2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Treasurequeen

Met up with some people I used to work with for coffee, one of them treated all of us to drinks and cake which was nice. So a free treat, went into local charity shop and got some jigsaw puzzles for a few pounds and a couple of paperbacks. Which will keep me busy, I did get a odd look obviously it’s not the norm for a young person in 20s to do jigsaw puzzles. I suppose most young people are addicted to their phones, tv etc. Being disabled and on days where I can’t leave home jigsaws keep me busy, especially if the cat runs off with a piece. 

willow_loulou

Ouch @Siebrie take it easy! 

willow_loulou

@Treasurequeen people are so judgemental- the looks I get when I park in a disable space 😳 it’s about time people recognised not all disabled people are old or in wheelchairs! 

Off shopping. I need too much to put it off any longer but not enough to warrant a delivery. 

Auntycaz

Viking_mfw said:

Have been MIA from the boards since I went back to work after maternity leave and have just been catching up. 

I am gluten free and we've just discovered DS1 also needs gf. I think the best GF bread is Warburtons - esp the sourdough and tiger loaves. But they are too expensive for anything but a treat. Coop own brand is also not bad but also spendy. I tend to wait until I see coop reducing down to silly prices and buy the whole lot and freeze it. 

To be honest, I think it's better to use alternatives like oatcakes and rice cakes. 

If she likes marmite, which is not gluten free, Tesco's own brand version is gf, cheaper and tastes virtually identical. 

My daughter is lactose intolerant and my son-in-law is gluten intolerant He prefers the Warburtons GF bread to any other and they both rate Tescos own brand pasta. The Lactofree milk is currently on clubcard offer at the moment for £1. Hope this helps someone.

Viking_mfw

Auntycaz said:

My daughter is lactose intolerant and my son-in-law is gluten intolerant He prefers the Warburtons GF bread to any other and they both rate Tescos own brand pasta. The Lactofree milk is currently on clubcard offer at the moment for £1. Hope this helps someone.

Oh yes, own brand gf pasta every time. Dove's Farm is horrid! 

marionmgcars

Treasurequeen said:

Met up with some people I used to work with for coffee, one of them treated all of us to drinks and cake which was nice. So a free treat, went into local charity shop and got some jigsaw puzzles for a few pounds and a couple of paperbacks. Which will keep me busy, I did get a odd look obviously it’s not the norm for a young person in 20s to do jigsaw puzzles. I suppose most young people are addicted to their phones, tv etc. Being disabled and on days where I can’t leave home jigsaws keep me busy, especially if the cat runs off with a piece. 

We have just spent the weekend finishing a very big jigsaw,  I have not done one for years, but loved doing it while listening to a talking book.  

3secondmemory

willow_loulou said:

@Treasurequeen people are so judgemental- the looks I get when I park in a disable space 😳 it’s about time people recognised not all disabled people are old or in wheelchairs! 

Off shopping. I need too much to put it off any longer but not enough to warrant a delivery. 

Treasurequeen said:

Met up with some people I used to work with for coffee, one of them treated all of us to drinks and cake which was nice. So a free treat, went into local charity shop and got some jigsaw puzzles for a few pounds and a couple of paperbacks. Which will keep me busy, I did get a odd look obviously it’s not the norm for a young person in 20s to do jigsaw puzzles. I suppose most young people are addicted to their phones, tv etc. Being disabled and on days where I can’t leave home jigsaws keep me busy, especially if the cat runs off with a piece. 

Just reading through - I quite enjoy jigsaws too but all my cats used to all come and sit on them whenever I settled down to do a bit. They have to be part of everything 😂😂 also, while decluttering the house, I found a piece from a puzzle which I’ve already sent down to the charity shop - I just wish I could remember which charity shop 🤦‍♀️

I’m not young but I am of those people that you probably consider ‘addicted’ to mobile phone 😃
It would be extremely difficult for me to manage without one now.
Life would be boring and very limited without one. I suppose it all depends how you use it. I’m old school and I would never take it out on company; that’s just plain rude!! Also there are lots of things which just don’t give as much satisfaction – I don’t enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles painting by numbers or reading books on my phone or a screen. I don’t get the same sensory satisfaction but isn’t it great to have a choice 

I’m just left with one cat now but, sometimes when there’s nothing else to do, I love to flick through the 5000+ photos and videos that I’ve taken over the last few years. 
 

And so begins my ultra frugal journey - I’ve always blamed the kids and the cats for holding me back (jokingly, of course) but now I’m in a position where I can easily go away for a week’s holiday 😃
Last week I fell in love with a cruise: didn’t think I could afford it, couldn’t let go of the idea and ending up booking it 😂😂

Budgeting to the exact penny, I can get maximum discount if I pay by the end of August but whatever way I do it, I will need to use my overdraft for a couple of weeks in September. Unless I can get selling on Facebook.

so this is my 10 week frugal challenge. I only anticipate needing to buy washing up liquid milk and bleach this week although, if I sell anything before Friday, i’m going to treat myself to a meal deal picnic on the beach. 

I’m using an app called Snoop to help the budgeting. 

Siebrie

Treasurequeen, my parents' local charity shop has volunteers to check puzzles before they go on sale. They actually make all the puzzles, then break them up again, and put the pieces and box in a plastic bag and seal it.

Sallyp2

willow_loulou said:

@Treasurequeen people are so judgemental- the looks I get when I park in a disable space 😳 it’s about time people recognised not all disabled people are old or in wheelchairs! 

When I used to pick mum up from her afternoons at the old centre I parked in the disabled space and the number of people who had a go at me. In the end I just ignored them and hoped they were still there when she hobbled out with her zimmer frame!
People should really think before they speak

Sallyp2

Siebrie said:

Treasurequeen, my parents' local charity shop has volunteers to check puzzles before they go on sale. They actually make all the puzzles, then break them up again, and put the pieces and box in a plastic bag and seal it.

Checking jigsaw puzzles as a volunteer job sounds like a super lush job!