2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

Hello frugalers, sorry to be sparce with my posts but life takes over with so much to do.
News on the Covid front is looking a bit bleak for many so I hope everyone here is managing to adapt and lend a hand to those around them who may find themselves in lifestyle or financial difficulties. I also hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, as Ive seen so many idiots flouting Government guidelines (or breaking laws) that it truly beggars belief.
Smart meters - don't even get me started on those. As someone who lives in an area that still has zero mobile phone signals, these meters are a waste of time and money - they still need to send out meter men to do the job. That, to me, is really all that it is about - remote billing and a reduction in the number of meter-reading staff, simplifying the processes involved in getting bills issued and paid. Automation to electronic payments and another step in the direction of abolishing cash in favour of electronic currency. Just my long-standing belief on such things.
I'm online grocery shopping with M0rrisons now as the nearest store (just over 20 miles away) has built an extention and started the click & collect plus regular delivery service throughout the area. I dislike that they cannot offer the price guarantee on substitutions and we now have to buy carriers whether we want them or not, but they are apparently introducing a deposit / refun policy if you return the bags... whatever it is, it didn't work tonight and I was charged 90p for carriers I didn't need or want.
Premium Bonds... another hot topic of mine as I have been predicting their gradual demise - looks like we will have even less chance of winning anything after December, as they're removing something like a million pounds from their prize pot. I'm becoming increasingly wary of these as they are basically an interest free loan to the Government and I can't see them havng the funds to refund everyone in the event of a run on cashing them in. Has to be worth considering, though, and an alternative 'safehouse' found for savings. My personal preference has always been investing in debt freedom, a secure roof over my head and a bit of land, then expand on that in whichever way fits the lifestyle best.

[Deleted User]

We have smart meters, and one of those plug in things in the kitchen that shows how much energy we are using. I personally really like it, with small children in summer we make it a game sometimes to see if we can keep it under £1 for the day (of which 47p is our standing  charge). It has certainly made me more aware of switching things off when not in use, even though I thought I was fairly good before getting it.

It also encourages me to run the DW less (every other day now as opposed to daily), and where I can I do clothes on a 30 minute wash which uses about 5p, rather than a 55 minute 40 degree wash which uses around 40p. 

It's fine and sunny here today. The SC is on with a ragu sauce in it, and a few bits of outer clothing that needed freshening, as opposed to a full wash, have been sprayed with some febreze I am trying to use up (won't buy again but may as well use what's left), and over the airer in the sun x

Shopaholic_no_more

Thankyou everyone for your comments regarding the smart meters ...water or electricity....some interesting opinions there. I live in a new build so I guess my water meter must be a smart one although we have not been told as such 🤷‍♀️. 

I think I am veering towards NOT having an electricity smart meter put in to be honest as I also know which things are the worse offenders and so will try to keep these to a minimum or not use at all (especially the tumble dryer, I will only use this in emergencies from now on). The DW gets used everyday and sadly I couldn’t do this every other day like you @Deleted_User although I wish I could! 

My mum is going to let me use a bit of her garden for growing veg yay! So off to get some cheap wellies and  a watch the rerun of gardeners world 😀. 

[Deleted User]

@OLaney I didn't think we could manage every other day either, but I challenged myself to at least try and am amazed that we can. Maybe just give it a go, you might be pleasantly surprised x

MisterPym

Deleted_User said:

We have smart meters, and one of those plug in things in the kitchen that shows how much energy we are using. I personally really like it, with small children in summer we make it a game sometimes to see if we can keep it under £1 for the day (of which 47p is our standing  charge). It has certainly made me more aware of switching things off when not in use, even though I thought I was fairly good before getting it.

It also encourages me to run the DW less (every other day now as opposed to daily), and where I can I do clothes on a 30 minute wash which uses about 5p, rather than a 55 minute 40 degree wash which uses around 40p. 

It's fine and sunny here today. The SC is on with a ragu sauce in it, and a few bits of outer clothing that needed freshening, as opposed to a full wash, have been sprayed with some febreze I am trying to use up (won't buy again but may as well use what's left), and over the airer in the sun x

Re Febreze - I make my own. I fill the spray bottle with 2-3 inches of my favourite fabric softener and top up with water. Does just as good a job!

willow_loulou

What do you all use for fire lighting? 

Frugaldom

@OLaney Good luck with your new gardening project   Cheap wellies on Amazon at the minute, under £10 with free delivery.
@willow_loulou, I use anything dry, safe and flammable, so it's usually rolled up paper, toilet roll tubes, dried sticks or kindling sticks split from any sort of available (and safe to burn) wood.
Covid-lockdown is looming large on the horizon so I hope we don't see a repeat performance of panic buying. I'm still disappointed that premium bonds have been affected but after today's announcements, things are not looking great for many people so I hope everyone here can spread some hope by sharing their frugal living tips with anyone who needs some encouragement in believing that things will get better at some point. Overheads need to be minimised and all spending prioritised if we are all to survive the looming financial crisis. Good luck everyone.

cw18

Frugaldom said:

Covid-lockdown is looming large on the horizon so I hope we don't see a repeat performance of panic buying.

By all accounts, it's already started.   I've seen pics and posts about it on FB for the last week.   And one of my colleagues was saying yesterday he's seen the people from a couple of houses he delivers to staggering between their cars and houses with bags and bags of shopping - and loads of toilet rolls !!!

I have to admit I'm going to have a quick check through my supplies, but I think I'm OK.    I could do with using up some of the meat and junk in my freezers so I can get some bags of frozen veg in - but I've been saying that for 12 months, so it's not 100% down to the threat of a second lockdown

Frugaldom

I think 2020 will have affected so many people and families who previously lived hand to mouth, relief on credit or else only afforded their lifestyles by relying on overtime or second jobs. I think all of us must by now have heard of at least one other who has lost their jobs through this. I know of 4 so far, 3 of them family, plus my son is still on furlough but now providing daddy daycare while DIL is working. All we can do is keep on practicing frugal living and being prepared to network our combined knowledge to help whoever we can. Hopefully the economy won't slip beyond recession and into depression.

Frugaldom

On a more foodie note, I think canned goods need stocking up and I wish I could learn to like pilchards and sardines. Having successfully completed a fundraising challenge previously to live for one week on refugee rations, having those in stock would mean always knowing you had sufficient food to last a week. Rice, chickpeas, lentils, oil, flour, tinned fish, salt, mixed herbs and assorted spices are all staples worth having. The addition of eggs, meat and dairy, sugar, oats, pasta, fruit & veg then become more like luxuries.  Foraging provides luxuries. 😊