2020 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

So today I took advantage of the fact that here in England we can travel to a different location to exercise, and did an almost 80 mile round trip for a 3 mile walk !!

Gave the courtesy car a bit of a blast - probably overdue and much needed, as son has mentioned the mpg dropping this past week.   It'll be interesting to see how it does when he uses it for work over the weekend, as it doesn't seem to have done badly today.   Only the third or fourth time I've driven since early March (and the first time it's been more than stop/start in a van for work), so even the driving was somewhat of a novelty.

Stopped at a large Mr M en-route (much closer to there than here), and after asking at the bakery left the store with 2kg of bread flour.  I'd taken some large plastic clip-lid storage boxes with me as I didn't want to risk the flimsy pie bags splitting in the car, so as soon as I got back to it with my shopping the bags were carefully put into those as if they were gold dust    I should now have everything I need if I have to go into total isolation for 14 days

Dropped belated Easter Eggs off for my grand-daughters (and daughter), and had a chat over a garden wall with a brew whilst eating lunch.

We then 'happened' to take the same route for our daily walks at the same time, with me a fairly constant 2-3metres behind them.  A lot of calling back over shoulders and shouting forwards was done - just as well we mostly stuck to country lanes

Then I called round at my parents on the way back 'to assist a couple who are shielding'.   Dropped off some shopping (most of which had been done by my daughter who had planned to walk over with it) and some elbow crutches for my Dad (he's unsteady on his pins and had mentioned to my elder son before lock-down he thought he might be safer on these - son sourced a pair a friend of his had previously used and been told not to return as they can't reissue them!  Mad when the NHS are so short of money )   And whilst there I moved 3 large bags of bark from where they were to where my Mum needs them in order to continue with the gardening which is helping to keep her sane.     I also picked up some of my stuff that ended up in their garage many years ago - my Mum is currently working on decluttering it so that it can be used to store a car for the first time in the 40+ years they've lived there     I now have my lovely large pot kitchen mixing bowl back - had wondered what happened to that!

Whilst I've not felt that I'm struggling mentally, I actually feel much better for having seen them in person rather than just chatting on the phone.

Bubblesmum

Hello 
Popping in to say that I’m a newbie on the frugal living front and I know I have a lot to learn , read all of this years and look forward to reading more and picking up tips ........

BM 

MazzieD

Dear All
I am new to the Forums and after reading all the posts here I thought it might help if I let you know how I found this wonderful thread.  I have been getting the MSE weekly email for years.  I noticed a link on the Quick Forum Tips for the Grocery Challenge quite recently, started reading it and someone mentioned Frugal Living.  I wonder if it might help people who are not aware to try and get featured with a link on the Quick Forum Tips.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who hasn't been onto the main MSE site and found the Forums.  Needless to say I'm now reading and hoping to post!.

Frugaldom

Welcome @Bubblesmum and @MazzieD   We have been featured in Martin's tips several times over the years but for some reason we were moved into debt free wannabe section during a site upgrade some years ago. If yu have a look on page 1 of this challenge thread, there are links to all the previous years going back to the start of when it was moved to MSE. We've been publishing it since 1999 in various places but never with a budget to promote it.
@cw18 you look like you've been as busy as ever! We are still on complete lockdown here in Scotland so not much change to be reported from here. Mostly fundraising to compensate for lockdown and attempting to keep on top of things at Frugaldom.
My 'grant' from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme was paid into account within a week so that was really uick and simple to process. I hope everyone else who is elegible was able to make a claim - it's a bit like a tax rebate, except we've to declare it as income on next year's tax return. I don't earn much in the first place but every penny helps.
The weather has taken a turn but it's still not too cold - an extra layer needed and that should be fine. Im eagerly awaiting clarification from 28th May to see if Scottish Government is going to allow parks, gardens & nurseries to begin reopening and for people to be allowed to travel a little further afield, albeit alone.
My plants that had been kept safe all winter for selling this spring have all gone a bit leggy and I can't source compost to repot them so they are being split up and rooted in water until I can collectc more mole hills for soil. H is busy working on a sculpture that includes an old pony sulky, where we will be able to sit the plants for sale. That's the plan, anyway. Recycling and using whatever can be salvaged. I'd saved my old broken bike from some years ago so the wheels from that have gone onto the cart so it can be moved and it's now been painted with spare paint that someone had ready for sending to trash. The plant trough is an old plastic ish crate retrieved during beach cleaning last year - I love pallets and fish crates as both are so handy when gardening. 

mumof3.12kindebt

hi everyone, I've been posting updates on my diary to keep me on track. but haven't posted here for a few days. I've now caught up on posts. I'm currently self isolating ready to start my new job on the first of June. we have been keeping busy with school work, gardening , baking, organising, cleaning, and getting rid of stuff etc. not a lot spent the last 2/3 weeks, we have definitely done better than previous weeks in the lock down and i hope the new ways continue. ill update with our total no spend days at the end of the month. i have one more weekly pay before the end of the month. that will be my last pay until i start my new job, luckily i don't have to work a month in hand so we will be okay.
at the start of the lock-down i really concentrated on minimising the amount of stuff we own / have in the house. the idea being the less we have the less to clean, tidy and organise and the more time i will have with the children and my partner. i hope to one day have minimal personal belongings so much so that i can fit everything in a holdall. i also look at it (although a bit morbid) like this when i pass away i don't want my children overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we have when clearing out the house. This process of minimising our home really made me realise how much money i have wasted on 'stuff' due to consumerism, most of it if i really thought about things before buying it i would of easily left on the shelf instead of bringing it home. its a life style change (although we don't have tons of stuff) and it somewhat fits well with a frugal lifestyle. minimalism isn't about restricting yourself and causing self deprivation and everyone has their own way in this lifestyle but for me personally its about limiting my urge towards consumerism, saving money and living a more simple but fulfilled life. this journey will definitely save me money and teach me what is important for me. its also opened my eyes to being more resourceful, instead of buying something i ask myself do i already have something i can use? although i started in April this year i have done a lot of this for many years, and I've always had regular massive clear-outs but its so easy to think i need x y z and instantly buy it these days that i was easily sucked in too buying things and then a few months down the line selling it or donating it and most of the time its only been used once

