2020 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

I’ve started using vinegar in my washing machine as a softener. I’m quite surprised how well it works. I would like to find it in glass bottles though ... 

Taking DD to uni tomorrow for her first year. Eeek. 

zafiro1984

I have just had to replace my old computer and in setting up this one I came across this thread. I'm sure I have seen it before but reading the first page and looking at the spreadsheet I realise i am doing something very similar but with fewer headings.

I try to save wherever possible but I'm not paranoid (maybe that's the wrong word) about it. I tried and failed this year to grow more fruit and veg, I forage, have hens but no turkeys this year. I cook from scratch, batch cook and bulk buy, I know there is probably a lot more I could do so hopefully this thread will help.

Frugaldom

Hi @zafiro1984 This challenge has been running on here for about 13 years now so you have possibly seen it in the past. We're still here and still welcome newcomers who follow the frugal living pathway. Sounds like you are already a frugaler. Welcome!

sashacat

Just made a big batch of bolognese sauce from veggies from the garden and greenhouse. Six portions of which 4 will go in the freezer, if I can find room. 
Welcome Zafiro. Everyone is friendly on here. 

mumof3.12kindebt

Hi everyone hope you are well ? 
A quick question

We are getting a wood burner in the next few months can I collect wood for the fire as well as buy it and what sort of wood do I look for 

Thankyou

willow_loulou

Yes you can collect wood but if it’s from trees rather than say a pallet chopped up you must season it - ie leave it for at least 12 months for the sap to dry out and the wood to dry. Otherwise it can cause chimney fires, excess gunk in your chimney etc and be a pain to light. 

mumof3.12kindebt

Thankyou willow_loulou that's good to know  

zafiro1984

Collected a bucket full of crab apples yesterday, some will go to the hens and the rest will be processed. I've already got a litre of cooked rosehip juice in the fridge which I did a couple of days ago so I'm thinking crabapple and rosehip jelly or crabapple, rosehip and orange marmalade as i have 3 oranges which need using up.

sashacat

Zafiro, that marmalade sounds delicious and it will be nutritious too.
mumof3, I have had a wood burner for 4 years now and have yet to buy wood. I collect kindling while out on my walks and people give me old wood that they want rid of. I saw it up. People give me pallets, tree trunks and branches and I cover them up and leave them for a year or two. 
Currently I think I have enough for the next two winters at least but I keep on accepting wood as I see no point in paying for it.

Treasurequeen

Flea and wormer for my cat has been ordered from vets if I buy 3 months worth I get money off. So ordered 3 months worth which will last up until her booster in January.  Apple cider vinegar can be used to make traps for those tiny gnats in house/garden. My Laundry basket lid broke and Companies don't seem to be offering replacement lids like they used to a few years ago. There is nothing else wrong with it so i tried gluing it but it failed so i managed to practice my knotting skill and knotted a macramé hinge to the original one which has solved the problem. (Only problem is the cat thinks its a new thing to chew).