2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Lifeisforliving19

With regard to the CC debts. We had...still have debts, but decided the best way for us was to enter into a DMP.....we had far to much to be able to cope and were robbing Peter to pay Paul. Originally we went with SC but now manage it ourselves. It is a long slow process and yes our Credit rating has been trashed. But as we never want credit again, we are not bothered about that. Normally once on a DMP, the creditors will stop interest and default you, so at least no more interest being added. Also as time goes on they are more likely to accept offers, as they can see that it will take years to clear your balance. Doesn't work for everyone and all depends how much you owe. But was definitely the best thing we did and we can now sleep at night and not worry about debts any more.

PipneyJane

Congratulations on the new job, Hettyhound. I hope it is everything you wish for.

skint_chick wrote: »

Pipney Jane - I make granola with rolled oats, chopped nuts (I like pecans the best but any old nuts will do), melted coconut oil and a couple of spoonfuls of honey mixed together in a bowl. Spread it on a baking sheet and give it 10 mins or so in the oven at about 150 until it's crispy. Then I add raisins and some of the coconut flakes you can get in the baking aisle. I don't really weigh the oats, I usually put in 2 breakfast bowls worth because that makes 7 breakfasts for me then chop and add in enough nuts so it looks about right. I go heavier on raisins because they're cheap and then add coconut to make it sweeter rather than using lots of oil. You can also smush it together to make bars as well although I do usually add dates and do that in the food processor to keep it together. You could add bran flakes or even bran mix to it easily if you wanted to.

I make most of my own toiletries, and use cheap cruelty free makeup, so I'm hoping to reduce the food budget further later on in the year, although we are going on holiday to Switzerland for 2weeks this summer where food is much more expensive so that will hit the budget hard. Luckily our accommodation is free as we're house sitting for family and we have the use of their car with just fuel to pay for. We're planning a lot of hiking and picnics so the budget is £300 spending money for anything that isn't food to cover museum entry fees, parking (it's almost impossible to find free parking in Switzerland even at the grocery store!) and some lift fees for the hikes we've planned.

Have been spending as little as possible, this week's groceries were £36 because I got a chicken for a roast and large packs of pork chops and mince for freezer meals as OH has a couple of weeks of nights so it's just me for dinner. Restocked a lot of cupboard basics and cleaning products as well. Having lunch out with a friend next week but we are both frugal so should be less than £10, I was worried when I became fully self employed I would waste money in coffee shops etc but I've been so busy I haven't had time to stop so it's working out well!

Thanks for the recipe,Skintchick. Your holiday in Switzerland sounds like it will be wonderful. I've only spent a few days there, in Geneva, and the friend we stayed with used to smuggle meat in from France under the seats in her car, in order to keep her grocery bills down. (You could only bring in a certain amount per person in your vehicle, and her labrador didn't count as a "person" despite his best endeavours to charm the Boarder guards.)

- Pip

PipneyJane

RunningBackwards wrote: »

You are a stronger women than me, buckled & ordered a unicorn onesie. But on the plus side, it is excellent quality and machine washable. I have started IF (intermittent fasting) so no more snacks on the way to work and take my lunch in. It's impulse purchases that catch me off guard!

Don't put yourself down. If you can do intermittent fasting, then you're a strong woman too!

We each have our own weaknesses. (Mine are books and yarn.) The key is to recognise your weakness and to budget for it. I call it my "Sanity Fund". Since I like the good stuff (alpaca, cashmere, wool), I set aside £20/month for knitting and craft supplies (including fabric, yarn and patterns). I might not spend it for months, but the money is there if/when I find that irresistable purchase (pure cashmere, anyone?).

The important thing, is to set aside something. When my husband was unemployed this time last year, it was only £5/month, but it still gave me that little bit of wriggle room and I'd find myself testing my desire to buy X against my desire to save Y for something else.

HTH,

- Pip


PS: Onesies are overrated as far as I'm concerned because you have to take everything off in order to use the toilet, getting colder than you were to start with.

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

I think I will take that advice on reducing by budget a little at a time. Thank you.


I do cook all my meals from scratch - I don't buy jars of sauces or ready meals. I think I need to be more inventive but my problem is I actually don't like cooking for myself really. It always feels like such a chore especially when I have to do the washing up afterwards (I would really love a dishwasher). I need recipes that are very quick with as few ingredients as possible. I have also gone veggie to try and bring the cost of things down. Vegan will be too far for me as I do like my cheese. I do tend to make soup once a week for work lunches. This usually consists of a tin of butter beans, one onion, a pint of stock and whatever veg I can find in my cupboards, freezer or fridge. I may start having porridge for breakfast as has been suggested. I currently buy a muesli which has compostable packaging from Riverford but it is rather expensive so perhaps I can shave a bit off there. I also sometimes buy from Riverford the "meal boxes" they do to try something different. I am going to stop doing that as well. I will just stick to their veg boxes only from now on. I did make myself a cake Friday evening. I chopped it in half and put one half in the freezer and the other half I will have as a healthyish snack during the week. I also have flapjacks which I made a bit longer ago and they are still good.


Next month will be better - I promise (or should I say hope).

