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Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend
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We are just pulling it off/out at the moment, to reduce the "strangulation" impact. I think of it as similar to bindweed but it is a poisonous member of the cucumber genus. I believe the sap can be an irritant too. If it comes back I can paint it with SBK stump killer in a strong solution with a small paintbrush. Much more focused than spraying. I must make some up actually, as the ananthus (bears's breeches) in the veg garden is looking vibrant and green after not being treated last year. That spreads in sunshine. The bit I transferred to the shady bed (so we still had some, lol!
) is much more controlled and less vigorous! Save £12k in 2026 #2 I have banked £2870.61 so far, against a £10k target The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2026 I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026 - currently £568.34 and most of my March purchasing made
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here4 -
I’ve not come across white briony…I’ve just had to google.January spends - £587.584
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Don't encourage it, @milann....it's invasive stuff - not unattractive, but it wraps itself around everything in its path.
@Suffolk_lass - Yes, I'm doing the same. I'm thinking that if I yank out as much of the top-growth as possible, it can't photosynthesise so will hopefully weaken.
F
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!4 -
I googled it too. Interestingly the images came up with a pair of sandals from N*xt before pictures of the plant, which might say something about me 😆 Thankfully I haven’t seen it in my garden - yet!I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)4
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Hello Diary Readers,.
Was cracking on well this morning, but this afternoon seemed to disappear in the twinkling of an eye, as I had THREE phone calls from the hospital, then had to phone someone back to leave a message, as well as having to ping Mr F twice at work to check if I'd have access to the wheels. Anyway, the following stuff was achieved & I haven't spent any money:
*Sorted clean laundry & ironed only what really needed it.
*Divvied up yesterday's leftover roast chicken. Enough for 3 further meals this week plus a sandwich. Also froze a container of chunks for making chicken & mushroom supreme at some point, & froze the carcass for making stock once I have another one to go with it.
*Made a batch of BBQ sauce in the slow cooker. (From the 'I ❤️ my slow cooker' book).
*Mended some socks.
*Did Monday morning budget updates.
*Did a couple of surveys.
*Entered 3 competitions.
*Made tomorrow's packed lunch.
*Cut open a tube of moisturiser to free up the whole week's worth left inside.
Actually that's not too shabby a list now I've seen it written down. Don't know what happened to the sunshine though.
F x
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!13 -
I've just remembered I took some photos of one of my big flower borders to show you - must try & do that later.
Hello Diary Readers,
Have really just been getting on with a few tasks today so far. I had planned to water the veg too, but we have had a couple of little spells of drizzle this morning, so I am waiting to see if it produces any more useful rain before I roll the hose out.
Today's small wins:
*Had de-gunked the pond (including copious amounts of tadpole rescue) by 8.30 am - a bit of stretching activity there (albeit soggy sandalled) & also trotted down to the post box for a little steps boost.
*Ordered a book I want 2nd hand for £3.90 (free delivery), instead of the cover price of £8.99.
*Picked the first bowl of strawberries of the season. I didn't think there'd be enough for two, but I've halved them, sprinkled with a little sugar & piled them into 2 sundae glasses & there are plenty.
*Made tomorrow's packed lunch & breakfast.
*Added 3 more titles to my library wishlist.
*Made a new desk pad from A4 clean on one side scrap paper cut into 4. I just use a bulldog clip to hold the sheets together, but always have these on the go - one in the kitchen & one on my desk up in Foxgloves HQ.
*Surveys - I have a daily one to do each evening this week, so must remember to check for that later. I usually have a PA tab open when I'm using my laptop, so I can take advantage of any new surveys appearing.
*Wrapped B-in-L's main birthday present using my wrappings stash & a home-made gift-tag. Just need to add a small item before it is posted.
*Very little effort required by me for tonight's nosebag - It's jacket potato night, so I'm having tuna & sweetcorn melt on mine & Mr F is going to make man-stew. There seems to be a fair amount of stuff destined to go in this creation, so I'm sure there will also be enough to fill one of his chunky microwaveable mugs for a work lunch too.
I shall doubtless get other stuff done this afternoon too, but for now, I'm going to see if I can get those flowery photos uploaded.
Another grey chilly day here - Stupidly, I dressed for June, so am going to change into something warmer shortly.
Love F x
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!8 -
Smaller border between pond & whitebeam tree x
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!11 -
Bigger border opposite the last one, which I have packed with stuff to fill extra space created when neighbour replaced old hedge with a fence.
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!12 -
A little further up the same border.
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!11 -
Ooh, lovely pictures Foxgloves!8
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