Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

savingfortomorrow

I had a kitchen mess with the pressure cooker spilling lentil water all over the worktop, it leaked under the microwave and was really messy. I could have used a load of the stash for cleaning. I have a lot of Persil laundry detergent and a few bottles of hob cleaner. I have half a bottle of wash up liquid and dr bonner liquid soap in reserve.  I am trying not to stash as certain things go off if not used up soon enough. 

I ran into Aldi- it s the only place that sells ricotta at a decent price. Im only buying what I need now. because when I have to use up items and veg that is going off I end up with a strange dinners. Tonights was a half a small head of cabbage, cauliflower, saurkaut and some prawn and bean, rice stirfry. The cabbage and cauliflower were getting old. I think we all have to do the cleaning out the fridge dinners from time to time. 

I am trying to save as much as possible. Winter will be hard this year. I expect that restrictions will continue and things will be very dull. There will be shortages of items- hardware and things with multiple parts. The logistic chains will be difficult for complex items because of the sourcing of individual components from different nations. It will be no harm having a few light bulbs in and any basics. 

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Pixie, it was good that you were able to unclog the drain yourself. It must have been a lot of work cleaning up all of the flood water but it is done. 

SFT sorry that you had a bit of a disaster with your pressure cooker. 

I have always been a person that buys ahead of my needs when funds allow. This way I never run out of household cleaning items, laundry items or other household essentials. So lockdown has not made me stock up even more, this is normal for me 

This is double the width, but I could only get this much in this photograph

On the window sill above my washing machine. Currently in use

Om the stairs

In my son's bedroom




In my daughter's bedroom which she is not currently using, so I can use some of the floor space for extra storage space


I have to utilise every room in my home to store everything. I have lots of items like Dove soaps, Dove body lotions, packets of epsom salts and other beauty items stored in my own bedroom    

savingfortomorrow

sugar- it is very impressive all the organization. It allows you to save for other items and remove cleaning stuff from the budget.  At least you are sorted for the winter ahead.

helensbiggestfan

Good Mornjng lovely ladies 

SFT.  You say you think winter will be hard this year, I too have some concerns. All the reasons you mention of supply difficulties but I also have this niggle at the back of my mind that we are going to have harsh weather.  I don't know why because I've not read or heard anything to that effect, it's just a vague sense of unease.  It does happen from time to time - 1947, the storm surge of 1953, 1963 so we know it's not "unprecedented" - a word I'm sick of hearing at the moment.  

Nothing that's happened this year has been unprecedented, unusual yes but definitely not unprecedented.  And I do sometimes think that things happen in clusters......so although the last thing we need is a harsh winter, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised. Plagues, weather events, money markets in free fall, Riots and civil unrest, food shortages, energy and power disruptions,  none of it is new.  We have been there before. 

I am doing all I can to prepare - getting stocks in and having alternative fuel sources in case there are power disruptions.  I lived through the energy crisis, the 3 day weeks and the power disruptions of the 1970s. At the time the house I lived in was all electric - I swore never again would I rely on one power source.  Even candles were like gold.   Now I have a range of options so a combination of gas and electric, plus  some standbys - a small biofuel heater and a calorgas heater. I also have an open fireplace and a shed full of coal and wood. The solid fuel, calor gas and biofuel are all either expensive or inefficient so are only really for back up or extra heat when it's really cold. The advantage is that you can buy them in advance so you can use them knowing they are already paid for And not have to worry about large winter bills. 

I don't  consider myself a "prepper" as such and I don't  want to be alarmist or defeatist, it's not in my nature to be a pessimist but I think it's wise to do what we can to try and forward plan a bit.    We just don't know what further shocks lie in store. 2020 has not been the best of years so far - I think many of us will be glad to see the back of it.  

In the meantime I'm trying to keep fabbing, dressing up and showing up, Trying to keep cheerful and upbeat.  I am now Zumba-ing and Bollywood dancing every day. 😂. 

thepurplepixie

I'm feeling down, some racist remarks to DH at the carboot today. Dont know why but it has really got to me.  Maybe it is all the stuff on the news about America making it more sensitive than usual.  Nothing to be done but has spoilt the weekend.

sugarbaby125

Pixie, I am so sorry that some ignorant racist has spoiled your weekend. Tomorrow is another day and when it arrives you may already be feeling more positive. Take care.

FreetodoasIlike

Sugar Wow, that is sure some impressive stockpile of cleaning products. I try to keep a stock too but certainly don’t have as many as you do.  When we moved our hot water tank upstairs when we had an extension it created a decent size storage area which I didn’t have before, apart from under the sink, so I use this to store cleaning products.  I also have a large camphor wood chest in the hallway which I use to store spare toilet/kitchen rolls etc. Since lockdown, I’ve become more aware of the importance of having an emergency supply of these things. Remember at the start when the shelves were bare? I abhor panic buying and if everyone had just bought a little extra each time they shopped the shelves would’t have emptied as they did. I remember seeing one woman leaving the store with her trolley piled high with toilet rolls - it was almost obscene and the store shouldn’t have allowed it. After that they put a number on certain items but it was too late. Your idea sugar of  buying when funds permit is a good one and I too am going to buy a little extra each time I shop as I also fear we may have a harsh winter. When I was working I passed two supermarkets on my way home so it was easy to pop in when I needed something. Now that I am retired I don’t shop as frequently and won’t want to drive if we have bad weather this winter so it will be comforting to know that I have a decent supply.

