2022 Frugal Living Challenge

MazzieD

What a day yesterday, the end of an era. It's going to feel a bit strange for a while having a King.

Hope that something is sorted out for those on a fixed energy deal and anyone else who isn't on the SVR.

cw18

I read that energy fixes should be reduced by a corresponding amount, and that people who'd signed up to one recently shouldn't move to the SVR - or not until their new rates have been confirmed.

But I've also read that Martin is calling on providers to waive the exit fees on them, which indicates he thinks many will now be better on the SVR.

I'm waiting to see how the help for those who use heating oil and LPG stacks up - my Mother has an LPG account, so it will impact them.   I need to contact the company anyway, as when my father passed away last November they said the account has the contract reviewed every 2 years - puttung it due for renewal this month, with paperwork being sent out in August.   I checked with her yesterday and she says she's seen nothing !!!    So I need to chase that up for starters, as if they have sent something it's either not arrived or it's not been clear to her what it was....

2Scratters

During the summer I made use of the water butt for loo duties too and have seen a reduction in the water bill. At the minute we are rich in free water, I'll see how long I manage to keep this up.

AnimalTribe

Frugaldom asked "Is anyone on here fully off-grid?". I've been reading along but not posting. I am fully off-grid. Solar panels, wind turbine, generator for electricity. Gas bottles for cooking. Oil, wood burner for heating. Well for water. Septic tank for waste. Satellite broadband. BT phone line, mobile phone reception 1/4 mile away. Solar panels are great in summer, but our wind turbine is slowly failing after 20 years of service. My DH does all of the regular maintenance, as specialist engineers can be expensive, and they charge a lot for travelling time to such a remote location. I'm no expert but I'm happy to answer any questions on the forum or by PM.

zaxdog

An advantage to having the TV/radio off all day today to avoid the news was getting a load done:

Big cupboard in the new house now converted to a pantry with the addition of some garage style shelving units and a stack of ex post office boxes

Small kitchen cupboard now converted to a brewing cupboard for beer and wine

Rescue ex-racing pigeon bathed (and the tsunami of water mopped up)

Cleaned and rearranged the front room for delivery tomorrow of our armchairs (food bank on Bute sells donated furniture to raise funds so win win)

HelenaPinky

Would love to hear your updates on here @AnimalTribe - being off grid is a dream life…DH would need a lot of convincing! 

S3v3rnTrent gave me a sand timer for the shower, it says on it “Saving water is wonderful”. I haven’t worked out how long it takes but it must be approx 4-5 mins…longer for a normal shower of mine but too short for a hair wash shower, so pitched just right I think. I recommend it, it sticks to the wall

Used a suggestion from this thread (forgotten who!) to use the shower water from shower warming up to wash the car, popped a bit of washing up liquid in it yesterday and gave the car a quick wash early morning, a really good start to the day! 

Also started the September Grocery Challenge on their MSE thread, so far it feels good to be keeping receipts and being pro-actively interested in what we’re spending (and where and when!). Have heard on here about the Lid1 veg box, have never shopped there before but going to pop there to see what it’s like. My DH has always done the shopping and majority of cooking, and I will be taking on more of this now we have switched and he will be working more hours than I am. 

We’re back to school here this week and I’m celebrating a thrill from keeping DDs school shirts from 2 years ago for DS starting now. Have gone through their drawers as they won’t need as many play clothes now they’ll be in uniform 5 days a week, saves space in the drawers and also reduces the need to buy more. I’m starting the search for winter coats on Eb4y, and have also won a bid for a dress and cardigan for DD for a wedding we’re going to in October. All of her clothes are usually hand-me-downs from kind friend, so we usually take what we’re given, and we didn’t have anything wedding-appropriate in the last lot! I remember the days when I would have bought a new dress for myself for a wedding (!!!), wouldn’t dream of it now! 

Soontobeoap

Bus pass arrived this week so that will save us a bit on petrol and help me get fitter I hope.
 
Working really hard on getting the right portion sizes when cooking rice and pasta. 

Have had much better yields from veg garden than I had hoped for this year. 

Have bought more freezer containers and flat zip lock bags so that I freeze less air and can get more into freezer. 

I am filling oven when I do use it and trying to only turn it on twice a week. (still working on that one it's more like 3 or 4)
Trying not to turn on hot tap more than I have to.

All very small things but they have to make a bit of a difference don't they?

Good luck everyone. 

sunshineli

A rather frugal weekend. I have spent £7.50 all weekend and this has involved going out for coffee and getting a takeaway using vouchers, points and cashback. The takeaway left overs will also last me for 2 days of dinners. 

I also went to an art fair for a browse, and a long walk with my dog.

£7.50 for a weekend of fun is a great result for me 😊

chanie

Lots of great tips on here.  My efforts:

Making much more use of my halogen oven, air fryer and instant pot.  I haven’t used the oven for about 2 weeks (although OH still uses it).

we’ve recently had a water meter installed so I’ve started using the bath water to flush the toilet. 

My big frugal fail was blackberry picking yesterday.  They’ve all died, so I only got a handful of ripe ones.  I still have a small bag in the freezer from last year, but am very disappointed. 

basketcase

Delurking to ask a really silly question:

What's the difference between an air fryer and a halogen oven?