2024 Frugal Living Challenge

Duchess2

@Katiehound. Well done on saving 0.08. We only saved 0.03, but was very impressed at the levels achieved by area and country. As a collective we saved enough carbon to drive a car over 8 times around the world. Quite an achievement. We may only be a small part of it but when combined it all mounts up and so little effort required.

Prudent

What a lovely way to put it @Duchess2.

fionaandphil

Great goals Frugaldom, some lovely ones in there. You have reminded me that we used to hear the owls all the time and they used to leave 'deposits' on my upstairs bedroom window - that stopped many years ago.  We still hear screech owls sometimes but building work on the neighbouring land seems to be scaring them and the bats away.  It is such a shame when development destroys local wildlife habitats.

suzeesu2000

Just done my “big” end of year shop. Used all my nectar points that have been saved through the year and am pleased with the result. By the time tomorrows shop is put away, the pantry shelves and freezers will be full. Hoping that I don’t have to look at a shop until February at the earliest and that should only be bread and milk. A no spend January, apart from d/ds, rent, CT etc is on the cards and should be totally achievable, may even make it through February as well which would be amazing and very welcome. Sold two big ticket items on eBay today which helps enormously. 

Have been doing a “reverse advent” as well. Instead of me opening an advent calendar each day, I am putting something into a box for Foodbank. We have plenty and it feels right to give something back. We have also just done a big donation of food, toys and blankets to Cats Protection which gives a warm fuzzy feeling for me too. 

Ended up posting five Christmas cards this year. Everyone else was by hand so saved a lot of postage. Still got a few to deliver. Will be glad when all the gifts are delivered and I can see my sofa again! 

Hope everyone is not stressing too much and enjoying the festive season xx

Prudent

@suzeesu2000 well done on being so organised. I love watching YouTubers who can do a monthly shop. I tell myself I don’t do because I have such a small kitchen and limited storage in the house. If I am honest I think I would still run out of things! I am going to do some shopping at 8 am this morning and again on Monday for fresh food. Increasingly I perhaps do the opposite and do little and often. I do buy food on a separate debit card and this way I can keep a careful track on the costs to avoid the temptation to overspend. I also stick to the list other than good reductions.

I must do some eBay listings, I haven’t sold anything for a long time. I am quite nervous about listing big ticket items now due to scams. I did buy a big ticket item this week. I must admit to being equally nervous. I watched the online tracking and heaved a big sigh of relief when the expected item turned up. I just need to check it is working okay. There were a few wee accessories missing and the vendor has been  quick to find them and post them. I sense that she has been equally nervous about the transaction. Ten years ago I wouldn’t have had this anxiety as I happily bought and sold on eBay then. I think I will task myself with listing some small things in the new year to restore my confidence . I do have one big ticket item that I tried to sell unsuccessfully last year. I need to explore Vinted perhaps.

fionaandphil

@suzeesu2000 well done on braving the shops to do the big shop for Christmas. I am normally organised and manage to do this early but not this year.  Hoping to squeeze it in tomorrow!

@prudent I've found Vinted really easy to use and only had one sale which was a bit more problematic, its worth a look especially if you have clothes

Wishing you all the best for the festive season

suzeesu2000

Bragging about my big shop…….comes before a fall!   Forgot carrots and Lurpak!! 

Katiehound

^^^^
I'm sure that Santa's reindeer will forgive you if he doesn't get a carrot!!!

Duchess2

Carrots, parsnips, sprouts, potatoes, red cabbage, white cabbage and broccoli all 8p today in Aldi. You all sound so organised. I think I am nearly done. Just a trip to Costco on Monday and then I can heave a sigh of relief and really get into the spirit. Literally if I’m lucky 😃 What we haven’t got by then we will do without.

Dizzycap

Hi folks!

I'm sure you all know that the cheap veggie packs are out

Lidl, Morrisons & Asda 8p a pack

Sainsburys & Tesco 15p for the same packs! 

I used my remaining Nectar points to stock up on 6 months worth of veggies all stored in a cold shed in sacks, nets & on shelves - Looks like my local fruit & veg market!  Well, my 'Totally FREE Christmas' Challenge is now complete & I've had great fun, especially as this Christmas cost NOWT .

If anyone is having a home delivery from Sainsburys, there seem to be problems with them delivering turkeys or turkey crowns and they are substituting them for large oven cook chicken breast! I went early morning 7am emergency shopping at my local Sainsburys for my neighbour who was expecting her Sainsburys Christmas Delivery this morning with the turkey & stuffing substitutions. Fortunately, I was able to get 2 large turkey crowns & all the stuffing she needed for her 2 day Christmas dinner family & friends get together. Can you imagine receiving a large oven cook chicken breast that feeds 2 when you have ordered a large turkey crown that feeds 8?