2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Siebrie

I think I'm a bit weird, in that I am really happy we received a message from the council, asking all inhabitants to keep grass clippings out of the green bin, as they are understaffed, and bins with grass clippings are too heavy for both binman and truck. This means we have to start a compost pile, yay! For some undisclosed reason, husband has always been against, but now he has to give in, triple yay!

We have a few food items in that we bought over the years 'to try out', which we either haven't tried, or tried and didn't like overly much (if we really disliked them, we threw them out straight away), and now we will actually finish all of those before going to the shops again. Yippee! Anything to avoid going to the shops. We are in the middle of the infected area in Belgium, so are self-isolating as much as possible. We should be fine until Wednesday at least, then husband wants to buy bread/baguette.

Our elderly neighbour has given permission to harvest from his 3 rhubarb plants again this year, so from next week, I will pop over every few days and fill my freezer.

I think I should start a proper veg patch, because I'm not sure how much farmers actually manage to plant, and how many people will be available to harvest anything this summer.

Betharooni

lcc86 said:

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?!

Not sure if your library will have the same but my library has the “Libby” app which allows you to get books or audiobooks via phone or tablet. They also have an app for magazines too. Both of these have saved me a fortune over the last few months.

Frugaldom

Good afternoon frugalers, how are we all doing today?
Social distancing and self-isolation should be helping people to keep out of the shops and off the high street - I don't understand why everyone is in such a huge panic but personally, people's true colours are now coming out during this crisis.  
Pet supplies... your nearest farmer will have hay or straw and I am sure they will happily supply a bag for small pets in exchange for something useful (or £1)  I willl happily swap hay or straw for cheese or a bag of flour, sugar or a pack of butter or anything else useful.
During food shortages, it is always helpful to be able to make your own soup, which can be made with almost anything you have available. Even a stock cube with some broken up spaghetti makes a simple noodle soup, which can be served with seasoned flour & water flatbreads.  I'm making a huge pan of soup  just now and have only used 1 large onion, a few rubbery carrots, half a frozen leek and a pack of broth mix. It has everything in it to sustain us.Frugal Dom

cw18

I was on my 1-week-in-6 rest week last week - and nipped up to the Lakes for 3 nights to do some checks on the family property we help look after.  Already been empty a while, and worried about leaving it longer given the impending lock-down.

Supposed to be on annual leave this week, but felt dreadful about leaving everyone overloaded now the 12 week isolations should be kicking in.  Offered to go in on short hours (I have things I still need to do) to help out, but was told there's no money in the budget for overtime (because of paying those who are isolating for any reason) and we're not allowed to cancel leave as they don't want us all in at the same time (to minimise the risk of evreyone in one office being off at the same time).   I then received a message at 10am asking if I could go in as they're shorter than they expected!!   So the agreement is that I'm doing half a round each day (did one day mail for half of the round today, and will take todays plus tomorrows for the other half tomorrow, then tomorrows and Wednesdays for the half I did today and so on......).    Not yet decided on either side whether I'll be paid or get holiday hours back - seems to hinge on how long I actually work (I suspect the less hours I work the more chance of being paid).

Called into a number of stores on my way home from work.   Still no flour for me, no corned beef (would like an extra tin, but not essential), and still a shortage of tinned veg.   But two stores had a good supply of fresh veg (unusual) and 4 had fresh blue capped milk (my son hasn't been able to get any for a week, so I picked one up in each of the first two of the stores I hit - 8 pints should last him 3 or 4 days).

Frugaldom

Good evening all, I sincerely hope you are all coping with the latest unprecedented announcements from the PM. We have much to do this year as 2020 is already shaping up to be a total financial catastrophe for many, especially those who will undoubtedly fall through the net that is supposed to be Government help.
First of all, I would like to remind everyine not to panic - we NEED to follow guidelines which will possibly become law. Think of your health and the health of all those around you. We are blessed with the Internet, free forums, free social media, free virtual support so we have a short time to prioritise spending and, indeed, our entire lifestyles. If you are getting into a downward spiral, switch off the TV, stop reading social media sensationalised 'news' and take time out to get into a calmer state of mind. Read a favourite book, watch an old movie, listen to your favourite music, do some art or crafting, make some pancakes, make soup... clear your mind and make space to take stock and carry on with life in a better frame of mind - no matter what. This is war, this  is the rainy day, the emerency, the 'just in case' that we all strive to tackle. We are lucky in that we have been frugal and followed the whole 'be prepared' ethos but we are not all in the same place. Many newcomers are finding themselves having to learn new skills, like how t make 12 meals from one chicken or how to make 500g of mince last a week. Support all newcomers to frugal living, offer whatever virtual help you can and don't buy into the craziness that is stockpiling and panic buying. Together we can combat the current crisis.
Stay home, stay safe and in so doing, help save lives. 
Stay focused and stay positive.

