2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Tanya12345

Thank you for the recipes, looking forward to trying them. Hope everyone had a good - and thrifty -  weekend.
Hi Kitty43, you are in the best place for Frugal Tips ! The Frugallers on here are masters of the craft, as well as being really nice supportive people.
My weekend just flew by harvesting and trying to preserve stuff ready for the Winter. This year it will be a particularly skinny one .... Some things never change !! 
Have a lovely Monday Fruggies xx
 

QueenJess

Mummy2cheekymonkeys said:

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?

Ooh - thanks for the recipe and I would love the traybake one too. I have a few courgettes hanging around!

Ellie79

Hello all, I am a serial lurker. I have loved reading all the way through this thread, you're all amazing!

My OH recently had a very serious operation, our food bill has crept up hugely as has our general costs and I haven't managed to keep on top of my good intentions that I started the year with. I need some motivation, some accountability, and some like-minded souls!

Would it be ok to join in?

willow_loulou

All are very welcome on this thread! 

Sorry to hear about your husbands Op Ellie

The links on the first page of this and all the previous threads have so info. 

Today has been a bit of a bust, we ended up walking way too far yesterday that I’m unable to weight bear for more than the time it takes to make a cup of tea today. 

So I’m list writing and watching tv whilst waiting for my shopping delivery and researching flasks/heat pads and window coverings. 

Ellie79

Thanks @willow_loulou, I have had a good read (when inevitable insomnia hits!).  Sounds like a bunkered down day is necessary for you. Hope you feel better soon. 

*Edited to ask - Has anyone dyed duvet covers before? I need new covers for my room when it is decorated and I have a lovely if washed out/greying set. I wondered about dying them (in the name of being frugal!). Plain cotton, no pattern bar a ridged edge across the top as it lies on the bed. I guess I have nothing to lose, was just hoping for a success story/tips!

Thrifty_Taylor

Welcome @Ellie79. When I decorated my youngest son's bedroom during lock down last year, I dyed a light blue single duvet cover, pillowcase & sheet, turquoise. All worked perfectly fine in the machine. Used one packet of dye. Wish I'd checked the elastic on the sheet before dying it though, as it slips off the mattress frequently!

Ellie79

Hiya @Thrifty_Taylor, thanks so much for the welcome and the sharing of experience! I think I shall investigate. My Mum is a whizz with all things sewing etc, could look at this and know straight off but I am just learning (avoided it for 4 decades, about time I stopped!). I shall report back when I go past a shop to get dye.  I am losing nothing as I was going to use these sheets as dust sheets or practice for learning to sew. My Mum has given me a sewing machine and I have reclaimed a space upstairs where I intend to make a craft area. I crochet (badly) but do that sitting watching TV with a glass of wine or cup of tea. Need to learn to sew because it is ridiculous I cannot!

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

Chocolate and courgette traybake-

120g Margerine
125ml Sunflower oil
100g caster sugar
200g light brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
350g self raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
4 tbsp cocoa powder
450g courgette, grated and drained
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/190c. Line a 20cm x 35cm tray with greaseproof paper.
Mix the margerine and oil and both sugars together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg mixing well until thoroughly mixed. Sift the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder into the mixture and fold until well combined. Stir in the courgettes and vanilla. Pour into baking tray and bake for 35 minutes. 

Tanya12345

Hi  Ellie79, nice to meet you. Hats off to anyone who can crochet !
Hope you're feeling better Willow_Loulou.
Things ok here, still very windy !! Most of the climbing veg have a definite wonk to them now !!
Having unexpected visitors tomorrow - yipee !! Will be so nice to catch up with them but forgot that the room doesn't have any curtains..... Cue a manic response - result will be a patchwork creation as I don't have enough fabric and promised myself to use my stash and not buy any more - what could possibly go wrong..........
Seem to be running offspring around yesterday and today - cars needing to be taken to garage, jab appointment and bank stuff various ! They're grown up (!!!) but still need an occasional Mum lift, plus we live in a beautiful place but it is in the bundu as far as public transport and services are concerned.
Have a great day, everyone may your happiness be big and your expenses small x

Siebrie

@Ellie79: you will probably need salt for the dye (check the instruction leaflet); don't buy the salt in the dye stand, you can use the cheapest supermarket salt.