2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

Siebrie wrote: »

DdraigGoch, what is Nile Mine, please? I cannot find any info on it.

That's just a typo, DdraigGoch means Nile Mince ... it's a challenge we have running perpetually to see how far a pack of mince can be stretched in the same way a rubber chicken can be stretched to feed 12+. Nile, because it's about the longest river known to us and mince can be stretched for miles once padded out with pulses, veg, grains, pasta, rice etc, etc, etc

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Frugaldom wrote: »

Nile Mince ... it's a challenge we have running perpetually to see how far a pack of mince can be stretched in the same way a rubber chicken can be stretched to feed 12+. Nile, because it's about the longest river known to us and mince can be stretched for miles once padded out with pulses, veg, grains, pasta, rice etc, etc, etc

Nile Mince:rotfl:. What an inspired name:T:beer:

When I was seriously broke and drowning in debt Nile Mince (although I'd never heard the term then) was a lifesaver:j. I need to 'fess up now though to say that since becoming debt-free last year I've fallen off the frugal wagon (hence my joining this challenge ) and actually use mince without the padding (apart from onions):o. Have just given myself a good slap and promise not to waste money so easily again.

miss_empty_piggy

Wow that sounds like such an awesome idea. I can't wait to try it.

Next year I'm aiming to try to eat less meat for health, cost and the environment, I'm not planning on cutting it out entirely but want to reduce it, so this sounds like a great way to make things stretch. Love to hear of any other stretchy meals and tips people might have.

cw18

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

Next year I'm aiming to try to eat less meat for health, cost and the environment, I'm not planning on cutting it out entirely but want to reduce it, so this sounds like a great way to make things stretch. Love to hear of any other stretchy meals and tips people might have.

Might sound crazy, but I spend slightly more on my packs of sausages these days to get the ones with a much higher meat content. I have a big appetite (my lifestyle means I burn a lot of calories), but am quite happy with two of these plus a pile of veg - whereas I used to have at least four cheap sausages. So it doesn't really cost me any (or much) more per serving, but I find they have much more flavour, a nicer texture, and I don't feel as if I'm just eating loads of fillers.




This year I've vastly reduced my red meat intake, but I didn't increase my fish as much or have as many vegetarian/vegan main as I'd have liked (I've just vastly increased my intake of chicken). That's something for me to try and address in 2020.

Siebrie

Siebrie wrote: »

Van_Girl, I'm with you. My life-money-work balance is usually pretty good, but we have to renovate next year (the kitchen extension is leaking, so we have appointed an architect to make the most of the necessary repairs) and we have to take out a loan and/or mortgage for this. Good news is that interest is really low at the moment. Still, we will pay more each month, and I have started a job that pays less (but is stressfree).

The Architect has been, and has already informed us that €100,000 including taxes and her fee will not be enough It may be enough to cover structural repairs, but not any changes to lay-out or anything fancy (for instance: large windows to look into the garden at the back). Hmmm, I'm a bit sad now, as I really didn't want to take on more debt than that on top of our €200,000 mortgage and the €50,000 renovations we had done when we moved in 8 years ago. (Mortgage is getting paid of a bit every month, renovations were partly subsidised and are completely paid off).

On the other hand, we are close to the Capital, and houses are increasing in price at a tremendous rate, so we should be able to get our money back. The bank is also offering a very good (renewal?) rate on our mortgage and the loan (both under 2%; our current mortgage is at 3.9%)

Frugaldom

Wow, Siebrie, that sounds like a phenomenal amount of money for your renovations and fees for it not to be exactly as you want. Is there any way you couls possibly opt for renewing the mortgage at the lower rate and including renovation money in that, so it is less interest to pay, or could you borrow / pay back in full installments to cover each phase of the work?. I can't quite comprehend such figures as I am in a rural, fairly inexpensive area of Scotland where we can still buy property for under £50,000 This is the only reason we are completely debt and mortgage free. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and I'm sure there will be some savings to be made along the way if you can source reclaimed materials.

Siebrie

We took out a €200,000 mortgage when we bought the house, at 4.3%. After 5 years, we asked the bank if they could lower the interest rate, and they did to 3.9%. We have been paying of for 9 years now, almost €40,000 of capital (and an insane amount in interest). The bank is willing to up the mortgage to the full €200,000 again, and change the rate to 2%, which is really helpful. The extra loan we would need would come at 1.75%. With those rates and against inflation, it's a really good deal. That said, any other fees (building permit, inspectors and experts of various kinds, temporary housing) are not included in that estimate .

Fixer-uppers are currently going for around €300,000, so we are still on the 'good' side. Those fixer-uppers are in a worse condition and with less garden (or garden on the wrong side of the house) than ours, so that also makes it worthwhile to renovate our own house and not move.

Still, those amounts are not common to me!

ancientmum

Hello,please can I join in, although I am bad at posting. I've been dipping into the 2019 thread and read 2020 so far, This is my first full year of living on my state and NHSpensions. I stopped doing paid work in April last year. My only debt is part of the cost of my bathroom which I had renovated last year. It is an interest free loan due to be paid in April and I have earmarked savings to pay it off.
I want to be able to live well day to day and save a bit towards weekends away and an annual holiday. There is only me and the cat., I'm seperated from my husband and I own my flat. I try to help out 3DS's. 1 & 2 are independent with families and 3 is student living on loans, staying with me in the holidays.
I'm looking forward to finding out how others manage, picking up some tips and maybe adding a few of my own. I've just changed my broadband deal using MSE, thank you Martin. :money:
Here's to a frugal but fun 2020.:beer:

Siebrie

I'm also looking forward to a lot of frugal fun in 2020!

First item: I got invited to a work event on 9 January, black tie I have a dress (from earlier employment), and husband's black suit is being bought for him at a steep discount by his sister (she enjoys hunting for bargains). We've been informed that a black suit is acceptable, as long as it comes with a bow tie

lessonlearned

I am another one who has overspent on house renovations.....which is why I'm determined to be ultra frugal next year....whilst still living a good life and having fun of course.

As I prepare for Christmas I have been thinking about next Christmas already.....nothing like forward planning. :rotfl:

I have decided not to cash in my small change jar, I have around £30 so neither here nor there really. I'm going to let it mount up and put that towards next Christmas, together with nectar points etc.

I don't know if it's possible but I would like to have a cash neutral Christmas next year, using the aforementioned small change jar, any cash back, points and vouchers etc.

I also want to do some handmade gifts next year.

I've set up an ideas folder for all the things I want to do and achieve next year and I have added a birthdays and Christmas section. I'm a great one for flashes of inspiration but not acting on them immediately and then forgetting them so I thought a file of ideas might help.

Siebre........like you I usually hit the sales for wrapping paper, cards, decorations and stuff. I've looked at my stash and I don't think I need to this time round. Although I might look for nice toiletries, little gifts etc. I did buy some half price decorations and fairy lights in Asda yesterday.