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2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge
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Oh yes, everything is taken out of its packaging before freezing if possible! It makes you wonder how many fewer lorries they'd need if everything was just wrapped, instead of all the unwieldy big plastic trays and so on...
We're skinflints here, so we wash and re-use the bags too - we used to use thin cheap single-use sandwich bags but decided to switch to sturdy, strong Waitrose ziplock freezer bags so that we could use each one many many times. And yes, I cut the label off and pop it in usually, too - things like fish-fingers, it means I don't have to try to recall what oven temp and how long and so on, if I cut the cardboard box up and pop the cooking instructions in the bag with the fish fingers!2025 remaining: 37 coupons from 66:
January (29): winter boots, green trainers, canvas swimming-shoes (15); t-shirt x2 (8); 3m cotton twill (6);
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2025 second-hand acquisitions (no coupons): None thus far
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2025 needlework- *Reverse-couponing*:11 coupons :
January: teddybear-lined velvet jacket (11) & hat (0); velvet sleep-mask (0);6 -
So not just me then! I do that too, particularly with rolls pittas and naan breads. Although I have also been making myself use plastic freezer boxes more for things like meat and sausages, as I won't reuse any plastic bag that's had raw meat in it. It did mean serious investment in small boxes, though!Sealed Pot Challenge no 035.
Fashion on the Ration - 27.5/66 ( 5 - shoes, 1.5 - bra, 11.5 - 2 pairs of shoes and another bra, 5- t-shirt, 1.5 yet another bra!) 3 coupons swimming costume.6 -
I spent 8 coupons on a new pair of trousers so 19 spent for the year to date.
Also, without thinking about it properly, I bought 12 fat quarters in the Aldi sewing sale. Since it is 3 coupons per yard and 4 fat quarters in a yard that is 12 more coupons so 31 for the year to date. If I use them for masks (I might) I'll declare and re-deduct.
And have bought some clothes for the toddler (for next summer) in the end of summer sales but am not counting those at present. However most of his clothes are second hand and he'd probably be within his limit!
Pip I have ordered the Helen Forrester book. I used to work in a Liverpool bookshop in the late 90s and her books were very popular but it never occurred to me to read them myself!
I acquired a lot of sewing magazines and some fabric from a lovely lady on our local Freecycle group. One of the articles was about a recent Great British Sewing Bee winner (Claire?) who said that she tried to stick to clothes coupon limits for her new clothing. I was very impressed; dear lady, if you are reading along I don't ask you to declare yourself!
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Oh my goodness, trot off for a week under canvas (and in & on the sea) and I have 116 posts to catch up on! But here's a challenge: IF I can't find myself a secondhand shorty wetsuit in the end-of-season sell-off, how many coupons will I need to surrender to buy a new one? Those "new-style" plastic kayaks are seriously addictive! But I'll have to do some serious saving...Angie - GC Aug25: £207.73/£550 : 2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: 26/68: (Money's just a substitute for time & talent...)3
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How was the wedding? Do tell!thriftwizard said:Oh my goodness, trot off for a week under canvas (and in & on the sea) and I have 116 posts to catch up on! But here's a challenge: IF I can't find myself a secondhand shorty wetsuit in the end-of-season sell-off, how many coupons will I need to surrender to buy a new one? Those "new-style" plastic kayaks are seriously addictive! But I'll have to do some serious saving...
I honestly have no idea how we'd calculate coupons for a wetsuit. Any suggestions, anyone?
- Pip"Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.'
It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!
2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 39.5 spent.
4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
4 - 1 pair "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
6 - Ukraine Forever Tartan Ruana wrap
22 - yarn
1.5 - sports bra
2 - leather wallet5 -
Maybe a shorty wetsuit is closest in style and function to a gym tunic?
Otherwise it's not dissimilar to a mackintosh?6 -
Maybe dungarees? (It has a 'protective' function.) Or a man's bathing suit? (Swimear, but covers more than a lady's would! IYSWIM
) A budget is like a speed sign - a LIMIT not a TARGET!!
CHALLENGES
2025 Declutter:
1 CONTAINER (box/bag/folder etc) per day; 50/365
1 FROG (minimum) per week; 6/52
WEIGHT I'll start with 25 lbs (though I need to lose more!) and see how it goes...🤔 0/25
2025 NSDs: 15 per MONTH - FEB 4/15; JAN 21/15
2025 Fashion on the Ration: (carried over from 2024) 10+66 = 76
2025 Make Do, Mend & Minimise No target, just remember to report!
AWARDS 💐⭐6 -
CapricornLass said:So not just me then! I do that too, particularly with rolls pittas and naan breads. Although I have also been making myself use plastic freezer boxes more for things like meat and sausages, as I won't reuse any plastic bag that's had raw meat in it. It did mean serious investment in small boxes, though!
No, it isn’t just you. I’ve been washing and reusing plastic bags since I first came to the UK and couldn't find freezer bags. I don’t reuse ones that have had meat in them but bread bags or the ziplock-type-ones-containing-cheese are fair game for re-use.
About once a decade, I buy plastic takeaway boxes. They get re-used in the freezer until they break, when they go into the recycling. I reckon I have enough to last us until 2030.
- Pip"Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.'
It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!
2025 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons - 39.5 spent.
4 - Thermal Socks from L!dl
4 - 1 pair "combinations" (Merino wool thermal top & leggings)
6 - Ukraine Forever Tartan Ruana wrap
22 - yarn
1.5 - sports bra
2 - leather wallet7 -
I wash and reuse bags and containers too - margarine tubs are handy for the freezer, though it gets confusing if you take them out to defrost and forget and a week later go to butter your toast...
I feel I really ought to reuse the zipped bags that frozen veg come in too. They are quite tough and don't seem to recycle.
I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/226 -
Maybe a mackintosh because it's "technical materials"?2025 remaining: 37 coupons from 66:
January (29): winter boots, green trainers, canvas swimming-shoes (15); t-shirt x2 (8); 3m cotton twill (6);
.
2025 second-hand acquisitions (no coupons): None thus far
.
2025 needlework- *Reverse-couponing*:11 coupons :
January: teddybear-lined velvet jacket (11) & hat (0); velvet sleep-mask (0);6
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