2021 Frugal Living Challenge

roblou27

OLaney said:

@moneyonmymindsam I have just started following FrugalJo on YT ...she has a fairly new channel but I think she will gain a lot of followers....some of her frugalling is quite unique. I recommend giving her a watch 😊

Thanks for the heads up on Frugal Jo OLaney.. I like her very much. Loved the waterproofing of the walking boots. I was only saying, I think on this thread that I would need some more walking boots as mine leaked. I did actually mend my old ones with super glue which gave me a few more years but the waterproofing with a candle and hairdryer is a new one on me. Will definitely try it.  As you say some of her idea are very unique. I like that.

willow_loulou

Does anyone make an upholstery cleaner that doesn’t include fabric softener? I have in citric acid, washing up liquid, washing powder and liquid, zoflora and salt lol would any of that work? It’s for pet smells not obvious stains. 

moneyonmymindsam

Hi @willow_loulou
I have read of people making a febr3eze type spray from zoflora and just water. Not tried myself but a quick G00gle may bring up a recipe. 

Couldsavemore

Morning all..
I did my 'big first of the month shop' last month I spent £60... this month I spent £30.. which I'm really pleased about. I think I'm less panicked this month. So fingers crossed I'll have money in the budget at the end of the month.
I also went to a petfood warehouse (independent not a chain..) I asked where his boxes of 40 pouches of cat food was. He hadn't got any so he said he would discount the boxes of 12 to the same price... that save me 60p a box.. I bought 14 boxes! Then when in Mr S, I checked the price and I'd saved a £1 per box. 
He does give me a funny look when I order the vegan dog food through him but it save me paying for delivery!
Anyway... as I always buy to much cat food each month... I don't need to buy any next month. So I can make an extra over payment next month.

Couldsavemore

@willow_loulou
Could you give it a blast with a steam cleaner? 

mumtoomany

Good morning all, hope everyone is well and happy. Still frugaling along here. Lovely to see more new faces. Busy again, as usual. Have so far fed two adults, three children, thirty two sheep, a dozen chickens and a dog! Dressed the children and loaded the dish washer. So time to post on here. 
Haven't yet worked out all the spends for January, but I know groceries came in at less than £200, pretty good for eight of us and includes nappies. Have already done a big shop this month, spent £162 but this will keep us going for everything but milk and maybe bread till March. Also ordered 500 dishwasher tablets for £24.99. Don't know how good these are, the ones I've had previously were over £30. Will let you all know when they arrive. They should last over ten months.
I've started writing a book on eating for less money. I first had the idea after I bought Bernadine Lawrence's book, Feed Your Family for £5 a Day. She was feeding for people and getting milk tokens. At the time I was feeding nine people (2 adults, 7 children)  and spending around £6-7 a day. I thought I can do better than that, I should write a book. So, 26 years later I've started it. May take some time to finish but not as long as it took to start! 
Have planted broad bean seeds and early peas, they are both up and growing well, put some mixed lettuce in a tray this week and spring onions. Planning on getting some onions and shallots started off today. Also started some ransomes, (wild garlic), we don't have any growing around here, so if it grows I'll plant it under the trees near the Wendy house. 
Posted a jumper I'd knitted for DGS2. Not so very frugal, the wool cost less than £2, the postage over £3! But if I'd left it till we see him again it wouldn't have fitted.
Am also going to try and write another inventory for the freezers today. The one i had was found by the DGDs. One drew beautiful pictures on it, other made confetti with it! Need a new place to keep it. 
Speak soon, mumtoomany

patentgirl

@mumtoomany you been busy I am sure your book will be great remember Bernadine Lawrence book well in fact still have it somwhere. I need to start growing much behind by sounds of it are all these inside or outside now? DH is trying to put another 4 raised vegetable areas but we are still clearing to get ready for them. 
@OLaney thanks for mentioning FrugalJo she has a warning voice sat down yesterday and watched quite a few. 
Off for walk down to local market to get some vegetables only food stalls are allowed to open and you have to wear your mask but that is no problem hopefully walk home via seafront and pick up some fresh sprats if fishing boat been out,  timing needs to be just  right as they don't need to advertise go very quickly and very cheap £2 for bag full.
Have good day everyone

Couldsavemore

I'll be isolating this weekend... theres been a positive test at work. Just waiting to here if I can go to work using lateral flow testing..
I've already had it but have a sore throat... am thinking I should get a test!

DawnW

@Couldsavemore I hope you are ok.

mumtoomany

Hi, @patentgirl, thanks. They are all inside on window sills, normally had them out in poly tunnel, but it's still full of chickens! Hope the bird flu lockdown ends soon. Luckily as the house is so old the window sills are very deep, plenty of room for seed trays. Mumtoomany.