2022 Frugal Living Challenge

ladyholly

I am in awe of your achievements. I have had a quick look at your website but sadly you are a long way from us.

kiloranbay

Re: necessities/essentials for standard of living, people's opinions are canvassed in the "Family Resources Study"; an ongoing national survey dealing with the cost of living which is commissioned by the DWP. In England the survey this year (a random sampling of households) covered whether smartphones and internet are considered necessary. So we'll be able to see the same data as the government when those results are published!

The survey also asked about whether people should be able to afford household contents insurance, separate bedrooms for each child over 10, school trips, winter coats, emergency expenses, three meals a day, replacing worn out furniture, visiting family, and more. I think the wording was "be able to afford", so didn't rule out choosing to live without those things (or finding ways of having them without spending anything). 

kiloranbay

Congrats to your grandson @London_1 !

2Scratters

My frugal living at the moment is hampered at the moment with the low temperatures as our water butt is unprotected from this element. Rookie error and I was away as the frost kicked  in. The fire is on a working quite well and the bungalow has great balance of heat around it especially if it gets backed up from us using the gas cooker. As DH is recovering from surgery last week the CH temp is set at 16.5 just as a back up if it dips during the day, it gets turned off at night time. 

2 Scratters xx

Soontobeoap

It is so cold here (snowing earlier) so we have had to have heating on for short bursts through tbe day. However as members of our local community club (£15.00 a year) we are taking part in as many activities as we can up there. Most of them charge £1.00 voluntary contribution so much cheaper than using our own heating. Singing tomorrow morning, will get busy with a bit of housework in afternoon and wont need to put it on until evening when we will do half an hour boost and then snuggle up under blankets with another boost just before bed  to warm duvet on a radiator. We have to wait another 5 months until next bill so it is quite scary. Good thing is we did manage October and November without using it at all. 

Primrose

For anybody at home struggling with heating cost concerns it's worth going onto your local council website and checking whether they have any Warm Public Spaces allocated where you can go during the daytime to stay warm for a few hours..  Our council is listing places like the local library, the parish hall, and certain church halls.     I don't think there will be many places available in the evening unless your local pub has a cracking log fire.  It's a bit hard to make a glass of orange juice last all evening, no matter how slowly you sip it !   Probably the cheapest evening heating is being in bed under ample warm covers with a hot water bottle.  

Siebrie

Please keep in mind not to have open fires without proper ventilation! There have been several deaths due to CO poisoning in Belgium already this season. One family lit a charcoal barbecue inside to heat their home

Auntycaz

@Laura_Elsewhere warned about burning charcoal indoors earlier in the year but it's better it to be posted twice than not at all.

Primrose

Yes, I think people are going to be resorting to all kinds of desperate measures as winter progresses and heating/cooking prices become more pressurised. 

London_1

kiloranbay said:

Congrats to your grandson @London_1 !

Just had a WhatsApp with my eldest grandson Danny in New York they have got the gender of their first born, and its going to be a little girl and I am so pleased for them both. I know my daughter will be over the moon .He is just facetiming her now to tell her and his Dad.Its her first grandchild and I know she is so looking forward to being a Nanny
Certainly brightened up my day today 

JackieO xx