2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Siebrie

Frugal living really is a challenge at the moment: I left a bag of coffee beans in the shop after paying for them, and didn't find out until yesterday, when I needed them. We had to throw out vegetables due to miscommunication/bad meal planning between husband and I. The renovation of our home is delayed by about 6 months (and we will start paying interest on the 'reserved' extra mortgage, even though we haven't used the money yet) due to husband and I debating getting divorced; we have decided to stay together until the house is finished at least, for either better returns when selling or a better home for the partner staying in the house.

AnimalTribe

MissRikkiC “Banana Bacon has blown by mind!”

I hope that’s in a good way.

Nannygladys “it's a long time since I ate meat so can't really remember what it tastes like” 

It’s been decades since I ate meat or fish (although I do eat eggs and milk products) – my husband eats meat and he liked the banana bacon as much as me. Although the first lot I tried to make was weighted down in soy sauce overnight – talk about a salt overdose. When frying it became beautifully crispy, but it doesn’t keep.

I blame Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, one of his guests talked about using all the bits of the food that’s produced and she (I can’t remember her name) showed him how to use carrot greens. I started using the greens in various things – lovely in cheese savoury sandwiches. It was a downward spiral from there. But it took me a long time to find anything worthy of banana skins.

nannygladys

Animaltribe - my dd has given me a banana, so it's just got to go brown now, can't wait for my fry up!!

Used leftover grocery money to start Xmas shopping today, I do have a fund for Xmas and birthday presents but every little bit helps.

Nannyg

[Deleted User]

Hello frugal friends,

It has been a while since I posted on here, I read everyday though. 

@Frugaldom - fantastic news on your planning permission! xx

Things are changing here, in a good way but it will mean tapping into my frugal ways and sticking to our £5k per annum budget more than ever. I have made the somewhat life changing decision to hand my notice in at work. This is due to health reasons and, after a few weeks of being signed off, I now know what is right for me and my little family. I have spent the past 12 months honing my frugal living skills, and after bills our budget is now a strict £35 per week (note this is a reduction on what it was previously) - this is for food, clothes, school trips, anything the children need, chicken feed etc. 

Our bills are as low as they can possibly be, and I don't run a car. The energy prices situation worries me greatly, but we have made the decision to use solely wood  to heat the house this winter. A Kelly Kettle is on my wish list to enable me to easily boil large quantities of water outside, which will then go into my large flask for use throughout the day, rather than boiling the electric kettle. 

I am terrified but excited at the same time. I have the skills and tools to live perfectly well on that amount of money, and my children will get more of their mummy, in a much happier frame of mind than normal. On that note, I am going to poach one of our chicken eggs for DS brekkie. 

Take care all x

willow_loulou

@Frugaldom amazing new! Congratulations. I look forward to watching the build updates on FB 

@Deleted_User that’s a great decision for your family, I’m sure you will do well. Don’t forget Prolific as a penny top up 

l have failed in my attempt to meal prep. I’m just too tired and sore from work. Yes 2 meals were what ever was reduced in M&S ready to eat section. But basically it’s been pie or pasty and today eldest went out for takeout. So I’m over budget food wise, very annoying but if I don’t rest I’ll end up out of it for weeks. 

My freezer is full though so for the next work break I can eat from stores, given the current food worry that’s a bit of a blessing. 

The garden is finally coming along, eldest and his friend have started on the back fence replacement. We’re using existing items so that’s only cost me their take out so far. I’d forgotten how big my garden is behind the old run and tree! 

fionaandphil

@Deleted_User a brave decision, I hope it all works out well for you and I'm sure you will have thought about it and chosen the right thing for your family.    I can't remember if it was you that mentioned trying to find firewood, but I saw a note somewhere else from a lady who said she had been in touch with her local 'man shed' and asked them what they did with their offcuts and from that managed to source a regular supply.  This migfht be an option for you?  Good luck, I'm sure you will keep us updated.

We had a very unfrugal day yesterday.  DS had an inset day, DH took a days leave and we drove to Wales for a day out at the beach.  Not very frugal from the use of petrol and we had fish and chips, but I took drinks and some snacks so it saved us something.  It was a lovely day out though, sun was shining and we had a great day and my son described himself as an 'explorer' this morning now that he has been to Wales - another country!  Back to work today!

Tightpants24

Aargh, my electric provider has just gone bust.  We were on a reasonably good fixed tariff (recommended by Martin L).  Now going to be transferred to another provider, so expecting cost to soar now.  We also have oil central heating.  I am going to try to reduce our wasteful ways with the electric (any tips appreciated), and also hold out as long as possible putting the heating on.  I hope this warm spell lasts.

willow_loulou

@Tightpants24 it’s such a worry isn’t it! 

I recently invested in a heated airer, it’s super cheap to run and going by last nights drop in temp it really keeps our livingroom nice and warm. 

Cooking wise I’d suggest slow cooking - it’s easy and can just sort your meal whilst you do other stuff. 
Insulation is key to keeping warm, so draft excluders (can be made out of old pillows and pillow cases) curtains on all windows. 
Boil the kettle once and thermos water for tea. (Not sure how that saves but apparently does) 

Thermos are also great for keeping food hot if someone is eating later than it’s ready. 

Then of course it’s turning every switch off, lights off, hand washing if you’re needing 1 or 2 items rather than waste a while wash. Full dishwasher loads etc 

Led bulbs are bright and I think super cheap to run so perhaps consider lamps? I’ve not yet looked into them. Maybe a rechargeable one in case of power drops. 

If you work or visit coffee shops charge your phone or power bank 😊 if allowed of course. I use power banks that are hand warmers as well as normal ones. It’s amazing how many things can be recharged by one. 

I look forward to other suggestions! 

Frugaldom

@AnimalTribe I, too, am going to have to try banana bacon! I have some brown skin bananas now and usually I chop the skins and feed them to the ponies and goats. (•‿•)

Our latest micro venture into offering overnight parking for campervans at Frugaldom is going well. Our frugal Aire is generating plenty of interest despite us having almost no facilities. It's been likened to wild camping in a campervan, sharing the night with the ponies, goats and wildlife. Do far, everyone who has visited gets what Frugaldom is about and that it's not about spending money.

More foraging to do as we have do many rosehips and blackberries this year. The plums and rasps are all past but now the apples are about ready for picking. Still got potatoes to lift and there are a few cucumbers and some kale still to pick. 

Did anyone else know you can eat dock leaves and use the gel from the stems to make salve. I only learned that over the past week so have now tried them and will do so again. 

Frugaldom

@Deleted_User well done on making that decision. Budget may be stretched but it's a job working everything into it and still enjoying life while you do it. I'm away to look up a Kelly kettle now as I also heat up water outdoors but only have an ordinary stove top kettle.