2020 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

Very cross with myself that I had to spend on what I normally never do, namely food at a cafe!. If I know I'll be out and about and likely to be hungry I take a snack with me and can manage with a swig from my small bottle of water. But I succumbed to buying a cup of tea and a toasted sandwich at the hospital on Saturday:o. I was only there for an MRI scan but they were running late and DH had driven me there and dropped me off as he had an appointment in that town anyway very shortly after. The plan was I'd phone him when I was finished and he would come and pick me up and we'd go home. By our calculations it would all dovetail in timing-wise. I don't think I slept very well the night before (worried I suppose although I tend to be able to live by a que sera sera mantra and find it no use worrying unless something really dire happens, certainly not before I get any bad news). What with one thing and another I didn't eat anything at all before we left for the hospital, although they'd told me I could and didn't think I'd be out long enough to fancy/need anything to eat. By the time I got out of the scan room, 2 hours later than I expected to, I was really thirsty and hungry for something hot. I'd even left my water bottle in our kitchen:(. I phoned DH who was still in his meeting (which had also been delayed because they'd been waiting for one of the participants who had various issues getting there and they'd been very late getting started :mad:) but he answered soon after my voicemail and said he'd be with me in about an hour. I decided to go in one of the hospital cafes and spent an exorbitant £4.35:mad:. I didn't even enjoy it either (probably the unnecessary cost made it stick in my throat:rotfl:) and am disappointed with myself that I didn't manage to wait until I got home before eating something. I hadn't eaten anything since 7 the night before though or even had a cup of tea since soon after that. Excuses, excuses, eh?

Otherwise, January has so far been spend-free:j

Missywissy

Hi,

I am really trying to cut down on my food shopping, I shop mainly at Lidl and bulk cook for my lunch. I want to get as much vegetables and fruit in my diet too. Do you find green grocers good value? I only have a small freezer so buying frozen veg isn't a preferred option of mine.

Thanks

sinkorswim2018

cuddlymarm - charity shops may be good for your cruise, especially just after xmas. I went into a local one last year and mentioned I was looking for the races. They went out and brought about 8 dresses in my size. Ended up with a lovely phase eight one for a tenner.

Missywissy - I think the price of the green grocers is very much dependant on where it is. Good for buying only what you need though rather than standard pack sizes.

After my batch cooking for my 4 long days I have just had my 4th portion of tuna pasta bake. Glad the other 2 are in the freezer as I don't want it again for a while. Also managed to make a chilli, and forgot to bring sweet potatoes in to have with it yesterday. My colleague described it as a '1st world problem' and she's right. I nipped out to sainsbury's to buy one so not a no spend day.
This morning before work I did a 'stock check' of tinned goods. I too have 5 tins of chickpeas!! I also bizarrely have 2 jars of artichokes... I think I have a recipe somewhere that calls for them so I need to find it. Have made a list of bits I need to buy tomorrow. Plan to make a quiche as I have two cold pack lunches to make as doing a short uni course as part of my job. I could make a few and freeze some.

Was also thinking of having clear out tomorrow. Had convinced myself that Ebay and facebook market place wasn't worth it seller wise as I can earn much more working in the time it takes, in particular posting or being in for pick up. But I thought I might put a whole lot on marketplace tomorrow giving Friday ( my next day off) any time as pick up day. I'll see how much I have. If not it will all go to charity. Either way I think a tip run is likely too.

lcc86

Afternoon all, seems like everyone has had a good start to a frugal year! So far this year I have spent on a couple of second hand books, a light bulb, and OH and I have been out for our anniversary meal, but it came in under budget so am happy with that.

I've had a bit of a clear out and put some clothes in the local clothes bank. I have a few bits to go to the charity shop and loads of those plastic wallets that I'm going to take to work to be used there as I don't need them. Have a few other bits I might put in the charity shop bag too.

Have listed one thing to sell on ebay, an unwanted Christmas present. If it doesn't sell I'll pop it to the charity shop.

[Deleted User]

Hi folks, great to read everyone's progress so far. I am getting organised to go back to work tomorrow so food shop done - it hasn't come to much as we are basing the food plan on what's in the freezer - and washing and ironing up to date. The only downside its we have the heating on just now to dry off some of the washing including a new double bed set we got on sale. It's a lovely brushed cotton check and will be really cosy once it's on the bed.

I bought myself a new winter jacket today which I love. Prior to this I only had one jacket and I've had it for years so a new one was needed. Clothing is the area I really need to actually start spending on as I have so few clothes. I inventoried my clothing last night to get the lie of the land. It was pretty easy as I don't have much so could pretty much do from memory. The main gaps are :
1. Trousers - I've been getting the same ones from a well known high street store for a while. They are basic black wide leg trousers and I tend to have a few in my wardrobe. The problem is that the quality has gone down so much over the years that they now lose shape very easily and need replacing often. I need to find a new style that will suit me and trousers that are of better quality.

