2021 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

Hi folks, sorry I haven't posted any updates recently. I  have had no internet for most of this week.  I've been able to use the data on my phone to check in but I don't like writing posts on my phone as I am bad enough for typos even on the laptop it would be unreadable via my phone!  Engineer was sent out yesterday and he spent ages and seems to have sorted the problem.  We will be getting a new router sent as the old one is tempramental. 

A grocery shop, my boiler service and my car tax all paid this week.  All necessary spends.  My car was in for it's service yesterday and thankfully everything was ok so no additional spends there.  The service was paid as part of a prepaid service plan so the cost yesterday was zero.  There is an advisory that I might need to replace the two back tyres in the net few months so I'll keep an eye on them.

Frugal Plans this week:

1.  My final grocery shop of July has been done so no more trips to the shop until after OH's payday whcih is 23rd July.
2.  Post some items on gumtree to see if I can generate some extra cash.
3.  No takaways or eating out.  This will be helped by the fact that I have started a healthy eating plan.  I will be 50 next year and want to have lost a bit of weight by then.  I do not intent to spend any money on joining a weight loss club but want to focus on eating real food and do a bit of intermitant fasting.  Today is day 2 of my healthy eating plan.
4.  OH and I have reworked our budget and the plan for August is set and ready to go.  It will be actioned once he is paid.  I am paid a week later so will be completed then.  We are saving towards FIRE.  I really don not want to go on in my current job full time to 67 and beyond.  Ideally I'd like to stop at 55 but maybe do some part time or supply after then.  

Have a great weekend all.

willow_loulou

FIRE? What’s that stand for @[Deleted User] 

tip run today was smooth and straightforward. Locals have been  anti the pre booked slot but I much prefer it. It’s quiet enough that I can reverse in their wonky spaces without an idiot trying to get by me. It also means the chap is willing to direct us as he’s much less stressed. Perfect if you find these places intimidating like I do. 

I’m going to nap then go through another pile of books to scan for ziffit and carry on rearranging my room and decluttering.
I’ve also cancelled next weeks Ocado delivery to eat from stores as I’ve plenty in. Going to batch cook Monday evening. 

[Deleted User]

Hi @willow_loulou, FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early.  

[Deleted User]

Using up what we have, tonights supper was egg mayo with salad and fresh rasps with a small scoop of ice cream. I did a freezer dive and found 2 pork steaks, so thats tomorrows supper with some roasted veggies and no doubt more raspberries. I have almost 2lbs of rasps frozen to use later.

We put the greenhouse together this morning..........we just have to make up the door,  fit the vent and put in the glass......I had to have several rests.........too hot and my back was protesting.

QueenJess

A good frugal day today. National trust walk and picnic (we are members, so no additional cost). Picnic made from items already in the fridge as well as rocket and herbs from the garden.

Then friends came round for the afternoon with their DD and had drinks (again what we already had in the house) and brought a bunch of old but really great condition toys for free that their DD had grown out of. Will go through them and probably use them as Xmas/birthday presents.

Two happy and exhausted children, two slightly less stressed parents, no money spent, lots of nice food and exercise and free stuff. What's not to like?!

DawnW

Blackcats said:

My 2 rescue cats are not frugal minded at all - high spec branded food is all they will eat ....duo of fish in gravy is the only flavour.  Considering one of the cats was living rough for nearly a year, he seems to have remarkably discerning and expensive taste! 

My little dog had major spinal surgery back in March. I don't know what they were feeding him in the veterinary hospital, but he will only eat chicken now with his biscuits. Dog food, even the premium brands, is not acceptable. I gave the stocks I had in to my neighbour, whose dog was delighted with it. I now look for cheap chicken whenever possible. Luckily, he is only very small, so the little packs of cooked chicken breast slices (Iceland £1 atm) last him for several days - he is only allowed it for his morning meal, in the evening it is biscuits and a treat only. I scour supermarket shelves for reduced chicken - any kind - whenever I go in!

He is not in the slightest bit frugal - what with the cost of the operation and apparent lifelong chicken habit 

joedenise

My friend has 2 little dogs who only eat chicken too!  She buys the cheap chicken thighs from Mr Ts and cooks them; takes the bones out and then portions into individual servings for them.  They love them and probably one of the cheapest ways of feeding chicken to dogs, unless of course you can get it cheaper YS!

Chessbear

We cook chicken thighs and frozen veg in slow cooker, portion them up and freeze them, it works out quite reasonable especially if you can pick up YS

t14cy_t

given 24 croissants, 24 fancy burger rolls, 10 french sticks, 2 bags donuts, 3 bags sausage rolls, and iced fingers!!! lucky ive got space in the freezer!!! feeling very lucky. xx

balabooberlies

DawnW said:

Blackcats said:

My 2 rescue cats are not frugal minded at all - high spec branded food is all they will eat ....duo of fish in gravy is the only flavour.  Considering one of the cats was living rough for nearly a year, he seems to have remarkably discerning and expensive taste! 

My little dog had major spinal surgery back in March. I don't know what they were feeding him in the veterinary hospital, but he will only eat chicken now with his biscuits. Dog food, even the premium brands, is not acceptable. I gave the stocks I had in to my neighbour, whose dog was delighted with it. I now look for cheap chicken whenever possible. Luckily, he is only very small, so the little packs of cooked chicken breast slices (Iceland £1 atm) last him for several days - he is only allowed it for his morning meal, in the evening it is biscuits and a treat only. I scour supermarket shelves for reduced chicken - any kind - whenever I go in!

He is not in the slightest bit frugal - what with the cost of the operation and apparent lifelong chicken habit 

Hello Dawn

you will be saving money in the long run.  I have always cooked for my dogs (only have Tiggy now).  Loads of veg with either chicken, lamb hearts, kidneys, liver, fish.  I do add in a premium brand wet food to make sure I cover all bases.  For a treat.....raw beef, minced or otherwise.  Believe it or not, as I buy in bulk, it doesn't cost anymore than feeding them otherwise.  Just a bit of effort.

They have never had any allergies or skin problems.  Ever.

bala