2020 Frugal Living Challenge

joedenise

I don't usually post on here but do read along and your message says exactly how I feel, thank you.  Bringing up a young family back in the 70s means I had to learn to use money and resources frugally.  I am not as frugal as I could be but I certainly have been frugal enough to be prepared what this horrible virus has thrown at us.  Like you I wish some people weren't so negative about it all.

My DH and I had already decided we weren't going to meet up with family over the Christmas break.  We haven't seen our DD1 and DGS since the summer and then it was socially distanced on a campsite.  Our DD2 and DGD we've seen and chatted to outside her home - them on the door step and us at the end of the path and this only a couple of times since the 2nd lockdown.  We saw them a couple of times during the summer in the garden as we were allowed to do that.

I really hope that people will obey the rules this time and that we can finally get the numbers down for the people suffering from this horrible virus and give our key workers a bit of breathing space although I still think we are in for the long haul and don't see us being out of lockdown until at least mid February and more like longer than that so hopefully by Easter!

Merry Christmas to all.

cw18

MazzieD said:

So sad that millions will be cancelling Christmas arrangements or scaling back.  Hope it hasn't had too much impact on everyone on here

We were planning to descend on my parents over 2 days.   We would have had a late Christmas after vaccine roll-out, but as my Dad has terminal cancer (and the prognosis isn't great) this looks like it could be his last - and he may not be with us when the youngest of the family get the vaccine / the country starts to open up again.

My older son and I were forming a normal support bubble. then picking younger son up from a hotel en-route on 27th.   Call in on my parents, then over to see my daughter and GDs (who are my parents support bubble).    Daughter and GDs were then going to see my parents on 28th (my Dad's birthday).

So now my older son and I have to go up on Christmas Day, and I need to figure out how to video link my younger son in.   Not only is the distance from home too much for him to do as a one day return trip, he's also at the outer limit of the new tier 4.

I'm not 100% happy.    I like nothing better than a really lazy Christmas Dad doing absolutely NOTHING to do with Christmas!   I get up when I feel like it, go out for a run if the weather's reasonable (am actually signed up for a challenge to do a 5k that day, so still need to fit this in), then eat and watch whatever I fancy - but other than mince pies I avoid Christmas      We'd then normally have a full family gathering (including DD and GDs) at my parents house between Boxing Day and 28th depending on when everyone's working.    But at least we can still go and see them.    (And I can deliver present to GD3, which is a pivotal part of the main present family have all clubbed together to get for her - no way I'd entrust it to the post at this late date )

willow_loulou

I’m shattered, thankful that we’ve not changed tier so we can still put on our performances next week. A 3rd cancelled gig would’ve been upsetting but I do need the break. 

I collected peas and bread yesterday so doing soup and croutons tomorrow (some of the bread has been scoffed) 
I’ve gone through so clothes and chosen some to up cycle and some to rehome. I’ve not worn any of them this year so unlikely to in the future. 2 bits to eBay after Christmas. 

I’m very pleased I’d been stocking up on essentials so was well prepared for any new restrictions. I wish I had space for another freezer as mine tiny. I will have a think about that over Christmas. If I could find a slim line one I could potentially rejig the kitchen.  

joedenise

Do you have a spare bedroom you could put another freezer in?  That's what my sister has done as her kitchen is tiny so only room for the fridge freezer and dishwasher.  Her washing machine she has plumbed at the end of her garage which has a door straight outside so she can hang it out in her small garden.

YORKSHIRELASS

Christmas food shop is finished, it is coming tomorrow so fingers crossed I get the essentials.  We will be having a very quiet Christmas and were just planning to see my parents on Christmas Day anyway, so I have bought a lot of extras, but it is all planned and budgeted for, and the one good thing about being frugal the rest of the year is that all these extras really do feel special.

I am annoyed about all the people saying stuff the rules and I am doing what I want at Christmas.  That just feels really really selfish, we need to keep going until the vaccine gets rolled out and then we can see family/party/celebrate.  People are dying for goodness sake.

