2020 Frugal Living Challenge

MazzieD

Went to get some veg this morning, shops are getting busy early in the final week.  I hope everyone is well prepared and got/ordered any seasonal poultry as no frozen and very little fresh in either T*sco and L*dl which is very unusual.  Signs of panic buying due to EU border restrictions as well.  As if there wasn't enough to deal with already.  Think that's my last trip before Christmas, really gone off the idea of going near the shops on Christmas Eve!.  Will see what Olio have on offer instead.

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Still frugalling away and I've finished all my shopping, Christmas or otherwise, feels so good to have it all done. I'm in self isolation at the moment as I have looked after my dgd who was sent home from school, she was fine but Im not taking any chances as Im due to go to my dd (bubble) for Xmas dinner, and then back home to figure out plans for 2021! This Christmas is certainly going to be different but Im not complaining as I have know a few people who have succumbed to 'it' and at least Im here to celebrate it in my own different way, I think some people have forgotten the reason we celebrate on the day and just want to party and I must admit I have been like that in the past!
Anyway, I made some chocolate spread cookies today and they were a complete disaster!!! but I think they will be ok with custard over the top!! (hiding the way they have turned out lol) I can't bring myself to throw them away. I will go now as time is getting on a bit and I will now see you all on the new thread. So happy Christmas to everyone and best wishes for the New Year
Nannyg

willow_loulou

joedenise said:

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.

Great idea but sadly no, in fact I could do with an extra bedroom too! My eldest’s moving out plans are on hold as he can’t be sure of job longevity. Though we are seriously thinking about a caravan in the garden or building a conservatory. Maybe both! 

Viking_mfw

For frugal Christmas fun - the National Theatre are streaming their !!!!!! Whittington for free on YouTube from 3pm on the 23rd until the 27th. 

Frugaldom

Hello!
It's been one heck of a year so far but I breathed a sigh of relief at getting to Winter solstice and am now looking forward to the slowly lengthening days. Christmas is organised - just the 2 of us in caravan near Frugaldom as I don't have enough daylight hours to do everything and then drive home to cook dinner. (We've done this for the past 5 years or so). Still not been shopping and most of the gift buying got done online with deliveries straight to family, aside from homemade, which was hand delivered. My fridge & freezer are full as I've been getting creative to allow for freezing stuff that usually isn't frozen. Olio salsa added to chilli, carrots made into soup, mushrooms sliced and frozen. The thing I have noticed most is huge increase in packaging waste and that most of the food is stuff I would not usually buy. Fresh veg all seems to be imported and most of what gets sent out is either vegetarian or vegan. It gets eaten, regardless. Once again, the Frugaldom household has adapted their eating habits accordingly.

MazzieD

Peace and Harmony have descended here, definitely no more shopping just a gradual wind down for the long Christmas weekend.  Turkey is defrosting in the fridge and just demolished some brussels sprouts with lunch (love 'em).  Must have been a good crop this year - they really are superb.

It's only lunchtime but today has been good so far.  Managed to get some Brocolli and Oranges via Olio, I quite literally went on whilst one of my local Food Heroes was listing and messaged.  White bread and cakes in abundance, it's really mind boggling that it's virtually all from T*sco.  (I have 4 local food heroes within a short distance)  Multiply that by the sheer number of supermarkets here and it's quite a lot of potential food waste

I always ask for 'useful' presents or something I need from  family so this year it's a Grow Rack and cover as I don't have room for a Greenhouse.  I'm planning to re-use whatever I can to grow some veg in, managed to get some free plant pots via Olio.  Digging up concrete slabs to start a veg patch at the moment just isn't going to happen.  Best to be realistic and just get on with it.  All my efforts with the Compost Bin are paying off, got some lovely free compost to use and been saving a few seeds from peppers and chillies.  Time to start thinking about what else to grow (after I've finished sorting out 2021 budget)

Frugaldom

MazzieD said:

... Managed to get some Brocolli and Oranges via Olio, I quite literally went on whilst one of my local Food Heroes was listing and messaged.  White bread and cakes in abundance, it's really mind boggling that it's virtually all from T*sco.  (I have 4 local food heroes within a short distance)  Multiply that by the sheer number of supermarkets here and it's quite a lot of potential food waste

Tesco, I think, is the only mainstream supermarket to sign up to Olio so far. I think others signed up to 'Too Good to Go' type projects and sell mixed boxes of food. I don't know what they do with their end of night surplus that charities don't want. Over the past month I have managed to get peaches, apples, melon, yoghurt, quark, meat free sausages & pasties, salsa, bread & rolls, lettuce, salad, stir fry, carrots, broccoli, potatoes, fresh herbs, asparagus, pesto pasta, coleslaw, vegan curry, grated cheese... it's unbelievable  - all from Olio, friends & neighbours. The mild salsa got used as tomato base on sliced lengthways baguettes to make French bread style pizzas. My (small) freezer has been filled so I'll be using up all of that before I even think about buying anything else. It really is staggering to think of all of this could have gone in the bin. I'm not vegetarian, nor am I vegan, but that seems to be what gets left behind at the end of the day in our nearest little Tesco Metro.
My watchword for 2021 is going to be 'adaptability' and this will be employed in all aspects of life.

MazzieD

Sorry, missed a bit out about T*sco, they have nominated charities who get 'first pick' of the food and then Olio get whatever is left.  You are very lucky @Frugaldom, due to above it is literally bread, pastries and a bit of fruit and veg occasionally whilst I've been on Olio here.  I would much rather it went to people in dire need, there is so much YS I can buy which is still a way of reducing food waste.  I feel lucky to be in work and able to afford food, heating and have a roof over my head.

Kerry_Woman

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  Hugs to those in need of them at this time.

mumtoomany

Hope everyone on here, and elsewhere on the site, has a great and healthy Christmas. Mumtoomany.