2021 Frugal Living Challenge

patentgirl

@savingmore I retired end of December fell like such a weight lifted off me had very stressful management position which was literally thrown on me 8 years ago knew I wanted to leave and retire early at 60  always been a saver so for last 3 years we saved all of my salary unless something major broke also built up extra amount into premium bonds too talked my DH into plan this got us used to being frugal which is now a way of life although lockdown I cannot believe we have still managed to save on one salary so far food bill has gone down make lots of soups for lunches I agree Frugal Jo budget at £100 very tight but know lots on here manage similar amounts my problem like to support local butcher and often get vegetable boxes  delivered from local farm company I would like to go over to support local milk company get that delivered too we use a lot of milk so trying to budget extra for that. DH is adding more raised borders for vegetable and fruit growing had good year last year especially spinach raspberries and tomatoes just using last of tomato bases I froze last year think helps we on same page he wouldn't have been 10 years ago! He recently built a new shed very frugally.
 I have put no diesel in car since end of December brought no clothes for work no putting  in for birthdays etc can only recommend retiring. DH is hoping to retire at 64 so he has around 18 months left for us to add more to pot then to think about our camper van we want to buy.
My guilty p!easure is flowers too and the odd glass of wine at weekend. Thanks for all advice on here I would not have been able to retire early without this wonderful thread, loving the you tube link's Rhondas Down to Earth weekend blog often has some good links too.
Welcome newbies.

Blackcats

Zafiro - I agree about not knowing what day it is.  I was walking the other day when I passed a fellow walker who said "good afternoon - I know it's the afternoon because its 2 o'clock but I've no idea what day of the week it is" 🤣. I made a lucky guess that it was Saturday 🙄

elbree

Hello, I'm a total newbie and would love to join if I'm not too late to the party? I've recently discovered the forum and been a lurker but now taking the plunge to post for the first time. There's so much helpful information on here. Thanks so much! 

willow_loulou

Welcome @elbree 😀

I have mixed feelings about the announcement tonight, although I’m desperate to see my Bestie. 

I am still very worried it’s going to keep coming back. 

Shopping from stores this week, though I’ve just gone through the anti bac spray/gels and we’ve used loads so will pop out for some tomorrow as I have a vet trip. I’ll take the car for a drive as it’s needing a run and scout for pallets and run past the fareshare table and check olio. 

We’ve lots of food in but I’m low on bread so fingers crossed. If not it’s crackers as I’m not going in a food shop. 

I’ve started cutting rags to make a rug, most therapeutic! 

Tanya12345

Morning All,
Been AWOL for a couple of days, no drama just 5 tons of compost to barrow onto veg beds.
Love and hugs Sashacat x - and everyone else !!
Hi Newbies,  this is a fab place to be, a mine of brilliant   and useful info - provided by a lovely supportive bunch of Fruggies.
Grocery budget hobbling towards the end of Feb - although March's is skintight (invested it in compost.....).
 Looking forward to checking out the Youtube channels, the TV is  grim - seriously thinking of binning it and saving the £14 monthly licence fee.
On a frugal note am going to try and take my van off the road and use my bike instead......
Have a good day all, v. windy here today but at least no rain xx

Tanya12345

PS Willow, rug making sounds brilliant - is it tricky ? xx

willow_loulou

Tanya12345 said:

PS Willow, rug making sounds brilliant - is it tricky ? xx

This is my first go but from the tutorials I’d say no, a little fiddly to start. More time consuming I think. I’m doing a cross between a snuffle mat for a dog and Latchhook to see what works. 

Frugaldom

elbree said:

Hello, I'm a total newbie and would love to join if I'm not too late to the party? I've recently discovered the forum and been a lurker but now taking the plunge to post for the first time. There's so much helpful information on here. Thanks so much! 

Welcome to our friendly forum, elbree. It is never too late to join us here so have some fun frugaling and you'll soon get to know the routine.

Frugaldom

Nurse2259 said:

Hello, please can I join in? This looks like my kind of place! ...
 I do own horses which is my guilty pleasure however past frugality has helped me afford them, hoping to scratch my way through study, placements and finding a job the next year and finally get settled. Loving all the suggestions and have joined a cash back site this morning. Feeling empowered :-) 

Welcome to our challenge / forum / frugal friendship zone. You are not along in owning horses - several of us in here and throughout the Frugaldom-related challenge threads and pages own several. I vowed 20 years ago that I was quitting but still find myself with 10 at Frugaldom! That's enough to enforce frugality forever.

Frugaldom

savingmore said:

May I join you lovely band of folk?  Discovered this thread a few weeks ago, andy it’s been my guilty pleasure reading it, especially when I haven’t been able to sleep.   I am desperately trying to save for my retirement soon...

Welcome on board - budget to your heart's content and have fun reading through the pages. We've been here for a very long time so I like to think it's saving folks money on not having to buy reading material. Links are all on page/post 1 for the past 14 years or so. On the supermarket, toiletries, groceries - if it helps at all, my own budget is £1 per person per day for everything and a few pounds extra each month to top up on stores and for visitors, volunteers and students. I haven't been able to host any of those for the past year so it has saved us a little, which has gone into the savings pot for implementing retirement plans.