2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Blackcats

Great suggestions for hotel catering.  I'm enjoying reading about everyone's frugal ways.  I rescued some out of date dried mixed fruits from my elderly parents house today.  Sadly I don't think my mum will be doing any more baking so I'm going to try and make them a fruit loaf for next time I visit later this week.  I'm a novice baker but I don't want the dried fruits to go to waste and I'm sure they won't judge my effort too harshly.  

[Deleted User]

Today I have been contacted by three more people in the village who want to buy eggs from me. As I have a huge surplus at present this is great news for us 😀

zafiro1984

Blackcats said:

 I'm a novice baker but I don't want the dried fruits to go to waste and I'm sure they won't judge my effort too harshly. 

If the fruit is very dry and shrivelled put it in a little water and bring to the boil, simmer for a couple of mins, let it go cold, drain and use - they plump up. Apple juice or similar would also work.

Asparkleyblonde - that's great news, Once it really takes off you will be inundated with requests but I find a notice which says 'Sold Out, More Tomorrow' also helps as it stops people knocking on your door when you genuinely run out. 

Love all the ideas of saving on catering, quite creative, we very rarely get away as we've too many animals, however when we go showing I now take lunch with us as the outdoor catering is horribly expensive £5.25 for a bacon butty and coffee at the last show. That's more than my daily budget on food.  

Tightpants24

I have spent the weekend visiting my elderly parents who live 250 miles from me.  It was the first time I have seen them in 10 months.  Apart from £60 on petrol I haven't spent any money.  But seeing family is priceless.

willow_loulou

Had a nice no spend weekend. That makes a change recently! I have a lovely week off of work besides monitoring the emails and a little paperwork I can do at home. So a couple of family things planned and a lot of rest and gardening this week. Well as much as my rubbish body will allow. Charity shops tomorrow with a few things on my list to hunt for. None urgent so i can take my time with a few charity shop visits over buying new. 

I will also be picking up chicken poop and some wood this week. I might get some eggs from chicken poop lady too as they’re very good. 

Blackcats

Thank you Zafiro - the recipe I've found has the fruits soaking for 12 hours in an Earl Grey tea infusion so I think that will plump them up.  I don't actually drink Earl grey but I'd got a few teabags from hotel stays (in the dim and distant past).  

I hope you have a lovely week off willow loulou and you can get some rest and relaxation and some success at the charity shops.  

zafiro1984

Blackcats said:

  the recipe I've found has the fruits soaking for 12 hours in an Earl Grey tea infusion so I think that will plump them up.   

Would that be the Mary Berry family fruit tea bread?  You can't go wrong with a Mary Berry recipe

Wicked_Lady

I make the Mary Berry tea bread but use Yorkshire tea!

Blackcats

Mary is my inspiration 😋

girlybags

willow_loulou said:

I will also be picking up chicken poop and some wood this week. I might get some eggs from chicken poop lady too as they’re very good. 

'chicken poop lady' made me laugh way more than it should have 😆