2020 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

I have lit the wood burning stove, it’s like October here x

willow_loulou

I just had another box of eco logs Delivered today by the happiest delivery man ever 🥰 I’m getting there with my store as my usual scavenging has been reduced with my mobility over the years. Plus they make for a cleaner chimney according to my sweep. Which I must book actually! I’m late this year, it’s all out of sink. 

I had a good harvest of peas today, we had them raw with Camembert and carrots/breadsticks. 

I’m going to start using my tins and save some money on food shopping, things are going to be a bit tight without the child benefits so I’ll start using the older stuff up and save the shopping money. I think I can feed us on £10 a week for the month. So that’s my budget! 

We’re using the government eat out scheme Monday as an early birthday nosh for DD as she will be at uni before her birthday. 

I passed my latest assignment so 1 more and I can start on Christmas gifts. 

What do you recommend with Christmas cards? I usually get 1 decent box of 10/12 as I give around that many. Is there an ethical frugal option (not home made no time for that) 
Hope you’re all well x 

Kerry_Woman

I was under budget this month for the food shop.  I applied for an volunteer post and now am on their database.  They want a 3 month commitment which will keep me busy, just have to wait for an opening.  Am hoping it will open more opportunities for me.  Did 3 hour voluntary job for a local college through my local council, made a contact there which also may open more opportunities for me.  Had to have an eye test  and ordered 2 pairs of glasses - one for reading and one for distance.  They were £69 each and got the lens free, eg thinning of lens, non reflective glare.  So saved £110. Just waiting for them to be done so that I can collect them.  Had to sort out the door handle for the flat.  It only had to tighten, so instead of charging me £65, I paid him £20.  He said he could not justify charging me the full cost for the little work that had to be done.  

CraftyLittleLisa

I made it - I didn't spend any more money on food.  I have now reviewed my budget and I think I am back on track.  I have also checked my general budget and spending and have managed to achieve the 50:30:20 rules which was a very pleasant surprise.  I'm now going to start thinking about Christmas in the hope I can spread out the expense a bit more (as long as Christmas isn't cancelled due to Covid 19).

willow_loulou

@CraftyLittleLisa I get vouchers I save for with Park Hampers for Christmas. I sometime get a big jar of sweets from them too. I get Marks vouchers and everyone either gets a voucher or food if I’m not making them something. Just a suggestion for next year. I’ve been doing it for years now, takes all the worry away and usually the physical shopping is done in one go.  

[Deleted User]

Good evening frugal friends

Happy 1st September! Officially my favourite month and the start of my financial year! It has been a glorious sunny day today. I did a load of laundry on a 30 minute wash, which doesn't have such a high spin setting, but because it was so sunny it dried beautifully. I used to run the washing machine and dishwasher daily to make me feel more on top of things - now, I am washing when I know it's going to be fine enough to hang the washing out, and the DW goes on every other day 😉. Such small things really, but evidences what a shift in mindset I've had recently, and if we all did it...

I have been avidly keeping an eye on my energy consumption thingy over the past few days, and am pleased to report it has stayed under the £1 mark for the past four days running. To say that our daily standing charge is 47p (😤) I'm happy with that. The oven has been used lightly which really helps. I lit the woodburner at the weekend when it was chilly. I've been reading the 'prepping for winter' thread and really enjoying it. I've also signed up to the MSE energy club and will be switching provider when my deal comes to an end in February - I am going to move to a green provider. 

My savings are at £1400; I may be able to add a bit more in before I get paid but I'm not pressuring myself to do so, as I have a few 'extras' this month including mums 60th birthday. I'm an only child and want to treat her to a lovely meal out 😘😘 I am also considering replacing two of our windows upstairs, they are very very old double glazing and let a lot of the cold in. A local firm is offering triple glazing for the price of double at the moment, anyone any experience of triple glazing?

Other small wins include bidding on some Clarks winter boots on eBay for DD - 1 day to go and I'm winning at £3! Also picked DS an Adidas hoodie up in a charity shop - £2.50; still selling full price £38!!! He's 6!!! 

I also need to buy some recharging batteries and a battery charger this week - we use lots and I know this will save me lots in the long run.

Right I'm going up to bed to read my book. Take care all and sleep well xx

sashacat

Well done Crafty. Coming in under budget is amazing, especially as food is getter dearer all the time.
my NDN came round last night with a big box of apples and a friend rand to see if I wanted some elderberries so I cooked them both together and have a large saucepan of apple and elderflower to go in the freezer. It will go on my porridge in the winter. 
Planted 3 blueberry plants today that I got in Lidl for £3.49 each. The ericaceous compost cost more than the plants. 
Hope everyone is keeping safe, healthy and frugal. 

Frugaldom

Good afternoon, fellow frugalers All is well here even if we don't have much by way of fruit growing. The plums have been stewed into sauce, I still have plenty of frozen blackcurrants and there are a few apples on the trees that will also be stewed and frozen. Weather has been very erratic here - lashing rain one day, glorious sunshine the next and then howling wond blowing all the leaves off the trees; autumnal, I'd say. I got all my accounts up to date and was happy to receive a payment from HMRC as part of their self-employed assistance grant, so that will hopefully tide me over for the rest of the year for shopping. In the meantime, I have transferred the next lot of savings into Premium Bonds, after winning another £25 this month. I look at it as how much pony or poultry food it can buy, as we now have 10 ponies, 18 hens and 5 ducks to feed at the Frugaldom project. We sold a couple of bits and pieces that had been lying in the shed unused so that made a tiny bit space and also brought in another few pounds.  My wardrobe has been brought up to date with workwear, thanks to friends, and the only thing my fridge and cupboards seem to run out of is milk and milk powder, so I'll need to stock up on UHT with each supermarket delivery. M0rrisons has reduced minimum order to £25 so I will split my orders so they are arriving every couple of weeks instead of monthly. That should resolve the milk problem, as nobody delivers it about here and I'm too far from the nearest village store to make it financially viable to run back and forth just for milk.
September... the month of super saving, as we prepare for the autum dash into winter without knowing what the remainder of the year has in store for us. Being prepared has never been so important.

2Scratters

Hi asparklyblonde
Couple of suggestions for you, your fizzy water could be purchased at a cost of 17p per 2litre either at A!di or Morries. I agree in supporting the milkman, however you could reduce your purchase and supplement from Frm Foods if you have one, 2ltr x 2 £1.50
Butter is also 99p. Fuel supply swop could also bring your costs down by £10+ pcm.
Best wishes

2Scratters

willow_loulou

Hi all, just applied for my Winter warm home Discount from British Gas. It was successful 😊 it’s been a real help every year. Don’t forget to check if you’re eligible with your supplier. 

My tomatoes are turning red, but there’s very few. It’s been a rubbish year for home grown. 

Christmas vouchers are paid for and due to be delivered soon, I’ve got 4 books for my mum already (50p each) and a few bits - total spend £3:50 😊 

Sweep is booked, just the cars MOT to organise now.