2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Herbyme

lcc86 - I get it about house rabbits! The ones who used to live indoors are sadly  no longer with us (we still have 2 outdoor rabbits) but still a few of our belongings have holes in them eg towels, bedding (left on the floor by the washing machine waiting to be washed), they chewed through headphone cables, gnawed the buttons off the TV remote - anything rubbery... but how we loved them. 

df-MRes_student

stirchleygirl said:
...

df-MRes_student and DdraigGoch
printer ink is very expensive 
I used to buy the syringe refill kits which save tons of money  
eg 
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-black-ink-refill-kit-4-pack/p/0262763
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-ink-cartridge-refill-kit-colour-4-pack/p/0262764

as my disability worsened I no longer had the manual dexterity to use this method
other options are 
re manufactured ones eg https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-remanufactured-epson-t2981-black-inkjet-cartidge/p/0459624 - other printer companies are available 

or companies that refill your empty cartridges for sorry cant remember where my PA (carer) went to get this done but im sure Google would find a place local to where you live
it is worth exploring these options to find what suits you

Thanks for the info re ink cartridges, strichleygirl! I've got a supplier now who is cost-effective and reliable - it's a Which? Best Buy 2018 and as I've had expensive failures for non-branded alternatives I've purchased in the past it was a relief to find this affordable alternative. Here's the link: http://!!!!!!/colourdirectink
Best,

mumtoomany

Two full(24 hour) days of childcare done. Yesterday, got three children, under six, up dressed etc. Porridge and blackberries. Two loads of washing. Dishwasher loaded. Meat on for tea. Lunchtime soup started. Lunchbox done. Listened to reading book in welsh! DD3 to bus stop for college. DGS to school, DGD1 to nursery. All before nine O clock. I knew being semi retired would be an easy life! 

No money spent yet this month, although we need to go to town tomorrow. DD3 has lost her retainers for her teeth, they had broken anyway. Could prove expensive! 
Mumtoomany.

PipneyJane

stirchleygirl said:

been a busy week for me as I had a meeting at work (only 2nd trip out the house since last august due to my relapse) to discuss if I can do a staggered return to work .due to my worsening cognitive state they advised to get another 2 weeks doctors note as I have an occupation health appointment on Tuesday and they want to wait for that report before making a decision. im really having to face the issue that this is very possibly the end of work for me. Im hoping for the best (being cognitively capable of doing my job) but preparing for the worst (being dismissed on capability grounds due to my disability) ive known for the last 3 years that this would happen at some point but the possibility of it being now is a different kettle of fish.


ive got my PIP tribunal hearing the following Wednesday as last January after my reassessment they down graded my benefit I have this fit every time they don't argue over points that I have medication or equipment for but always make out that having PAs help me is my personal choice rather than a necessity. the last tribunal upgraded part of my payments and im hoping that they will upgrade me this time as the extra money would be good as ive been on half pay since the end of January (we get six months at full pay whilst ill after that its six months at half pay then after that  no pay).

Best of luck to you, @stirchleygirl.  British bureaucracy is designed to make it as difficult as possible to claim/receive benefits, so I really hope your appeal is successful.

- Pip

df-MRes_student

Yes, good luck with the PIP tribunal hearing, @strichleygirl! I hope it's fully supportive of your situation. All the very best with it.
df-

bristolleedsfan

stud26 said:

Does anyone have much success with sharing refer-a-friend offers, to gain a few extra quid?

I have done quite well on refer a friend offers, however I tend to offer referral splits so that the person who takes up the offer/does switch/transaction and is deal maker gets bigger sliceof whats on offer.

Nonnadiluca

£100 each for DGD and I from Nationwide referral and £50 credit each for DD and I for Octopus energy referral; very happy with both switches.

Kerry_Woman

For February I managed to achieve 23 NSD's.  I just about came under budget for the food shop.  My general spending was low which I am happy with.  I started the 12 week mental health programme in February. There is something that I can take part in between Monday - Friday.  Started to do quite a few things, but now only doing the CBT group sessions on Mondays.  Have signed up for some voluntary work - only for one off events - some are in March and a couple in April.  Managed to get a free ticket for the Ideal Home. Have made some provisional plans to get back to temp admin work after the mh programme which ends next month. Managed to get a free float in a floatation tank.  Will book this for when the mh programme finishes.  The voucher is valid for a year.  Went to a free event at excel for office staff.  Am currently reading a book I already have by my favourite author.  She has another book coming out this year, so will wait until it comes out in paperback to buy it.  Will still be using the library throughout the year. I went to do some shopping in aldee again this month and am really pleased with the cost of it.  Did another little food shop at MrA.  At the moment I will only have to do top up shops for a couple of weeks. Have managed to get a £12 refund for something I ordered as they were unable to do the complete the order.

CraftyLittleLisa

Its been a while since I commented so I thought I should say hi to everyone.  Since I last commented I have been concentrating on doing a spring clean and finishing my declutter which I always try to aim to do by the end of February if I can.  That way when the good weather is here I can concentrate on the garden and allotment (not sure that's worked this year mind - allotment and garden may have to wait a bit yet).  I was very pleased that when I did my spring clean I didn't need any of the harsh chemical based cleaners.  I pretty much did all my cleaning with soda crystals, washing up liquid, borax substitute and beeswax polish and it all came up sparkling.  That has taught me not to waste my money any more. 

I have also since got paid and from looking at my budget I should be well able to cope this month.  I have paid off the rest of mine and my sister's caravan holiday for July (I thought I may as well as I had the money) and my sister is going to pay me back her half on a monthly basis.  I have also done a proper shop making sure I only have stuff that I use (and I am not doing the ridiculous panic buying that is going on at the moment either).  I also have a good stock of food in the freezer.  I just need to buy fresh food (such as veg and fruit) over the next couple of weeks to enable me to make meals now.

Hope everyone stays well and healthy in the current "panic" climate that we seem to be in at the moment.

willow_loulou

Hello x 
home from hols and very pleased to say I came back with money! We had a lovely time 

Did an Aldi shop £47 - I got extra so I don’t need to do much of anything for a while. I’m paying physically for the effort of driving and being away so as i had help tonight I thought I’d get more. This leaves me more energy for work and other things after the weekend. I’ll need a few things but no big effort involved in a pop to marks and Spencer’s for milk and bread (65p for a loaf of their own best of both and it’s so yum) at 7:30 pm on a Wednesday evening (after work) it’s a quick and quiet in and out.