Anyway, been for a nice 5 mile walk with DH and DD.  The fridge and freezers are really empty but DH and DS were adamant we weren't going in any shops today, and so we cobbled together a meal with leftovers out of the freezer.

DS was saying that his GF is getting an IPad for Christmas, plus a lot of other things.  I thought spending £200 on DS was generous, I cant get my head around how much parents seem to spend.  DS has had a bit of help financially this year anyway, and he does appreciate it.  I know in my heart that not getting £1000 for Christmas is not going to do him any harm.

joedenise

Completely agree with you @YORKSHIRELASS - really selfish of people to be moaning and saying stuff the rules.

We had decided weeks ago that we were just going to be staying home on our own this year.  We're hoping that we can do what the shopping channel on TV does "Christmas in July"!  We'll probably go to the beach and have a lovely picnic with things we would normally have at Christmas like smoked salmon, prawns and avocado but definitely no turkey!!!!

Nicki_Sue

Did I read that we were moving back to OS? I hope so! I forget to come in here but am regularly in OS. I'm much more of a lurker than a poster but must try and change that!
We'll been significantly more frugal over the past couple of years and our lives have been better for it. I went vegan last year and the husband joined me as a vegetarian in January. This hasn't just saved us money but was the turning point for many things. We're looking to simplify a lot in 2021 which could be an interesting challenge for us, but very welcome!
Christmas-wise, we were staying at home and away from people anyway. The family are dropping things off for the boys but other than that, we're doing our best to keep ourselves to ourselves. I'm one of six siblings, five of us live locally, as do Mum and Dad and I've missed them all more than I can say but look forward, hopefully, to better times when we can be together. We had a new arrival this year (not too long ago) of a rescue kitten. He'd been abandoned at around 6 weeks and locked in a pheasant pen. He luckily ended up at a fab local rescue and now lets us live here with him. So kind of him! Such a delight. 

I hope you're all keeping well and have as good a Christmas as you can, and for many a decent few days of rest! 

patentgirl

joedenise said:

Completely agree with you @YORKSHIRELASS - really selfish of people to be moaning and saying stuff the rules.

We had decided weeks ago that we were just going to be staying home on our own this year.  We're hoping that we can do what the shopping channel on TV does "Christmas in July"!  We'll probably go to the beach and have a lovely picnic with things we would normally have at Christmas like smoked salmon, prawns and avocado but definitely no turkey!!!!

Agree with you both we are in tier 4 so unless you had a bubble already no mixing on Christmas day so many friends and DD friends stating not stopping their plans will still go ahead as know it will not be policed but if we want any sort of future we have got to do as we are told will miss family and grandkids but will be doorstep deliveries only Agree schools and colleges need to be looked at after Christmas.Heard that timings for zoom will be relaxed Christmas day you can over the 40 minute limit. 

willow_loulou

Into the last few days of work for 2 weeks. I’m really struggling to motivate myself and think dinner will be a treat of a takeaway tonight. Pea and ham soup isn’t going to cut it today! 

My potting compost arrived so I can finally get some small indoor growing started. I’m very excited to start! 3 tomatoes, kale, salad and a few ash seeds I’ve found I’ll drop in around the rest and see what happens. 

[Deleted User]

Hello frugal friends 😊

Since breaking up on Friday I have had a weekend of self care. This has mainly involved sleeping and resting, I didn’t have the children here so both of those things were possible! I really must have needed it as I’ve slept loads. Also, when you’re asleep, you can’t spend 😉😉

I collected a food shop on Friday which will see us well into the new year, coupled with my order from the local butcher. I have started saving egg boxes ready for our new arrivals! 

I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a frugal 2021. I intend to fully keep my eye on the plan of paying a big chunk off the mortgage, but be a little easier on myself in certain respects. I still remain committed to my £5k per annum budget; I have stuck to it these past couple of months and can say with certainty it’s been great, challenging fun in the most part and I haven’t felt any hardship at all. 

Take care one and all xx