LL I agree with what you say in your post. I don’t consider myself to be an alarmist or defeatist either but I do worry about  things, especially since lockdown when I’ve more time to reflect. I remember the 70s well - the winter of discontent, the three day week, power cuts, rubbish piling up on the streets etc. It was a grim time. I fear we are in for a recession and people will have to tighten their belts. I feel so sorry for those who have lost their jobs or their employment prospects are uncertain for the future. My young neighbour is in her early 30s and was furloughed. She has now been made redundant and has just bought her first house with her partner after having rented for several years. I know she is very worried about the future and I feel for her. She works in the financial services area and is wondering if she will ever find another job.

Since lockdown, I’ve been reflecting more. I’m lucky to receive two reasonable work pensions and will receive my state pension in two years when I’m 66. It’s the younger ones I feel for, as well as the older vulnerable people who are afraid to leave their homes. My mum is in sheltered accommodation and hasn’t left her home (apart from a hospital visit) in two years. She’s nearly 99 but some of the ladies I speak to in the complex where she lives (who are younger) tell me they will never go out again unless they absolutely have to. I just hope that when social distancing rules ease up a little they will be able to continue with their usual activities like the weekly coffee morning, quiz night etc. I would have thought that several of them could have formed their own bubble but the housing association have locked the communal area. I hope things get back to some form of normality soon.

On a more positive note, after some reflection, I’ve decided to lead a bit more of a simple life. I was never very extravagant before, but I’m going to stop needless shopping and enjoy the outdoors more with my OH. It goes without saying that I will continue “fabbing” as well. This afternoon I’m going to sort out all my toiletries and make-up bag and get rid of any half-used, out of date stuff. On Thursday I had another clear out of my wardrobe and took two bags to the charity shop yesterday. When I retired I gave a lot of my work clothes to the charity shop and sold some on eBay but I have got rid of some more. It felt so cathartic and liberating. Does anyone else feel the same when they have a clear out? I’ll never achieve the perfect “capsule” wardrobe but I’m getting there. “Simplicity” is my mantra for the future (well, for the next few weeks anyway😁).

thepurplepixie

Thanks Sugarbaby, I'll get over it but it does still have the power to upset me.  I think it upsets me more than DH, he got so much abuse as a child, his father died shortly after the war due to injuries in France and as a single woman with a child there wasn't much support and of course there was less diversity then and more open prejudice.  There are some truly unpleasant people in the world, I wonder how abusing a young child without a father whose mother is working hard can appeal to some people.  I guess I'll never understand.

thepurplepixie

FreetodoasIlike I think we are in for a difficult few months.  I booked my flu jab yesterday and the cupboards are full (Sugarbaby has put me to shame, I must be a greedy pig as my stash is mainly food) I'm not sure what else I can do.  I've told my two big GC that we are going to have to think carefully about how much they are here when school starts, I see them most days and they stay over lots so it is hard to know what to do for the best.

savingfortomorrow

Purplepixie- Please don't let a horrible person's words ruin your weekend; It what they hope it would do. Their ignorance is theirs alone and mean-spiritedness is lashed out to hurt. If at all possible try and enjoy the remainder of the weekend. 

I used to receive certain remarks and random people shouting about my appearance and nationality. I have gotten a lot of vitriol in the past and some terrible remarks. It is bad. Just some people are just downright evil and hateful.
When will everyone learn that the measure of a person is not where or how we look but the depth of compassion and empathy of our souls.  

Sugar- I went to the supermarket on the way home from work and it looked like everyone was taking a leaf out of your book. The shelves were bare enough for some of the laundry detergent.  I have a big size of Persil and the last one lasted me about 6 months, I only use a fraction of the recommended measures. I think that I will stock up on a few items but I need to make a list. 

freetodo-  Everyone needs to accept simplicity- Making do and mending was ingrained in world war 2- My Grandmother would recognize value and quality in clothes after saving her stamps for her ration. She lived in Britain during the War and migrated after. She would look at the material and know if it was worth buying. We need to be frugal in our spending and usage this year.  The era of flying to New York for Christmas shopping is over, It will return but right now it is important to enjoy the simple things. 

I used to shop as my hobby- charity shops, supermarkets and clothing. I love shopping but now I have to be realistic. Im better off with a bit more set aside. The clothing available will be questionable as how will supply lines be able to make it safely? I am going to use click and collect more as it gives me more discipline because I can set a budget and stick to it.