2021 Frugal Living Challenge

MazzieD

@willow_loulou Goodness, that's quite a saving on food!.


Just totted up my F&V total for the month which includes frozen veg and some iceberg lettuce and cucumber full price.  (Have had a couple of lettuce in the boxes as well)  -  £9.30


An average month would be at least £20 so I'm happy as I eat quite a lot of F&V.  I've been buying meat and poultry on special offer due to lack of YS so still managing to save a bit there as well.  This has covered my Council Tax increase and a couple of DD's which have re-started.


@StrawberrySuze I keep missing TGTG as well, still mainly coffee chains but noticed some convenience stores are making an appearance but not particularly near.  Think I'll have to try for weekend pick-ups as most are during my working hours.

Siebrie

I have been trying out supermarket frozen veg. When I was still living at home, we often had tinned veg, but I have almost completely gone off them. Later, I only bought fresh veg, and even had an allotment with a friend for 4 years (those were the best!). But as all prices are rising, and homegrowing veg has not gone well in the last years,I am now turning to frozen veg. Result: I don't like Aldi frozen veg (stringy beans....), but I do like Delhaize (similar to Waitrose). As the price is the same, I know where to go.

willow_loulou

@MazzieD it is! But it’s not ideal food all the time. Something to do interspersed with my normal food I think long term. 

Your veg sounds very reasonable, was that all one shop or did you use a few? I’ve never yet found a veg box here, it’s like the Morrison’s tgtg almost mythical and always sold out! 

flossyblog

Total expenses for the month €799.17.  groceries at €201,63, Household bills came to 597.54, which includes  sewer tax at  €368.  Third of the year through and total spent comes to  €2945 , very pleased

MazzieD

@willow_loulou Mainly the L*dl boxes, 1 or 2 a week so 5 in total this month and the rest was mainly frozen.   

I have to agree with @Siebrie, frozen veg quality is quite variable and I think it always tastes a bit soggy compared to fresh so it's now more of a stopgap if there aren't any F&V boxes.  Think the actual amount of F&V in the boxes is far more than I was eating before so excellent value and probably at least £5 worth in the box for £1.50. 

Suspect the time the boxes are put out might have changed again, no sign of any for 3 days which is unusual so making do with frozen at the moment.  Really desperate to get some fresh veg now, need to ask staff about time again!.

Siebrie

Unfortunately, I'm in Belgium, where shops/supermarkets are not allowed to sell for less than they bought it (by law, they have to make a profit), so no left-over f&v boxes. Even the 'odd' (imperfect) apples, pears, etc, are €2/kg, which is almost normal price.

AskYouWillGet

Has anyone else noticed that the tgtg bags are getting later. My 3 choices tonight all require collection after 9pm. 
Instead going to local T-express for essentials top up and hope YS are plentiful!
Not leaving the village this weekend - all the tourists have arrived! Caravan parks are full - great for business and people being able to get a bank holiday break.
Have a great weekend, I'll be reading my new books (a buy one get other half price📖) 

elbree

I haven't posted much this last couple of weeks because I haven't been very frugal 🤦 Somehow spending birthday money made me more susceptible to spending other money! I have joined TGTG but nothing useful yet, have paid off my cards today and put some money in my pots and plan to be a bit more careful in May. It's definitely harder now things have opened up a bit. 

AskYouWillGet

Frugaldom said:

@AskYouWillGet I always transfer the savings and longer term payments into premium bonds as it's impossible to lose it or spend it on a hurry.  I think I will do similar with my SEISS grant money to replace some of what it has cost me in planning application fees.

Love that someone else thinks like me! Premium bonds are great as not able to cash straight away and the chance of a win. 
You mentioned Woodland Trust earlier that is fantastic you got  free trees and even buying is affordable too. Garden centres charge loads! I bought the fruit and nut collection from them last September only £15 and they are now sprouting leaves!
Glad you are allowed to get volunteers in again you can have a wee rest!(?) 

hikingqueen

Not such a frugal month for me, total expenditure of £664.
Still keeping under target though, with total of 2408/12,000
Things going to get more expensive later in the year, so pleased to be keeping costs down for now!