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

badmemory

Well I am not going to admit in public what my central heating is set at.  But in my defense I have always felt the cold & I am getting worse with age.  You know how windy it has been today well I landed up standing outside the hospital entrance waiting for my friend to pick me up for 20 mins.  I can still barely walk across the room.  So annoyed as the mobiles weren't working for some reason.  He got one message over an hour after we got back home.  We will have a different plan for next time, but I'm not allowed to drive there as I will be having eye drops.

astrocytic_kitten

I can’t remember where, but years back I read something saying that every hour of sleep before midnight was worth twice as much as every hour after midnight. I’m sure that doesn’t apply to lots of people but it’s very true for me @Elisheba and it sounds like it’s the same for you too. I need lots of sleep too and I’ve learned to accept that I need to be in bed very early. Also, sleeping is frugal - no need for heating etc 😂 

Jellytotts

I'm a morning person too, awake by 5am most days and really have to force myself to stay in bed past 6am. I can get loads done before 11am in the lighter months but after that I'm done...that's my time for crafts and relaxing. We did away with our telly before Christmas, we just didn't watch it enough to keep it sitting there looking black and ugly.  We light the fire just before we sit in the kitchen for dinner and then move into the living room and read/listen to podcast or radio/jigsaw/craft. I like the slower pace to an evening. We are in bed by 9pm but that suits us fine.  When we had kids at home coming and going until all hours it was such a struggle to stay awake to make sure they were home safe but we love climbing into a cold bed at 9pm, snuggle down with a podcast and the window wide open (rain/snow or warm) and drift of.   I always feel like I hibernate over the winter but as soon as the mornings get a bit lighter I'm up and raring to go. 

elbree

astrocytic_kitten said:

I can’t remember where, but years back I read something saying that every hour of sleep before midnight was worth twice as much as every hour after midnight. I’m sure that doesn’t apply to lots of people but it’s very true for me @Elisheba and it sounds like it’s the same for you too. I need lots of sleep too and I’ve learned to accept that I need to be in bed very early. Also, sleeping is frugal - no need for heating etc 😂 

I definitely remember being told that as well @astrocytic_kitten! As well as 'early to bed and early to rise.....' 
I am better for going to bed early but I'm often working in the evenings until 9ish and then need an hour or two to unwind so my sleep patterns get all out of sync. @Jellytotts that sounds like a super relaxing routine! Will try an emulate more 

Elisheba

@badmemory Oh that wait in all that wind sounds horrible!  In terms of heating, I think its very much about paying for whats important to you.  For me, I'm not that bothered about having it on most of the time and would rather spend my money on something else, but can totally appreciate why for some having it on would be a priority.

Elisheba

@astrocytic_kitten and @elbree I am glad I am not the only one who needs lots of sleep, in particular early nights.  I haven't heard that before about sleep before midnight, but I would say its very true when it comes to me.  

Elisheba

@Jellytotts Thats sounds like such a lovely way to live.  I am constantly thinking of getting rid of my TV I watch it so rarely.  It is big and ugly and just taking up space as you say.  I basically keep it  as I might occasionally take a notion to watch something, and I may as well as I have it already.  I am always thinking about whether I should stop paying the TV licence as well.  I am basically paying whatever it is a year to watch new Doctor Who, which makes each episode a bit pricey   

Elisheba

Morning all, 

I've woke up at 5.45am this morning so have some time to write on here before I get up. 

I forgot to say, I also cancelled my national Trust membership yesterday. I've been pondering it for a while. I barely use it, but wanted to support them through the pandemic, and with all that business last year about some folk not liking the way they taught history. However, it looks like lockdowns are over now and £72 a year is too much money to throw away. 

It may be super windy outside but it also seems rather mild. I didn't need a hot water bottle last night which was nice.

Today is porridge for breakfast with dried fruit, egg salad and mushroom soup for lunch, and veggie mince with some sort of starch TBC for dinner.

Working all day, so will try and take 10 minute breaks on the hour to get house things done. Need to put on a washing, hoover, sew a jacket, do some dishes and clean the bathroom. Some dusting probably wouldn't go amiss either!

Have great days, everyone! 

Elisheba

Evening, frugal campers! 

Well I got some pleasant surprises today. The first and main one really was a prepaid mastercard through the post with £75 on it  . I knew I was getting some cashback for switching broadband providers, but didn't realise it was that much or that I would get it so soon. I only switched a week or two ago! That'll do for my brothers birthday present this month, and my mum's birthday and mother's day next month! I am putting money aside for presents, but I've just started my annuals pot so up until that's full the money comes out of my personal allowance.

The other nice surprise was the workman who came out to fix my bath managed to fix my bathroom light socket. I had thought it might be the electrics but would have had to buy a fancy bulb and climb ladders with a screw driver to change the bulb over, and for it then still not to work to be sure, so it's good he came around and had a look before I went to all that bother for nothing.

The Tail.com food I ordered at 90% off arrived today. It looks fabulous and my dog will be a very happy boy when I start him on it. I do think some of the cans are missing though. I'll need to double check what they said they would send.

Its another much milder day today. I haven't felt cold at all with my layers, and don't need a hot water bottle. Did at load of washing at 20 degrees earlier and hung it up on the spare room. I know people say they can't get clothes dry in winter, but I've never had any problem. It maybe takes 2 or 3 days as there is no heating, but they always dry and as long as they are shaken out and have enough space they don't go smelly. What was absolutely best though was back on the day at Uni, we had one of those pulley drying racks attached to the ceiling in the kitchen. Things dried so quickly on that! I'm definitely getting one fitted when I buy a house! 

I started mending a rain coat, but will need to put some proper time aside as my dog has properly ripped it and it's a bit like a jigsaw to sort out!

Not much I can do to prepare for dreaded storm Eunice. I have camping gear if things go wrong, but living in a town they are unlikely to. 

I hope everyone is safe and cosy tonight, and has all their hatches battened down! 

WinterWarrior

What a lucky day! Well done. We’ve had a bit of snow today, brrr.