2020 Frugal Living Challenge

mumtoomany

Well done Cheryl on fixing the heating. Has anyone else noticed the British Gas, (I think) advert, suggesting that you should replace your boiler IN CASE it breaks down? The world has gone mad! Must get my signature updated. Have spent !see than £200 on groceries so far. Pleased with that. Mumtoomany.

cw18

mumtoomany said:

Has anyone else noticed the British Gas, (I think) advert, suggesting that you should replace your boiler IN CASE it breaks down? The world has gone mad!

Not seen/heard that one.    But it was only a few days ago that I commented elsewhere that over the last couple of years - especially this year - I've realised just how little advertising I come into contact with.

I've not watched any TV that shows ads since the end of 2010 (10 year party this New Year )

I've not bought magazines of any sort on a regular basis for about 6 years (I pick up the freeies from Mr T and Mr A if they have one out when I call in, but I'm not in very often so probably no more than 3 or 4 a year between then), and when I do purchase a one-off they're specialised ones (walking or running or papercrafting).

I don't read newspapers - I don't even have the weekly freebie delivered.    When it did come it was a rare event for me to open it, so it was going from mailbox to recycling bin without coming into the house.  Not very environmentally friendly, so I contacted them to stop it arriving (that must be at least 5 years ago now!).

I'm rarely anywhere that has billboards.  I pass one bus stop with adverts on my way to/from work (could rarely tell you what the current one is), and there's another board near work that I pass if I'm on one of 5 delivery rounds (again couldn't tell you what's there at any given time).

I almost never go to the cinema.  OH and I had our first date (after we'd met in a coffee shop the previous weekend) at a cinema almost exactly 9 years ago.   We've been 2 or 3 times since, but only because we got free entry thanks to his Sky VIP thing.  (He has his internet with them.)

I see the odd advert for a film at the cinema on the sides of buses - but I don't even see those very often (and I'd guess they've been non-existant this year?)

I can't think of anywhere else I might come into contact with adverts......

Frugaldom

@sashacat, my most commonly used phrase of the decade is one that Victor Meldrew of 'One Foot in the Grave' would be proud to hear anyone say: "I cannot believe it!"  Many folks seem to be completely missing the point of Olio and probably any other apps that link up sources of food waste with those who can help prevent it going to landfill. I've told absolutely everyone I can about the app and ok, many about here cannot get mobile signal or download apps but the site also works online as an ordinary website. Some here are having to register online then email Olio explaining about the lack of mobile signal but the staff have been great at getting back quickly and verifying accounts manually. There are now about 8 of us all within a small area who are 'getting it together' to fight food waste but it's mostly those with whom I'd share anyway. Trying to get new, non-frugalers on board is proving difficult. I could be tempted to invest in a fullsize freezer soon because my little chest freezer and the freezer compartment in fridge are both full and that's without making & freezing stuff to preserve it for later use. Last night I dehydrated coconut, pineapple and apples plus made another tray of croutons and I have a tray of mint drying. The coriander is going in with the free carrots to make soup and any of those I can't use get chopped and added into the ponies' feeds. 10 hungry ponies make short work of carrot sandwiches when there's also bread leftover.

Frugaldom

cw18 said:

I can't think of anywhere else I might come into contact with adverts......

Online? Social media and email services are now riddled with advertising but part of being frugal is having the ability to filter out commercialism, so you may now be immune to it.

sashacat

Thanks for the information about the croutons Frugaldom, I now have 2 jars of them. I cooked them along with my free chestnuts. I shared the limes and chestnuts with a friend.
She won’t use olio because she thinks the food should go to people who need it. I explained. She won’t use it because she will have to drive. The supermarket is further. It’s not fair that you have to have internet to use it.
There are an amazing number of excuses for snobbery. I wouldn’t mind but she hasn’t got a lot of money.
I have got other friends signed up though.  
And my boiler is fixed. It needed a new motor. Haven’t got the bill yet but I am warm. Ps Frugaldom, I like your tweets. I don’t know how you find time! 

cw18

Frugaldom said:

cw18 said:

I can't think of anywhere else I might come into contact with adverts......

Online? Social media and email services are now riddled with advertising but part of being frugal is having the ability to filter out commercialism, so you may now be immune to it.

I have pics down the side of my email - all related to things I've searched for or looked at on sites.    Very rarely notice what those are these days.

I can't remember the last time I've seen an advert amongst my FB stuff that isn't also related to searches I've done / websites I've visited.   I scroll past lots without pausing, but must register them as I often stop at ones from companies I deal with (normally thinking it's a post from their FB page - only to see the 'sponsored' in the text, which means it's a paid for 'pop-up').

I don't see anything along the lines of the ads on commercial TV though, so nothing related to 'new' foods or companies that provide services for your home, nor miracle shampoos or detergents for your pots or clothes.

2Scratters

Hi Peeps,
Been in the background lurking amongst the chatting. I use an app called too good to  waste. There is also a FB page. You pay a small amount for said items that amount to a meal. M@rrisuns have not been as good as they are with ys labels as some purchased items have been not fit. Spar are now on board and doing quite a good job too. Including our village local  one. We are as had been said at the very end before it gets thrown. I am Looking for another upright freezer. I think we do a brilliant job. 
Stay safe xx

Frugaldom

2Scratters said:

Hi Peeps,
Been in the background lurking amongst the chatting. I use an app called too good to  waste. There is also a FB page. You pay a small amount for said items that amount to a meal. M@rrisuns have not been as good as they are with ys labels as some purchased items have been not fit. Spar are now on board and doing quite a good job too. Including our village local  one. We are as had been said at the very end before it gets thrown. I am Looking for another upright freezer. I think we do a brilliant job. 
Stay safe xx

Is this a different one from 'Too Good to Go"?

[Deleted User]

Evening frugal friends, 
I hope everyone is keeping safe and well. As promised to myself, I haven't spent any money at all so far this week. We went to the local food share tonight and got two huge bags full; lots of bread, some F&V, pasta, a few tinned bits and some sweet treats. There is also a share at a different location tomorrow (still local), so will head to that one as well. Lots of soup making will be done again this weekend 😊😊

I received my monthly statement from Bulb, was pleasantly surprised that our energy costs for the month were £52. I know many can get lower, but with young children in a poorly insulated old house I'm pleased with this. I've also been spending half an hour each day chopping pallets up after  work - free heat is the best kind! I've managed to keep the heating off during the week completely, only turning it on for a couple of hours a day at the weekend before I get the fire going.

Keep warm and well all xx

YORKSHIRELASS

I am trying to spread the word about Olio as very few people around here have heard of it, in fact food sharing is a very new concept here - one of the downsides of living very rurally I guess.  Sad to say there is a lot of snobbery about it, even from people who go on about being green, cutting down plastic use etc.

I had to put diesel in the car today, the first time since 29th October, I had almost forgotten how to do it!  Amazing that my diesel costs have gone from £180 a month to £40, but I know my heating costs are going to go up so it's not all savings.

Our fridge is looking a little bare, I moved things around to make it look better before DS started grumbling.  Supermarket shopping is coming on Friday.  I did pick up some fruit and milk today but was very careful about what went in the basket.

Oh and I am going to the hairdressers tomorrow, first time in about 3 months, and I have fairly short hair!  I have done away with the expensive highlights and am going back to my natural colour, but it really does need cutting.  I am interviewing for a new member of staff soon and it is being done face to face so I cant look a mess.