2019 Frugal Living Challenge

little_green

Feb hasn't got off to the frugal start it was meant to be ... though I did resist the unicorn onesie lol (cant remember if i posted that in here or another thread!)

Hettyhound

BrownHare, don't feel fed up. As you say you are not in debt but I totally agree re the fruit juice. One of the many things I don't buy anymore as ended up going down the sink, especially the last dregs no one seemed to want.
Igamogam, I don't remember ever seeing a pumpkin when I was little (and I don't feel that old!!), it was a swede for us or just a candle in a jam jar, but there again Halloween wasn't a "thing".

I'm rather proud of the contents of my fridge today; basically very little! Shopping day on Wednesday and I've got some mushrooms, 3 carrots and half a head of broccoli left. Made some pastry last night so will make a mushroom and cheese quiche tonight to have with the left over carrots, broccoli and potatoes tomorrow evening; tonight is jacket potatoes with humus My little one is not impressed with the state of the fruit bowl (empty) but he is now beginning to learn that shopping is done once a week and once its gone we do without. I try really hard not to top up shop on other days as that's where I invariably end up going over budget.

PipneyJane

cw18 wrote: »

Re the tax relief for uniform laundry costs.

My understanding is that it's only if the uniform has the company name or logo on it, which renders it useless for wearing outside of work. I recall being told that when I was first issued with a partial uniform (pinny and blouses only) and only part of that had the company name/logo on (the blouses). My current job provides more - trousers, T-shirts and fleece, all with company name on - but as it's only one wash load a week at most it really hasn't seemed worth the hassle of finding out how to apply !!!

Thanks Cheryl for elaborating. As I said, I had a vague memory about it, but it's been years since tax relief for uniforms crossed my horizon.

-Pip

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

I had another expense yesterday - had to have a filling put in at the cost of £80.00. Thankfully I put something away every month to cover dental and other health expenses so I have enough to cover that. I had a bit of an expensive January as a lot of "annual" bills come out then and I had a emergency car repair to fund. Despite that I was left with £1.69 which I was able to save. I was rather pleased with that. I will also be putting another £5.00 away as I have now spent a voucher (which I received as I completed a survey) on my food bill. Hopefully that is all the major expenses covered now so I can concentrate on the odd day to day savings I could make.


I have two areas where I do tend to spend which I need to keep my eye on. I love sewing, knitting and general crafts so I do spend money on this. I also love gardening and have an allotment. I am also doing the Fashion on a Ration challenge so am using that to make sure that when I "make" I make something that is of use to me and I am trying to "shop" from my existing fabric stash. The gardening side of things expense wise is reduced at the moment because of the time of year as it is mostly maintenance that you concentrate on now. I did stock up on some manure the other week by collecting some from my friend who has horses. I also made a raised bed from a stash of wood that was hanging around in my shed. I also repaired a bench and some trellis work. All of this cost me nothing. However, I have made some scarecrow framework so my nephews and niece can make a scarecrow each for their individual gardens they have on my plot. I did buy the wood for this but the heads I am making from fabric I already have at home and stuffing them with fabric scraps. The clothes for the scarecrows I will get from them. I need to get some chipped bark to lay down as a mulch and I have noticed that a house nearby me has been chopping and chipping some old trees. I am trying to pluck up the courage to go and ask them if I can take some from them. I was going to this morning on my way to work but I chickened out.


I am hoping February will be a slightly easier month expense wise so I can really get going on frugal/sustainable living.

Kerry_Woman

Still trying to be careful with spending. Went to another gp at the surgery for my appointment. Not too impressed with his attitude. Have been put back on the anti depressants. Seeing the other gp who I previously seen in 3 weeks time.Trying to sort out a few things in the flat. Not done since my flat was finally decorated. A couple of things put aside for cs and other bits for the communal recycling bin.

Frugaldom

Nicki_Sue wrote: »

Morning all. I have news....
I can't remember who said one door closes and another opens but they were right. Pending references (and our very grumpy current landlord not being an a55) we have agreed a let on a fabulous 1930's renovated bungalow just a few streets away so close enough to my parents and much closer to the two schools. No counting chickens before they have hatched because as I learned the hard way, with rentals things can happen, and do, but by the end of this week things should be confirmed. Move in date would be early in April which gives us plenty of time to declutter, sell and sort

:T:T:T
Good luck!:D

Nicki_Sue

Frugaldom wrote: »

:T:T:T
Good luck!:D

Thank you! Still waiting for the confirmation. So many hoops! I won't breathe or relax properly until we get confirmation and can put notice in on this place.

Fingers crossed.

little_green

bit of unnescessary spending today but alsoa bargain so not sure how I feel about it ...
got fluffy PJ set (jumper & trousers) & a t-shirt for £1 each at local chartiy shop so total spend £3. Did I NEED them? No .... it was a luxury... but would I get the same things cheaper elsewhere? also no.
meh

Hettyhound

Crafty Lisa beware the special buys at alldee! They have packs of wool and also I noticed crochet sets for baby soft toys. I looked, I even touched but I do not succumb...I’m so proud of myself but sincerely hoping they have sold out before next week.

chocolatelover93

Hello everyone,

MarineBee - I buy mainly frozen fruit and veg because there is just me and DS I find fresh goes off too quick. I think it is cheaper too I'm not a huge fan of the fruit so I just use it in cooking, overnight oats or in my porridge in the morning.

Nicky_Sue - that's amazing news! fingers crossed for you. Is Bulb good? I am considering joining them when my current energy deal runs out.

Been a little while since I last updated on here.
Using cash only has helped no ends because I can actually see in my purse what I have left!

The only thing I have put on my CC is £50 for SW but with that I am getting £15 worth of stuff free (2 free weeks and a recipe book) I will use my SW money from the next few months to pay that off (on 0% card).

I have cancelled my Amazon Prime (£79 a year) hoping this will stop me buying random carp off there that I don't need plus hardly use the TV on there anyway and have NF.

I went to B&Q on Sat and got some herb pots and planted them so can't wait for them to start sprouting this should save me quite a bit because I buy fresh ones and don't always use them, this way I can just take off what I need.

Anyone that does gardening I am considering buying one of the little heated mini green house things you keep in doors (not a clue what they are called) are they worth it?

Have decided I am really serious now about reducing my plastic waste too. There are too many articles and stories about how it is destroying the planet and that makes me sad for my 2 year old so any tips on that would be good! I have a shampoo bar on the way (my friend lives 15 mins from a lush so she is getting me one to save on postage)
I have started using my composter - no idea what is in there just looks like mulsh to me so will take that out and start putting it on the ground where I'm gonna grow my fruit and veg.
The next thing I am looking at changing is my washing powder/liquid I love things smelling nice but it doesn't last long and I can always spray perfume on them. I have heard the ego eggs are quite good?

Sorry about the long post!

C xx