2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Wildrose

Hi everyone, hopping on this thread too, if that's OK? I've been living fairly frugally for some time now, but there's still room to tighten things up. 

I haven't been able to work for just over a year now, after a car accident so I've been living on a decreasing income as sick pay etc. ended. I'm now fit to work, although I lost my job as it isn't likely I'll ever be fit enough to do that particular job again. I have received ESA for a few months but now my back is recovered (as long as I do my exercise routine twice daily. If not, it seizes up and pain creeps in again) so my claim's ending. My mental health isn't great, this accident being one of a train of traumas and I've been left with depression and anxiety.

I have an insurance claim going through against the other driver but that is taking a long time, especially with the pandemic holding things up.

So, currently living off what's left of the 2 month's pay I received after being "let go" and I'm lucky enough to have some savings when that runs out. I'll start job hunting again although I don't feel too confident what with the current situation and my age (early 60s). I need to live as cheaply as possible. I've already cut all but necessary outgoings except one.  A new veg garden is planned for the spring, I've always grown my own but haven't set up a new proper veg garden since I moved here a couple of years ago. Lovely fertile soil here, hoping to get good crops. I'm planning to get eBaying and selling on Face Book Marketplace to make some cash and de-clutter.

Looking forward to sharing ideas and learning from others!

mumtoomany

Morning  @MandM90. Are you vegi or vegan? Would you get chickens, ducks or geese for the eggs? If you've that much land a poly tunnel would be very useful. The budget of £11,000 is because that is pretty much all we have. Never been so poor as we are now, but have never been able to save as much. I think because we don't spend anything. Clothes are all second or third hand, even the wellies that I live in. Rarely go out anywhere, never eat out, don't buy "stuff". Only real expenses are DD3, still at home and going to college, and the minibus. The bus will become cheaper as it will become tax and MOT exempt in a few years, it's old! But despite being poor i would not go back to living in a city. When do you move? Mumtoomany.

MandM90

Lovely to have you @Wildrose, sounds like you've been through the mill a bit. Do keep us updated with your veg garden. We used to have 2 allotments but haven't 'properly' grown in years, hoping to get back to it next year!
@Mumtoomany - we're vegan but are considering getting rescue hens. We had hens before a few years ago and they were good for scraps, pest eating and fertile poo!  And lovely pets too I think.Yes, we would love a poly tunnel, that's definitely on the radar. We will probably just do a small herb garden and some container gardening for the first year whilst we understand the soil, sun, etc. I'm fearful of ripping up a load of turf and regretting where we put everything. We're from the South East of England so it's a very different climate here though still good for growing, but in different ways, less frost than England for example! I've also been considering doing an RHS qualification too for fun but time is a massive issue for me.
Sounds like you've adapted to your circumstances marvellously, and so lovely that you have so much family around you! Are there any good resources for grow your own/smallholding/permaculture you'd recommend? Feel very out of my depth but SO excited!

fionaandphil

Happy New Year to you all, its lovely seeing all your posts.  I am on NSD 3 this month.  We are eating from our cupboards and freezer and have lots of Christmas goodies we are still wading through.  We had some work done on the big tree in the garden today, so I have stacked the first load of logs under the oil tank to dry out for next year.  Hopefully the weather will hold and I can get back out tomorrow and finish them off.  I also sorted through the Christmas cards today and made some tags ready for next year.  Looking forward to keeping up with all the posts this year x

helensbiggestfan

Hi everyone.

I already live a fairly simple and frugal life, but theres always room for improvement.😂.  So I'll read along and join in if I may.  See if I can pick up some tips.  I am going to need some dental work done this year which won't be cheap so I need to be really super frugal. 

 Aiming to have a really low spend couple of months. I stocked up for covid/brexit and have plenty of food, cleaning materials, toiletries so hopefully I can keep housekeeping budget to an absolute minimum. 

Also going to try and grow more this year. I am retired but Hoping to launch a small sideline business later (when covid allows).  

CraftyLittleLisa

Hello all and happy new year.

