardens so I would have a walk around the neighbourhood and see who is and who isn't utilizing their personal garden space and if there are any neglected, just go and ask if you can use their garden space to grow veggies - you can share the crop. I have land and would absolutely LOVE someone to come along and use a corner of it. Landshare is a great idea. (I have almost no neighbours so can't fid anyone to share our land :rotfl:)I reserve the right not to spend.
The less I spend, the more I can afford.
Frugal living challenge - living on little in 2025 while frugalling towards retirement.0 -
Frugaldom I rarely use cosmetics either. Always seem far too expensive. Also I am far too lazy to get up early enough in the morning to put it on as well as getting ready. I find it sad that many women won't go out without any make up, like they don't feel good enough without it. One thing if you add to enhance a look, e.g. to compliment an outfit, but because you feel you don't look acceptable without it is very sad.Paid off the last of my unsecured debts in 2016. Then saved up and bought a property. Current aim is to pay off my mortgage as early as possible. Currently over paying every month. Mortgage due to be paid off in 2036 hoping to get it paid off much earlier. Set up my own bespoke spreadsheet to manage my money.0
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I just use Lacura CC cream, some powder blush from Bodycare and a waft of Maybelline mascara, job done. Then Lacura face wash at night, with Nivea soft to finish.How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0
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I have been very frugal since new year as I have not been out so have not spent money
did buy some fabric layer cakes out of my christmas money and some dog food but all the rest have been NSD
done inventory of both freezers an will do menu plan for the rest of january from what is in the house - will only need fresh veg eggs cheese milk etc and some gluten free products so hoping to keep that to well under £300 this month change will be rolled over but only made up to the 300
going to do the menu plans with hubby tonight - I wonder what he will make of some weird and wonderful meals we are likely to haveEmergency fund £10,000
Several categories with savings in
Cars, house maintenance, birthdays
Etc I have about 10 categories
Really happy to be debt free after being a compulsive spender0 -
Another £20 spend, phone top-up for me. That should last till summer at least. M2m.Frugal Living Challenge 2025.0
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On the frugal front, OH has found a "new" coat to replace the one he set on fire. Donated from his nephew. I've glued the handle on a saucepan that was ready for falling off. We've replaced a washer in the cold tap in our en-suite. The new washer has been carefully cut to fit with the vegetable knife, saved a 16 mile round trip to buy a replacement. M2m.Frugal Living Challenge 2025.0
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Smeone asked about allotments in Wales - I'm in Scotland and n allotments anywhere near us but there are countless scraps of land and neglected gardens so I would have a walk around the neighbourhood and see who is and who isn't utilizing their personal garden space and if there are any neglected, just go and ask if you can use their garden space to grow veggies - you can share the crop. I have land and would absolutely LOVE someone to come along and use a corner of it. Landshare is a great idea. (I have almost no neighbours so can't fid anyone to share our land :rotfl:)
thanks for these ideas it was me that asked about getting some land for veggies _I know there was an old lady living next door but she has recently gone into a nursing home so I am assuming at some point the house will be sold - shame as we were going to ask her about it but there is bound to be some way of getting some land to rent or care share veggiesEmergency fund £10,000
Several categories with savings in
Cars, house maintenance, birthdays
Etc I have about 10 categories
Really happy to be debt free after being a compulsive spender0 -
I have had a successful weekend.
Firstly I did my gas and electric readings, gas up a bit but that will level in the Summer, so our DD shouldn't have to change.
I did an inventory before shopping, made a meal plan and a list. We usually spend £80+ a week but this week it was £44. There was no cleaning stuff, dog bits, alcohol etc needed so it won't always be that cheap but it was very pleasing, esecially to DH who paid this week (we take turns).
Today I have made soup for my lunuches this week, mini quiches and buns for everyone else's boxes. No choc bars, crisps etc purchased yesterday. There's now a roast in the oven.
I am going to cancel my phone insurance tomorrow.
I have spent no money this weekend apart from £2 parking at Parkrun, which me and my boys did yesterday.
I also tidied my handbag out, I do think frugal living is also about being organsied.
I have a dilema between frugality and ecofriendly choices. For example glass bottled milk is 87p a pint, I can buy 4 pints in the supermarket for £1. I guess it's personal choice.Mum to 2 DSs, dog mum, wife full-time worker.
Keen to live a healthly lifestyle and save money0 -
Over Xmas I had an idea. Rather than pay £50 for my favourite moisturiser , I asked my daughter to buy me a book on how to make my own personal care products as my gift . I have quite a few essential oils already and therefore only need a few more ingreadients so have asked my family for vouchers for my birthday so I can get the other ingreadients without having to pay anything plus I will know what goes in to them . Now I’m saving all the old pots and bottles I would normally throw away . As much as I love stores like Lush and their ethics etc , their prices are extortionate! I will keep you all updated ❤️����
What a fabulous idea and I bet you will enjoy making them :T
I use s*perdrugs own make cleanser and face cream it is often half priceEvening all
Still trying to keep frugal here.
I s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d some mince into 4 meals today
I try to stretch things like mince and chicken, however I never seem to manage it. I make 2 meals max, maybe we have enormous appetites
Spend day today, had to get some food and a birthday present for MIL she is 94 on Wednesday and doesn’t want for much. We have bought her a comfy foot stool to rest her legs on in an evening0
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