2021 Frugal Living Challenge

evuka

thriftylynny said:

Really enjoying this thread & tips ! Been trying to set up the olio app & my samsung won't let me do it , just realised it might only work on apple devices ,is that right?

Haven't checked all posts so it might have been replied. I used to have the app on Android and it worked fine for me. It was a few years ago so there could have been changes?

Viking_mfw

Mine's an Android Samsung and it works fine on mine. 

Shopaholic_no_more

Wow it is a busy thread today!
just got in from work so catching up.....
@MandM90 yes as others have said cross stitch is a good one to start with. Also, punch needle kits are very popular at the moment as are felt kits. There are so many different types of cross stitch kits out there though....you could make cushion covers or draught excluder covers...these are great. I’m going to have a go at one of those myself!
I have just acquired a sewing machine so my aim is to get on the YouTube tutorials and learn how to make my own clothes....more as a sustainability thing than a cost effective thing though tbh ....although I am hoping it will save me money in the long run too! 
A friend of mine bought me two sewing patterns to make summer tops for Xmas so no excuse now lol. 

NSD day for me today yay 🙌

Frugalistamama

MandM90 said:

O_Laney what would you recommend as an easy craft to get into? I've ordered a journal to start bullet journalling. I used to sew a lot but it's so hard to get everything out and put it away again. We only really have the dining table here, and I have 10 month old breastfed baby so finding time and space is hard. We are moving to a 5 bed soon with a few reception areas I could steal for sewing, yay.


I also recommend cross stitch. Easy to learn, you can pick up and put down, very meditative. You don't need lots of fancy stuff just some embroidery thread and some aida material and embroidery needle. Start with simple patterns off the internet or get a cross stitch magazine. I've made cards and bookmarks for the kids. I must get going with that again. So therapeutic X

Frugalistamama

Need some frugal advice.  I've got some thick salted caramel cream the type that goes on mince pie. Its not open but will expire soon. What can i do with it? Can i freeze in an ice cube tray and use in hot chocolate? That's all i can think of. X

StrawberrySuze

thriftylynny said:

Really enjoying this thread & tips ! Been trying to set up the olio app & my samsung won't let me do it , just realised it might only work on apple devices ,is that right?

I have it on a Samsung Galaxy tablet and a Nokia 7.2 android phone 🙂

MandM90

I'm excited to order a new craft next month, woohoo! I think my journal will arrive today so that'll be something to be getting on with.
NSD yesterday, yay!
I sliced and froze the lemons last night, thanks to whoever reminded me of that. Last night we did HM deep fried chips and some vegan nuggets and beans. All agreed it was nicer than takeaway (not least as it's hot). I also managed to peel and chop spuds for lunch today. I think I'll have to pop to the supermarket later, I last went on Thursday last week and we've run out of loads of stuff...plus I really fancy a bottle of wine! 

3secondmemory

MandM90 said:

I'm excited to order a new craft next month, woohoo! I think my journal will arrive today so that'll be something to be getting on with.
NSD yesterday, yay!
I sliced and froze the lemons last night, thanks to whoever reminded me of that. Last night we did HM deep fried chips and some vegan nuggets and beans. All agreed it was nicer than takeaway (not least as it's hot). I also managed to peel and chop spuds for lunch today. I think I'll have to pop to the supermarket later, I last went on Thursday last week and we've run out of loads of stuff...plus I really fancy a bottle of wine! 

Never has a glass of vino sounded so good 😋

Bluegreen143

Wow this thread is busy!!

I’ve been a bit preoccupied the last couple of days as I’ve got an unsolicited potential job offer from an old manager - I’ve been a stay at home mum for 3 years and had no intention of looking for work for another two years so it’s a huge surprise. It’s a promotion on my old role, a really good pay rise (£28-34k salary range and my old job I was on £21/22k) and it solves the problem of how to get back into work - I had thought I was fast becoming unemployable and had anticipated needing to retrain. The actual work is enjoyable enough but I dislike the politics and stress that I had to deal with last time. However if I did it for a year (it’s a 1y fixed contract) I would be really well placed to job hunt next year and or it may get extended. They were ideally looking for someone to work full time but I’ve negotiated a 24/25 hour week (working roughly 8.30-3 four days a week) so I could still pick my son up from nursery school. But I’d need to get a childminder for my 2yo who I’ve always cared for myself, though my MIL may do one day a week to help out. 

Red and I have agreed I’m probably going to take it (I need to do an “informal” interview with my old manager so there is always the chance either side may change their mind based on what we discuss). It’s worth trying as we have agreed to still live frugally, use a bit of the salary towards some kind of holiday (probably in Scotland in a caravan) and save the rest. It would mean within 3/4 months I’d have a £2k emergency fund and be able to start seriously overpaying the mortgage. We could at least double our payment. Given they have agreed to the reduced hours and the job is going to be home based I think we can achieve a reasonable work-life balance, and as we know we can afford to live on one income then I can choose to leave if it doesn’t work out.

mumtoomany

Hi, @Frugalistamama. The cream will probably keep a few days after its use by date while unopened. Double cream can be whipped and then frozen, I often do this,when i get it reduced, and then add it to soup etc. maybe don't put yours in soup though! Could you put it on trifle or in cakes of you make them. Or buy some more mince pies. Ha ha, mumtoomany.