2021 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

Thanks so much for your help lovelies 😘 very grateful. We found some free from sweet potato tortilla chips in M&S - she is SO happy! All is right with the world! They are only £1 for a large bag so not any more expensive than the other one brand ones which means happy me too! 

Wraithlady

Willow_loulou, I can also recommend Hummus Chips (Holland & Barrett do them) - guaranteed gluten-free and even the sour cream & chive flavour is dairy-free

apple_muncher

Willow_loulou, remember to avoid oats too. They are usually cross contaminated with gluten in manufacturing. If you use oats, make sure to get gf ones.

Another vote for Genius bread. It really is the best one I've found. But at nearly £3 for a loaf that's only 2/3 the size of a 'normal' loaf, it's a treat rather than a staple. Do beware of vegan food - yes, it's dairy free, but not gluten free. I'm coeliac and am frequently offered vegan food now. Sigh!

We use vitalite for dd as she's coeliac and allergic to milk protein too.

If you can use products that 'may contain gluten', then you'll have a lot more choice.

Don't be drawn into substituting the usual foods with a gf version. I decided when I was diagnosed that I'd change what I ate rather than pay the eye-watering prices for gf versions.

Good luck!

zafiro1984

On a frugal note - Changed my landline phone a/c from BT a couple of months ago. The bill used to be about £40-50  a month.
I have to pay for one years line rental in one go - cost £185 with my new provider, but my the first monthly came in at  4.23, and this month it has just cost 5.52.  I think I've made a saving of nearly 300 a year.  We need a landline as the reception here for a mobile is awful, however the  mobile is 'pay as you go' and costs about £10 a month

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

Recipes | Freee (dovesfarm.co.uk)

There's some good recipes on here. 

mandy47

Yesterday my friend had A$da own label shower gel reduced to 17p, she was thrilled with her bargain. 
So I thought I would try my luck today and it had been reduced yet again to 9p! Must admit I bought a dozen bottles. There was loads on the shelf. Staff member told me they had loads in the warehouse so I didn't feel too greedy.

willow_loulou

You’re all amazing thank you!! I really appreciate every bit of help x 
I’ve had to exert self control today, so many things I could buy just because! So I downloaded a free audio book to treat myself lol 

marionmgcars

willow_loulou said:

You’re all amazing thank you!! I really appreciate every bit of help x 
I’ve had to exert self control today, so many things I could buy just because! So I downloaded a free audio book to treat myself lol 

Well done,  I’ve started to use listening books from library during lockdown, they have been great.  

willow_loulou

Thankfully that’s my working week over thank goodness!! Lay in tomorrow then I have the entire day set aside to tidy, measure windows, doors and cupboards for curtains and draft excluders. 

I have some lined curtains to replace my bedroom ones, I’m intending to repurpose my curtains and hope to get more next week as we’re planning a charity shop trip. I’ve got pillows to stuff things with, I assume it’s relatively fire retardant stuff? And ideas? 

I’ve now saved enough for a fair few gravel bags so hope to get those next week too. Very exciting! X 

Treasurequeen

willow_loulou said:

Had an interesting shop trip yesterday, youngest is having to remove some things from her diet as she’s had an upset tum for ages. 

Looking at even ordinary things like a tin of soup and finding one without wheat or milk is impossible! I did from some free from crackers and cheese so at least we can try them out before she starts commuting to uni.

 I did find a lacto free yoghurt in Sainsbob that even I like! That’s the same price as the tub I get the eldest so I’m happy with that. I know we can make most things from scratch but it’s the quick stuff and travel easy stuff that’s harder.

 Anyone have free from bread? Any recommendations? It all Looked rather unappetising. Also free from cake recipes would be amazing!

 On the frugal front I’ve secured another £7 on prolific and found some items we needed to repurpose for a project at work for free.

 I got an old but in great condition washing up bowl to sink into the garden with a few rocks to replace the tub I need to get rid of as it’s splitting. It’s the start of a series of bog/marginal tubs that will be near a bigger deep one to hopefully keep our frogs and other guests happy once the weeds are finally all gone.

I have many intolerances due to an autoimmune issue there is a site called ethical superstore  my consultant recommended to try. They sell free from produce, worth signing up instead of a guest as you collect points which equal vouchers to spend on future shops. They regularly do 20% offers on  everything on groceries And delivery offers for 99p. And they are on cash back sites too. On the site you can pick product tags and then click gluten free for example.