There has been a lot going on on here - I'm struggling to keep up with you all.  I haven't got a lot to report on this occasion.  I don't always remember what I have done to list it down here. 

I have done some repairs recently.  I repaired some old tights and an old jumper and I also managed to put a cupboard door back on one of my kitchen cupboards.  On the food side of things I have made two lots of soup out of  passed its best veg - mushroom soup and broccoli and tomato soup.  A number of portions are in the freezer and I have got some in the fridge already to use for my lunches this week.  I also cooked down some apples to make a type of compote thing to have as my puddings heated up with left over custard.

With everyone talking about different food saving apps I signed up to "To Good To Go" to see what that was like.  I'm pleased to say that I have a Costa which is walking distance from me signed up so hopefully I can make use of that when my foot heals enough for me to walk.  I also signed up to Oddbox to see what that is like.  There are various codes I have seen lately to get you 50% off the first delivery.  My first one will come on Friday so I will see what that is like before I decide whether I will continue with that one.  

The only other frugal thing was to sort through my Christmas cards and make gift tags out of some which I have done. 

My main aims for this month is to not waste any food and not spend money unnecessarily.  Having a broken toe is helping in some respects because I can't really go anywhere to spend money.  I will make do with the things I have already for entertainment.  I have plenty of crafting stuff to keep me busy with knitting and sewing and lots of books to read plus I work full time from home.

Stay safe everyone.

joedenise

I've signed up to Too Good to To as well but nothing anywhere near me so far - nearest has been 15 miles and that was a Costa!  Really will have to have a look at Olio, not done that yet!

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

Ive had a quick look on too good to go but there was nothing near me. I recommend apps like shopmium and checkoutsmart though. It not always a good selection but today for example i got a free bag of oven chips from tesco this morning. Me and hubby both have accounts so I got 2 bags. They do have good things from time to time. I had my first spend of the year. Got the much needed milk and eggs so hopefully wont need to go out again this week. I need to invest in some rechargable batteries as my youngest is obsessed with a little toy dinosaur he got for christmas that runs around. Christmas day he went through 2 sets of batteries in one evening!!!

Cutitoot

Hi everyone. Would love to join to help keep track on my savings.
I've lurked on mse forums for ages and picked up some really great money saving tips but I am a girl who can't say NO. No to things like nights out, clothes, spending on grandkids, buying c@*p. I've already started saving and doing well so far (although how much that is due to not being able to do anything because of covid im not sure). I have my savings split into three  pots although they're in one account. One for EF plus house i.e. if cooker explodes or need to redecorate £50 per month, one for holidays and weekends away £100 per month and the bits n bobs one that im having fun with (can't believe i just said that). That's the one where any odd bits of money goes i.e. survey payments, saving on food bill, unwanted Christmas gift regifted to someone else. I started that at the beginning of December and have £57 in it. That's £57 that would have just disappeared into the void in previous times. As I said, having fun trying to figure out ways to capture any little bits of money and not let them go.

So hoping this keeps me on track and look forward to even more great money saving tips from all you lovely people. Might even have one or two of my own!
 Eh I know i said i was a girl but I'm 62 today eek!!

cw18

MandM90 said:

I used a work perks Argos discount
I also used my work perks to refill my Tesco voucher card - it gets my 4% off.

Sounds like the same perks I get at work.   I have a Tesco card (4%), Asda card (4%), Sainsbury card (5%), Halfords card (10%) and Love To Shop card (7%) which I can use at Iceland, Boots, Wilko, Currys, Argos and The Works amongst other places.   I could get a card just for Argos, but that only gives 6%.   The direct with Currys is 7%, so may as well stick with the LTS one for them as well (means I don't get left with a balance on a card I'd rarely use).    I get the discounts when I load the cards, rather than a discount at the tills.    I don't spend a great deal in any of those stores, but generally keep at least £10 on each of the supermarket ones and about £20 on the LTS.   If I do spend more in a store I can top them up using my mobile anyway.  Doesn't save me a huge amount in a year, but as the saying goes 'look after the pennies.....'