2021 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

I put my eldest outside, he was born in 97. Sometimes it was only for a couple of minutes but he went out. Youngest 01 was a prem and poorly baby but went out when it was mild and she was well. I’m a big believer in getting some sunshine. They would nap outside even when bigger - I remember finding my elder napping with his chicken in the garden on more than one occasion. 

I spent £2:65 on bread and a few things from M&S today. They have 4 porabello mushrooms and a punnet of plum cherry toms in the 65p section so yep I got those! I got a bag of 5 avocados and 3 lemons! Bargain! I only went in for bread and mushrooms but I couldn’t leave the other bits. Very pleased. The lemons are now sliced and most are in the freezer. Mushrooms and tomatoes were dinner with a freezer burger. 

Frugaldom

Hi frugalers and welcome to our newcomers - always good to see more arrivals here.

Frugaldom life is hectic, juggling several projects at the one time, but it means I'm not spending money unnecessarily. I haven't been in a shop since the first lockdown but prior to that, I was rarely anywhere other than the agricultural store. But I'm outside working every day of the week. On the babies subject, my 2 (born in 80s) both went outside in their prams during good weather. I think the reason not to leave babies lying in prams in thick fog may be to do with the high percentage of moisture in the air, possibly affect breathing or getting into their lungs in similar fashion to bed-ridden patients being so susceptible to pneumonia when lying down too long. I may be totally wrong but the above would make sense to me. 

Make do and mending has been extremely unbalanced here, with making do far out-weighing the mending. I now have 2 work shirts, both secondhand freebies, that have become standing jokes for being so threadbare and beyond repair. I just can't bring myself to bin them. On the other hand, I ordered myself a pair of waterproof, fleece-lined leather boots for winter and hope they live up to expectations. Half price hopeful bargains at under £40 inc P&P.

I've been listing on social media about anything needed for our frugal project and was absolutely delighted to be given a log burner! Freecycle has kind of vanished around this area but Faceb00k free listings have been great. We even got a kitchen sink. Grocery-wise, 0lio has been a massive help over the past year. Our hens have been laying so I have been giving away the eggs as a way of showing some little bit of appreciation. Next mini-challenge for me is kitting out the hut to turn it into a cofortable, off-grid 'escape'.  For anyone unaquainted with Scottish hutting, check it out on the thousandhuts.org website - one of my longterm goals has been to build a hut and be 1 of the 1,000 and this week saw the start of having it built. Once it is finished, my 2022 frugal living challenge will be to include all the moneysaving ways I can find of spending as much of my free time as possible living off grid.

willow_loulou

I’m so glad you’ve started the build @Frugaldom how exciting! 

Got my friend on to the tgtg app today, she likes the idea of an occasional greggs bag! 

Was given some more yarn, so I’m off to sort that and plan my crafting. I have a fayre  near Christmas and I’m working from home bar 3 and the fayre mornings between now and the new year so I want to make some bits to sell - fingers crossed! 

balabooberlies

Frugaldom

My beloved Father left us last week after battling 2 primary cancers.  Within hours (when family gathered) I just picked up my handbag, left, and got the first train up to London to go home.  Had stayed at my parents for most of those 6 months.  I confess due to lack of sleep and grief I wasn't in my right mind.

When I got to Victoria I didn't want to go home, I wanted to 'run away'.  I thought of you and how soothing it would be just to work with the land and nature.

I did the right thing and came home.  Just as well as am physically unwell.  But for a few minutes I felt I had an escape plan....

thank you

bala

x

weenancyinAmerica

Bala, Our thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself. 

nannygladys

So sorry to hear about your father bala, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take good care of yourself.
Nannyg

willow_loulou

Oh Bala x 

Jazee

Condolences Bala.  Be kind to yourself.

 I haven't posted on here for a long while.  Still trying to be frugal but have been hit with massive car and vet bills recently.  Making sure lights are switched off, water is only on for 30 minutes a day and we've agreed on 18 degrees for the heating.

Have also cut right back on who we buy for for Christmas.

AnimalTribe

Bala so sorry to hear about your father. Hopefully, you have someone local you can lean on.

AnimalTribe

Jazee it's always difficult when you are trying to save and huge bills come along. I've been lucky with cars over the years, not much in the way of big bills, but having had so many animals over the years vet bills have been persistent and sometimes huge - but the animals are worth it.