2022 Frugal Living Challenge

Primrose

I fear for the economy going forward.  

Even people qi know who I regard as being "comfortably off" are talking about the economies they,re making to prepare for winter expenditure.  I know outward signs of prosperity can conceal hidden debt but I  suspect people are genuinely worried about their hard earned savings being eroded by inflation
 And once you,ve retired you no longer have future earning potential to rebuild them.
For those who have no savings ai suspect life is going to get very worrying..
and our local food bank is starting to see a decline in the previous generosity of donors - s sure sign that people are scaling back on their grocery purchases. 

MazzieD

Just a quick post for anyone who shops at L*dl and takes advantage of their weekend bargains (Super Weekend).  There aren't any this week or next weekend so not sure if this is a temporary or permanent removal and a sign that they are reducing reductions generally.   Quite disappointed as have saved up to 50% on various food and products over the last few years.

cw18

Flicked over here from FB, where the last post I read was from someone trying to get confirmation that a whisper she's heard about Asda stopping their yellow lables on everything apart from sandwiches is true or not.

I know that when I worked in a supermarket it cost them quite a bit in salaries for people to do the reductions - so I guess if they can use things like Olio (or pass to foodbank type places) it may work out cheaper for them.    But not good for shoppers on tight budgets

MazzieD

@cw18 That's interesting, I don't go to As*a often but have noticed that their YS reductions aren't as generous as they used to be but that might be because I go in the morning or early afternoon!.

Wonder if this is to do with rising prices.  Noticed reports that Ald* are currently doing a trial with Too Good To Go to see if it works so might be worth keeping an eye on the app.  Still no Morri*ons here but more Grocery convenience stores and Southern Co Op have joined.  We also have Co Op stores so not sure what the difference is.

soosiejq

Hubby has decided we are going to go back to making our own wine.  We did it years ago when money was very tight but no longer have any of the equipment.  We decided to try a few car boot sales over this weekend to see if we could pick up any cheaply as looking on ebay everything seemed quite expensive or hundreds of miles away with collection only.
Anyway, we struck lucky today at a local Friday boot sale with a lovely couple who have moved house and are having a clear out.  We managed to buy a big fermenting bucket full of essential bits and pieces and a glass demijohn for £13.  If we can get a few more bits we'll be well on our way.  The seller also recommended a book which is now out of print but I managed to get "used" on Amazon with free delivery.  Wish us luck!!

Primrose

Ah those were the days when I recall every space on the kitchen worktops full of demijohns busy fermenting away,   If you,re out of practice remember how vigorous those deep red elderberry liquids  can bubble away,  More  than once we came downstairs in the morning to find the worktops resembling an abbatoire!  We made some excellent elderberry wine - just like a good claret. The only problem was it had be left for about 6 years before it had matured enough to be drinkable.

But if you need extra demijohns get them soon!   I suspect the current cost of living crisis will trigger a renewed  interest in home winemaking again.  These sorts of hobbies often revive in recessions when people have to watch their budgets tightly.

ZsaZsa

soosiejq said:

Hubby has decided we are going to go back to making our own wine.  We did it years ago when money was very tight but no longer have any of the equipment.  We decided to try a few car boot sales over this weekend to see if we could pick up any cheaply as looking on ebay everything seemed quite expensive or hundreds of miles away with collection only.
Anyway, we struck lucky today at a local Friday boot sale with a lovely couple who have moved house and are having a clear out.  We managed to buy a big fermenting bucket full of essential bits and pieces and a glass demijohn for £13.  If we can get a few more bits we'll be well on our way.  The seller also recommended a book which is now out of print but I managed to get "used" on Amazon with free delivery.  Wish us luck!!

Keep an eye on freecycle too. I’ve seen lots advertised on my local one in the past couple of weeks (tempted to give it a go but haven’t got a clue where to start. In-laws made their own in the 80s, husband’s memories of explosions are still vivid 😂)

Floss

My ex used make very good wines using expensive concentrated varietal grape juice. He made 125 bottles each of sauv blanc and cab sauv for my sons wedding. It is one of the few things I miss, a range of quality red & wine for about £1.50 and the fantastic strawberry, apple and rhubarb wines made from my allotment produce.

amber03

My dad used to make his own beer. The smell wafting from the kitchen whilst he was bottling it was not very nice to say the least for a teenager. Was great him doing it tho as we all knew what to buy him for Xmas, beer making kits.x

soosiejq

Thank you all for your encouragement and words of warning.  In the past we made wine from kits that was excellent and didn't take too long.  The ones made from berries etc always did take longer but were worth it in the end.  I can't wait to get started now.