2020 Frugal Living Challenge

sashacat

Thanks.
I will try it using the beans that I have cooked and frozen. 

Frugaldom

sashacat said:

Blimey Frugaldom, do you have 100 tyres?
One thing for sure is that you will be able to collect lots of leaves and make good leaf mould. 
How far are you from the sea because seaweed makes an excellent mulch.

Not all trees have tyres yet and we live a mile from shore, hence all the beach cleaning junk collected for H turning into environmental art projects.   My trouble is lack of time to do anything as it's full on, fulltime work probably for at least 3 people but as there's not enough income to support employees when it's a voluntary project, progress is very slow.

[Deleted User]

The poppies are coming into flower. The reason I plant perennial poppies is for the dried seed heads. These I add to my vase come winter. Yesterday I  sewed up a batch of small pouches ready to be filled with the lavender once it comes into flower properly. I hang these in the wardrobes to ward off fiber eating moths. 

Shopaholic_no_more

Today I spent 20 quid at the local farm shop as hate going in any kind of supermarket at the moment. Not as cheap but much better quality and local. Will save money elsewhere to recoup any extra cost. Am no longer buying clothes new so until I have saved the money to buy my sewing machine I will use eBay and local charity shops when they reopen. People seem to be concerned about buying things from these shops going forward but I actually think they will be safer than traditional clothes shops as they will likely be more thorough due to the fact that they are handling second hand items. I, personally, won’t have a problem with using them. Next week I am on holiday so will set about potting up my runner beans for later in the summer. Was hoping to get a raised veg patch set up this year but that has had to be put on hold for the time being but it is definitely something I want to do next year! UTube tutorials are invaluable to me at the moment! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  

willow_loulou

@OLaney I’ve never understood the issue with second hand clothes, I rarely buy new clothes I’ve bought 4 dresses this year all under £2. I’ve always looked as second hand before buying most of anything new. I wonder how people afford new clothes all the time tbh 

Shopaholic_no_more

@willow_loulou oh I totally get what you are saying. I think it maybe more to do with being a follower of fashion and not caring what you spend your money on? I'm not sure but I do know it is something I shall not be doing anymore.
I actually haven't bought any clothes at all since April 2019 which I am very chuffed about! I am definitely of the mind of make do and mend now and tbh I think that is an age thing as well as a money thing and for me it is more of an environmental thing more than anything. Shocking amount of waste is fast fashion . 

Shopaholic_no_more

I have a question lovely people...
I have a metal garden incinerator..you know the kind with the lid with a chimney. I was looking at it earlier and thinking I could actually put it to better use as a compost bin I think. Has anyone done this? It would save me buying one as I do want to start one and create my own compost. But if it is not going to be sturdy enough to do this I may have to do some research. Thanks in advance 👍

[Deleted User]

Those metal incinerators do rust readily so it won't really be a long term composting solution. Personally it wouldn't be a solution for me even if it would be handy for worm access when the bottom rusts out.

A bin isn't necessary for composting and you could get going right away with just piling your matter up. 

sashacat

OLaney, you don’t need a container to compost but if you want one then the best way is to make it with 4 pallets. A container does hold all the material together but it needs to be open at the bottom to allow the worms in. 
Have you tried your council website as the black plastic ones are often subsidised and they do work. Alternatively try freecycle. I have two plastic ones that are very good and were gifted to me free

willow_loulou

I joined a couple of sustainability living groups on fb oh my word they’re patronising! I think I’ll give them a miss! @Frugaldom did you say you have a website?