2023 Frugal Living Challenge

joedenise

wort said:

@willow_loulou too late now but our council will do a 1 large free pick up per year, also we have a scrap metal van than comes around that people leave things out for. Hope that helps if you need disposal again. It’s so naughty that all these extra charges are added on.

Don't think there are many councils that do that.  Most of them charge although not as much as @QueenJess's council.  Our council was £20 last time I needed them.

The other problem for @willow_loulou is probably actually getting it outside for it to be collected.

Our dishwasher broke down recently but fortunately DH was able to get it outside.  We have a scrap man comes round most days and takes anything like that away so saves having to ask the council to pick it up.

willow_loulou

@joedenise I have wheels to move the larger items - plus my son will move it for me so I’m very lucky like that. 

I have a wonderful scrap man but he can’t deal with the chemicals in a fridge unit - you need a license - so he won’t take them. 

I checked my council - it’s more expensive than I’ve paid but it’s handy to know they do collect sofas etc. 

it better news my veg box is great and came with free tomato sauce made from excess veg.I would have liked to be prepping the veggies and getting them in the freezer, hoping they keep til Tuesday if I can’t use them.  

Frugaldom

Good afternoon to all, I hope everyone is staying safe, sane and solvent to some degree.

I'm still on a use-it-up, shop from kitccen cupboards challenge here and stretching out olio claims. For anyone with no Olio food hero nearby, if you have friends in a different area (any area) who would collect some items for you then bring them when visiing, I see no reason not to do this. Likewise, campervanners and the like travelling from place to place can change their location to reflect where they are to check for Olio listings. Rescuing food isn't restricted to your own doorstep, this waste is happening all over the UK - and overseas. Don't be scared to ask friends, colleagues or even fellow online acquaintances - they can only say no. I did have an occasion from one former friends who thought it was appalling to be requesting free food as it was like stealing from the mouths of the homeless or destitute. Even when explaining that what goes to the food heroes is whas left over after all the charities have collected the food, made no difference. Those types of friends, I can live without, it's as simple as that.

Flour and milk are at the ready for pancake making and Im sure there will be several made between now and Tuesday 21st - I've no eggs so they will all be of the ultra-frugal variety here. Sugar and lemon juice or syrup, that's the big question!

Spent an hour or so hacking out blackberry runners today - those things get everywhere and seem to root overnight all year round. Prepared a couple of pots of soil for sowing some seeds, set aside the seeds from last night's red pepper to dry those for sowing, scattered a few more mixed herb seeds along the edge of what I call the herb paddock and we've been clearing the plot where the new hut is going to be built. Is there anyone else on here follows the Scottish hutting movement?

Madbat60

Evening all
We have Olio here but it's very popular, as soon as it's listed, it's gone.  The heart I cooked went down well, so I'll buy them again.  I wasn't keen but then I really don't like offal.  We've had 2 non-spend days this weekend.  DP has some peas and sweet peas coming up in the greenhouse.  Spring is coming 😊

willow_loulou

Just managed to get a few bits on olio to pick up tomorrow from the lady I like to collect from. There are new people with lots of stuff but I know them and I’m not comfortable going to their house. 

It’s just salad and rolls but it’s tomorrows dinner sorted. 😊

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
i just thought I’d check in.
£4.50 spent on ham, bread and milk. I finally finished the Xmas cheese so needed something for lunch tomorrow and I’m aiming to make do as much as possible this month as we go on holiday on the 1st March. I will top up on bread nearer the time to fill the freezer though.
Tomorrow nights meal will be quick and cheerful as we are taking part in the BG energy saving thing between 5 30 and 6 30 and don’t get in until just before 5. So beans on toast and a couple of sausages and a nice cup of tea.

Frugaldom

@willow_loulou could you ask that the items be left outside the door or by the gate? It's a shame there's some sort of situation but I fully understand how it can so easily happen. I had a surprise Olio tonight, friends picking up for me, but there was loads of stuff listed. It irks me that we can't reqjuest on behalf of friends who don't have mobiles or even internet access, or for those without transport. I inadvertently ventured into their FB volunteers group page last week and oh, my! I quickly left again! (Supper tonight was Olio crumpets toasted with homemade jam.)

Cas

Frugaldom said:

Is there anyone else on here follows the Scottish hutting movement?

I don't follow it as such but I do regularly read the articles journalist Lesley Riddoch writes about it and how much she likes the Nordic way of life with the embracing nature and community spirit it encourages.

willow_loulou

The price of sausages 😱 just bought some to go with my olio hot dog buns for dinner. When did they get so ridiculous? 

Will pop to the butchers next week and check their prices out. 

joedenise

I buy my sausages from my local butchers @willow_loulou in bulk - I bought 24 last week and they cost me £14!  I nearly fell through the floor but have to say they are the best sausages we've ever had and far, far meatier than any of the ready made ones from the SM.  Think they work out at £3.50/lb as you only get 6 sausages to the lb!