2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Sallyp2

Siebrie said:

End of May I tripped over my dd1's skateboard and fell on my right knee, hard; I was nauseous and had tears in my eyes. I wore a kneesleeve for a week and it still hadn't gotten any better. I went to the emergency GP post, and was sent for X-rays, which showed no bones were broken. I made an appointment for MRI scan, which took another 3 weeks, and finally had some sort of conclusion: there is something called Hoffa in your knee, and it's inflamed. Recipe: rest. I cannot bend my knee more than 90 degrees, and cannot kneel on it at all. Which is not good for weeding, planting out seedlings, and general maintenance of house and body. I'm doing as much as I can from a stool, I dig for 10 minutes a day and then stop, I focus cleaning the top half of the rooms (it needs it, too ), I sort stuff sitting down.

I was reassured this will (gradually) pass, so I am once again in awe of all of you with physical (and mental) problems who stay on the frugal path!

Bedtime is the worst. When you roll over in your sleep and the pain wakes you up. Its such a naff injury and takes a while to improve

Kerry_Woman

Hugs to those in need of them.
Was under budget for food this month. Some of the other things I brought put up as to what money I spent, but they were things that I needed, eg weighted blanket and some eco friendly cleaning products. Still doing temp work, got shifts for most of July. Do not know how long it is going to last. Going to be planning to be doing careful spending for the rest of the year. 

StrawberrySuze

Morning all 🙂

Not contributed much lately as not much to report!

I'm still being generally frugal and will finally clear my debt this month ready for my remortgage in September. Then the mortgage free wannabe starts, hopefully pay off in the next three years 🤗

I have spent some money on plants and pots but not spent loads. I was very careful with what I bought but did splash out on a really beautiful hydrangea, discovered when I got home that they had under-charged me! I had bought a galvanised pot from the car boot so planted it in that.



I have eaten about 8 home-grown strawberries, I am careful to get them quick as discovered Stanley, one of my dogs, nibbling the first ripe one 😂

Have also had radishes and spinach, looking forward to the nasturtiums growing as love them in salad.

My biggest expense at the moment is petrol as I have started to go on ride-outs on my bike but I am being careful not to spend much when I am out and always take some cans of drink and snacks. Feels good to actually socialize again 🤗

Treasurequeen

Popped into town today for a few bits mostly in independent shops. Picked up a 5litre bottle of white vinegar in farm shop,I use so much around the house it will save me some money. Whilst in there treated myself to some local grown raspberries and some blueberries they were actually cheaper than marks ones. Farm shop and cake shop only accept cash which works out well,I prefer paying by cash. 

With eco cleaning my washing machine started playing up and the smell was truly awful. I cleaned the machine with Cleaner but the pipes were so bad it didn’t work. I’ve now had to go back to a well known brand in supermarket. It’s a sensitive one as I have sensitive skin but my machine no longer smells. It got so bad buildup of eco laundry liquid it wasn’t far off needing to be replaced. I’ve heard since that a few eco brands cause serious issues with pipes. I’m a bit upset as I want to go eco but at end of day sometimes it’s not possible. Have found a kitchen roll that is eco and very strong. But I’ve had to move back to chemicals for some things. 

Blackcats

Hi Treasurequeen I use smol products - the washing liquid might not suit you as I don't think it's sensitive - although they do non bio.  The dishwashing tablets are good.  You can get a free trial pack I think.  When you look at their website it shows you their impact on the environment.  They aren't mega cheap but I was a terror in the washing aisle buying branded products because I liked the look of the packaging and the delicious sounding scents.  

flossyblog

This months expenditure is a whopping 1595.54. grocery shopping came in at 329.08.  Insurances and tax for the year  €1208.46.  I went for a much needed haircut for the grand sum of €19.  we both had to top up on our travel cards €20  and some miscellleanous items for €19.

On the plus side all the big bills are now out of the way, just DD at €194.50 per month plus 2 more water payments of €84. 

At the half year mark total expenditure  €8791, which leaves €3709 for the next six months

willow_loulou

Charity shops were a bit of a bust today, though dd got 2 books from her list and I got one I’ve been after for a while 2nd hand. So a low spend but a nice trip out. 

I’m all about work for July so trying to meal plan for 2 delivery shops over the next 4 weeks. 

But I’m totally uninspired! Meh. 

Tightpants24

I was a bit of a cheapskate and bought a brand new baby outfit for £4 off FBmarketplace.  It is lovely and a good brand but I feel a bit mean as it is going to be a gift.  Though I would be more than happy if I had got such a bargain for myself or my own kids when they were little.

balabooberlies

Tightpants..........

who will know ?

  

ancientmum

I got my half year water bill yesterday and pleased to see that it is less than the last one by around £20.  The miserly ....er....frugal use of water has paid off.  It won't last long though as DS3 is back home from uni at the weekend.