2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

willow_loulou said:

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

I sowed the first of my seeds today - some salad leaves in a big pot - and have all the others sitting ready to sort out for what to sow where.

Frugaldom

Treasurequeen said: ... 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 coconut powder in stock and have even used it to make pancakes. I like it, but I believe it's an acquired taste. Great for adding to curries to turn them into frugal korma, too.

Herbyme

Siebrie said:

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.

Yes it's hard to manage the family members who are not quite on the same page, isn't it?!
Siebrie that part about TV broadcasting school programmes is brilliant, please can you remind me which country you're in (if that's ok)?

I'm sowing peas for pea shoots, and am going to try sprouting seeds. I'm aware there may not be so much fresh veg for a while, especially some we eat a lot eg tomatoes and peppers, and I don't do well without plenty of vegetables. My new best friend in the vegetable world is prepacked cooked beetroot. I got out the pack I'd had in the fridge for many months, to find it was still well in date, and it was delicious. I think I was put off before by the inevitability of me ending up wearing some of it. So far so good! It made a surprisingly good side dish for a cheese toastie.

Siebrie

I always have a vacuum wrapped pack of cooked beetroot in the fridge, even though I'm the only one eating it.

We are in Belgium.

Wednesday afternoon I was off (I work 90%) and sowed some seeds: radishes, peas, mangetous, sweet pea, Susanna-with-the-brown-eyes. I will sow some more this weekend, putting my 4-shelf upright 'glass' house to good use. Rhubarb is almost ready to pick, and I hope I'll be allowed to pick my elderly neighbour's rhubarb, too, like I did last year. It'll keep me in fruit for the whole year, because I freeze in small baggies.

Frugaldom

Good evenng , frugalers! How is everyone doing amids the current chaos? We are living life as usual, whch is pretty much like self-isolating while working outsie everyday. At most, only 3 of us are on site at any one time and I have stopped all access by general public, only accepting essential deliveries and visits from regular volunteers. Thanks to one of them coming here via the town, they were able to get me some cheese.

I've looked out my bread flour and have enough to last us a month or two; we don't use much bread. I've no need to go shopping, aside from popping into the village store to check for fresh veg. I have some frozen mixed veg and peas to keep us going. 

Some frugalers are reporting difficulty finding washing soda so I suggested trying corner stores or hardware outlets, as these places are sometimes cheaper than supermarkets. As long as we have washing soda and basic soap it's an easy process to make our own laundry liquid.

Holidaymakers are still arriving at the nearby caravan park and campsite, regardless of Government suggestions of lockdown, elderly retirees included. I hope they will all behave sensibly! In the meantime, I'm distancing myself from everyone.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE - HELP SAVE LIVES BY BEING SENSIBLE 

This is a huge opportunity to sit down, take stock and reorganise your spending habits so you are in a position to ride out the storm.

mumtoomany

We are pretty much the same here frugaldom. Only normally leave the house/farm once a week, for shopping etc. Try to combine as many journeys as possible. Now probably won't be an be out that much. Grandchildren are off school so no school runs, DD3 off college so no need to Take her for the bus, she is still in work though. DH took her in this morning, no buses on Sunday, and called at Tesco. People were queuing to get in and eight round the shop to checkout. All the trolleys were overflowing! DH only bought a new computer mouse, ours has died and not repairable. Didn't need anything else. 
Sun is shining here today. Such a lovely place to live, especially while trying to keep away from others. 
Hope you are all coping and keeping well, mumtoomany.

lcc86

Hope everyone is doing okay in the circumstances. We are well stocked up on basics, I haven't been to a supermarket since everything kicked off, and I've been lucky in that my shopping delivery hasn't been cancelled (not yet anyway, it's due on Monday). I have a toilet roll subscription that comes 3-4 times a year, that's due next week, hopefully no issues with that.

OH has lost a couple of contracts temporarily but is still working (window cleaning, relatively low risk as he's on his own and has told customers he'll be practicing social distancing!). I still have to work, mainly from home but have to go in twice next week (I work in the justice system and some face to face is unavoidable).

Rejigged April's budget to take off any social activities, reduced petrol allowance but slightly increased food allowance. I've bought a few books online, I normally go to the library but it's closed and I wasn't sure how you'd disinfect a whole book?!

Have a couple of holidays booked for May and June, have to pay the final instalments this week. I'm 99.9% certain they won't be happening but just trying to play by the book so that I can get a refund when the time comes. Not particularly disappointed, I'm actually looking forward to getting the money back! Lol.

I've found it tricky to get pet supplies, I normally do a monthly shop online for rabbit litter and hay, and a lot of stuff is sold out.

Wishing everybody a safe and comfortable time in the coming weeks/months.

Herbyme

Lcc86, I’ve had a hay delivery, if you google ‘hay and straw’ you’ll find a farm in the north of England that does hay delivery. Not cheap but very good quality. We use bark (the kind you use in the garden) as rabbit litter, approved by the vet, that still seems available. 

HTH

2Scratters

willow_loulou said:

I just edited my signature, I’m stunned by how much I’ve paid back simply by being frugal! I didn’t think I was that extravagant 😁 thanks guys xx 

Well doneo:) that's what it is all about, the little things adding up. 

2Scratters

Frugalistamama said:

Been a bit quiet in the last few weeks because I've been feeling bad that I've again given in to my food hoarding due to all the panic buying. I haven't needed anything, but keep stocking anyway. I have a problem. I haven't been going really crazy like some in the supermarket as i already have loads in store so I'm not feeling panicked, just giving in to the urge..... I think i actually need to stay out of the shops and shop online. I thought i could get away with a weekly lidl trip and only spend £30 but i just keep getting seduced and spending nearly my usual shop of £70 so I'm going to try to do a minimum spend of £40 for online Tesco hoping that'll save me money.  
Any other advice for me?  Xx

Perhaps challenge yourself to no spend days. Have you done a recent stock take to reassure yourself. Use the MSE mantra Do you NEED it (Of course in time you will use it). Good luck