2023 Frugal Living Challenge

AnimalTribe

I didn't get around to sorting the cupboard, but I've checked interest rates. No plans for today other than to put my feet up and read a book.

Frugaldom

MingVase said:

Frugaldom don't mess with gas cylinders pet, stay safe and keep yourself right. Red is propane and doesn't freeze, even in minus 12 or more. I used it for cooking for 30 years in the old house.  Also I believe the red one screws on and the blue one just clips on?

I cook and heat with cylinder gas, I promise I don't take any chances with anything but I do like conversation starters, although I'm fast going off of those having seen where they can get me. I use blue cylinders because those are all I have until such times as I can warrant the expense of buying a red bottle. 😊

Edited this to try and make myself better understood.

Frugaldom

joedenise said:

Frugaldom said:

joedenise said:

@Frugaldom - stick with the red cylinders - they are far better in winter than the blue ones.  I definitely wouldn't be swopping them over.  If you really want to you can you just need to change the pigtails.

I only have blue cylinders, no red, so my question was can I simply change the regulator from what's on it and use the oven with my blue cylinders. I think the answer is yes as I found a similar camping oven online and it's advertised as butane or propane. The caravan was propane but it's now sold. Huts are butane (for now) but I'll look into getting a red cylinder at some point. I know they stopped doing the little ones. Was just trying to save money as I already have a spare regulator, hose and butane cylinder.

@Frugaldom - You can't just use the spare regulator you have as they are different for the red and blue cylinders.  You'll need to buy/acquire a different one to use the red bottle.

I think you are mis-reading my posts - sorry that I'm unable to explain what I mean any better. I use blue cylinders on blue cylinder regulators. I simply asked if I could change over the red cylinder regulator that's on the camping cooker and switch it with a blue one, which would allow me to power the oven on butane rather than propane. The camping oven, from what I can see, is butane or propane. It is not currently in use so I may just forget it until I can warrant the expense of buying a new red cylinder. I already have both types of regulators and spare hose pipes and jubilee clips. 

Asparklierblonde

Four NSDs in a row, especially over a weekend, is always pleasing. Very grateful it’s pheasant season and we have lots in our freezer!

AnimalTribe

I've finally sorted the cupboard so that's another thing off my list. Next on my list is to check when DH and my driving licences need to be renewed, and to tackle another bookcase.

Frugaldom

Good evening to all, hope everyone is managing to stay warm and dry - it feels like the rain is never going to end here. I'm so fed up getting drenched, nothing seems to be waterproof. I think new wellies will be added to the Christmas list so give me a shout if you spot any super bargains. My last lot were bought at £6 or so a pair so I bought half a dozen pairs but I'm wearing them working outside 7 days a week so they don't last more than a few months. 

Started reading a gifted book about ultra processed foods - interesting stuff so far. Food shopping on a budget seems to be becoming more and more complicated when trying to keep down the food miles and avoid too much processed junk. I got some veggies from Olio (Tesco) - stringless beans were from Morocco and mixed veg pack was from Kenya! I also got a pack of Butteries (Iceland) and on reading the ingredients, saw no mention of butter. 

Less than 3 weeks remaining and my next year's challenge is simply to survive on as tight a budget as possible as my income hasn't recovered since lockdown. I don't want to have to touch savings except for home improvements and retirement preparations so I'll be trying my best to complete a year on less than £100 per week. I really don't think I can manage sticking to my original £4,000 a year because I have a car to run, mobile phone, internet and an ever increasing, unpaid workload. Still working on the budget.

Asparklierblonde

@Frugaldom not sure if you’ve seen my budget up thread, £9k including council tax. Would appreciate your thoughts on it if you get chance. 

I’m with you on the rain - the ground is saturated, and all I wear is waterproofs. House fires are burning overtime to keep the damp at bay! Best wishes xx

mama67

Frugaldom said:

Good evening to all, hope everyone is managing to stay warm and dry - it feels like the rain is never going to end here. I'm so fed up getting drenched, nothing seems to be waterproof. I think new wellies will be added to the Christmas list so give me a shout if you spot any super bargains. My last lot were bought at £6 or so a pair so I bought half a dozen pairs but I'm wearing them working outside 7 days a week so they don't last more than a few months. 

Started reading a gifted book about ultra processed foods - interesting stuff so far. Food shopping on a budget seems to be becoming more and more complicated when trying to keep down the food miles and avoid too much processed junk. I got some veggies from Olio (Tesco) - stringless beans were from Morocco and mixed veg pack was from Kenya! I also got a pack of Butteries (Iceland) and on reading the ingredients, saw no mention of butter. 

Less than 3 weeks remaining and my next year's challenge is simply to survive on as tight a budget as possible as my income hasn't recovered since lockdown. I don't want to have to touch savings except for home improvements and retirement preparations so I'll be trying my best to complete a year on less than £100 per week. I really don't think I can manage sticking to my original £4,000 a year because I have a car to run, mobile phone, internet and an ever increasing, unpaid workload. Still working on the budget.

What size are you in Wellies??

Frugaldom

@mama67 I'm watching out for green Dunlops in size 6. Yell if you spot any under a tenner Inc delivery. 😁

@Asparklierblonde Yes, I saw your budget post, it's a very tight food/grocery budget for a family of 4 so I wish you every success with that and the home growing.

My 2023 budget is posted and explained on page 1, so I'm working off that to get to an overall figure for 2024. My lifestyle is quite complex and rather quirky, to say the least. I don't go anywhere or do anything except Frugaldom - it's my entire life for now. 😆🐎🐈🐐

Frugaldom

This is my current budget excluding council tax and car costs. I've a lot of juggling to do to ensure all costs are met as running the sanctuary means paying for all the animal related costs with just a small percentage being met by donations. We don't have charitable status and can't claim any funding so it all has to go through my self employed tax return. 

Groceries - £800

Toiletries, laundry & cleaning products - £50

Heat & light - £1200

Telephone & broadband - £600

Mobile & Internet - £360

TV Licence - £160

Insurances - £250

Clothing & footware - £100

Gifts - £250

Christmas splurge - £100 (guilt free spending treat)

Everything else - £130

Total - £4,000.00

Council tax plus car costs probably account for a further £2,000