2021 Frugal Living Challenge

QueenJess

@MandM90 if it makes you feel better our expenses are almost exactly the same as yours! It’s a work in progress..

Frugalista

prepareathome said:

Any advice on good thermos flasks to have in? - just checked mine and found both leak if shaken, which means not sealing fully so inside will cool quicker - they are years old and stainless steel inside and out and cost a lot when first bought all those years ago but had my use out of them.   Now there are so many different types (back then it was glass inside or SS inside) and all just ordinary flasks.  

We have a great big Stanley flask (around 2 litres) which we fill up every morning from the kettle on the hob.  It keeps the water really hot for hours - which is good as I cannot abide tepid coffee.  Extremely robust.  We used to use it for the dog shows and it has been knocked around, dropped and kicked over and it still looks as good as new. Cannot recommend it enough.

Elisheba

mumtoomany said:

How of us are now googling hay box and kelly kettle? Mumtoomany.

I've seen the children on Our Yorkshire Farm use one.  Looks great fun for the outdoors!

[Deleted User]

Everyone’s choice of lifestyle and spending is personal to them. In posting my figures and an outline of how we live, in no way did I want anyone to feel as if I am saying it’s easy, and everyone should do it this way.

It isn’t easy in many ways, but it wholeheartedly works for us. I used to live very differently and have much higher outgoings, so I’ve experienced both sides. 

As I read on a brilliant frugal blog once (😉), a bad day living this way is still better than a good day in my old way of living.

Today we collected eggs, chopped wood, harvested the last of the courgettes and arranged to collect more wood locally for free tomorrow. I am now going to have a glass of wine (bottle bought for my birthday), eat pizza and watch a movie with the children.

Have wonderful weekends all

X

YORKSHIRELASS

ASB you are an inspiration, as ever!  I am trying really hard to not feel pressure to spend and most of the time I am doing OK.  I have a Monzo account for my day to day spends and I have it set the app up to round up transactions and put the rounding in a savings pot.  This pot is going to be my guilt free treat fund - I have £10 so far!

Lovely walk on my own this afternoon, 5.7 miles, called at Li@l on my way home with my list.  Took a basket around so it made me think about how much I was buying.  No heating on and washing finally dried outside.  Tea from our mealplan.  Need to update the spreadsheets but the first week of this month has gone well.

Had to laugh at DH.  DS1 called and I asked him if he wanted to stay for tea, I said that there was some gammon he could have, but he declined.  When he left DH said "phew that was lucky, that's another night's tea there".  Its great that we are both on board with this though.

Feet up and a big bag of Li@l crisps to share for a treat.

[Deleted User]

YL - your comment about the pressure to spend made me think; a friend made a similar comment the other day about there always being someone/something to pay for.

As a society we have come to accept so many things as part of the ‘norm’ in our budget, that we pay them without thinking. Small examples of this for us include not having contents insurance (nowt worth insuring here!); not having a TV licence (so many friends and family do not understand this at all, even though by their own admission they watch no BBC and hardly any live TV); not having Amazon prime - people are aghast! But I don’t agree with their ethics and would rather support local, so don’t shop with them. 

This is just a small list of what is wholly unnecessary to our lives, but until I drilled down into our budget I had been merrily paying for. 

Sorry, I have wittered. A veg soup is in the SC to simmer overnight, candles are lit and the children are asleep. I shan’t be far behind them with my library book xxx

PS I always shop with a list, a basket and add it up as I go round. Paying cash means I can only spend what I have with me xx

Living_proof

Very excited today to find some new black gloves and a pair of fingerless ones in my local charity shop at 50p each. One can never have too many pairs of gloves! I am looking out for another kingsized cellular blanket as I find them useful to cover the duvet in exceptionally cold weather. Also I will invest in some Ugg-type slippers to keep my ankles warm around the house. I did buy an M & S electric foot warmer this week as well, ideal for watching tv I think. The CH is still off but it has been very warm today long may it continue!




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nannygladys

Another one here that is getting worried about price rises, especially g&e, food and fuel. I have solar panels so my electric is usually quite low but the gas worries me somewhat. I have pared back on bills as much as I can, luckily I have a fixed deal until April but after that .... I have a car (paid for) and keep it in good order but feel at the moment I can't use it as much as I would like, just as I'm feeling more confident about going out. I follow my budgets and can only pare it down by a few more pounds monthly so hoping things will get better.
I have grown much more this year on the allotment so I should be ok for veggies and visit a community pantry most weeks for bits and pieces which doesn't cost much for the amount you get.
So it's 'pull your big girls knickers up' time and time to try to work out a new budget. At least I have 'sinking' funds for almost everything and have loads of jumpers, fleecey blankets etc. I think Xmas spends will be lower, I already have money set aside for dgc pressies, the adults might be getting a lot less this year if anything at all. I think I will have a word, perhaps we could all get together for a meal where we all bring part of a course and don't buy each other anything. I can remember in the 80's when times were also difficult, the family all,decided to spend a £1 on each other, my 13yr neice was over the moon with her lacy pants (her mum wasn't she was quite a staid person) stuffed up a snowman made out of a toilet roll lol!!!!!

Anyway I have a letter to write which I want to post tomorrow morning so better get on.

Nannyg

nannygladys

New day, I have been trying to redo the budgets but not really getting anywhere, so I will carry on being as frugal as I can and save all the bits left over. Feel happier now. 
Nannyg

YORKSHIRELASS

Glad you feel more positive Nannyg x

Good day here, drove to the coast and did an 8.5 mile walk.  DH treated us to chips but other than the diesel to get there and back it was a free day out.

Slightly worried that the problems DH was having with his back have now transferred to his hip.  He is also worried and hoping that we know more after the physio appointment next week, but I dont have much faith in physios.  When DS1 fell of a horse and tore the muscles in his shoulder we ended up paying for private treatment.  We will see.

Have spent £112 on food this week but that should last until next weekend, so it's for 2 weeks.  £50 on diesel, again shouldnt need any more next week.  Think DS2 is coming home for a visit next weekend so might need to get a little more food in but I will plan meals so that I dont overspend.