2021 Frugal Living Challenge

Scottiedog_3

 You can be good one day and rubbish the next. They don’t take that into consideration. They did admit I had M.E. But gave me no points whatsoever, I could work for an hour or so at a time but there are very little jobs like that

Have you thought of selling things from home? I used to sell second-hand books on Amazon Marketplace.  Other people I knew sold on eBay or their own web sites. If you have savings, you could invest some money in stocking up your virtual shop. Buying stock can be done when you're feeling well. 

willow_loulou

Hello 👋 shopping this week was £17:49 from Morrison’s. But I have to say I’m not a fan of their food. I treated myself to a lasagne as I was eating alone and it was nothing like a lasagne in taste! 

With regards meat, I don’t have a huge amount - probably 3 meals a week have meat and then not a massive amount as it’s so expensive. But we do have mince, some chicken and bacon/gammon. All things I can do more than one meal with. 

Sometimes I get frozen lamb chops as they are at least a 3rd cheaper then fresh and much less fatty. 

I’ve stopped thickening meals with lentils and chickpeas as my son never enjoys it much - he’d rather more mash or dumplings so as it’s just us 2 now it’s just as cost effective really. I do add mushrooms in most things though - daughter hated them and done loves them so on balance it’s just as yummy! 

AnimalTribe

summertime_2 said:

Do you eat much meat.?

I am a vegetarian, but my DH isn't. I usually cook vegetarian meals, and if my DH wants meat he adds some to his portion - either he adds precooked meat such as ham, or he cooks a bit of chicken or bacon in a separate pan and then mixes it in to his portion. So it's rare that we have totally separate meals, and he doesn't actually add meat that often. He enjoys the occasional store bought meat pizza though - the more meat on that the better. 

RainbowHippie

Just seen an interesting discussion on a FB group i'm in, about whether it's worthwhile mending/repairing items that would be very cheap to replace, specifically they were talking about cheap mass-produced socks and whether they are worth darning. For me the answer is generally yes, and for the socks definitely yes, for a few reasons -

1. Financial costs - even if it's cheap, it's not nothing and small costs mount up. And if i learn how to mend something, hopefully i can keep doing that and not only avoid buying one replacement, but multiple replacements.

2. Environmental costs - just because something is cheap to buy, there have still been resources used to make it and cheap products are often supporting companies whose ideologies i generally disagree with. Even if i were to replace with high-quality, ethically produced items, those still take resources to produce so i feel like i should delay the replacement as long as possible.

3. Learning something new - learning is meant to be good for the brain, new skills are good for confidence/self-efficacy, and it's an enjoyable experience.

4. Personal preference. I get genuine satisfaction from mending, especially clothes, and like to try and make things more colourful/interesting as i mend them. It's something i generally do on train journeys or while watching a film/tv and the time spent doesn't feel like a chore.

I actually don't own any socks that aren't cheap and mass-produced. I stopped buying clothes almost completely a few years ago, but had so many pairs from before that they have lasted well. While we've been travelling i'm limited to about 5-6 pairs (I helpfully managed to pack the rest somewhere i can't access them until we fully unpack our storage place, but i know they're there so refuse to buy more!) so have really had to keep on top of mending. I darn with offcuts of acrylic yarn (from crochet projects) split down to 2-ply as this seems strong enough but not too thick, and it's free! When i've darned OH's very fine cotton socks i've used doubled sewing cotton to make it as thin as possible, that also seems to hold up well.

I think i might feel differently, or at least be more conflicted, if we were talking about items that cost as much or more to repair than to replace, though.

I'd be interested to know everyone's thoughts on repair vs replace - should things be repaired at all costs? At what point or with what items would you decide not to bother?

xxx

willow_loulou

I definitely repair as much as possible. Though socks I find the repairs can make my feet sore so it depends on the hole placement. I have mended many items of clothing and often have to put tucks in things. I quite enjoy the process and considering I get given loads of craft stuff I rarely have any cost to the mend.  If do get rid of anything with buttons I remove them too and put them in my aunts button jar! I’ve not bought buttons ever! Lol 

maryb

I find I am fonder of things I have mended than when they were new.  I had a seersucker duvet cover that wore through on the top seam where you grab it to pull up.  I opened the side seams and replaced the top 8 inches with plain white cotton and top stitched the seam before sewing it back together top and sides.  I thought it looked better than before and it lasted another five years

weenancyinAmerica

Just be careful repairing socks if you are a diabetic. I've been told to be careful of socks with holes and mended socks because they aren't safe for diabetics.

2Scratters

I colour my hair but can get at least 2 do's from one box, I have had 3 in the past year or so but have decided that 2 times gives the best result. Have moved on from having my hair cut at the hairdressers and have now found a lovely lady barber who does a brill job for 9.50. I would think that self cutting short hair would be a lot more difficult, I am still 19.50 up each time so I am happy with that
Today should have been a NSD as was only going to drop off a boot for stretching and trying to close a business account with the bank - what a palava but it will be worth it - method in my madness We popped into 2 charity shops most I've spent in one do in a long time,
quality items that will last us.
We have less of a stock of anything and that has kept the shopping bill down as not been replacing as quickly, we clearly don't need to do that. Next thing to do will be just have the item that is being used getting to about half before replenishing it. (that will not include going to last toilet roll but will mean the packet )
We now have a nice cash stash, no idea what it will be used for yet, this is from saving what is left over at month end and a couple of free page sales where we sold 2 vintage chairs and enough new wood laminate flooring to do a large room. Just need to move some smaller items from the cupboards and loft for regeneration.

Stay safe
2 Scratters xx

Marghirl

Scottiedog_3 said:

 You can be good one day and rubbish the next. They don’t take that into consideration. They did admit I had M.E. But gave me no points whatsoever, I could work for an hour or so at a time but there are very little jobs like that

Have you thought of selling things from home? I used to sell second-hand books on Amazon Marketplace.  Other people I knew sold on eBay or their own web sites. If you have savings, you could invest some money in stocking up your virtual shop. Buying stock can be done when you're feeling well. 

Have often thought about that. It would be ideal but have no idea what sells well. May need to do some research.

I am gradually going into the repair and remake camp. Over the past few years I had taken up and in my dads trousers. Now he has passed I an thinking of ripping them up and trying to remake them into skirts for me. Will give it a go anyway

annieb64

I mend my walking socks although I prefer not to wear darned socks on a long walk in case they rub. They are fine for everyday wear and keep my feet warm in the winter.