2020 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

Oh well done @patentgirl how wonderful! Enjoy your last few months at work 😀 

Frugaldom

@patentgirl, well done on working your finances to early retirement, that is a great achievement. Good luck with the final few months of work, I hope they pass quickly. 👍

Fizzyisbusy

Morning everyone! Great to read how well you’re all doing!

I've been struggling with depression again but finally found the St Johns Wort that is working for me I think. Certainly I am calmer at least. Managing to work as a nanny just one family a couple of evenings a week, plus I clean for my daughter which she pays me for. 

I’ve accrued some credit card debt due to not having saved for car insurance, MOT etc, plus senior dogs being poorly.  The insurance pays some of bill, but due to their age I have to pay a proportion. It’s astonishing how easily debt can build up and suddenly looks huge! I’m trying to be disciplined and reign in spending-to easy to comfort shop when your feeling low. On the whole I think this week I’m getting under control. I’m doing home made Christmas gifts so that keeps my mind occupied . 

I love reading all your hints and tips and it stops me feeling lonely in my money worries. Wise post earlier from the folk who saved to retirement, I wish that had been my life story, wouldn’t have to keep working had that been my path. Still, better late than never, eh? 

Keep going! 

Frugaldom

@Fizzyisbusy, I was just talking about St John's Wort recently as it has become on of the herbs growing in the new herbery at Frugaldom. It is a beautiful plant, lifts the spirits even looking at it when it creates a glorious splash of vibrant yellow flowers. . The turns pink/red when infused in oil. It was featured on a TV programme last night. They recommended almond oil for infusing. I'm not suggesting you make your own but herbs make me happy just by growing them 😊 

Frugaldom

This is what I have been planting over the summer. It's my new, frugal herbery (herb nursery) with a few veggies like potatoes, onions, kale and leeks in the end beds. 😊

patentgirl

I need to inspire to this @Frugaldom

Frugaldom

Not much gardening being done today as it is absolutely pouring down. More a day for stocktaking cupboards, cooking, baking, cleaning or just lazing around watching TV. 

 I'm moving up in the world as I'm posting this from Frugaldom. Birthday vouchers got used to invest in a mobile phone that can access internet, take photos and do all sorts of magic. Frugal phone is nicknamed Dougie. 😅

Nonnadiluca

A big thank you to Frugaldom!
A couple of years ago I read all your past threads and, inspired, joined the challenge to see if we could live comfortably enough on the amount of money that my state and small occupational pensions, plus DH's occupational pensions would bring in. He is younger than me and won't be getting his state pension for a good few years yet. He wasn't enjoying his job, had an injury which was affecting him, and if we waited, by the time he gets his state pension I might be too decrepit for us to enjoy ourselves, so we both wanted him to stop working asap. By setting a budget and looking carefully at our expenditure, we realised that we would be fine and set about saving so we could top up my income until his occupational pension pays out.  Happy to say that he left work earlier this year and life is good. We could never have done this without the challenge, as it wouldn't have occurred to me that it might be possible, so thank you so much for your continued inspiration.

willow_loulou

@Nonnadiluca amazing to hear! 

Welcome Dougie 😂 I’m sure you’ll love taking extra photos for us! 

@frugaldom I want to grow rosemary - I’ve not had much success before. It’s it better to buy an established plant or seeds please? 

sashacat

Willow, I grew rosemary from a cutting from a friend and have cut it back now as it is very big. I gave cuttings to some friends and most of them have taken well. See if any of your friends will give you a cutting. Put it in a pot in a fairly warm place and keep it watered but not wet. At least that’s what I did.