Frugal, thrifty, make do, mend! Let this debt come to an end!

Elisheba

This is March's meal plan. I've also added in tinned fruit and evaporated milk for easy desserts, and home made popcorn for lazy day snacks. I'll be making fruit buns and other things like that to stop me running to the shops because I'm craving rubbish. 

I've planned around things I know I have in the freezer or cupboards. All the meals will be filled to the rafters with frozen veg and/or tinned pulses. I'm trying to make the plan as efficient as possible, i.e. Cook once, have a month's worth of meals. Where that's not possible, I've planned meals using leftovers to minimise waste. 

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks for the meal plan, that’s really interesting! It really shows how much a difference making things from scratch can make. My health isn’t quite up to it yet but I have a goal to make my own bread, soup, etc - this is great inspiration to do that.

Elisheba

@astrocytic_kitten Before I started my frugalista lifestyle I had bought a breadmaker and a soupmaker. They definitely make a difference! Worth looking out for on Gumtree etc! 

Elisheba

@astrocytic_kitten Before I started my frugalista lifestyle I had bought a breadmaker and a soupmaker. They definitely make a difference! Worth looking out for on Gumtree etc! 

StartingAgainAt29

Thanks for the recipe @Elisheba, I've never tried natural deodorant before (always used Mitchum) but maybe I should give it a try while it's still cold 😬

missymoo81

Elisheba you’re doing such a great job! Love your spreadsheets. I’m going to try and use some of your ideas. I forgot about tinned fruit. Tinned peaches are super cheap and probably nice on porridge. And frozen veg is super cheap and would be fine in stew or shepherds pie etc. My sister also has a soup maker and used it a lot. I have a slow cooker and use that a lot too. 

Moneywhizz

Have just had a quick read of your diary. You are very inspirational and I am sure will get this debt cleared sooner that you think. Just a couple of comments. I haven't noticed you mentioning surveys. Some people make a good amount of money on certain sites. They are obviously quite time consuming but if you can fit in one or two a day it soon starts to mount up. The other thing is about shampoo. I know you said you need special products for your scalp so this may not be useful but there is really no need to use anything except water to clean your hair. I found this hard to believe at first but have now not used shampoo for about two years and my hair is perfectly clean and in good condition with a twice weekly wash using only water. I also stopped using shower gel and body cream at the same time and notice absolutely no difference, except that I miss the lovely smells! 

Elisheba

@StartingAgainAt29 Yes, I've only used the HM deodorant in winter! I think it'll be fine in summer as long as I shower everyday.

Thanks, @missymoo81 Yeah, I only recently remembered tinned fruit myself. It is great, and goes with so many things! Jack Munroe even puts tinned peaches in curry!

Hi, @Moneywhizz, I bought the book Happy Hair a few years ago and tried to go 'no poo', but it didn't work for me. My scalp got really sore, and by a week and a half my hair was so greasy I couldn't face going out. Maybe without the scalp issues I would have persevered until the oil rebalanced itself, but I was just hating it so much I didn't bother. I use Dove soap and don't bother with body cream and that works for me. I have signed up to a few survey sites, ta, but haven't really gotten into doing them at all. I should make more effort! 

Elisheba

Thats me back from a lovely couple of nights away, staying with a friend. We ate out twice and all I ended up paying for was a round of drinks for the family so I'm feeling very treated. I was also out on Saturday for a high tea with my charity group. It was subbed so only paid £11.50 (Inc tip) and was totally lush. I feel like I've had rather a luxurious weekend off and am feeling very rejuvenated.

I needed petrol on my way home from my friends house, and annoyingly the petrol station I went to was closed so 9 ended up having to get some from a motorway service station at about £1. 36/litre. Urgh! I only got £7 worth as I wasn't paying for any more than I needed at that price 😂. It's pretty much the waste of a pound though - not much in the grand scheme of things, but hard enough to earn nonetheless.

There is actual sun with heat coming through my living room window and it is filling me with joy! Soon this will be a regular thing again. Soon I can heat my bones outside, pottering around on the allotment or sitting out in the park. It will be so glorious! And so cheap! No more central heating, or coal, or hot baths just to cheer and warm me up! I will be able to wear one layer and be comfortable. Soon, soon, soon!

In the meantime, what does this week hold? I'm trying out a Guiding group tonight, working from home until Thursday, then in the office on Friday. Got a date on Friday I think - no idea what we are doing yet. I don't think I've got much on this weekend so that will be lovely and relaxing! Other than Friday, I don't think I'll need to spend anything either. Awesome! 

Right, I'm off to make some cake. I have a sweet craving! Hope everyone is having a great day! 

DanceMum_2

So pleased your going back into Guiding!! Well done on continuing to be frugal - things there to teach the young ones!!