2022 Frugal Living Challenge

nannygladys

fionaandphil -  it's OK I checked and double checked and I just get over the limit, it was something to do with serps and puts me over by about £3 weekly!!! But it's OK, I keep checking when there's ever an increase.

Thrifty_Taylor

You probably already know about this tip for going away, but there might be one person who hasn't heard it before, so here goes!
Divide the spending money you've allocated for your trip into a separate envelope for each day eg £100 for 5 days = £20 a day. If you have money left over, it can be carried over to the next day, then if one day is more expensive due to a theme park/cinema, etc, you've got a bit more to pay for it & won't be panicking that you've got no money left towards the end of your trip

wort

You may know this but you are allowed to take empty water bottles through airports , then fill them for free once through the checks. All British airports have drinking water to fill bottles also when out and about in this country you can ask for drinking water for free.

RateTartExtraordinaire

Hi All, 
Just catching up with all the tips and interesting discussions.

The water meter is one I had been considering but I think my bill is fairly low @ £24.06 over 10 months. Though it'll probably go up in April. We are two people living in a 2 bed house, so we might gain if you use the bedroom to people ratio as a judge. I did enquire about it once but no one every came back to me and I forgot to pursue it. Interested to hear that the charge for drainage and sewage makes up the majority of the billed amount. 

Frugal things done in the last couple of weeks have been batch cooking and using OLIO. I agree about the reheated batch cook. I don't have a microwave so have to reheat in a pan. It just doesn't taste as good as freshly done but not so bad that I would stop doing it. I love that it is so quick on the nights I don't have to cook it.
From OLIO I look out for fruit and vegetables, so far I've had some nectarines, tangerines, parsnips and an aubergine. From the 6 parsnips I made a parsnip and carrot soup which lasted a couple of lunches and a parsnip and sweet potato bake with cheese. I was surprised how nice they both were as I was never a parsnip fan before. Now I know how tasty they are mixed with other veg I will definitely be buying them more. The aubergine was past it so I made babaganoush, my first attempt wasn't too bad and did for a spread on toast.

I also saved money by physically going to the supermarket with a list (I was ruthless) and then replacing items from my list with those with a yellow sticker on. 

Also I'm considering a bank switch this month which would get me £130 cashback. I'm such a ratetart that there are hardly any banks I've not been with! So I was pleased to see there was one I qualified for

I've been selling lots online. I make about £30 a month selling books and gadgets that I don't use anymore. I've not had much luck selling clothes. I donate a lot of clothes earlier in the year and I try to buy good quality bits only or use charity shops.

Work has been a bit hit and miss. Some gains and some losses which I hope will balance out over the month. 

Unfrugal things done...I booked a holiday! October 5 days in Iceland...I was tempted by the January discount they were offering and some travel buddies that persuaded me to live a little.

I've paid the deposit for the holiday and I will need to budget for the final payment in July. I will definitely be using the tip of daily amounts in envelopes for spending money as it is quite pricey in Iceland! 

babs_103

Well I have started my frugal journey, I cannot do as much as you experts tho! but I will do what I can. Made a soup from some on the turn veg in the fridge and added some harriot beans I cooked earlier, it was ok but needed a lot of pepper, I will try that again. I put the washing on an extra spin instead of the tumble dryer (which never got things completely dry anyway) I have put them on an airer in the bathroom with the window slightly open, they did not turn out as dry as I'd hoped but will see what happens. If that does not work I am stumped. Someone kind person suggested a laundrette but I have none near me and no car. Bus prices are through  the roof and I cannot afford those.
My fridge, freezer and cupboards are almost full, and I have a meat order coming on Wednesday, then I should not have to food shop for at least a month although running out of things like potatoes may be a problem. Milk is ok as I have a lovely and very local milkman. Wish me luck!!

willow_loulou

Hello 👋 I have spent the morning arguing with pea netting over the chickens area. I’ve had to move them to give them a bit more space. It’s not ideal but hopefully will last long enough for me to get the barrier netting I’ve bought up. I need nails etc which I just don’t have. I may be able to get it on a wooden frame you see that’s the plan.  But I had pea net to hand and it’s saved me spending on things I’m not sure about getting. 

Debsnewbudget

babs_103 said:

Well I have started my frugal journey, I cannot do as much as you experts tho! but I will do what I can. Made a soup from some on the turn veg in the fridge and added some harriot beans I cooked earlier, it was ok but needed a lot of pepper, I will try that again. I put the washing on an extra spin instead of the tumble dryer (which never got things completely dry anyway) I have put them on an airer in the bathroom with the window slightly open, they did not turn out as dry as I'd hoped but will see what happens. If that does not work I am stumped. Someone kind person suggested a laundrette but I have none near me and no car. Bus prices are through  the roof and I cannot afford those.
My fridge, freezer and cupboards are almost full, and I have a meat order coming on Wednesday, then I should not have to food shop for at least a month although running out of things like potatoes may be a problem. Milk is ok as I have a lovely and very local milkman. Wish me luck!!

If you can get a dehumidifier, that works wonders when placed next to an airer

babs_103

I have  small one that has a blue block thingy in it @Debsnewbudget , I have  set that up and shut the window as  it is much too cold for me otherwise. Will give that a go.

pelirocco

Thrifty_Taylor said:

You probably already know about this tip for going away, but there might be one person who hasn't heard it before, so here goes!
Divide the spending money you've allocated for your trip into a separate envelope for each day eg £100 for 5 days = £20 a day. If you have money left over, it can be carried over to the next day, then if one day is more expensive due to a theme park/cinema, etc, you've got a bit more to pay for it & won't be panicking that you've got no money left towards the end of your trip

When we used to take the kids away I always did this

Sweetlittledaydreams

I hope everyone's either having a lovely valentines or enjoying the fact that they've not had to spend money on roses or chocolates if you're single  😆  it's my first time being single in quite a few years so I really wasn't looking forward to it, but do you know what, I feel ok!  
I am so close to being completely debt free and I can't wait. It seems like time is going slower between pay days now that my target is getting nearer, either that or I'm just getting impatient.
I'm going to try not to do a food shop this week, the fridge is pretty empty but there are tins in the cupboard, so I think this could be a free food week. The only thing I may need to get is eggs, but only once I've done enough surveys to cover them. 
Then it will be pay day at the end of the week so I'll put some into premium bonds ... because I'm always convinced I'm going to win the million! Then I'll start to total up February's income and outgoings ready for the end of the month. 
Did have a bit of a spend the other day, had 2 friends round for a takeaway and they did offer to pay for theirs but they're my friends and I wanted to treat them. I paid for us all, but I  really value them, one is a good friend having a hard time and the other is almost like a mother figure to me so it's money we'll spent in my eyes. And if I don't do a food shop this week then it all balances out anyway.
Getting back into the fitness again, if I'm swimming or gyming then I'm not spending money.
Can't believe how tired I am yet I can't fall asleep, went to bed at half 8 but can't relax enough to sleep so im back up again, eating chocolate i got off olio the other day and not looking forward to another 5am start tomorrow but oh well.
Night everyone.