2021 Frugal Living Challenge

AnimalTribe

I looked up coffee logs. They look interesting but with so much free wood around my place it wouldn't be worth getting any. Not that I'm going to try it, but there are lots of links on the internet on how to make coffee logs at home. I have often wondered about burning dried heather in a wood burner, as I believe it would burn quite well, and I have plenty around me, but again I have so much free wood it would only be for academic interest.

I've spent the last two nights on the night shift because one of the dogs has a urinary infection and needs to go out frequently. Thankfully, the antibiotics have started to kick in so I will get some sleep tonight. On the plus side - all of my Christmas cards are now posted, I've sold a fair bit on eBay and the road to my house is now clear in both directions.

-taff

Your apple juice should be ok with just normal sugar shouldn't it? There's loads of pectin in apples.

balabooberlies

Effician, I would like to be you when I grow up !  

Frugaldom, I may get there yet.............

x

Frugaldom

balabooberlies said:

Effician, I would like to be you when I grow up !  

Frugaldom, I may get there yet.............

x

Feel free anytime, although the accommodation side of things may need a bit of planning to ensure nobody else is using the caravan. We're hoping to raise enough funds to build a 'Friends of Frugaldom' hut for fellow frugalers visiting. It'll be a bit like a mountain bothy, but without mountains and without being built with stone or brick. 

The horrible weather has finally passed over and electricity has been restored. Have to say that I was quite well prepared this time, with my emergency battery pack for charging mobile, fairy lights run off rechargeable batteries and gas for heating water. I keep containers of fresh water at the ready most times, in case of a big freeze. Having learned what that's like a few years ago, when electricity was out and water all frozen while having student volunteer staying. She'll can carry that story all the way forward to her own children & grandchildren if she has any in future.

C_J

I have now disappeared down a rabbit hole of Instructibles pages, learning how to make my own coffee logs. Lots of different recipes, some including sawdust, most with molasses (which will make them too expensive) and melted candle wax. The scientific papers comparing the different mixes (on an American patent application site, I think it was) made excellent reading. I might have a bash at this!

Frugaldom

Wow, @C_J, go you!    We don;t use coffee grounds but I save my teabags as you can dry those, use them to soak up leftover candl wax and then use them as firelighters. I also have a log maker contraption lurking somewhere that I used to try making the newspaper bricks but we don't buy newspapers and we never had enough dry weather to get enough of them made. I may try again one day, if I can remember where I put the thing. LOL As the years pass, my memory is filtering out more and more, as there's so many other things to remember nowadays. I blame passwords for filling up all my available headspace.

willow_loulou

@Frugaldom I used to make the paper logs to and found the same problem drying them. I resorted to stuffing loo rolls which are a much easier thing to do. The newspaper I use is free as I get given it and kitchen towel inners too. But of course they burn pretty quickly. 

balabooberlies

willow_loulou said:

@Frugaldom I used to make the paper logs to and found the same problem drying them. I resorted to stuffing loo rolls which are a much easier thing to do. The newspaper I use is free as I get given it and kitchen towel inners too. But of course they burn pretty quickly. 

Hello Willow

This is via another person on these boards that suggested when getting rid of paper with sensitive info, tear it up and put in a sink of water.  I did this but when retrieving it I started makings balls with the sodden mass and thought then that I could make them different sizes, different density ( if I had those roller things that they used to put washing through I'd make pancake ones) and it won't matter how long they take to dry (assuming there is space) because they will be used at some point.  I found the whole process theraputic.

bala

x

cuddlymarm

Good morning guys
It's my day off today so I’ve retired back to bed with my iPad and a nice cup of coffee. OH has taken to taking a travel cup of coffee to work, saves money and takeaway cups and ready made coffee for me 😀
i was going to venture into town to the Xmas market but storm Barra seems to be hanging on so I’ll just have a lazy day instead. Nice shower, a tiny bit of housework and then a Christmas film and my knitting. Lovely.
I’m a bit more chilled about work now they’ve finally got some more staff. Our new manager doesn’t start until after Xmas but the temp manager is lovely and getting the Xmas Rita’s organised. It’s a nuisance when you can’t plan anything.
We used to make paper knots for our open fire. Rolled up and then knotted to make a nice airy bed for the kindling. We’re all electric now which makes me feel slightly nervous about power cuts, but we’ve plenty of throws to snuggle up in and DS2 has a gas hob if we can’t cook for any length of time. 

I hope you’re all keeping well and warm frugallers. December can be a struggle with so much to do/buy.
Have a good day
Cuddles

joedenise

We had a power cut last night just as I was about to start dinner!  So got the torch and using that found everything for making dinner and was just about to go out to our motorhome to cook when the power came back on!  But at least we know that we can at least cook if we lose power in the future!  Power was only off for a few minutes fortunately but I'm so glad we keep the motorhome on the drive so that we can use it in an emergency.