2021 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

Day 6 of 17

We’ve been out since 8.30am at outdoor sports club (council funded), the children are wiped out from 4 hours exercise in the cold and I’m tired from my usual early start. 

It is sunny but bitingly cold and the fire is keeping us toasty warm. No heating on today; we are fine with the wood burner. 

I am also trying to reduce our electricity use; our energy account is £35 in debit so to break even I need to keep energy costs down to no more than £1.20 per day. Doable, especially when the children are back at school next week. I can’t wait for it to warm up a bit; it feels like it’s been winter for so long with the odd teaser day thrown in of gorgeous weather.

I’ll be making good use of the oven when it’s on later; I’ll cook Yorkshire puddings and the same time as our dinner, and if I have chance before I’ll get a cake mix in to cook at the same time 😊

marionmgcars

 I don't post very often, but enjoy reading everyone's comments and it does inspire me to stick to my frugal ways.  I have given up discussing this with some friends as they just don't see my point of view.  That's ok, but I dislike it when they say I am tight with my money, as that's not the case.  I don't waste money, which enables me to spend it on treats - mostly for other people.  

Keep up the good work everyone, and thank you for all your postings xx

willow_loulou

I don’t discuss being frugal outside of this thread really, my kids follow suit and my friends just marvel at my bargains. It’s either your thing or it’s not. 

I do however encourage recycling, no one notices the frugal part of second hand, though I’m sure some feel sorry for me for needing to buy used. I certainly don’t feel sorry for myself. Yeah I’d love £5000 to get more done quickly but I’ll get there when I get there. 

zafiro1984

MazzieD said:

@zafiro1984 just out of interest, are you on a standard electric tariff?.  You mentioned the heating was on at 4.30am,  if that's a regular timing would it be worth considering Economy 7?.  Doesn't suit a lot of people as it's more expensive during the day.  My house used to have night storage heaters, the previous owners installed gas central heating but left the Economy 7 meter.  Took a bit of getting used to but it can be changed.

Thanks Mazzie for the suggestion of Economy 7. It probably wouldn't work for us for two reasons.
The first is that we are supposed to be retired and at home so we use the house during the day. The other reason is that we have 2 central heating systems. The main part of the house uses oil. The only electric heating is the underfloor heating in the kitchen/living area which is where we spend most of our time when indoors.
I have an esse ironheart in this area which burns wood, it kicks out 8kw so it seems a waste of money to have the underfloor heating working as well, especially as wood costs us nothing except the cost of petrol for the chainsaw. I moaned so DH looked at the heating control box and decided it was set all wrong. He just needs to get the instructions out and alter the controls - I'll keep moaning until he does this.

I'm just going outside to collect yet more logs in my ATV. This pile is in a field where a rather large holly came down a couple of weeks ago, it broke the fence so that had to be repaired as well yielding a smaller supply of kindling wood. All to be put undercover to dry. I think I now have about six months of wood all cut into useable lengths and drying for next winter. I'm smiling. 

[Deleted User]

Day 6 check in
Not much to report today.  I spent the morning waiting in for two different workmen to arrive. One did and good news, what I thought would cost us loads won't. The second guy - for a different issue - didn't turn up.  Back to the drawing board there.  

Other than than dinner made was HM mac & cheese with a salad and bread.  NSD again but no exercise done due to all the waiting about.  

joedenise

I've got Mac n cheese on the menu plan this week.  Have to say I'm looking forward to that as not had it for a while.

Tightpants24

My V1nt3d sales are still going slow but steady.  Have made another £13.50 in the last couple of days. 
I was initially thinking of using the profit from my sales to buy a bedroom blind.  But I have found some blackout linings from some old curtains and am going to attach these to the curtains.  No blinds needed and free solution 😉 👌 

MazzieD

@zafiro1984 Having been on Economy 7 I can't recommend it and wouldn't choose it, it didn't suit my lifestyle at all so I completely understand. This was around the time when my supplier was doing a big smart meter push so I contacted them, changed to a smart meter and standard tariff within 4 months of moving here.   

Some good news, my local  Freecycle and Freegle groups are now back up and running after both closed their sites for Lockdown, so it might be worth checking yours if that happened where you live. 

t14cy_t

a wonderful lady i used to work for before i moved (6 years ago!) asked if i wanted any soft furnishings as she was having her lounge redone. of course i said yes. oh my days!! collected 3 pairs of professionally made floor to ceiling curtains, with pelmets, blinds and tiebacks all to match. 10 cushions, 6 lampshades and a black sack of clothing!!  clothing is far too small for me so have put on ebay, proceeds will buy me some bits from ebay too. curtains etc will be eventually used in the georgian house we work on for our friend. win win.

[Deleted User]

Day 7 of 17

Still no money spent! Sports club this morning which was free, then we all had a shower and a lazy afternoon. Heating off, wood burner roaring and we are about to play Dobble.

Take care all

Xx