2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

@willow_loulou the cardboard will eventually compost into the ground so depending on how long you need the weeds suppressed, you'll need quite a thick layer of stone on too. Once it's done you can use the salt trick or even boiling water to kill off any stragglers that grow through. 

Nonnadiluca

Frugaldom, I do hope you can get some help on the project soon: from the times of your posts you either go to bed very late, get up very early, or meet yourself coming back! It must be so exhausting but, with animals to care for, you don't have the option to not do it so I just hope help isn't too far off.

the_cross_rabbit

Visited a friend yesterday who I've not seen for over a year, as she is quite low after a recent divorce. She is in the process of downsizing and getting  rid of stock from her businesses (she's enjoying a well desevered retirement), she knows that we live a frugal lifestyle and thought we could use some of her things. Came away with a massive bag of clothes, there was some really nice things that have definately grown on me, others will be dyed to the colours I like and few bits will be useful for allotmenting in as I'm always in need. She also gave me some bedding which is up market qualitiy but is cream and the hubbster has a nasty habit of spilling coffee, so again will dye. Glass sundae glasses, casserole dish, box with drawers for the hubbster's nails etc, and some huge bed spreads that will be used to snuggle under in the front room.Several beautiful bakets which would make fantastic presents with bulbs in for christamas , althought the hubbster says they are to good to do that and various other bits and pieces..She had lots of stuff that she is still to sell, a fantanstic upright fridge freezer which i would love (on the forever home list), was tempted to ask her how much but worried she'd name a price outside my budget or give it to me and she really does need the money at the moment as what she sells pays for her food. She wouldn't take any money for what she gave me.She mentioned my frugal lifestyle and offered us the use of her caravan. Its nice when people understand how important been frugal is. My Frugal lifestyle today meant keeping money in my account, saving stuff/waste from the bin(environmentally friendly) and made my friend feel good about helping us. All round win win
CRx. 

Blackcats

The Cross rabbit - that sounds like an amazing haul of goodies from your friend.  Perhaps you could use the lovely baskets for Christmas gift hampers?   I was given a lovely cream coloured basket which I'm using for my knitting and it makes me very happy every evening.  I've just got a few balls of wool in it and the rest are in a more functional bag tucked away in a cupboard.
I made a delicious, use it up dinner tonight of spaghetti carbonara.  I had a little bit of cream, a couple of rashers of bacon, frozen peas are plentiful in my freezer plus a handful of spinach.  Not entirely conventional recipe but very enjoyable.  

[Deleted User]

Morning all,

Thanks for your kind words. 

Not spending is still going well here. We are out of sweet treats, and believe it or not have run out of eggs as we are selling quite a few. A quick online search brought up a fab eggless chocolate cake recipe so I will be making that today. 

I'll go to the food waste share group tomorrow night, that should see us right for F&V and bread for a while. It seems a bit warmer today here which is lovely. The chickens have been fed and the children are either still asleep or watching TV. 

Have fab frugal days all xx

the_cross_rabbit

Potted  on the lupins yesterday and hoping to get the borage done today.I've been reading alot about companion planting,really looking forward to seeing some colour and hopefully more benefical insects on the plot. We've not been very successful at growing herbs from scratch, think I might have to have a go and doing some cuttings instead which I've not done before. We're off to my sister's today as she is getting rid of a load of garden stuff, so going to check out what I can salvage. I can't get my head round how much stuff people waste and their default is 'lets get a skip in'.
The bedding I was given is now a beautiful peacock blue and is drying on the line. Just waiting for a phone call from the physio before we go.Phone call and email physio is not a good idea.
CRx

willow_loulou

@the_cross_rabbit the best way I have found of growing herbs is in hanging baskets and planting them later in the year than suggested! I have a parsley plant that’s probably holding together the reclaimed basket it’s in lol. Chives I have an issue with 😬 but as I grow more I genuinely think it’s the crazy heat I get being south facing.

We smashed apart an old chest of drawers and used it as hard standing for the bins. It worked really well and it’s lovely not having the bins right by the house. I think it will last a few years before needing replacing. 

I listed a few things on eBay and have a new home for a few things I thought beyond use. It’s amazing how things can be repurposed. 

zafiro1984

I think I now have enough logs drying to last 12mnths. The last 2-3 weeks have been so busy. Dh with the chain saw, plus a friend on the log splitter behind the tractor,  me helping with the collecting and of course the organising!!! I've an area about 20'long  x 15'wide  by 7-8' high all under cover but with loads of air circulating filled with cut logs. Plus some already dry ones in old bicycle store and a covered trailer. There's quite a mixture of wood, holly, oak and pine are the main ones
It feels like a Christmas and a birthday all rolled into one as I know I wont have to worry about fuel for this coming winter and it should also cut down on the amount of oil and electric we use.
I even feel inspired to use some of the oak as chippings in my homemade smoker which I haven't used in several years - just waiting for better weather as it has to be used outside.

I know logs aren't everyone's idea of excitement but I'm trying hard to be as self sufficient as possible. We have a phrase here - You can only spend your money once'  I'm trying to make ours go as far as possible. 

willow_loulou

zafiro1984 said:

I think I now have enough logs drying to last 12mnths.

I know logs aren't everyone's idea of excitement but I'm trying hard to be as self sufficient as possible. We have a phrase here - You can only spend your money once'  I'm trying to make ours go as far as possible. 

I think it’s amazing! Well done! 

[Deleted User]

willow_loulou said:

zafiro1984 said:

I think I now have enough logs drying to last 12mnths.

I know logs aren't everyone's idea of excitement but I'm trying hard to be as self sufficient as possible. We have a phrase here - You can only spend your money once'  I'm trying to make ours go as far as possible. 

I think it’s amazing! Well done! 

So do I! Well done you!