now i am back on the frugal train (which again i have been on it more than off it in the last ten years)since having my own place) i think i have now got to the point that it is a way of life. partly what is helping is that i have things i want or need to pay for and i dont want to rely on credit so im trying to save up the cash. firstly i have some repairs on the house i need to get fixed, i also need to get daughters room re-plastered and finished. id like to buy a car in cash instead of taking out another lease next year and i would like to get a small extension done on the back of the house as soon as possible. each room of the house also needs decorating so lots of things to save for and things that aren't exactly going to be cheap. 
on a positive note we have only spent money on food shopping and tobacco since i last posted and both me and my partner are using our vapes more and more.

anyway i've rambled enough. hope everyone is well 

MazzieD

Thanks Frugaldom. 
 I'm aware I didn't say why I've joined in.  I've always lived within my means, am debt-free and try to be frugal but this has made me realise that I have no idea how much I actually spend annually on everything apart from groceries.  I have started using the Spreadsheet and tracked back to January 2020.  I really need to try and cut back.

My emergency fund has already been used up on repairs to serious chimney leaks during the storms, 2 bedrooms with quite bad water damage. (Previous owner of property didn't get them sorted out so long term wear and tear, wasn't mentioned on the survey 18 months ago when I bought the house and was told by a neighbour after the event!.) My car now needs major work, service and MOT..  Aaargh!!   Thankfully I have savings. 

 Was planning a major overhaul of my garden this year but am putting on hold due to Covid and finances. Oh the joys of home ownership...….

[Deleted User]

 I worried about how to keep up on here but you can see for yourself that the vast majority simply vanished. I'm a bit dumbfounded by that, as it's the very opposite of what I would have expected. Perhaps the frugal living challenge has run its course.

Hi Frugaldom, like many others I don't think the Frugal living challenge has run its course.  I have stopped posting regularly for a couple of reasons and they are nothing to do with this challenge no longer being relevant.  In fact I think it's probably more relevant now than ever.   My lack of posting is partly due to the change over in the forum and not particularly liking the new system but also, and mainly, due to the fact that working from home has me sitting in front of the computer most of the day.  Once I am finished for the day I just switch off the computer and am happy to be away from screens for a while.  

I am one of the people who has benefited from this thread to help get my finances into shape.  I have been debt and mortgage free for a while now and it is frugal living that has got me there.  So many things are now ingrained and are just part of the way I live my life.  I agree frugality is not just about getting out of debt, for me it is a lifestyle that I enjoy and that is also about being more environmentally conscious, being more self sufficient, having a solution focus that doesn't involve buying something and enjoying the make do and mend lifestyle.  There are so many frugal habits woven into my daily life that I often don't think about them anymore, I just do them.  A lot of those frugal habits have served me well in the current situation, including well stocked pantry and freezer.  I do miss seeing family, friends and colleagues but am used to, and enjoy, quiet time to myself either in the garden or spending time doing crafts or reading.  My 'one weakness' has always been books and I have spent way too much on Amazon over the past few years.  Towards the end of last year I decided no more and cancelled my Amazon account and use the local library which I am loving and I am actually reading more then ever.

 

nannygladys

Hi everyone,
Mumof3: When my mum and then stepdad died, we realised how much 'stuff'  they had but quite a lot of it was duplicated in 12's!! and a lot of clothes still with labels in them!! and the paperwork ….anyway after seeing all that I decided that I couldn't do that to my kids so I went through the house and got rid, I also realised Id spent a lot on stuff I didn't really need or want anymore so the CS's and various places had quite a lot donated to them! and I tend to ignore the adverts now!

I have a credit card which I am paying off, but don't have much left on it now, but I do still use it to shop online etc so I always pay my spend off straight away instead of leaving it until the bill comes in, and then make a payment to pay the some of the rest off at the 'proper' time, - works for me.
 
im still food shopping once a fortnight and it really helps me be more focused, I follow my shopping list (first time ever!!!) and I make stuff last, if all else fails and I fancy something sweet I have a bowl of cereal!!! Working for me as I seem to be able to save something. I do factor in some treats but sometimes they disappear in the first week!!

Planted my cucumbers and toms down the lottie  today and the polytunnel was swaying to and fro, so I tied it down a bit more. Dug another small bed over and prepared it ready for the courgettes going in. Just one of the bigger ones to be prepared and the butternuts can go in, and then I can take my time and get the rest tidied - Im not growing as much as usual as I wasn't sure whether or not they would close the site. Anyway off to make a coffee and have a biscuit.
Nannyg

sashacat

I have just collected 3 bags of seaweed from a nearby beach. It’s ok to take as long as it is above the high tide mark and not attached to anything like a rock or stones. I only take the really dried out stuff.
It is great to add to the compost or as a mulch or just to cover the empty veg beds over the winter. It adds a lot of nutrients and the worms and insects seem to take it down so there is never any left when I uncover the beds in the spring.

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Really quiet day today, haven't been out, cooked all the food Ive eaten, laundry completed and a bit of knitting and sewing done, so frugal day completed!!
Nannyg