2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Siebrie

I've been having fun in our attic again:

- winter gear for me and dd2 sorted; dd1 and husband will check tonight. Anything too small / uncomfy will be donated; all single gloves in bin. Any items not used this year will be returned to the attic.

- winter shoes for dd2 sorted from stash in attic. All too small shoes will be donated or sold (dd1 (13) wants to try and make some money. We are still discussing whether it will be hers to keep, we will share the profits, or we will use it for a family day out).

- found another kingsize down duvet; I think I have 4 sets now. They will keep....

Made a large bowl of bottom of the fridge soup, and it was lovely!

Electric bike ride to work (8km). It's faster than the car, and I so enjoy it! It must show, because everyone starts smiling and greeting me I recharge the battery at work.

I leave 2 completely different shawls at work for sprucing up my rather plain office outfit. Occasionally, I will switch the shawls for different ones. It's only my 2 colleagues who see me, sometimes a few more during lunch half-hour, but they will not care about my outfit.

willow_loulou

I do so wish I could cycle! It must be so good for your health. 

I love the forum style. I know it’s open to view over private groups but it stops the nasty ness that’s goes with that. 

Marghirl

Having to totally change my life now. I was a carer for my dad for over ten years despite also suffering from M.E. Sadly he passed away in May and I miss him so much. I now have hardly anything coming into house. Powers that be decided that although I have M.E. I am fit for work so I don’t get any benefits. I have to pace myself very carefully so could only work for an hour or two at a time and there are no jobs offering that! Thankfully , thanks to my dad I have a lot of savings but I have to use that to live on. I have turned the heating right down and use blankets to keep warm. I did a shop yesterday in Aldi’s and hopefully it will last me a few weeks (£48) . I am also turning off anything electrical that I don’t need to use. 

willow_loulou

Marghirl said:

Having to totally change my life now. I was a carer for my dad for over ten years despite also suffering from M.E. Sadly he passed away in May and I miss him so much. I now have hardly anything coming into house. Powers that be decided that although I have M.E. I am fit for work so I don’t get any benefits. I have to pace myself very carefully so could only work for an hour or two at a time and there are no jobs offering that! Thankfully , thanks to my dad I have a lot of savings but I have to use that to live on. I have turned the heating right down and use blankets to keep warm. I did a shop yesterday in Aldi’s and hopefully it will last me a few weeks (£48) . I am also turning off anything electrical that I don’t need to use. 

So Sorry for your loss. X 
I have a long term health condition and it took a couple of attempts to get financial support. Have you tried claiming PIP? 

I’d suggest getting a couple of hot water bottles if you don’t already have them to keep you snuggly under the blankets. 

Take care of yourself x

Elisheba

Marghirl said:

Having to totally change my life now. I was a carer for my dad for over ten years despite also suffering from M.E. Sadly he passed away in May and I miss him so much. I now have hardly anything coming into house. Powers that be decided that although I have M.E. I am fit for work so I don’t get any benefits. I have to pace myself very carefully so could only work for an hour or two at a time and there are no jobs offering that! Thankfully , thanks to my dad I have a lot of savings but I have to use that to live on. I have turned the heating right down and use blankets to keep warm. I did a shop yesterday in Aldi’s and hopefully it will last me a few weeks (£48) . I am also turning off anything electrical that I don’t need to use. 

Blimey, @Marghirl that sounds dire.  Coping with grief and loneliness at the same time as worrying about all the financial stuff.  I don't know much about benefits I'm afraid, but wouldn't you be eligible for Universal credit, and if you apply for jobs and don't get them due to your health issues then you could prove you were trying.  Also, I know my Mum did have to apply a few times for what ever disability allowance she got before she reached pension age, so as @willow_loulou says, its probably worth keeping trying.

Also, I see you've just joined the forum.  Have a look around.  Its a lovely community.  I know its online so not totally ideal, but its one way of coping with isolation and loneliness.

Elisheba

Oh, I've just seen its my 13 year anniversary of joining the MSE forum today!  Considering the amount of time I've been a member you would have thought I would have posted more, or have been in better financial shape but there you go! Thirteen years ago - that was 3 houses ago, and I wasn't even married yet never mind divorced.  How time flies!

*shares a huge anniversary chocolate cake and a big pot of tea with everyone*

Marghirl

I was on incapacity benefit for almost 20 years and they took it off me. I can’t get universal credit as my savings are healthy, however they won’t always stay like that. I have just seen a few jobs advertised in our local council for school crossing patrol ( or lollipop lady as we used to call them in school) so I am thinking of applying for that. It is only ten hours a week and is split into morning lunch time and end of school so it hopefully won’t be too taxing. It would make the world of difference financially too. I have applied for pip or equivalent many times and got knocked back. I even had benefits advisors fill out the forms and I still got knocked back. 

wort

Marghirl,  it's the right time of year for temp xmas work , I'm not sure what level of work you would be able to manage .good luck.

Marghirl

I am a qualified teacher but had to retire due to ill health. To put it this way, I don’t run on Duracell batteries😂. I can do most things but not for hours at a time or day in day out. I am sure something will turn up. I will keep positive and I am sure my dad will be looking out for me. 

MandM90

Oh Marghirl that sounds really hard. Well done for staying positive. Have you ever explored something like VIPkid if you have a degree? Or similar platforms which facilitate teaching English online?