2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Tanya12345

Frightening the seemingly never ending price rises everywhere! I'm with you Shopaholic-nm re jumpers, need to get on with my "learn to knit" task - going to try and unravel old sweaters aswell .... I remember my Granny doing this and washing the wriggly skeins in her kitchen sink !! Have got some sheep fleeces so another job is to card and spin........Feeling pretty under  skilled when I think back a few decades and what most people could do for themselves !! xx

Wraithlady

Tanya12345 said:

.Feeling pretty under  skilled when I think back a few decades and what most people could do for themselves !! xx

To be honest, that was the 90's, so I don't think many more people would have the relevant 'make your own' skills compared to today.

Reminds me, though, I have a spinning wheel and drop spindle to master...

willow_loulou

I don’t have the patience for spinning or the dexterity! You’re amazing! 

We’re going to an open day Monday which is town centre so I’m very hopeful I’ll come back with 2 or more blankets and bet curtains. There is a fabric shop so I’ll check the off cuts bin for a few projects.  Glad I can fit things in together and save effort and petrol. 

skint_chick

Have been gone for ages - was trying to cut back on time on my phone but have been missing frugal wins and budgeting chat. We're doing OK budget wise - OH had a win this week when he got a letter from the court to say he'd been awarded a few hundred quid from a hit and run driver 2 years ago. We'd forgotten about it as the other party's insurance paid out, but we knew the police had arrested him for leaving the scene and careless driving - that can pay for next year's car insurance. 

Been slowly working my way through DIY tasks around the house - I've still got lots of supplies in my cupboard and shed so have spent under £30 topping these up and have redone our bedroom, living room, home office, and spare room. Need to get more filler and a really small roller for behind the radiators and then we can complete the hall and stairs. 

Also working my way through my huge toiletry stash, donated some of my hoard of cleaning supplies to OH's bestie as his ex took literally everything from their house when she left. I have been very tempted to buy new cleaning products and toiletries, this is where I struggle the most as I bought 4 Minky cleaning pads the other day as they were on special offer for £1 each. They last so long that's definitely more than I needed! The plus side of trying to use up all my products has been that my hair is in great condition, my nails are growing well from the collagen powder I take twice a day, and my hands are slightly less dry and peeling from constantly using hand sanitiser!

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

Pretty frugal weekend for us. Spent a lovely couple of hours down the beach yesterday and then went for a walk in the woods this morning, both free activities. This morning I made some cheese and courgette scones using one of the courgettes my mum gave me. Dinner was sausages with a chard gratin using chard from the garden and I made some chocolate and peanut butter cookies for pudding. Popped to lidl to get some dishwasher tablets from their super weekend deals, managed to just buy the bits I went in for which is a first! 

Blackcats

Mummy2cheekymonkeys - have you got a recipe for the chocolate and peanut butter cookies please?  I've found 4 jars of peanut butter in the cupboard that I'd like to use.  Thank you 

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

Just checking in.  We have been away for our 25th wedding anniversary as a family.  I saved up most of the cost and will juggle the slight shortfall.  As DS1 has been very poorly making memories is important.  It was very special and worth every penny.

Pleased to report that last week I spent £2.99 on plughole unblocker (homemade concoctions werent working), but nothing else non-essential.

Need to check stores and think about shopping, but no great urgency as we have enough to keep us going.

Bedtime now x

Kitty43

Hello I am just dropping in for an intro as I have loved reading your posts and I am keen to adopt a frugal lifestyle and join in with the challenge ~ I will keep reading to see if I can pick up tips for newbies looking to transition (I am the definition of a shopaholic 🙊) please let me know if you have advice you would like to share with me too ♥️

QueenJess

@Mummy2cheekymonkeys a vote here for the cheese and courgette scone recipe if possible to post? There is always a surplus of courgettes this time of year and those sound yummy

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

As requested, 
The recipe for the peanut butter and chocolate cookies is a gluten free one and I need to use up the bag of flour I have but I think it would work with normal flour too. 

125g margerine
150g smooth peanut butter
225g caster sugar
1 egg
150g gluten free flour
2 tbsp Cocoa powder
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 190c

cream together the margerine and sugar, Add the peanut butter and cream into the mix. Add the egg and mix well.
Sift in the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum and cocoa powder. Spoon onto a baking tray leaving plenty of room between each cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

They are so delicious that when all the gf flour has gone I will definately be trying them with normal flour. 

Cheese and courgette scones

450g Self raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
340g Grated courgette
112g Margerine
150ml Milk
112g Grated Cheddar
1 egg

Preheat the oven to gas mark 7/ fan 200.
Using a muslin cloth squeeze as much water as you can from the grated courgette. In a bowl rub the margerine into the flour and baking powder until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add the grated courgette and cheddar and mix together.
In a jug mix together the egg and milk. Add to the mixture to make a soft dough that is not too sticky. You may need to add a little extra flour. Roll out the dough and cut into rounds with a cutter. Place the scones onto a greased baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes. They should be golden and well risen.

The scones are a good one for using up a lot of courgette. 

I also have a recipe for a chocolate and courgette traybake that I will find up later if anyone would like it?