2. Shoes - I have one main pair that I wear, a pair of walking boots and a pair of sketchers boots. One pair of old tatty trainers and that's it. Shoe shopping will be done soon.

I am going to focus on adding items throughout the year rather that do one big shopping spree. I will look in charity shops and sales as the year goes on. I dislike shopping so much that a big shopping spree really does not appeal and would probably put me off getting my wardrobe sorted.

ancientmum

I called into Mr. S after my walk today to get some birthday wrapping paper, and found they were selling off Christmas wrap for 25p and tags for 10p. I managed to find some that didn't look too festive and bought a couple of rolls and packs of tags. Also got some accidental YS pain au chocolate and cooked meat. :cool:

Herbyme

Long train journey yesterday to visit very poorly relative. Really sad. From a frugal POV, I did split tickets which reduced my fare from about £63 to about £44. And I took two travel mugs of tea and a mince pie to eat on the train. Can't work out why my new, highly reviewed travel mug makes tea taste awful. The cheaper plastic one (Bodum cheapie from Ald1) keeps it tasting nice but does leak slightly and doesn't insulate all that well.

Found Linda McCartney things half price in A$da today so stocked up, otherwise just milk eggs and cat food. Spent the afternoon making a Quorn lasagne and sorting out my office:A

Kerry_Woman

Am joining again in the challenge this year. Budgets set for the year. January is always an expensive month as the service charge for the flat is due(I pay the full amount for the year), home contents insurance is due and I pay for the prescription certificate for whole year. Have already paid for them last week. Am planning plans for days out for this month and next month - guided walks around London - they are different themes eg Sherlock Holmes. Also going to plan to meet up with some people who I used to work with hopefully in the next few months. Not planning to go on holiday this year. My main aim for this year is to get back into temping admin work. Took time out and am living on my savings. Cannot believe it is 2 years since my Mum sadly died. I have self referred myself to a mental health 12 week programme - got an appointment in a week's time to see if it is suitable for me. I have started to go to the library to borrow books last month. Have put my move to a different location on hold for now.

miss_empty_piggy

Finally_Solvent wrote: »

Very cross with myself that I had to spend on what I normally never do, namely food at a cafe!. If I know I'll be out and about and likely to be hungry I take a snack with me and can manage with a swig from my small bottle of water. But I succumbed to buying a cup of tea and a toasted sandwich at the hospital on Saturday:o. I was only there for an MRI scan but they were running late and DH had driven me there and dropped me off as he had an appointment in that town anyway very shortly after. The plan was I'd phone him when I was finished and he would come and pick me up and we'd go home. By our calculations it would all dovetail in timing-wise. I don't think I slept very well the night before (worried I suppose although I tend to be able to live by a que sera sera mantra and find it no use worrying unless something really dire happens, certainly not before I get any bad news). What with one thing and another I didn't eat anything at all before we left for the hospital, although they'd told me I could and didn't think I'd be out long enough to fancy/need anything to eat. By the time I got out of the scan room, 2 hours later than I expected to, I was really thirsty and hungry for something hot. I'd even left my water bottle in our kitchen:(. I phoned DH who was still in his meeting (which had also been delayed because they'd been waiting for one of the participants who had various issues getting there and they'd been very late getting started :mad:) but he answered soon after my voicemail and said he'd be with me in about an hour. I decided to go in one of the hospital cafes and spent an exorbitant £4.35:mad:. I didn't even enjoy it either (probably the unnecessary cost made it stick in my throat:rotfl:) and am disappointed with myself that I didn't manage to wait until I got home before eating something. I hadn't eaten anything since 7 the night before though or even had a cup of tea since soon after that. Excuses, excuses, eh?

Otherwise, January has so far been spend-free:j

Oh bless you - sometimes life/timing isn't on our side. Sending group hugs xx
:grouphug::grouphug:

lykkelig

I have cast on a pair of scrappy socks made out of left over yearn from different projects. They won't be visually pleasing but they will be useful.

I've made a large vegetable lasagne for meals for the next few evenings and lunch tomorrow. I use lasagne as a side so can have smaller portions to eek it out. I'll make some chips out of steamed carrots and some quick flatbreads out of flour and water, toppomg with a garlic butter and grill.

I have made a batch of muesli using mainly oats but also nuts, fruits and seeds. I am doubtful this ways saves me money to be honest but at least I know what is in it I suppose.