2008 - Live on £4000 for a full year.

Frugaldom

Sorry, I'm back again - went to post on the grocery challenge thread and then changed my mind, as I haven't bought any groceries :rotfl:

I'm aiming for at least 3 no spend days in a row to try and balance things up in the spending Vs no spending stakes. Including today's NSD, that brings it to 21 'no spends' out of a possible 45. I wanted a nice even 50% throughout the year and I'm already in catch-up mode! So, I'm refusing to spend any money on groceries for the rest of this week! I've made up a full carton of skimmed milk powder for cooking, baking and coffee/tea/hot chocolate (I normally mix it as I need it and we use fresh milk for drinks) and, for the rest of this month, I need to use up what's in the cupboards, fridge & freezer. I've plenty flour etc, so it'll need to be hm bread or nothing. Everyone in the house has been warned and there are no biscuits in the cupboards! However, I did make a huge lump of cookie dough whilst making the custard and cooked a tray of cinnamon biscuits (thank you for the recipe, whoever it was ) whilst the bread was baking. Plenty more cookie dough in the fridge.
I will, however, still be prepared to pick up any clearance stickered bargains if I see them, but that's difficult as I'm trying to stay out of the supermarket!

:rotfl: This is it! The great February clear-out in preparation for Spring ... and you all wondered why I chose the shortest month of the year for practicing minimalism and the frugal fitness club's inch loss programme. I've been so frugal and fitness conscious that I'm having a huge homemade trifle after dinner - pre-frugalism, I only afforded them on really special occasions!:rotfl:

FunBrum

NYK...I cant keep up with you...you have so many fab ideas:T

Havent done my 'billy can' but I know I slung one in the recycle bin today, so I will do a bit of bin-diving myself!:rotfl: I might find some food that I didnt realise I chucked out and then we can eat tonight!:rotfl: :rotfl: Only joking, good luck to anyone that has a freegan lifestyle. Im up for it but I cant actuallly see myself scaling the 20ft high gates that houses the bins at my local Mr.S!:eek: At 49, I'm too old!
Maybe I should checkout the other shops and supermarket:rolleyes:
My BF will definately dump me if I suggest that to him:rotfl:

Burlesque_Babe

I managed to get a big bag of spinach for 32p It's in the freezer and will do many a curry over the coming weeks, each time, squished, some poured in and then back in the freezer.

Frugaldom

FunBrum wrote: »

NYK...I cant keep up with you...you have so many fab ideas:T I like to think they pay off in the long run - wonder if there's a job that pays for each wacky idea we have???


Havent done my 'billy can' but I know I slung one in the recycle bin today, so I will do a bit of bin-diving myself!:rotfl: I might find some food that I didnt realise I chucked out and then we can eat tonight!:rotfl: :rotfl: Only joking, good luck to anyone that has a freegan lifestyle. Im up for it but I cant actuallly see myself scaling the 20ft high gates that houses the bins at my local Mr.S!:eek: At 49, I'm too old! Gives a whole new meaning to 'pensioner reductions' - and think of the publicity if a big well known supermarket ran a TV ad saying - we've lowered our prices and our fences! :rotfl:

Added in the blue bits Also wondered if they ever have 'open days' for supermarket bins

Penny2myName

Sorry but I found this sooooooooooo funny

elantan wrote: »

i noticed something about toilet roll centres good for planting can anyone expand i am planning on growing some this year and any help would be appreciated thanks ..

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

System

hopeless_spendthrift wrote: »

Jumble-Bee! :rotfl: Thank u for making me laugh sooo much! I reckon drama teachers are expected to be a little eccentric or (as in your case !) - completely batty! Hopefully no-one will bat an eye at your whacky improvisation :rotfl:

sadly i'm not even a drama teacher!!! It was a one-off workshop, i usually do employablilty/careers guidnace stuff... i may never be taken seriously again.....

I got a wee 2 day job today, helping out with a careers fair that I was going to go along to anyway! so now i will get paid to be there, yipeeee :T the milky bars are on me!!!

System

nykmedia wrote: »

:rotfl: Only problem is, I can see that in some places I am, once again, being wasteful... I should never have watched Wife Swap! It's made me think even more about every single thing that gets binned - all waste is like burning money. Heeeeeeeeelp.... my frugalism is verging on total obsession and I think I may be in need of professional help... anyone?

did you see that reality tv series a while ago where they went to live on a rubbish dump? theres an idea for you.....

or you could just shack up with uncle bulgaria.....

ps thanks for the free seed propogator thing, i was thinking about buying one when they have then in aldis next week!

System

goodness, just noticed that :money: has a rose at the top of the page...im strangely creeped out by it...

Janey51

A Tale of Woe
or
How a Frugalite Fell from Grace

Once upon a time there was a fervent Frugalite whose every waking hour was devoted to the pursuit of perfect Frugalism.
Said Frugalite plotted and schemed (and sometimes purloined) in order to follow the Frugal Code.

Virtuous Frugalite.

She regailed other members of the Frugalite Clan with tales of her careful ways. Once, she proudly boasted of the recipe for Frugal Faggots which she had found. She did not actually mention the wine in the sauce as she acquired it from reluctant Frugal Husband's wine store (in a wine rack from a charity shop)

Today, enjoying a romantic meal in a local hostelry (£10 for two), the Proud Frugalite fell to reminiscing about the wonderfully Frugal Faggots and how Frugal Husband would be able to enjoy them for many many meals as Fugal Wife had made such a large number and Frugally Frozen the spare.

Frugal Husband sighed, looked lovingly into Frugal Wife's eyes and gently murmured
"Darling Frugalite, is it alright with you if I drink the remainder of the wine for the faggots tonight? It was a Christmas present from Rich Brother in Law and cost £25 a bottle".

Sad, sad Frugalite.

Janey51

A Second Tale of Woe

Frugal Female needs wood to light the fire.
Silly husband has not provided her with any.
Frugal Female ventures into the snow in dressing gown, nightie and wellies with axe.
She does not need a big brave hero to chop wood. She is a Feminist Frugalite and totally independent.
Frugal Female surveys Frugal Husband's wood pile which he loves dearly. Frugal Husband's eyes glaze over when he talks about his wood.

Frugal Female thinks " I will be Frugal. I will only take a small piece of wood as my needs are small and I am an excellent Feminist Frugal Firelighter."

Frugal Female finds a nice piece of wood that is a pretty red colour. She chops it into neat small kindlers and marvels at how well it splits under her carefully aimed blows.

Later that night, Frugal Husband returns to his home and Frugal Female proudly tells him that she ventured into the snow, chopped (a little) piece of wood and lit a great fire to warm Darling Husband's slippers.

Darling Husband goes a little pale and proceeds (rather quickly) outside.
When he returns, he looks a little stunned.
"Darling Wife" He says through gritted teeth.
That was a piece of wood I was saving for something very special.
Solid Mahogany. £40 worth."