2023 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

obscuredbyclouds said:

Hello all, are you ok if I join in?

Welcome aboard

willow_loulou

cw18 said:

obscuredbyclouds said:

Hello all, are you ok if I join in?

Welcome aboard

Welcome

Pennypincin

Can I join please.

obscuredbyclouds

@cw18 @willow_loulou thank you , just going through everything at the moment and looked at the finances. We’ve only got £200 for shopping next month (that’s if nothing comes up), so I’m going to be trying for the cheapest shops ever.

How does everyone manage a store cupboard? I tend to buy extra when it’s on sale but as soon as whatever money I have for shopping gets drastically reduced, I’ll eat out of the store cupboard but it never last long and then I have to pay more to get it back up again if that makes sense.

Also, does anyone here have hobbies? I love to do most things with fiber (knitting, spinning, crochet, cross stitch etc) and moved away from acrylic, apart from in blankets. I’ve managed to drastically cut down my spending by focusing on British wool only (with the odd addition, but usually because it’s cheap wool e.g. drops), and only buying with a project in mind but I still get the itch if that makes sense.

Sorry if the above has already been replied to in the thread just working my way through.

obc x

Florenceem

I have hobbies - I sew, knit, do crochet and make cards. I set myself a yearly budget for 2023 - first time and already doubled it!

willow_loulou

Pennypincin said:

Can I join please.

Welcome

willow_loulou

With my stores I include something every shop until in need to use them and of course stock rotate. So each shop I’ll buy an extra tin/packet or if there’s an offer on something I’ll use I’ll buy 2. 

I also look constantly for deals, Amazon has the Idaho instant mash at £1 a pack when you buy 12 over £1:30-£1:50 individually so I’d buy 12. They also do subscribe and save so you can get extra   Discount. 

With the exception of bread milk and butter I’ll brand swap for on offers and if it’s a great product I’ll nip back and get extra to freeze/store
 I grow micro green (just started these and yum) lettuce and herbs all year round and have started dehydrating things to store longer
 The most important store advice is only but what you will always use and things that can stretch a meal. Curry/korma sauce & tin veg is a great meal with no effort and lower cost compared to meat

Oh and meal plan! 

I do craft, but it’s as separate budget, I get hobby craft birthday voucher email and pick up stuff second hand. £land yarn is great for small project’s and stitch practice

sunshineli

Do you mind if I join? I was doing quite well being frugal at the start of this year but slipped up a bit over the past few months. I really want (need) to get back into it now. I currently work full time but I have various chronic illnesses meaning I doubt I will be able to continue with this forever. My main goal at the moment is to pain down the mortgage as much as possible so I can eventually afford to reduce my hours at work. I’ve been reading this thread since the beginning of the year and I’m really inspired by all of you

maryb

Lovely to see so many people coming forward.

Soontobeoap

I have hobbies. Trying to stick to a budget and have found that when I want to try new things I ask for kits as gifts. People are always asking me what i would like so this year I decided to name a new craft i would like to try. I have a rug hook cushion, some oorcelein paints and some canvases for art already stored up for this winter. However budget has been blown a bit since starting a craft group and gathering stocks for group work.