Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

DawnW

I am a shampoo bar fan, though I haven't tried the conditioner. To be honest I don't really use it, unless you count a couple of drops of that frizz ease stuff to make it easy to comb it through after washing. That is my hair care 'regime' I am afraid

I must actually get a couple of inches trimmed off it, as it is getting very long. I hate going to the hairdressers though!

QueenJess

I seem to be doing fine with shampoo bars, but it really does depend on your hair and there are apparently different types of shampoo bars.

This https://www.sustainablylazy.com/blog/types-of-shampoo-bar-low-poo is a really good read and explains the different types of bars and what you should be looking for.

foxgloves

Greetings Resourceful Ones!
Busy productive day here today, in which I've kept 2023's theme of resourcefulness very much in mind. Activities included the following:
*Took down Christmas tree, cards, & outside decs. Saved the inner metal ring to make next December's wreath. Was gifted another festive-fragrance candle this year, so have wrapped it & packed away for next year, again to that I don't 'need' to buy one. And I've packed it into the Christmas crate this time, rather than sending Mr F up the loft with it & then it ends up getting left sitting on top of an old stereo like the last one! Lots of nice unused Christmas napkins so have packed those away with the festive crockery  - something else I now won't be tempted to buy for next time.
*Made a batch of Delia spicy chickpea burgers - one each for tonight's meal - the other 6 frozen.
*Made a start on going through the pantry as planned, but didn't get very far as kept stopping to deal with use-it-ups, which tbf, was kind of the idea. So....last of our stored homegrown apples - wrinkly but still usable - were stewed for deserts this week or can be frozen. I'm not wasting organically grown apples. Froze 50g of leftover whole candied citrus peel for next year's Christmas cake, as that's getting a bit hard to find around here now so is an ingredient I shan't need to buy. I've chopped the last little bit & put it next to the last mincemeat jar with just a little bit left as I can add both these when I next bake muffins. I have a kind of basic recipe I got from a frugal book from the library years ago which I make up in bun cases rather than humungous muffin ones, so that they are an easily freezable, not too calorific snack. Any dried or fresh fruit can be added, as long as the basic proportions are maintained. Have also made some posh muesli - found half a bag which has been ignored (because all the interesting bits tend come up to the surface & then nobody wants a bowl of dry flakes) & it's best before date was end of December. I've added to it a small amount of chopped apricots leftover from Christmas cake, chopped some of the prunes leftover from devils on horseback, a silly amount of raisins which I don't know why I even left in the bag & the last of the in-shell walnuts, which took some time as I had to crack & chop them all first. Basically a bag of use-it-ups, but I must say it looks far more appetising now & will get eaten. Last of the prunes divided up between some of our little snack boxes.
Stopped for a coffee........which is when I identified that we also have surplus milk! This is just a hangover from the festive period. I've made a rice pudding with the spare pint, which I'll pop in the oven tonight.
Right, what else?
*I've done meal plans for next week. As we had a lot of meat over Christmas, we both fancied a veggie meal this Sunday, so I'm going to make lentil roast & will serve it with the braised red cabbage I batch-cooked, carrots & home made onion gravy. The roast is nice cold the next day, so that'll be a 'cook once, eat twice'. Also put a slow cooker recipe in mid-week as want to get back to using that more for convenience & energy saving. Just got to write the planned meals on the January planner section of my new (paper) diary.
*Checked for surveys. Did one, but very thin on the ground today.
*Added 2 x £ coins to my secret tin (which isn't really secret, but I like squirrelling occasional £ coins into it & it is just for me!)
Right, that's it from Foxgloves Manor tonight. I'm off to close all the curtains & see what kind of salad I can rustle up from what we've got in. I'm thinking carrot & currant mayonnaise with sliced tomatoes & maybe onion rings? I'll see what I can find.
Stay cosy m'dears. Even though the weather isn't too cold atm, I am still enjoying having a hwb tucked up behind my back on an evening.
F x

QueenJess

@foxgloves I also find muffins too big and filling. I use normal recipes, but instead of making 12, I just pour them into 16 or 18 so they come out smaller.

Baileys_Babe

Interesting article @QueenJess I use a friendly soap bar (which was on the no-poo list) it has made such a difference I used to need to wash my hair every other day now it is weekly! I use vinegar or beer rinse once or twice a month. It took a few months for my hair only to need washing weekly, every few weeks I could leave it an extra day. If I wanted I could probably extend the time between washes further, but I'm happy with weekly. I have lots of thin, straight, undyed mid-way down my back hair, in case this affects anything. 

@foxgloves we too have had a higher number of meals containing meat over last week we do enjoy both a lentil roast and a nut roast so one will be making it onto our meal plan. I like how you have successfully dealt with lots of little bits of leftovers to make a tasty muesli. 

marionmgcars

Great to read everyone’s comments.  I’ve took my Christmas tree down and packed away the decorations.  I need to check the wrappings & gift bags for next year.  Also I never put the boxes away in attic for the next few days, as you always spot something you have missed that has to go in box.  

Seasidegal58

I've just read through your very interesting and informative new diary foxgloves and have subscribed!  I look forward to hours of happy reading in the coming months!😀

ladyholly

foxgloves I was just about to remind you to put your Christmas camndle where you can find it later this year.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning foxgloves and friends
I got a slow cooker before Xmas and have enjoyed using it for veggie casseroles. I wanted garlic bread yesterday but refused to put on my oven just for that so went without! I wasn't organised enough to put on the oven to do some batch cooking.
I have tried to reduce my plastic waste and we have a great zero waste shop in town. I am just about to run out of some spices so am going to get refills when next in town.
I've never tried shampoo bars but I only wash my hair every 4 days and I try to buy large bottles of shampoo and conditioner, i like the brand from down under
love Deni 

2Scratters

Re some of the comments on page 4 bout being honest with one's self at the beginning of a debt free journey, it also becomes humbling when that penny drops. I suppose we all need to "experience it". To those who have never fell even in the beginning I commend you. They are our own journey.
 I am grateful to find places like this with like minded people, as those who are not here yet "just don't get it!"

2 Scratters xx