2020 Frugal Living Challenge

stirchleygirl

we are in scary times
keep safe every one and follow what advise there is and try not to panic/worry about lack of advice/info in some aspects  as it is all evolving quicker than the govt can plan for. 
due to my disability im probably going to have to self isolate for 12 weeks though not exactly sure at this moment as the nhs 111 advice is a bit vague as im not one of the specified illnesses i come under the 'other long term/chronic health conditions' but im planning for that to happen unless specifically told otherwise - 1 of my PAs will be self isolating for 12 weeks after her shift with me on Friday due to her long term health condition - my other PA has agreed to keep coming as she has a couple of other clients to look after as well as me and one of them cant be without care (shes not quite sure about what is going to happen with the other client as she is in her 80s but has dementia and 12 weeks of isolation wont be good for her) whereas if necessary I could just about manage without as now im over the worst of my relapse most of my ongoing care needs are to do with making food and getting washed and dressed/undressed but if im not leaving the house to go to work then no need for wearing anything and in my recent relapse I went over 4 months without a wash/shower due to not being able to be touched and I could just order food stuff that I can have cold or microwaved/kettle which im safe do do - im not safe using the hob or oven
i rang the local council today (who pay for my care) to ask what happens to my PAs pay if they are not allowed to come to me due to me having to isolate myself and they just dont know
keep on frugalling and look out for those in need who cant help themselves for whatever reason

willow_loulou

I think many are in your position @stirchleygirl it’s all so vague- I hope you can retain some help in the long term. 

I’m in the very vulnerable group and am now completely reliant on others having fought for my independence for so long. 

My daughter and I have figured if I drive, she shops and sanitizes and removed her outer clothing before getting in the car we can shop when we really need too. Other than that she is walking to the local shop for essential items as and when and changing/washing her hands etc when getting in. She’s off to uni in September so i sincerely hope we’re done by then as I’ll be moving her and we still need to buy things (thankfully I’ve been collecting kitchen things since she decided to go.

Im driving daughter to college tomorrow to see what she needs to do now they’re closing. Her course is all practical and evidence based so she’d rather not rely on predicted grades after the effort she’s put in the past 4 weeks. We will then pop to Aldi for the last time for the foreseeable. 

Frugaldom

It's good to know that we still have telephones, mobiles, internet, social media and forums for keeping up with communications.  There is usually someone online at any given time here or elsewhere for anyone who needs company and/or a virtual chat. 
I'll be reposting many of the original challenges and information for newcomers to frugal living in the hope that it helps anyone who hasn't previosly been in a situation of needing to make extreme changes to their lifestyle. So many people are losing  income and fall through the nets of proposed Government plans so let's all be here to welcome and support these new frugalers.
In light of current food-supply issues, I have had to rejig my grocery budget and increase it to allow for no lnger being able to get bargain basic supermarket own brands. For the foreseeable future, I am going to try and keep within £28 per week for the 2 of us here. That is double my usual target and like many others, we will need to rely on savings to cover extra costs, owing to our sudden loss of income. This is exactly the type of emergency we strive to prepare for so the past 20+ years of frugal living have not been in vain. 
Don't forget to allow for animal food & care costs if you have pets or ponies

stirchleygirl

thanks willow_loulou I hope things get clearer as the days progress
Frugaldom youre right many people will suddenly find themselves financially hard up and well be here to welcome them with advice, support, rye humour and love to help them on there journey
i hope everyone is staying as safe as they can be and is managing to get at least some food/provisions in for those of you on the frontlines of this (healthcare, food shops, delivery drivers) working hard to keep us healthy and fed i thank you
the prescription delivery service i use had glitching a few days ago and i had to phone them yesterday for codes so one of my PAs could go to the local chemist to get the items i was running out of the lady i spoke to said theyd had to get IT people in as it had overloaded due to over 7000 people registering with them in the last couple of days
last night i tried to place a food shop order waitro and morriso wouldnt let me in their sites as too busy sainsb and icelan had no delivery slots as da had some in april so i booked one just to secure it as by then ill need to do another food shop i was heartened as all things i wanted were available (last night anyway it may be different come the order date) incl all the cheapies as ad has limits of 3 of each item per order   

Frugaldom

Good morning frugalers 😊 

My plan is to keep things upbeat and encourage others to enter the realms of frugal living wherever possible. It is, after all, where most of us make dreams come true and where we make it through the doors to debt freedom.

SCENARIO... you lose your entire income today... You have no option of moving into new employment owing to it being unpaid leave, a national crisis or ill health... How well does your current money situation cope?

Today, I will be doing a full food & drink inventory plus a quick household budget review.

Welcome to frugaldom 😊

Siebrie

Our internet/telephone provider has given every client free national calls and extra free GBs as long as the epidemic lasts. Very happy about that.

The national television is broadcasting (primary school) educational films and documentaries all day; smart school platforms have offered services for free.

We are fine for food, and should be fine for entertainment, provided dds can overcome their disappointment about cancelled events and put their shoulders under their schoolwork. DD1 especially is constantly complaining that it isn't fair, and that she hates her life, and is then unwilling to do anything to make it better. She's 11 and this is a lesson she needs to learn. DD2 just rolls with whatever life throws at her; such a difference in those girls!

Now, for our food: dds and husband have a tendency to eat the nice things first, so I'll have to discuss with them that it is standard fair most of the time, with the nice bits as extra. And not: nice bits for 4 days and then 3 weeks of standard fair only. We could go shopping, but I prefer to not go more often than we need to.

Frugaldom

I am noticing more and more adverts for credit and finance. Please think long and hard before being sucked fown the debt plughole as times of uncertainty can bring any number of financial crises. Network online or on phone with friends and family, be honest with yourself and others, try to pool resources wherever possible to ride out a storm. Focus on needs and think ahead. Creating and/or being part of a support network can help so many people in need. If there is nothing in place, start one.
Caring and sharing saves lives.

mumtoomany

Hi everyone, hope you are all holding up well. Glad you got the PPI sorted Stirchley. 
Been busy on childcare duty again. DD1 and SiL1 both work in healthcare. DD1 has been told that her shifts will be upped to 12 hours. She is an A and E doc, so on the front line. SiL thinks he may be relocated to critical care. Also long hours. DGS1 and DGD1 both finish at school/nursery on Friday till? Who knows when. At least we can hunker down here. Plenty of food in, always is this time of year, in case we are snowed in. 
Looking on the bright side. No school runs will make planning easier. 18 ewes due to give birth in next few weeks. 
DD3 also finishes college on Friday. Should be doing lectures etc online. Not much chance with our internet! She will be able to do more shifts at work though, work in food retail. 
Other news, two plum, one apricot and a cherry tree planted today. Seeds emerging in the poly tunnel and building supplies arriving for building work. Hopefully will have builders too. DD1's family are hoping to be in the new extension by Christmas! Watch this space!  Found some plates and dishes in a CS this week. The same as the ones we already use. Been thinking for some weeks we need to buy more, (stone floors, plates don't bounce!) Some people say that if you think about what you want, the universe will provide. Going to think about less rain and a money tree next.
Take care everyone, mumtoomany.

Treasurequeen

/stirchleygirl I am in the same position as you, all information about my illness is vague with what’s being said. Not sure where I stand really. Anyways I have been out today to get some essentials, no milk on shelves so I had to get some coconut milk powder (anyone tried it ?). I have enough things in now to last me a few weeks. I have got enough books to last me 12 weeks. 

Im going to grow salad leaves, radishes and herbs on my balcony. 

willow_loulou

Going to plant my salad stuff early, I have some seeds and have orders more. I managed to get bread and rolls today 😁