2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Tanya12345

Hi All, have been absent for a while.... Life just kind of took over and I've taken my eye off several things. It's been so lovely reading your posts and trying to catch up ! Have reached the point of needing to regain control of the run away train that is life ! My new year is starting today....... Inventory, Spreadsheets for all expenses - paper and pen for me, I'm an ol' style gal ! I normally wait for a calendar inspired start date but that's how I've ended up here..... so seizing the day here I go....
have a good day everyone. X

Frugaldom

Welcome back, @Tanya12345 and the very best of luck with your catching-up spreadsheets etc. Seize the day, indeed!
Our hens are laying quite wll now so I'm sharing eggs with neighbours, as there's no real way of trading them out to the general public here. (Frugaldom is a bit off the beaten track.) I do receive plenty of bits and pieces in return and anytime I'm asked, I jjust say to bring me a bit cheese or carton of milk or similar. One neighbour bakes every week so there's often cake of some description or other. I'd love to be able to lve totally off grid and cash free, just trading goods and produce, even if only during the summer months; I think that would be great. Maybe one day, if we eventually build our tiny cabin community.

willow_loulou

I wish I was your neighbour @Frugaldom I’ve no one to trade for eggs with. I’ve been considering birds again but it will have to wait for Mr to move in as I’d not manage alone. 

I’m loving reading the updates, especially those coming back to the frugal life. 

I’ve had a monumental day for me, I closed my loan - made the final payment to close it 7 month early! I couldn’t have done that without this thread. Thank you @Frugaldom And all the lovely contributors. I’m £106 a month better off! 

I also went to Sainsbury’s as I needed a few things, prices have really rocketed. My evening primrose has doubled! 

But I have shampoo at last! I bought 4 so no temptation to return and impulse buy for a fair while! 

sashacat

I would love to be self sufficient in food at least. But I need to buy things like spices and pickling vinegar so it can never happen. I do grow all of my own salads, veggies and herbs and do sometimes trade for eggs. But I buy fish and butter, pulses and flour etc that I can’t grow. I suppose I could do without most things but I could not do without tea. Or milk. 

But i am very frugal. 

Tanya12345

Spreadsheet set up. ..... Now the work begins ! Lots of supplies in freezer/ cupboards etc. Keeping a note of every penny. Have worked out a rough budget and will try and stick to that, but feel after the spreadsheet has been running for a while I should have a better idea of an achievable / realistic budget. Garden is producing well and I am trying to run menus around what I have........ Will need ideas please as I have gluts already - cabbages at the mo !!! 
Fantastic work willow lou Lou, what an achievement x
I'm working towards an emergency fund (!) plus maybe the start of a pot for a big purchase to add to our homestead. 
Xx

Pixiehouse55

Shopping done for the next 4 weeks £178 and odd pennies (I'm in bed receipt downstairs) milk bread cheese etc goes in the freezer. I must pay off a chunk of my credit card, I panic just the thought of it but we have money there in emergency fund. I get panicky to the what if I lose respite that's extra every month which I save the money from, normally 1 service user stays for respite per month.   Sooner its paid off then more we can pay off on our mortgage.   All our veggie plants are coming along nicely.  Love our own grown veg. Small garden here but lots growing in pots and greenhouse. Picking the cherries.. before the birds peck at them lol  figs and grapes coming along nicely.   To be self efficient would be lovely.   
Frugaldom  where do you live? Did I read somewhere that you have a blog or am I dreaming? 

willow_loulou

Thanks @Tanya12345 it’s been a real worry, I’m so glad it’s done with. Try trading your extras, I’m sure you could find a like minded person. 

@sashacat I’d love to be self sufficient too, when Mr moves in we will make strides that way, I’m a pot gardener as it all needs to be accessible for me. It’s a lovely dream. I also need coffee, so I’ll always buy something from somewhere 

Jazee

So today living frugally officially begins as DH finished work yesterday.  He will go back to something eventually but only temp or part time.  Today should be a no spend day.  I did budgets yesterday and it's amazing how you can stretch one months pay to last for two.  We have lots of supplies in store and I hope not to have to dip into savings. 

Tanya12345

Morning all, Im with you re coffee willow Lou Lou ! Guess there'll always be a few things that tie us to the "system" ! Good luck Jazee, new starts are fab - exciting and terrifying all at once. Off into the garden now, raining but weeds stop for no woman !! Go to try and rescue the poorly garlic and swamped onions !
 Have a good day everyone xx

willow_loulou

Tanya12345 said:

Morning all, Im with you re coffee willow Lou Lou ! Guess there'll always be a few things that tie us to the "system" ! Good luck Jazee, new starts are fab - exciting and terrifying all at once. Off into the garden now, raining but weeds stop for no woman !! Go to try and rescue the poorly garlic and swamped onions !
 Have a good day everyone xx

There will be indeed - me with my coffee the Mr with his football subscriptions. Good luck with the weeds!
Ive got a pile of cherry and lemon pips planted this morning. I’m not worried if I don’t get fruiters from them, I want some small trees for the end of the garden. Fruit would be a bonus but it’s more environmental (shade etc) and free as well as just because I can 😂 dd is into Bonsai so maybe she will have a couple if they get anywhere.