2023 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

Thank you FionaamdPhil much appreciated, it’s been a bit of a day for sure. 

I will see if the guardian is still for sale when I go to the shop in a bit - fingers crossed. 

SuperMoose

willow_loulou said:

Thank you FionaamdPhil much appreciated, it’s been a bit of a day for sure. 

I will see if the guardian is still for sale when I go to the shop in a bit - fingers crossed. 

Sorry to barge in but if you don't get a copy the article is here.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/aug/18/lavender-is-a-fragrant-low-effort-addition-to-your-garden-if-you-plant-it-correctly

willow_loulou

Thank you !! 

Topher

I find it really interesting that one aspect of leaving care services (my immediate focus - although this seems to apply to many jobs) is the 12.5 hour shifts. The care home I’m connected to is losing staff at an alarming rate, and has these ridiculously long shifts. Not just experienced and good quality employees getting out of care work entirely, but many on long term sick usually with exhaustion / stress or some way related causes. Does anybody know why, where and when 12.5 hours became a viable shift length? I know some nights can be calm in terms of direct care and monitoring of patients (although there are plenty of laundry, cleaning and preparation tasks to keep staff busy and on their feet for the full 12.5 hours), but some shifts are wall to wall emergencies being managed by minimal numbers of staff. I’m at a loss to imagine any circumstance where a 12.5 hour expectation is better than eight hours. 

KajiKita

willow_loulou said:

I figured out why I’m feeling like I am. Work. 

I went in briefly and left virtually in tears because of one dismissive person. I came home and sobbed and still feel wobbly. I’ve been pivotal in the businesses success (bosses words) and yet I’m so disregarded by some. 

I made my mind up, I am done there. No more overtime and as soon as I’m back from my holiday I’m going to start properly looking for the right alternative job.

The first step of fixing any issue is identifying it properly, so well done for that. 

It’s a good time of year to be looking for a new role - managers will be coming back from summer breaks and be ready and have the energy to fill their vacancies and get their new team members settled in before CMas. 

Remember and capture all the ‘why’ the boss said those words to you and make sure those details are concretely documented in your CV, so you can show what you have to offer and you have plenty to talk about at interviews. 😊 

(((((Willow))))))

KK

willow_loulou

Thank you KK
my CV is updated - made me a bit sad but hey ho! 

Started some more Halloween crochet to take my mind off it. I’m a pumpkin hooking queen lol 
when I’ve made a few I’m going  to make a start on the Xmas stuff. Small crochet decorations are the plan and little flowers to hold labels. 

Siebrie

This spring my rhubarb wasn't growing properly, so I bought a very small new one to be planted somewhere in my garden in full sunshine. I then got busy with other things, it was raining all the time and i never got round to it. The little rhubarb died, and it was just a little pot with black earth. It was standing a bit hidden on my terrace, behind the mint bed, and I didn't really see it. Lo and behold: it has resprouted! I have now planted it at the bottom of my garden, in front of the grape, behind the cherry tree (2.5m from each).

Frugaldom

Glad your rhubarb has survived, @Siebrie

@willow_loulou I hope you are feeling much better soon.

Frugal things here - not much to report as the car cost an arm and a leg to get a full service, some repairs, 2 new tyres and the MOT. Did manage to get a few bits and pieces from olio at the weekend and haven't needed a supermarket order this month so far. Had a nice weekend (despite the storm) with folks visiting in their campervans and motorhomes. We only charge £5 per night so we get quite a few return visitors who have become regulars. The plant stall at the road end isn't doing very well - there's just no passing trade. 

Tried opening a Monzo account - total waste of time. I obviously don't earn enough to warrant having a business account!

willow_loulou

It’s good to hear you have regular visitors @Frugaldom I would definitely be one if I were nearer. 

I am feeling better today, in control of my own destiny sort of thing. 

I’m going to watch a free panto where my son works today, will be fun to watch that and him working. 

I’ve had my electric use summery sent to me. I’ve spent £700 more on using 20 ish percent less than the previous year. Good grief. I knew it was bad but I had not realised it was THAT bad. 

I’ve been gifted a solar panel charger so hopefully will be able to charge my power bank to charge devices. Not a huge saving but it all counts right? 

Frugaldom

We've had camperesvans in over the past few days and another couple of people offering help, which is great. Our group is growing slowly, made up of lovely people who understand frugality and sharing. I did concede and buy a few bits and pieces to the tune of almost £45 but it means all the huts and the wagon have usb lights on rechargeable batteries and I finally have a new broom!

Potatoes, courgettes and runner beans all growing well now so it's not quite been a wasted year. I'm not sure what type of pepper plants have grown but there's a tiny pepper on one of the chillis and flowers appearing on the unknowns. I should pull the late rhubarb but not sure what to do with it all - is it too late to stew it and freeze it, do you think?