2023 Frugal Living Challenge

the_cross_rabbit

Frugal wins. 
1. Washing on the line was almost dry. 
2. Stew for tea and enough for lunch on Sunday. 
3. Washing machine having a rest. Encouraging everyone in the house to not put clothes in the wash unless they have physical dirt on them, theyve been sweaty or they smell. So far, so good. Usually it's on everyday, so the fact its not going on means something is working.
4. Started course that will hopefully lead to work I'm passionate about.
CRx 

Glittering_M

@nannygladys we got a dehydrator at Christmas as part of a multi cooker but we haven't used it yet. Can I please ask why you dehydrate tomatoes and spinach? I've not heard of dehydrating these before. How do you use them? As a snack like dried banana or do you rehydrate before putting in a meal or something else? I'm guessing this reduces freezer space potentially too. Once dehydrated do you know how long they keep for? Sorry for the questions, I'm curious to learn!

@the_cross_rabbit that's exciting about your course. I hope it continues to go well and leads to where you want.

patentgirl

Definitely agree prices going up and up we have always brought Yorkshire tea was horrified when I brought it last week £4.95 for 160 often used  to get extra free went right through display none! Come back told DH we will have to try different brands anyone got recommendations for cheaper brands please ? We prefer strongish tea.

jackieblack

I don’t drink tea but if my mum can’t get Yorkshire Tea she gets Sainsbury’s Red Label.  Although I believe she’s found Yorkshire Tea a bit cheaper in Home Bargains/B&M 

DiamondLil

Glittering_M said:

@nannygladys we got a dehydrator at Christmas as part of a multi cooker but we haven't used it yet. Can I please ask why you dehydrate tomatoes and spinach? I've not heard of dehydrating these before. How do you use them? As a snack like dried banana or do you rehydrate before putting in a meal or something else? I'm guessing this reduces freezer space potentially too. Once dehydrated do you know how long they keep for? Sorry for the questions, I'm curious to learn!

@the_cross_rabbit that's exciting about your course. I hope it continues to go well and leads to where you want.

I'm currently using dh'd cherry tomatoes from summer 2021; I use them in pasta sauces, stews, and just eat as they are as a snack.  Some I bottle in oil.

Same for sliced larger tomatoes. I dehydrate my home grown tomatoes, but as we have a very small garden, I also bulk buy British toms in season and dehydrate like mad...

Auntycaz

patentgirl said:

Definitely agree prices going up and up we have always brought Yorkshire tea was horrified when I brought it last week £4.95 for 160 often used  to get extra free went right through display none! Come back told DH we will have to try different brands anyone got recommendations for cheaper brands please ? We prefer strongish tea

I saw 160 pks of yorkshire tea in my local waitrose yesterday for £4 if that help
They also have 240 pk of pg tips for £3.50
Most of the prices are high but they often have some good offers

Madbat60

@patentgirl, we drink a lot of tea in our house. We have PG Tips, and I buy a big box from Aldi. I find it stronger than Yorkshire tea, and it suits our hard water down south. I do tend to brew my tea for 5 minutes as well. When we go up north, we have Yorkshire tea, suits the water better

TornErse

I am so impressed with everyone on here there are so many tips, great knowledge and ideas to steal. I’ve managed so far to keep my purse tightly shut as I am still using things up and supplementing with ‘stuff’ from the freezer, there are going to be some rather interesting meal combinations!  Fortunately, I live alone which does make it easier.    While I’ve run out of fresh milk, I do have an emergency stash in the freezer so I am going to use that meantime and try and be as 'tight' as I can during January.

And I ‘rescued’ a 4 pack of ciabatta rolls from my friend who was going to throw them out so no need to buy any bread at the moment. She asked her husband to buy some soft white rolls and he picked up the ciabatta's which she doesn’t like – too chewy apparently.  She looked a bit amused and slightly perplexed when I suggested she could make bruschetta, croutons or breadcrumbs for her freezer instead of putting them in the bin.   So, they came home with me. The only other fresh items I am out of are fresh fruit and some veggies but again, I do have enough in the freezer and I want to run the freezer down.

I too am very intrigued with the dehydrator discussion; it sounds like that could be a real food saver but I guess it depends how much they cost ?  Both to buy and to run as I am assuming they are on for a few hours ?

patentgirl

@Madbat60 and @Auntycaz thank you both.

snowbird20

3. Washing machine having a rest. Encouraging everyone in the house to not put clothes in the wash unless they have physical dirt on them, theyve been sweaty or they smell. So far, so good.
CRx 

people fail to realize that washing your clothes often is like beating them on rocks at the river.  It really destroys the fabric.