2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Onebrokelady

Just checking in for the day,I haven't had to spend any money today so today will be a NSD 🎉🎉 I am trying to cook once and eat at least twice which I think saves money and definitely saves time. I don't mind eating the same thing on consecutive days though so I made a gnocchi bake which has lasted me for four evening main meals, I ate the last one last night, tonight I'm treating myself to a Quorn steak slice with veg so that will only do one meal but tomorrow I'm cooking a roast and will make enough for Monday as well. I'm working on Monday so will only have to heat the roast up when I get in 😊

AskYouWillGet

MazzieD said:

I've just seen the viewing figures for the 2021 Frugal Living Challenge so far.  221.9 THOUSAND views.  That isn't a typo!.  

Frugal Living seems to be quite a wide subject area.  Interesting as I have wondered about some of my posts being 'off topic', maybe I've just been lucky, none of my posts have been removed and I'm sill here!.

Anyway, I'm going to join the silent majority and will see what it's like to just read along or 'lurk' as I've never done that so time to try it, not sure how long for.   It'll be interesting to see how long I last without commenting as I've run out of anything interesting (or not depending on your view) to post about. 

I never realised that there was any other forums out there 🤣... Am really happy with all the different frugal topics that give others ideas too and that statistic prove this forum is the one to be in 😁

AskYouWillGet

willow_loulou said:

@Living_proof I was disappointed by the prepping thread, really hoped for good ideas that I didn’t have to trawl back for. But never mind! I’ve learned so much this past year I’m sure I’m okay 😬 
I’ve had a very busy week, working in actual work as well as from home. I’m feeling a little run down from it so considering what healthier foods I can eat over my usual y/s or bargains. I’ve discovered M&S have more healthier food in their reductions but obviously even reduced can be not exactly cheap. 

Any suggestions of super healthy non lentil containing foods? 

My April challenge is finding ways of preparing foods for easy cook or slow cook for the days I’m in work. I have to admit I was so drained and in pain Thursday we had a well known burger chain food for dinner. Whilst I do enjoy it the expense and lack of veg make this less than ideal! 

Yesterday I was working from home til 12 then in work for around 12:30 so cooked jacket spuds for dinner during the morning. That’s great but I’m not keen on them reheated so need more options. I also pre made paninni, wrapped in foil and just oven cooked them. That worked really well,
need more filling options for those. 

I’m ending the month well in budget for food, would’ve been more had we not had burgers. 

I’ve decided to put that money aside to allow me to get a take away should I just not cope next month. Working when disabled is certainly a challenge. 

This is my favourite slow cooker meal - a three bean chilli. Throw in any beans including the baked beans kind with any veg fresh or frozen. Use a teaspoon of cumin, 1tsp chilli & salt (or to taste), 1tbsp paprika, tin of tomatoes and a chopped onion. Eat with pasta, rice (pre-cooked), nachos and cheese, tortilla wrap put in oven with cheese on top, couscous. 
I'm trying to figure out how w to precook jacket spuds too but I tend to microwave them, slice a cross in the top first. Zap for 5 mins then turn and zap for another 5 then finish off in the oven for 10 or so until crisp.

Hope it gets better for you as you pick up the pace of life again. 

StrawberrySuze

Hi all, just realised it is now gone 2am with the clocks, It's like being back in the clubbing days!

Would be good for some more people to post something, doesn't matter what! Maybe we could have a topic a week or something 🙂

I suggest pallets! I'm going to make a settee for the garden and then get/ make a padded seat. Has anyone else made anything out of pallets?

Yesterday was a magic bag day from the local bakery, it is the most exciting event of the week at the moment 🤣

Did a Lidls shop Friday and they had run out of loads of things but did get a walk on the beach!

Does anyone else do the Nielsen panel? I really like it, it makes me think about what I am buying, I have had a kettle so far and am just letting the other points mount up so I can get something good!

@willow_loulou not super healthy but fairly healthy, you can do a big pan of root veg mash and use it as a topping for shepherds/cottage/veggie pie, it freezes quite well. I often make a big batch of savoury mince and mash, freeze them separately in portions and I then just have to assemble and bung in the oven. I did get some more frozen veg yesterday,  usually buy mostly fresh but frozen is a lot easier and cheaper!

[Deleted User]

I mentioned to a friend last night that I was considering cancelling the TV licence as we simply don’t really need it. She ranted at me that the BBC ‘deserves’ my money, I should pay it without question and I was wrong not to. I calmly explained that a review of our viewing habits show we don’t legally need one. She was very upset with me and also called me tight. I’ll go back to keeping my frugal thoughts and intentions to myself i think 😢

Nonnadiluca

OH has made five raised beds and a large planter from pallets that were being chucked out after building work down the road and the offcuts were given to DD for her woodburner. Our nephew has made a picnic table and a shed! 
Happy frugalling!!

Nonnadiluca

Sparkly, I came to the conclusion a long time ago that frugal thoughts are best not shared in RL that's why this forum is such a great place to be - we don't think we're weird!

[Deleted User]

I've just put up a palletwood wall in my kitchen.  I absolutely love it. OH was skeptical, especially as he pulled the pallets apart but he loves it too.  We've created a sort of L shape of palletwood wall where our kitchen table sits.  It looks fab. 

Jazee

I agree that you just can't share all frugalling thoughts in RL.  People think I'm weird enough anyway and even my family don't know that I've been rescuing food from the community fridge which would otherwise go to landfill.  They've been having some of it too, they just don't know where it comes from.

Yesterday, I sorted out our budget for the next financial year and we'll have to be frugal because we don't know how long until DH will get his next proper job as he's still temping.  

I found out that I can't stream prime music to our google thingy and that I'll need to spend £30 on an Alexa thingy instead.  The saving each month prime versus Spotify is £2, and will also get video and some free next day delivery.  Going to discuss it with tech savvy SIL before making final decision.

I was hoping yesterday would be a NSD but DH decided I deserved a paper and sweets on his way home. Maybe today...

willow_loulou

Thank you @AskYouWillGet and @StrawberrySuze x

i have pallet plans but need to clear the garden first. It’s a jungle! Or as I refer to it a big hotel 😂 
Going to budget review this weekend. Council tax and water bills have arrived 😬