2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Blackcats

I think we are all looking forward to some warmer weather - it's chilly enough to have the heating on tonight.  I find when I'm tired I feel the cold much more - I've got my knitted blanket on my knees and a big mug of tea to warm me up.  I've just finished making a big crotchet throw as a present and that used to keep me warm as I worked on it.  

I used up some odds and ends of vegetables to make soup for lunch earlier - delicious fridge bottom soup.  I have a soup maker so I can bung everything in, go back to work for 30 minutes and come down to a fresh and healthy lunch.  Probably this time last year I would have binned the veggies - what a waste.  

[Deleted User]

Daily update
Free exercise done today but later on as I had a lie in this morning.  We did have a small spend today for some bits as our two nieces will be visiting tomorrow - a well ventilated visit out in the summerhouse.  We'll keep the door open but I have plenty of cosy blankets ready to go. Will be great to see them and spend a bit of time with them.  

Dinner today was left over mac and cheese from yesterday.  

I did a home 'pamper' session tonight with a hair mask on, then face mask and a shower.  My hair is booked in for a cut next week and I cannot wait to get it shorter again.  It's so much easier to style and keep in decent condition if it's in it's usual short bob.  

MazzieD

Got a portion of cake out of the freezer this morning so looking forward to my Friday treat later this morning.  


So far this month it's looking quite good, despite Council Tax increases, a couple of other DD's restarting, spending on wet and dry cat food  and cat litter I'm expecting to come in under budget again.   Still playing around with my grocery budget, I'm just going to keep some frozen veg in the freezer for emergencies and concentrate on F&V boxes as they work out cheaper.  Making quite a saving there and all the reduced meat etc.  Don't think I've ever managed to reduce spending this much on groceries before.  

Nice surprise in my bank account this morning, got £100 pay out. I spread my savings around various accounts and investments whilst interest rates were much better.  It really does make sense to keep an eye on interest rates and move money around, (Thank you MSE newletter! :    Sadly this isn't really an option now.

Next week a fixed rate savings account is maturing so I'll have to decide what to do with that, might get some more premium bonds.   

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

We had mac and cheese last night for dinner too. I saw a recipe recently where you roast a butternut squash and then mash it up and add it to the cheese sauce. Its so tasty. There were 4 empty plates left when I did it and its great that its an extra portion of veg. My boys can be so fussy so its always good to find a recipe that everyone loves and has some veggies in.

Frugaldom

@willow_loulou That's great news about your early repayment, well done! 👍

This week has gone well on the savings front after I struck it lucky with Olio, then had a £25 win on the Premium Bonds and am also being donated 25 cow mats! The latter may sound strange to most but to any pony people living on budgets out there, heavy duty rubber mats are a God send and to get this many free is amazing! Hopefully, my winnings will cover the cost of having the mats delivered, as they are on a large pallet - added bonus if it's big enough to make a gate! 

Still trying to catch up with all the posts but getting there slowly. Scored more free lemons and still haven't made the marmalade so I really need to get my time management skills improved! 

balabooberlies

Frugaldom

I hope you get to read this.

Although I don't post here very often, I read everyday.  I am learning so much.  I am on the first steps of my thousand mile journey but because of threads like this I am filled with a quiet gentle hope.  I now know that it's small steps that will see you on the journey.  I am working on shutting down the inner critic (because I haven't achieved the impossible) and focusing on reminders of what has been achieved.  Getting much more done this way.

This thread is inspiring to say the least.  It's informative and friendly.  It's a really good place to visit everyday.

I feel a quiet joy when I hear of everyone's successes, so the mats MUST be a god send.  I have an idea of how expensive they can be.

Due to various reasons (not excuses) I find myself in a position that will take mindfull work and determination to change.  Debts have to be eradicated.  Living situation changed.

Last year was horrendous for many.  I hope I will be understood when I tell of one bright observation that came out of it for me.  Walking my dog, things were being offered for free.  I took some things, a new bin for the kitchen, a stool as I am vertically challenged etc

I walked away from 95% of what was being offered but really grateful for what I took.  Last year left me with a feeling of abundance.  Not just things but kindness, appreciation, smiles, the list goes on.

I am rambling now so I will end saying thank you to all.  For your advice, wisdom, experience etc.....but most of all the kindness and encouragement.  Abundance.

bala

x

Nonnadiluca

Bala, I've also noticed the proliferation of book swaps, puzzle swaps, plant swaps and free items outside people's houses over the last year, and quite a few non food items on Olio; the sharing economy seems to be making a comeback.let's hope it continues!
Frugaldom, do you ever sleep?? I get worn out just reading your posts, and you continue to be an inspiration x

balabooberlies

Gosh....when will I ever learn ?  Don't use 9 words when 5 will do !

tee-hee 

Thanks Nonnadiluca, x

[Deleted User]

Morning all,

Day 8 of 17 and all is going well so far! Kids at free sports camp, the chickens have laid 4 eggs already this morning and when I was walking back from sports camp, spotted a skip full of offcuts of wood. Cue me loading my arms up, I'll be getting more when we walk past it later and the children can help! 

Fish finger sandwiches all round for lunch so nice and easy. Dinner is to be christened but we have plenty in still so we won't starve! I can safely declare today as a NSD now as we won't be going anywhere later other than a dog walk round the fieldsx

tryingtodobetter

Morning frugal friends!

I haven't posted for a while as life has been tough, I have not long finished my redeployment in ICU and I am drained physically and emotionally. Hoping to get back to some sense of normality soon, or as normal as things can be at present.

I have managed to still be frugal despite the challenges, although, I have noticed my grocery bill creeping up in the last couple of weeks. Have others noticed a change in food prices too?

I have managed to pay off a good chunk of the credit card debt and have picked up a few surveys when I've had time.

Things are also looking a bit rocky for DH and I so I have been looking at what my finances would be like without him. I'm hoping this is all irrelevant but I like to know where I stand should the worst happen. As we are both NHS frontline workers, working through Covid has put a real strain on our relationship. 

Off to entertain DS3 as Easter holiday boredom has hit today!