2024 Frugal Living Challenge

amber03

It took me ages to have my banking app on my phone, was convinced someone would scam it , not that there is every much money in it. Now I wouldn’t be without it. I check everyday , it’s so simple to use.x

suzeesu2000

Just bought a used book for £2 called a year of no spend……as I am massively decluttering but slowly so I can sell unwanted stuff on eBay, my mantra is becoming “no, I don’t need it” and I am hoping to stick to it. After Christmas I am tackling my craft items and hope to sell at least a third of them. Got some things to eBay this week too, just need a kick up the bum to actually get on with it. 

Have a great week all.

Dizzycap

Nelliegrace said:

A second evening of neighbours’ money going up in smoke. The bangs are loud, the dog is stressed.

Put Classic FM on medium 12-14 loudness the TV - I've used this method for 4 years running and at present I have one very relaxed snoring pouch throughout the loud bangs which seem to fit in with the Classical Music - perfect!

Started putting Classic FM on at around 6pm since Friday and no distressed pouch xxx

London_1

My DD has three dogs and they all hate the bangs and the two little ones a Westie and a Jack Russell especially get very frightened.This coming Saturday there will be a good few displays on the Island so my DD and her OH are taking the dogs for a very long hike in the afternoon to wear them out so fingers crossed they will sleep through most of it.

One of my grown up grandsons also hates the bangs and always had since a little boy, and he's 24 so he goes to the displays with his G/F but keeps his AirPods in his ears, and just enjoys the spectacle and colours

Not many more weeks left of this year, and I'm sorting out my finances so I will hopefully be spending less, and saving more come the New Year.

Its been a very expensive year what with moving house, Building renovations, and helping my grandsons out with various things ,plus of course there being no NHS dentist on the Island and having a few dental problems I hate to think how much cash I'v actually spent in 2024.The dental bill alone is eyewatering, but it will all quieten down after Christmas hopefully.

JackieO xx

TizerCat

@Prudent I've made a couple of quilts but seem to be better at collecting supplies than actually sewing! To be honest, a lot of it is recycled scraps and offcuts collected from other people or thrifted sheets, but it still adds up. My ambitions are unfortunately far bigger than the amount of time available!

@Dizzycap Your story makes me even more determined to get my finances under control and slow down sooner rather than later. ((Hugs)) to you x  Well done on the 15 months of no craft spending.... another great goal for me to aim for!

 Today was a luxurious relaxing day for me as spent the whole day at a local village hall craft group. came home to dinner cooked by OH bless him and then fell asleep for two hours whilst watching TV! :-)

Prudent

@TizerCat I remember seeing a meme of a huge pile of fabric and the caption ‘buying fabric and sewing are two different hobbies’. It can be so easy to let that stash build. I think the hardest thing is getting fabrics to ‘ work’ together in a quilt. Then the ones that don’t make the colour audition end up in boxes. I only have a basic sewing machine so just now I am focusing on lap quilts and wall hangings, fabric post cards etc. I also like to do small charity fundraiser projects. Due to fluctuating health issues and being an unpaid carer for my daughter, I can’t volunteer as I am too unreliable. Sewing has helped me find a way to ‘give back’ as I can do it when I am able.

@Dizzycap well done on the no craft spending. I am determined to be more focused next year. Thankfully due to other people destashing it hasn’t been too expensive for me. My total is in my signature. £80 of that is annual membership of a local arts centre. It is fabulous value as that includes unlimited workshops and more space to work on my own projects than I have at home. I have also met a lovely group of friends through it and we do social activities together as well as crafting. 

All those poor pets with the fireworks. My last cat was a nervous wee girl and she used to hide behind the sofa for days.@London-1 what a sensible idea to give the dogs a long walk in the day. I had classic fm on last night and had bought my cat a new toy as a distraction. In actual fact I heard nothing. I did note though that there is currently a ban on private fireworks in Scotland after some violent anti social behaviour in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I would like to see them banned. While we can do our best for our pets we can’t shield wildlife in the same way. 

Nelliegrace

Our local council leisure centre is offering membership for £20 for the rest of the year, which includes swimming, gym and classes. 
I am going for a swim and a nice hot shower shortly. We have low water pressure today while a burst pipe is being fixed in the area. 

Prudent

Nelliegrace said:

Our local council leisure centre is offering membership for £20 for the rest of the year, which includes swimming, gym and classes. 
I am going for a swim and a nice hot shower shortly. We have low water pressure today while a burst pipe is being fixed in the are. 

That is fabulous. My local council shut down the only remaining public pool after covid. The cheapest price I can find in my neighbouring council is £6.50 for one swim. I really miss swimming. I used to go to an aqua aerobics and swimming session three times a week.

TizerCat

@Prudent I think that meme was written about me  :-( When I first started sewing I was surprised at how expensive fabric was so whenever I saw a bargain I grabbed it without thinking whether I needed it or even had the time to use it.  I'm hoping to clear my stash and return to only buying for my next project and then nothing else until I've finished it. 2025 is going to be a No spend on crafts year :-)

Nelliegrace

Our leisure centre is part of the local high school so we fit around their timetable. They do the cardiac rehabilitation courses and another course for people referred with some medical problems, supervised by a physiotherapist. 

I tired Daisy Dog with a walk round the park just before it got dark, and she had her dinner. She has been listening to Radio 3 selections on my iPad, with the speakers right by to her ear as she is curled up next to me on the sofa. I can swaddle her in a rug, and give her a few small treats to eat if it gets too noisy. We have some calming spray for pets. She used to wear a thunder jacket.