2021 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

Hi frugal friends

I have struggled with today; not because I was tempted to spend money because I absolutely wasn’t, but because getting out to pubs/shops/restaurants is all anyone has talked of today. I ran an errand in the bank and was so overwhelmed by the busyness of everything (30+ people queuing outside each hairdresser) I had a panic attack. 

I quickly made my way home, lit the fire and stayed on the sofa until school run time. I do suffer with generalised anxiety disorder but it’s been hugely heightened today. Tomorrow is a new day x

Wraithlady

Sorry to hear you had a bad day - to be honest, I've not been out of the house today.

Most of my colleagues were leaving it a week before going anywhere near a pub or the shops, it seems the most sensible thing to do.

Frugaldom

@asparklyblonde, sorry to read about your bad day, I suspect this is going to be the case for so many people in similar situations. Everything around us remains the same but peoples' actions and reactions have changed drastically. I haven't been in a shop, bank or commercial establishment for about a year and to be perfectly honest, I could easily continue life like this. I'm sure the situation will improve but it is going to take time and lots of it. Getting back into things slowly is going to have to be the way to go for many of us so enjoy your fire and the sanctity of home. I'm sure your confidence will return as soon as the general masses get over the opening of the floodgates. We are a little behind with our changes as most businesses here aren't reopening until 26th April s I'm psyching myself up for the onslaught of tourists that will arrive here. 

Frugaldom

willow_loulou said:

... Any suggestions for frugal weed suppression? It’s only for a part of the garden, I want a gravel/shale bit for garden seating. I am loathe to pave as I want good drainage but it’s so clay bound and boggy here in the wet times that furniture sinks! 

Weed suppression - I save every brown cardboard box that I can and have used these along many of the paths we are making. I also have areas with old carpet, feed bags and even some old horse rugs and blankets. They all allow water to drain through. Carpet is the most hard wearing and it's best using hessian backed, not the rubber backed stuff. You often see carpets or rugs advertised free of charge on the  free-ads type pages. Lay them face down and then it gives a good rough surface for laying the gravel on top. 

Frugaldom

@balabooberlies I read your post and I'm really glad that you seem to be enjoying being a part of what we have here. I am sure any debts you have will reduce until they gradually vanish, then you will be able to save to your heart's content. As for the past year, well, what can I say? It has been a challenge for the whole world and continues to present us with more of the same. Stay focussed, stay positive and, if at all possible, avoid all negativity. It can be a really difficult choice when you decide t follow the frugal route, especially if you encounter others who don't fully understand the concept. Kindness and encouragement are free so we always have those things in abundance to share with whoever cares to share. Good luck with your frugal future - it can become quite addictive but it can also become a fabulous way to live life, free from debt.

Frugaldom

@tryingtodobetter I'm so sorry for not responding to your post sooner but hope you will forgive me always chasing my own tail. Since you posted, I hope you and OH have managed to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine to take time out together and talk things through. Nobody could have foretold what 2019/20/21 would bring so the pressures upon the pair of you, while both working front line, must be incredible. I can't and won't try to suggest anything but I do send you my best thoughts, hopes and wishes that your situation improves. You know that if you are ever able to get here that you will be more than welcome to visit, even just to sit and absorb the sounds of nature in a quiet(ish) corner of the country. Or else bring your wellies, as there's always plenty to do while here   I agree on the grocery front! Prices are escalating in a very sneaky fashion: if it isn't huge price hikes, it's size/weight reductions or stores' own basic brands vanishing completely. And finally, regarding your credit card, I can see from here you have roughly halved your debt over the past 2 years so that is fantastic! Well done for keeping with your plan. I'm sure things will work out in the long run so hang on in there - you've got this! Big virtual hugs and all the positive vibes I can muster.

Frugaldom

marionmgcars said:

 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

There are always those people with nothing good or positive to say about anything and those who will never even agree to disagree so don't worry about it. Be happy in the fact that you have more control over your own financial freedom and you will probably find that others marvel at how you manage to do so much on what appears to be so little. It's the freedom to choose what we do and how we do it that makes all the recycling and moneysaving so worthwhile. The frugal lifestyle is becoming quite trendy again, apparently.

Frugaldom

willow_loulou said:

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. 

I think you do a great job of living the frugal lifestyle and there are always going to be those people who just don't get it. I sometimes find that when they finally do 'get it', they become very evangelical and will come back and tell you how to do it, usually bigger and better, by their accounts. Just welcome them to the fold when they finally get there.

Frugaldom

Apologies for flooding the forum but this is me just catching up with my own tail again.

Past week has flown by but I did manage to score some more Olio and had the £25 win on the premium bonds. All I've bought recently are milk and cheese, the absolute essentials here. Things are starting to grow in the garden and the hens are laying so there's going to be a glut of eggs soon. With nobody visiting and almost nobody passing our gate, selling eggs isn't very easy at the minute so it looks like I'll be baking cakes, making lemon curd and then making meringues to use up the whites. There's always spinach growing so I guess spinach quiche is another option. Aside from topping the car up with petrol, there haven't been any other household spends. 

Spotted my first Swallow flying about the yard today so summer is on its way. So much to do, so little time but at least the Covid-related restrictions are beginning to ease. We should be able t start having visitors from the 26th, just in time for the end of tree planting and start of veg gardening.

willow_loulou

@Frugaldom thank you for the weed suppression ideas! I have a huge cardboard pile I was stashing from deliveries to go out with the recycling bin this week. It’s not now!
 Also thank you for your compliment, it’s made my morning 🥰 I love this lifestyle, this thread - you - have made a huge difference in my life. Thank you x

@Deleted_User bless you, I totally get it. We went shopping in M@rrisons yesterday because it was the quieter option. It’s scary all the crowds of people out shopping. I’m desperate for shoes but it can wait! We went to Wilko and it was too much so turned right around. I’m easy knocked over so can’t do crowds at the best of times! 

We did however get a lovely big bag of food for £25. 17. Though I was rather disappointed with my tikka meal and apparently the lasagne was vile! 

I’m very much hoping the rest is okay though it’s mostly reduced meat (£9 down to £1:35!) and branded, I did get a quiche that’s own brand and a couple of other bits. I’m never too upset if reduced stuff isn’t our taste but I’ve little to replace it outside of store cupboard stuff and I’m so over pasta! 

Next week we will be trying a new much nearer Asda (normally get delivered as it 28 miles away) or Aldi in the next town. 

Going to look at gravel later, yay! I also need a rake as no one has one I can borrow. I’m hoping a free site will come up trumps before I need to buy though!