2021 Frugal Living Challenge

joedenise

@Living_proof - I don't know whether you or your partner belong to either of the big Clubs (Camping and Caravanning Club/Caravan & Motorhome Club) but it might be worth joining as you can get much cheaper camping at their Certificated sites (CS for CCC; CL for CAMC).  Depending on where you go it can vary from as little as about £8 a night up to £20+ per night - we generally pay around £10-£12 a night.

Although there is the up front cost it can make it worthwhile over the year to get the cheaper camping.  CCC also do Temporary Holiday Sites (THSs) which run for periods of up to a month usually in good places to get around by public transport or just walking/cycling.

Certainly something worth thinking about.

Living_proof

@joedenise - thanks for your suggestion. We are members of the CAMC and generally we pay around £24/night for hook-up. Partner is currently in Pembrokeshire fishing and is paying £15 with hook-up and is quite happy with that. When he is on his own he often accepts a field with no facilities but it puts a lot of pressure on the solar and leisure battery! I think he knows me well enough now to only suggest sites with hook-up after a few bad experiences with a previous campervan,

joedenise

@Living_proof - I don't know about the CAMC CLs but a lot of the CCC CSs have hook up and generally they're still less than £20 a night.  I was looking at one earlier within walking distance of the Broads which prices from £11-16 a night inc EHU but no showers and toilets so would have to use on board ones.  If you didn't want EHU there is a THS there soon which is only £8 a night!

Living_proof

@joedenise I will have to get him to look into it. We haven’t been able to use the van as much as we had planned but hopefully by next spring we can plan longer and more regular trips. The current van was bought three days before the first lockdown!

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

Just to jump on the caravan and camping discussion, it also makes a huge difference where you go.  If you are prepared to stay away from the tourist hotspots then sites are a lot cheaper.  We stayed on a lovely site in the summer for £18 with EHU and all facilities, but we might look at joining one of the clubs next year.

Eating out of the freezer and cupboard this week, had to go to the shop and buy a few essentials today but was very careful to stick to my list.  Still eating bits and pieces out of the garden too which is good.

I need to order some heating oil, but I have saved up for that.  The longer we can keep the heating off the better.

fionaandphil

@YORKSHIRELASS you might be best buying your oil early. We ordered last month as we didn't really get a summer dip this year and were extremely low. I checked the price again this morning and it's gone up 3p per litre

willow_loulou

I have a day off work and I’m finally charity shopping! I have a list, I just need the energy to get dressed! 

I decided on hyacinth bulbs by the way, £1:99 I paid. Well Prolific paid for them! 

willow_loulou

Good news! I finally heard back from the council and nothing is to change. So I owe no more! This means the extra I’ve cut from my budget will clear my debt quicker and allow me to really stock up for winter. Such a relief! I got an apology letter as it was decided just days after the initial letter! 

fionaandphil

@willow_loulou that must be such a huge relief and at least you have benefitted from it by putting something aside

Mrs_Cheshire

So relieved for you @willow_loulou. glad the issue has been sorted and you don't owe anything. We're still eating food from the freezer and stores. I need to process another load of tomatoes as half my fridge veg draw is full of homegrown ones.