2020 Frugal Living Challenge

MazzieD

OLaney said:

@MazzieD we went after fence paint last week and was shocked to find none on the shelves in Homebase or B &Q...luckily found some in Wickes. It was actually not too bad  in the shop itself.. just surprised to see them so empty of products! People have moved on to DIY stores it seems...

Thanks, what a good idea.  Wickes is closer to me but I forget about them, will pop in and have a look as don't need anything else for the garden.

willow_loulou

@nat21luv congratulations on becoming debt free! Wonderful 

My rain catchers remain almost empty as we didn’t get more than a splash of rain! I’ll take pictures of them for those who asked. I’m hoping for a decent downpour soon. 

I brought my bigger plants in as we were due winds, it wasn’t too bad here but I can’t afford to loose plants again. I’m going to put a table out to shelter things and to put smaller plants on. It’s a huge ercol one so if I varnish it should last years outside. I’ll put plastic sheets my other half found over it to create a kind of green house. 

Frugaldom

@nat21luv That's fabulous news about your freedom from debt, that is a massive amount to clear in such a short time while also saving for a house deposit.
I have been given a tin of green fence paint so that will get used at Frugaldom, possibly on a bird hide, when we finally get around to building one.  I was also given a bag of fruit by a neighbou, by way of a thank you for offering some remote online help so that will keep us going for a bit. Loads of salad leaves and lettuce, kale, spinach and radishes, now the onions, shallots, leeks and cabbages are starting to grow a bit faster and the herbs are all doing well. 

MazzieD

Went to Wickes this morning, very much the same everywhere, shelves empty for garden paint, just some creosote and a couple of different shades of brown stain and only a couple of tins of each of those.  Went for the lighter shade, don't want to trek around trying to find another colour.  Will be mainly covered by bushes and shrubs so not too bothered,  Haven't got round to jobs I was planning in the garden yet but have everything ready to do a massive pruning session and a bit of weeding.  Weather forecast isn't looking good for next few days, if it's right could be seeing rain for next few days.  Might need to wait until the weekend.


Beginning to wonder where my brain has been for the last few months, normally pretty good at keeping tabs on my finances.  Did one of Martins's big winter switches for gas and electric, switched in early November 2019.  Noticed my direct debit was really low so looked at my online account this morning.  2 gas statements, no electricity statements, so as was at home did an online 'webchat' with an adviser straight away  Gas is fine but turns out my electricity has never gone 'live'.  Just as well I wasn't on the phone, I turned the air blue!!.  Advised to ring them (that should be fun) to sort it out.  Only gas I have is central heating so cooking and everything else hasn't been billed for 6 months.  I have second generation smart meters for both (from previous supplier).  Anyway, will see what they say when I manage to get through to them.  

Still need to sort out quotes for the remaining car work,  just seem to be spending time prioritising which bill comes first at the moment.  I know this will get better, this is not a 'normal' year!.

 

willow_loulou

Paid another £100 of my debts today. I’m determined to get the loan gone before dd goes to uni. It’s the biggest payment I have so it will be good to see the back of it. 

I have flowers on my tomato plants! So excited after losing so much to the weather. 

sashacat

Well done with the payment Willow.
Mazzie, that is terrible about the electricity bill. Totally their fault. 
and I also have flowers on my tomatoes. Exciting. 

2Scratters

Morning Peeps,
Bit of a long post warning!!!
Just wondering if anyone else is feeling this. The lockdown has fortunately not changed my lifestyle very much. I didn't go out shopping too much as when I did I spent money. I think the good weather during this has helped a lot of people be able to manage the situation better, I did and do feel for those with no outdoor space.
 Since semi retiring just short of a year ago and becoming mortgage free here I am now with money in my bank. This feels very weird, more at the end of the month having a healthy balance, don't get me wrong its lovely. Having had the last 40years of "controllable debt" even at one point of a mortgage interest rate at 17% its odd. I am enjoying putting chunks of savings away, I am now more aware of money I have and did waste. The realisation is that we have been fortunate to have afforded debt, yet think wished I had tried harder earlier. having been a member of this site for over 10years has made a lot of things possible. I'm not going to count the cost its not worth it. Having been there and done it all, we are really very happy where we are right now.
Thanks for the space to write this.

2Scratters
Have a lovely day

MazzieD

Ho hum.

Been trying to ring about electricity for two days.  Getting a recorded message each time that they are unable to take calls at the moment and directing everyone to their website.  Still, I have an e mail copy of the webchat so might e mail it back to them and ask how I am supposed to sort it out on the phone.  The best bit is I received an e mail request for views about communication with them yesterday (specifically before COVID). rotfl.

Anyway, just wanted to ask those of you with water butts about how easy they are to install.  Thinking about possibly fitting one to a downpipe at some point.  Haven't got an outside tap and with compulsory water meters where I live need to find an alternative.  Mind you, it's not exactly urgent with the lack of rain at the moment!.

sashacat

Hi Mazzie, it’s raining here at the moment! 
Water butts are easy to install but you need to make sure the fittings are inside the butt when you buy it. Best to get two and connect the second as an overflow from the first and they will both fill during the winter. I have 6 and it’s never enough in a dry spell, but then I grow all my own veggies. 
Try freecycle. 
And I bet there are videos on YouTube showing you how to fix them. 

cw18

I have two water butts.  Didn't take long (or much effort) to install - but I have plastic downpipes.   If I were in an old property that still had metal I think it would be too much work for me!    I have them connected to different downpipes on the same side of my house as I don't have space by either to create a 'chain' of butts.   And I can't use my third downpipe (on the other side of the house) as I then wouldn't be able to get my mower or wheelie bin between the front and back of my property.