2021 Frugal Living Challenge

StrawberrySuze

I think we all think of what we have done to see if there is anything frugal we can post about as we mustn't go 'off topic'!

I've just accidentally signed up for the 30 days Amazon Prime trial, I have cancelled it though. I watched 'Bohemian Rhapsody' today, it was brilliant but had to watch it on my tablet, it's not quite the same. I'm now trying to stop myself buying a Smart TV, which I have been debating over for about the last five years!

I too am considering whether to have a break from the TV licence. I really like the house-y/ gardening programmes and some of the dramas but that is about it, I think it is quite expensive now compared to Prime or Netflix, 12 months TV licence would nearly buy a Smart TV!

StrawberrySuze

tryingtodobetter said:

Free downloadable recipe book from Ikea for using up scraps and left overs, it has some great ideas...
https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/files/pdf/a1/bb/a1bb8178/scrapsbook.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0JE8aKg21983F0eTGrKD9j2misgyV2QN96KSUX9ZhYbwUqNP8l0JxW9lE

Thanks for that, there are some really interesting ideas, didn't think banana peel was edible, I really need to try making pesto out of absolutely anything!

wort

I was interested in the tv debate but looked up this?

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

• watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
• watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
• download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

You only need one TV Licence per household, even if you use more than one of the devices listed above. A TV Licence costs £157.50 for colour TV, and £53 for black and white.
From this it seems you need a licence for more than it seems !?

MazzieD

@wort you beat me to it!.

I cancelled my TV licence last year as I only watched a little Freeview and the 4 main channels.  I've just dug out my confirmation letter and that's exactly what it says as well.  You do need to be very careful about actually cancelling it, if anyone wants info about the process I'll be happy to outline what you need to do as it isn't very clear - I had a couple of stroppy letters threatening a fine and visits from enforcement officers!.  All sorted now but I've kept my TV just in case I change my mind, it's gathering dust at the moment 

I quite like Too Good To Go, no subscription just pay varying amounts if you want anything.  Had a couple of Morris*ns boxes, really good but they are like gold dust and sell out immediately.   Loads of hotels, national coffee chains, pizza places, pubs etc signed up here so it should be really good when everything re-opens.  I don't tend to buy much of this sort of stuff but really recommend the Morries one if you can get your hands on one!.  Will be interesting to see what happens to Olio, they should have charged a nominal amount from the start - introducing a subscription now for any part of it is unlikely to go down well.

Still prefer L*dl, it's so cheap for what you get.  Having a staycation at home this week so will try and be frugal.

AskYouWillGet

Loving the topics this week, I considered the TV licence debate too. I thought it covered BBC radio but not seen that mentioned on the website. Prime user anyway and occasionally watch live news. But rest off us in the house are catcher uppers and would only dare go for it if liced alone as monitoring others watching habits to avoid a fine would cause trouble and strife especially with pandemic. 
The hessian scraps that I cut up last year & forgot why has now been clarified - thanks @Frugaldom. Have planted another 7 fruit trees so will now use the squares to mulch. They were once bags for life and started to deteriorate /decompose in storage so cut them up to reuse in the garden. 
Yesterday I spent all day in the veg plot and started creating a couple more Hugelbeds from dead wood and debris. The 1st one has had overwintered veg in: carrots, beetroot, onions, spinach, cauliflower since Feb. Live up north near the coast & doing well in there. It is a small raised hugelbed & have still space, so now sowing directly on it due to it being significantly warmer soil too.  Doing a spud experiment, some in the ground and some in a crate to compare as the ground is so stony and weed ridden.
Went to the garden centre for seeds and seed compost then fell of the frugal wagon too. Bought 2 reduced new additions for my significant birthday treat to me - would have spent same going for a meal (taxi, oufit?, food & drinks would be at least £50) so think that has justified it and have got something to look at in my bare seating area. A Japanese Acer and a Magnolia, potted them in free pots that picked up on Freegle last month. Look amazing and the total cost was £33.
Moved last August, from a pstage sized garden to tennis court sized blank canvas with 2 large outdoor spaces to fill. Keep looking out for sale and/or free garden furniture but missed loads of offers snapped up quick. But great news yesterday, DS2 came home with a complete set from B. /&/ M only £70 for 4 chairs, glass top table and parasol. The family are splitting the purchase between them at  £23.25 each. We don't do expensive gifting, so this makes me double happy on a frugal front plus my 1st ever matching garden set ever!
Did really well with YS at T-express this week and I've stuck to reducing average spend to under £10 per visit - previously averaging £20. Big shop for household and cat supplies was the most spent so far. 
On staycation too for 2 weeks so will be able to read peoples poss daily rather than on a weekend. Can't stare at a screen after 8 hours working online which has been mentioned (sorry rubbish at remembering to tag!).
Sorry it was a long one, have a great frugal week everyone.

(p.s. still figuring out signatures!) 

Tightpants24

I have just sold my first item on V1nt3d.  A whole £3!!  I hadn't used this before so wanted to give it a go.  I have loads of clothes and shoes to sell.  Also got another £5 of old textbooks from zi**it.
I am aiming to initially make enough to get a blind for the bedroom.  £14 so far.

Jazee

I've just signed up to the Amazon 30 day free trial.  My question if anyone can help is they say you can stream music.  Can this be streamed to my google smart thingy like Spotify can?  If so, I think I'll cancel Spotify.
Yesterday I built a new raised bed.  I still need to fill it with compost from the heap.
Today I am going to the community fridge.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] said:

Frugal plans this weekend for me are:
Photograph chair to sell on gumtree.
Food plan and shop.  It's the final shop of the month for us and we have done well with our grocery budget this month.  
Tidy the garden and housework.  May do some baking.
Declutter and sell what I can.

Well my plans for the weekend went pretty well.  Several things decluttered and/or put on gumtree.  Final food shop done and I have £23 left from the budget ofr that so I am pretty happy.  Did a massive clean of the living room which is now looking great and made some banana muffins to use up some past-their-best bananas.  I've jusy had one for my breaksfast along with a cuppa and they are tasting great.  Have a great week everyone.

2Scratters

Morning Peeps,
I had purchased sometime back when shops were open from my fav TK store a pair of evidently ex display Fossil glasses frames for £6. I have had my eyes tested routinely and have changed ever so slightly, I asked at the National company would they put my new lenses into my frames and they said yes. My total bill including the new CT scan was £59!!  Compared to DH last week at £350 :That has saved me a lovely sum, off to collect them today
Stay safe
2Scratters

MazzieD

@AskYouWillGet No you don't need a TV Licence to listen to the radio or podcasts.  That's mainly what I was doing and why I decided to cancel.  The other thing I forgot to mention is that it appears you can watch YouT*be pre-recorded video's like Frugal Jo and others, it's the live streaming that seems to be the issue.  It's such a confusing mix of what you can and can't do, have to admit I haven't watched much YouT*be just in case, I'm still a bit twitchy about the whole thing as a law abiding citizen!.