Struggling along as best I can

nannygladys

Toonie - it makes me despair when I read of people getting rid of all their plastic to replace it with glass etc, why don't they just keep using the plastic and save the money, the plastic will still go in landfill/recycling at a much later date and then they can buy glass or whatever. Someone I knew replaced all her containers, lunch boxes etc with sustainable and then thought she was saving the planet! 
I have plastic from years ago, that will probably outlive me and as long as I'm not buying anymore I'm being frugal and sustainable (in my way of thinking anyway, you don't have to agree!!)
I knit and sew and wool and material are definitely not cheap, and I've read that cotton material uses gallons of water in the making process, sometimes we can't do right for doing wrong! Sorry rant over.

Anyway I've had a good, no money spent as I've been on my usual grandma duties and dgs is still poorly and feeling sorry fir himself, so slept on my lap all morning, whilst u had to watch cbeebies as I didn't want to disturb him and I couldn't reach the remote. his nappy also leaked and I was left with very wet trousers!!!! Bless

That's about it really, I'm off to bed I never sleep very well the night before I go to dds, I think I'm afraid of not waking up!! This morning there was an accident on the dual carriage way, a few cars in front of me, there were police and ambulances in attendance, I haven't heard if there were casualties but the car was in a right mess, so I hope they were all OK. It took a quite a time to reopen and although I had a flask of coffee I didn't dare drink any in case I needed the loo, but at least I did get going eventually which is more than the poor people in the car did, of which I was very grateful.
Nannyg

WinterWarrior

I agree about the reusing. Using things until they fall to bits is the way to go. And sometimes I think new plastic is the right way to go if it’s going to last out any other alternatives by years. 

I’m glad you survived a CBeebies marathon (I hope Shawn the sheep was on).

poppy811

Completely agree with not throwing out and replacing unnecessarily, defeats the object!

nannygladys

WinterWarrior - Shaun the sheep wasn't on but Timmy was!! I think it's Mr Tumble that I find the most boring, but when dgs is awake and well, he loves it

poppy811 - I did try to explain in a very nice way before they got rid of it all, but I think insta persuaded her with pretty bamboo and glassware

I had to go out first thing, then I went to the food hub and managed to pick a few bits up, mostly cereals that will last me months

My kindle is about to give up so I'll put it on charge and may be back later
Nannyg

nannygladys

Just back to finish today off. 
It's been pay day for me, so money has been moved into the right pots. I've increased my annual bill pot by another £10 to accommodate any increases, I worked out last year's annual bills and I have quite a bit of money left over so I've left it the account so only increased it by £10 a month.
The money I had leftover in my purse has been put by to pay the window cleaner as he only accepts cash and the rest has gone into another jar for unexpected cash payments! I will update my canopy fund shortly.
Nannyg

nannygladys

Been busy this morning. Dgd arrived quite early today, so I dragged her off to the food hub and got a few a bits from there, even some gluten free bread and biscuits for dd3s partner, whose celiac(?spelling), came home and put it all away and then went to the community pantry and spent £5.50 there, then we called in tesco on way home and I bought milk, coffee etc and spent £9.59! I felt really strange going in to the sm as I haven't been spending in one for a little while! 

Just before New Year dd3 used my tesco club card when buying a few goodies for New year's eve (she hasn't got one) and then forgot to use it!! So I thought I would have the points put on it as I still have the receipt, and I got back £1.50 as there was money off a couple of things, so I will have to transfer the money to her, it'll be a nice surprise!!

Had lunch, a portion of the courgette soup and some bread and I'm just wondering what I can cook for tea, it may well be a spag bol, as I know dgd likes that.

Well off to have a root though the cupboards for spaghetti.
Nannyg

nannygladys

Up early to get dgd off to her volunteering job, she really enjoys it and as she is 17yrs and at college it's giving her some experience of the real world! 

I nipped down to the hub and managed to get quite a bit of fruit and veggies, they don't seem to have had much this week so it was good. I got, kale, spinach, lettuce, swede etc, also got some more gf bread and crumpets, and then shared some stuff with other dd. So Im OK now until next week!

I had the rest of the courgette soup for lunch and I will have LO spag bol sauce on a jacket potato for tea. Not sure about tomorrow yet I will have to sort through the fridge I think, as I don't want to be throwing anything away!

I'm doing the no spend January this year and although I don't spend much on fripperies I just keep seeing things!!! So far I have managed not to spend, but it's harder than I thought it would be, but it's OK because I have made myself walk past and not go into shops!!!! My heads full of things I could be doing or going to, there's been some local artisan markets and I have managed to avoid them as I know I would be tempted. I think February I will have to be careful or I'll be buying anything and everything  I'll have to work on another challenge of some sort.

I have heard of a 'scrap store' the other side of the city and apparently they sell paint for next to nothing, so, I'm wondering whether to see if they have any to brighten my bathroom up, they sell paint for decorating and crafting as well as material and most crafting stuff, but I will have to be careful other wise I'll come out with all sorts having just typed that I'm not sure I'm ready to be tempted!! Perhaps next month ....

Right off to the kitchen to find a potato, I put it in the microwave first and then finish it off in the halogen, so it goes fluffy inside followed by some frozen fruit that I had to take out of the freezer when playing Tetris in there earlier!!!

Nannyg

Sunshine_girl2

We have a scrap store run by a charity maybe it's run by the same charity the one near you. I have been to the scrap store and was pleasantly surprised by the things they had . 

nannygladys

Sunshine_girl2 - this 'no spend January'  is really getting in the way of my spending!!!!

Had tea so that's the spag bol all gone. I'll really have to get my thinking head on tomorrow to come up with something interesting with all the veggies. I'm getting a bit fed up with stew type dishes but I have some books to look through as well as the recipes on the grocery challange page, and I also need to use a few bits out of the freezer as well. At least I have food.
Nannyg

Sun_Addict

Can recommend Thrifty Lesley for cheap meal ideas. Either through Facebook or her website. I think she is an ex MSE member.