2020 Frugal Living Challenge

patentgirl

@Bluegreen143 sounds like you are doing everything perfect we never had much when children was younger but we always did similar to you,  they now try to do similar things although they have friends who do classes in everything going.! I do think rainbows,brownies,Cubs  etc good normally cheap too swimming lessons valuable we paid for some of the grandchildren and they all swim like fishes I like baking with them and they like to help growing vegetables both with us and with their parents.
Back in track nearly done my budget for 2020 one thing would like to sort is Sky and BY both of which we pay a fair bit for DH loves his sport I not great tv watcher was interested in what @CW18 mentioned in previous post will need to re-read and try and get DH to make some cutbacks with only one wage coming  in from January trying to go through all Standing orders.

fionaandphil

@Bluegreen143 I think you're doing the right thing.  I became a SAHM after DS was born and we just learned to adjust, we are lucky though that my DH earns a decent wage which allows us some savings.  Our son went to groups at local community centres and childrens centres when he was younger and I met a good group of friends there.  We are on the same wavelength though and have always taken them to the parks with a picnic with occasional trips out to a paid venue.  The only classes we paid for were swimming and as he got older he started attending Beavers/Cubs/Scouts.  He stopped the swimming a few years ago once he was proficient and he now goes to Scouts which he enjoys and it takes him out of his comfort zone as he is quite academic.  Lockdown hasn't been too hard for us because we enjoy the simpler things and have still been able to do baking, film nights, build dens, play in the garden, go for a walk in the local park etc  You sound like you're doing a good job so just keep it up, as long as they are enjoying themselves and you are happy that it is the main thing.

Bluegreen143

Thanks all, I’m seeing a common theme of Beavers/Cubs/Scouts being good value and I think my husband is keen for this actually as he did these til a certain age (probably til he got too cool and wanted to hang about drinking!!). So lovely to hear everyone’s stories about all the frugal fun they had (or are having) with their little ones. Right now mine are playing at going camping with all the sofa cushions apparently being the tent! 

Bit frustrated as Red has given me a list of stuff we have apparently run out of so I can go to Tesco later. I will go, as he needs coffee and if he goes he’ll spend a fortune. But he so doesn’t understand the concept of waiting to get stuff til our next “big shop” on Thursday. As soon as he thinks of something he wants to get it in right away even if we don’t need it for a few days... not wanting to moan too much as he has many good qualities! But he is just a little bit of a hindrance when it comes to budgeting 😂

[Deleted User]

Evening all,

A happy back to basics frugal day here. I charged my phone and iPad at work, got a free lunch at work (i always do), and brought some leftovers home for the children. The house was very very cold when I got in so I quickly got the fire going before I went to collect the children. I've just had to nip back into the garage to saw a few more bits of wood to see me through the rest of the evening.

We've had leftovers for dinner, and according to my energy consumption display thingy, have spent less than £1 on gas & electricity today including our standing charge of 49p combined for the two. 

I've also listed two things in FB marketplace- if they sell, I'll be £22 better off which will be added to the savings pot. Although I will allow myself a £3.39 Aldi bottle of wine if they sell 🍷😊

I was re-reading a bit of this thread, and came across a tip I'd never seen before. When cooking pasta, bring to the boil then turn the heat off, secure the lid onto the pan and leave it for 20 minutes, et voila, cooked pasta! I was dubious, but did it today for the kids spaghetti and it works! 

YORKSHIRELASS

@Bluegreen143 Well done, it's never to early to learn.  DS2 wanted to go to sixth form college in our nearest big city because they did different A levels and it cost a fortune in bus fares, so we gave him a standing order each month into his bank account to cover the bus and lunch every day.  The deal was that he could spend it on anything he wanted but there was nothing else, so if he left himself without money for the bus he was in trouble.  It did him so much good, he learned to budget and stood him in good stead for Uni.

DH and I had a chat about Christmas this morning, he loves buying me presents but I really don't need anything, and he doesnt either.  I need to try and think of some small things that he can buy me. 