Shopaholic_no_more

Thank you to everyone who replied to my question about the best way to get CC debts down especially to cw18 for the breakdown explanation that was very clearly explained. I will definitely look in to what my interest rates are. I do have one that is quite a small amount and so I may pay that off and then I will feel like I have at least achieved something short term like 2scratters did.

Unfortunately I don’t think I will be able to move any to 0% just yet which is frustrating but what can you do.

Spudsmum - wishing you heaps of luck - wow you have been having a bad run of it lately...let’s hope you turn that corner soon. Sending a virtual hug to help you on your way

Thanks again for all your advice. It’s much appreciated :T

PipneyJane

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire wrote: »

I think I will take that advice on reducing by budget a little at a time. Thank you.


I do cook all my meals from scratch - I don't buy jars of sauces or ready meals. I think I need to be more inventive but my problem is I actually don't like cooking for myself really. It always feels like such a chore especially when I have to do the washing up afterwards (I would really love a dishwasher). I need recipes that are very quick with as few ingredients as possible.

I hear you. For the odd evening when I'm on my own, I tend to live on cheese toasties or baked potatoes. (Scrub, stab a few times with a knife and zap for 10 minutes in the microwave. Cut a cross in the top and either insert a couple of slices of cheese, then zap for 1 more minute, or cover with hot baked beans.)

What about zapping something that you've previously made and frozen? Dhal reheats well, as does homemade veggie chilli. You could make up a big pot of each and freeze them in single portions.

HTH

- Pip

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

Thanks PipneyJane. I am going to do more of that I think. I want to save money and be as careful as I can with regards to environmental issues but I also want to have as simple life as possible. Quite a tall order probably.

cw18

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire wrote: »

I think I need to be more inventive but my problem is I actually don't like cooking for myself really. It always feels like such a chore especially when I have to do the washing up afterwards

I find this is where the freezer is my best friend.


I cook a vat of bolognese sauce or chilli or mince and onion or chicken supreme or casserole or stew (without potatoes in the last 2), and then freeze as individual portions. It doesn't take as long to prep and cook 10 portions in one go as 1 portion 10 times. Then all I have is one small pan to reheat the meat part and possibly another medium one for the carbs (rice or pasta or mash - I do jackets in my combi oven).


If I'm boiling potatoes to go with meat/fish and fresh veg, then I put the potatoes in the base of my on-the-hob steamer and cook the rest of the veg over it. If I can get all the veg in the middle tier and the fish is one that can be steamed, then the fish goes in the top tier. I also roast joints that I slice and freeze in portions, with the meat being defrosted before I reheat in the top layer of the steamer for the last few minutes of veg cooking time (even with veg in that tier).


If I'm cooking frozen veg to go with boiled potatoes (doesn't work with mash) I throw the frozen veg into the potato pan when the spuds are almost cooked which saves on washing up, even though I do need a slightly larger one for the mix than the potatoes on their own - also saves on gas as I only use one hob ring rather than two.



I seem to have stir-fry once or twice a week - depending on how often I pick up the packs of stir fry veg at 50% off in my local A1di (actually having it for tea tonight). That is a really lazy day as I use the ready prepared veg (would throw away loads if I bought the veg to chop up myself) with packet sauces (from discount stores) and dry noodles (though I've just picked up some very, very cheap add to wok ones I'll be using over the next month or two). I picked up a load of reduced to clear chicken breasts last month that I diced before bagging and freezing in single portion sized bags - I also picked up some Qu0rn pieces when on a half price offer than I use as an alternative for a meat free day. Normally two pans (wok plus one for noodles), a couple of cooking utensils and a dish, fork and spoon.


My cheap chopped chicken also gets quickly fried up to add to pasta and pesto or sauce. If have some peppers or mushrooms in the house that need using up I'll add those to the pan with the chicken. I often use a jar of sauce (pesto is always bought pre-made), but I'll also heat up a tin of tomatoes instead - if doing that I normally fry off peppers and onions with the chicken before tipping the tomatoes into the same pan to reduce the juice.



Omelette is another q&e one. A chopping board and knife (slicing mushrooms, chopping up ham and to grate the cheese onto), cheese grater, glass jug (I microwave the sliced mushrooms before I add to the omelette, but I could sautee in the pan I then make the omelette in to save the jug), cup or jug and fork (for whisking egg), pan and fish slice - plus plate and cutlery (I use the fork I whisked with).


Frozen veg (especially a mixed veg bag) is another best buddy of mine. No prep, no waste, quick to cook, and the pan doesn't need much cleaning afterwards.

sinkorswim2018

Hooray, won my parking appeal. Would have stung having been so good with my pennies recently.

I'm now about to have a go at making baked bean lasagne that should make for a cheap meal tonight with leftovers for work.

Kerry_Woman

Was a spend day. Only got what I needed. Got some products from 3 ethical/green companies - running low on the items already in. Also did a tiny food top up, which should last me until the end of the month. I have added all the totals for the different categories, so hoping that I will not be spending any further money.
Went over my finances/spending over the past few months. I made decision to really cut down even further and be more mindful over spending as some of it was emotional - not going to feel guilty regarding this. I know that the last few months have been expensive as got the flat decorated(had to be done) and holidays booked(places where I want to go). I already cut back on somethings.