willow_loulou

Thank you @Frugaldom xx 
I have enough food to last some time and a fruit and veg delivery coming tomorrow. I’m relieved we’re virtually on lockdown as I’m in the vulnerable group and spent today and yesterday watching my neighbours socialise 😐 they’re of course not in the high risk category. I won’t answer my door now, I’ll talk through a window and as per Royal Mail request am waiting for postie to leave before collecting it. Anything I want to open or that is in plastic is being surface sprayed, anything else is put on the desk for a few days/weeks. I’ll not get urgent post now so it can all sit there indefinitely. 

I am tired and stressed, so scared of getting sick after my recent close call (from a cold in January) and ultimately resigned to 12 weeks of reliance where once I was fiercely independent. Sigh. 

Stay safe x 

Siebrie

When yesterday's mail was delivered through the letterbox in our front door, husband took it out with a piece of tp, so as to not touch the envelopes, and put it on the sheltered bench at the back of the house, where we will leave it for 24 hours before opening. It's only bills, anyway.

Husband will go shopping tomorrow, so we are compiling a long list of all we need, and all we would like to have. When he comes back from the shops, we will put the shopping in the garage (cool, dark) and leave it there for 1 or 2 days. He will wear his longest coat, gloves, and a cap, and will drop his outer garments and shoes in the garage, then nip up to the bathroom and shower. It's like a military operation!

I am drinking a cup of thyme tea every morning, and a cup of sage tea every afternoon, both fresh from the garden. We also drink ginger tea and quinqueliba tea (that's an African herb with many healing properties).

Treasurequeen

I have worked out a food meal plan with what  I have in my flat and have worked out that I have 35 meals for dinner a good months worth. I have cereals in for breakfast, I have frozen some cheese, milk and bread and butter which will last me a month at least. My carer managed to get me a tub of coffee whitener in supermarket as its so hard to find milk in my area. The milkman has stopped all new customers as they cant meet demand. I have frozen some milk in an ice cube tray too as a back up. 

Separated a chamomile plant at my mums and repotted it on my balcony, so I will have some flowers on it in the summer so I can harvest it and make tea with it. 

I am sort of in the vulnerable group so need to isolate for 12 weeks. My building is in lockdown anyway as the whole buildings residents are in the vulnerable group. I must admit so far its not too bad, I am used to being at home due to M.E relapses usually last around 3 months. I have 48 books on my shelf to read which will keep me busy. I am using free keep fit videos online to keep my strength. I have to make sure I don't decondition myself as it will make my health conditions worse. 

Hope everyone is ok x 

willow_loulou

@Treasurequeen I’m using exercise videos too. And having a jig to a different song each day whilst my first coffee is brewing. 

I’m quite enjoying cooking and using up all the gifted food we have. We’ve no need for anything for a good 2 weeks now. 

I have started my Christmas shopping (I know I know) I figured by the time we’re through this I’ll use the M&S vouchers I save with Park for our wedding cake and food. I’ve bought 3 small gifts so far and something for dd birthday. 

I only buy a few people gifts so am doing a list tomorrow. Am also birthday shopping for the year. I’ve 7 more birthdays left to organise. I figure forward planning can allow for some frugality and they can be wrapped ready to gift/post depending on who they are for And put in my present and card box. So glad I bought 10 for £1 in card factory a while ago! 

Frugaldom

Good morning! I hope everyone is managing OK during lock down. Things are continuing here but like most other sole traders & self-employed, we are closed and awaiting news of how we are supposed to earn an income when not entitled to benefits. We are very fortunate to have no debts and no mortgages to pay and the fees for the holiday caravan we rent out for the frugal breaks were already paid. I've cancelled almost all bookings, with only one remaining to be refunded. Again, fortunately, I don't touch bookings money prior to the holidays being taken, so no problems there.
Food ... Sticking to the use it up plan but buying fresh milk and fruit/veg whenever possible from village store. Care of the livestock goes without saying and work in the food garden continues. Yesterday, I groomed ponies and rasped two lots of hooves as my exercise, which also saves money. (My regular hoof man  advised me on most suitable rasp for maintenance).
Yesterday was so warm and breezy that I did a hand wash and got it all dried outside... More savings
Paid electricity bill, it averaged approximately £10 per week.