I am off to eat apple crumble that we have made from some apples that we were given.  I need to do a bit of spreadsheet work too, still not got my budget for next year right.

Frugaldom

I am so impressed by all the posts I have read during tonight's catch-up! We also have hens & ducks, so my biggest piece of advice is ensure nothing can get in at them while making it equally easy to access them for undercover feeding, with a good ground base that's easily swept clean. Ours are fed pellets along with household & garden scraps, plus they get out to freerange in the garden. I'm no longer able to keep any at Frugaldom as the mink come up from the river and are so fearless that they began coming into the barn while we were working in there, during the day!

Food sharing - I suspect many people have misconceptions about this but the food banks and charities can't dish out anything that has gone to or past use by date and some places, I believe, won't even accept anything past BBE dates. The new wave of food sharing, be it mobile phone apps or actual places, are to reduce food waste - basically, they are sharing what is still perfectly good food with anyone prepared to help stop it being wasted. I like to think of us as food waste vigilantes, fighting the crime of binning food. It isn't like accepting charity or being seen as some srt of vulture so that problem lies firmly with those who think it, not those who are helping to alleviate a serious nationwide problem that adversely affects our environment. I never turn anything away that someone was going to discard for no other reason than the didn't want it. This is also how I ended up with so many free ponies but said ponies all enjoy a slice of bread, carrot, apple or whatever othere fruit & veg they can eat. As do the chickens, the wildlife, the wormery, and, as a last resort, the compost. See food sharing as a rescue mission - it is a good thing to do. Plus, of course, it saves money, freeing it up for other things, even small donations to your favourite groups or supporting local enterprise.

Keep on frugalling, guys, because you are all making a really good job of it. I'm in the middle of making salt & pepper croutons and another pan of soup from free bread and veggies.

cw18

Deleted_User said:

I was re-reading a bit of this thread, and came across a tip I'd never seen before. When cooking pasta, bring to the boil then turn the heat off, secure the lid onto the pan and leave it for 20 minutes, et voila, cooked pasta! I was dubious, but did it today for the kids spaghetti and it works! 

I put dried pasta into a preheated food flask and fill almost to brim with boiled water from the kettle.   Quick stir around, put on lid, leave for about 15 mins (depends on type and make of pasta), strain and serve.   Given I boil the water in the kettle even if cooking in a pan, this clearly saves me a few minutes of using a gas ring.

Pixiehouse55

Another credit card paid off. 1 to go, so £400 i was paying on cleared credit card can go on the last one. Mortgage next. Freezers, fridge and cupboards full. No food shop until Christmas shop now. I have got 2 boxes of storage containers on Facebook for sale. No interest at all. I was shocked I thought they would go quickly, 2 roast tins as well. No interest. Tax returns done. Happy bunny now. Keep safe everyone X 

Frugaldom

Well done, @Pixiehouse55 - not long to go before the next one will be gone, too! Keep up the good work.

willow_loulou

So I think I have settled my budget, I’m quite happy with it but still worried about food costs rising. I decided to keep my RAC and the vet plans as the benefits outway possible nightmare scenario and I cannot find larger amounts of money quickly. 

So going forward my monthly food budget is £105 - This will be split between 1 monthly delivery and small shops for fresh produce. 

There is a buffer I have allowed to cope with price hikes of £20 a month on top, if I don’t need it I’ll save it for my emergency fund. 

I hope to be paying £100 off my cc and put £50 in my emergency fund and car fund every month, this allows some breathing room for other rising costs. I’m also aiming to massively reduce my electric costs. My provider is still cheapest but it is something to work on. I’m still reliant on tumbling clothes etc so that the mindset change this year. 

So £1260 plus £240 food Is my main budget for focus and I’ll assess my electric as the year goes on but want to reduce it by at least £100 over the year. 

Everything else is fixed and allocated, I can’t remember if the £4000 includes all bills but I’m extremely happy with £6650 - £7000. If I make that I’ll save a substantial amount and be debt free by Christmas 2021. If I don’t I don’t but my mind is focused on the end prize - debt free and half the wedding paid for.