2022 Frugal Living Challenge

zafiro1984

I'm another one still wearing masks in shops. I find it's an age thing, most people of 'mature' years are still wearing them. You are right treasurequeen about no one is sanitising hands or trollies anymore - me included, but I have a pump sanitiser in the door of the car and always clean my hands before I get in the car. It's just become second nature. 

Cleaned the utility room today. I call it a utility room but its more of an 'Everything Room'. Washer/dryer/hoover/ mop bucket/ brushes, all my cleaning stuff, All my craft things, there a space for me to start off my veg seedling, All my egg things related to the hens, Candler, weigh machine, dishwasher for the trays plus the egg boxes etc.
I moved everything that shouldn't have been in there, books, shoes, loo rolls, DH's remnants of paint pots, also any of his tools that have grown legs and walked from his workshop.
DH's comment was why are you cleaning, it's not spring yet. - answer I'm fed up of living in a mess.

I mustn't moan too much because on the frugal front he has reduced the electric usage in the farm building by almost 40% by just turning down the temperature and reducing the time the automatic lights are used. Hopefully I won't have to increase the STO

Bluegreen143

Not been great on the frugal front this week, we sadly had to have our cat put to sleep yesterday and we were down about it so got a takeaway. And 6yo Monkey was ill today so I let DH go shopping on his way home instead of me going as planned, so he spent way more than I would have 😅 never mind, these things happened. We are meant to be going to a friend’s for a takeaway & drinks tomorrow which has been long awaited (first time our 3yo is meant to be staying away from us ever, they are meant to be going to my mum’s!) and that will be spendy, but if Monkey isn’t feeling better tomorrow we’ll have to cancel so that will offset the pricey shopping today I guess. 

We are still masked in Scotland but I think it will change to voluntary later this month.

ladyholly

I always wear a mask when going into shops but on odd occasions I have had to remove it as I get very breathless. Recently been prescribed an inhaler which I hope will help. I do alway sanitise trolley handles and my hands because I travel by bus.

weenancyinAmerica

Bluegreen143 - sorry to hear about your cat. I still ache when I think about the two I had to put to sleep just a few years ago. It has been less than a year since I also had to put my dog to sleep. It is hard, but I know it was better for them. They were suffering. It was for the best - but it sometimes hurts inside still.

Zafiro1984 - on our news the other day, they said the 2nd of March is the scientific start of Spring. Our cats have already moved to daylight savings time in asking for food. Tell him you are just going with science - and to look out for decluttering to ramp up.
 

nannygladys

I mainly use the same two sms and they both still have hand sanitizer and spray for the trolleys, but last week I was near a Mossers so shopped there and there was none at all! Luckily I carry hand sanitizer in my handbag and the first thing I do since it all started is wash my hands when I come in, I don't sing happy birthday though  

Still trying my hardest to be frugal, but was surprised when I put fuel in the car, my half tank cost as much as a full one did not so long ago, so I will watching how much I use the car.
Nannyg

Ellie79

Morning, yes another still masking up here. OH is on the compromised list (very glad he managed to avoid it when I caught it at Christmas!). Still a few people masking up - mainly in bigger supermarkets.

I made £225 this week - tax rebate and bank switch incentive - straight in the savings it went. I keep looking at my savings amount this month (I skimmed just over 10% off my wages when I was paid) and added in a few bits from those apps, my bank account, and some loose change round-ups and I am feeling very enamored with what I managed. I just need to manage to keep that 10% in savings and not need to dip into it.

I have spent some money this month - owed DD1 some money for collecting some books for DD2, was ordering some clothes for DD2 (who is already out of the Christmas clothes due to growth spurt) so added a new pair of shoes for her at her behest. DD2 is currently reading everything in sight and asked for two just-released books, which I was happy to get her - she normally raids the charity shop but her tastes are more refined now and books to me are hugely important (especially now when we need somewhere to escape to!). 

The shopping bill is reducing well, OH seems to be on board a lot more, which is excellent news. We are having a bit of a treat tonight, an old-fashioned 'nice wine, some music, and a dance around/games' night. We will split the cost from our own budgets.  Needed a plan to let off steam, I find the state of the world very upsetting and I have struggled this week.  

I also negotiated (and budgeted for) taking DD for some cheap spending in Town today when we hit the match, instead of buying junk food from any of the fast-food places. Cups of tea, for halftime, will be in the hot flasks I bought pre-Xmas for this reason. I have some chocolate bars hidden and there are plenty of snacks to take, too. Just waiting for the shopping to be delivered and tea can go in the slow cooker for our return (thus heading off our "we could just order in" mentality). I know this is an expense I can reduce but I do look at it in terms of my time and sanity, I can afford the delivery pass and it saves me money when I don't have to 'budget' in that time on top of my job and other essential life things. I am technically a full-time carer for OH, along with a 45-50 hour work week and family responsibilities, so small wins like that really help me and I can keep on top of things much more calmly! 

I hope everyone has a safe and restful weekend, with covid symptoms abating and other life trickeries behaving. Take care all.  

patentgirl

Sorry to hear about your cat @Bluegreen143 big hugs.
Another win on premium bonds Only £25 but 3rd month running so super happy there is no way we would have that amount interest on our savings.

gran3

Ellie79 , you can get all the new releases from your library on line using Borrow Box. I use it loads and if the book you want is out you can reserve it. All free.

mumtoomany

Hi all, round up for February.
Spent:- Bills £234.81, Total for year £511.01/£3600
             Car £133.22, Two lots of diesel plus parts to fix oil leak. Year £203.79/£1200
             Animals £51.77 Year £76.65 Year £101.53/£600
             Savings £110, Year £220/£1320
             Clothes/mobile/entertainment £0 Year £29.95/£480

Other stuff: Buttons £8.36, seeds £7.24, more screws for the barn roof £13.60, car parking £1.80, files to sharpen chainsaw £3.80, Sweets OH, £10 Total £44.80.
Total of extra income £407.
 
A good month again. March will not be so good! DD3 has crashed her car. She's fine, just shaken up, but the car has been written off by the insurance company. So much for putting a new engine in in January! We have bought her another, she can't get to work without, unless we take her, and insured/taxed it. Once the insurance pay out we'll know how much this has cost us.

Hugs to all, off to update my signature, mumtoomany.xx

mumtoomany

Forgot to add food and how much extra income we received.
Extra income for the month was £407
Food for February was £187.99 Year £353.16/£2640

Condolences to Bluegreen on the loss of your cat.

Hugs, mumtoomany.xx