Living frugally in 2025......

Justcrackingonwithit

Hi everyone @jackieblack I love that so true! So sorry I have been missing in action - this bug has really knocked me for six, I've been off work, on antibiotics and laid up in bed.....this is not me at all, I'm never poorly, never off work - so it's been a very strange couple of weeks.  Hopefully, fingers crossed and all that I'm on the other side of it now.

Hope everyone is doing okay and better than me! The only good side is I've not been out so spending has been minimal.  Although I had to pop to the local shop for milk at the weekend, I just couldn't face going to the supermarket, almost £2.00 for milk that would have been 1.45 in Aldi.  I nearly put it back and didn't buy it but I was desperate.....

Cannot wait for pay day on Friday.  I am so excited to move my money over to the CC and savings.  Not going to be as hard on myself this next month as I have found it really hard.  I know what my achilles heel is though, the supermarket and places like B&M and Home Bargains, so I really need to make a concerted effort to stay away! 

I really need to find a hobby or something to fill my time.  I'm still learning French and hoping to get out walking a bit more now I'm feeling better.  I did start knitting so I might need to do that a bit more.  If anyone has got any ideas for cheap or free things to do let me know! 

Happy Monday everyone x

kayannie

Jigsaws can be picked up cheaply in charity shops.
KA

Justcrackingonwithit

Good shout @kayannie I've done the online ones  few times and enjoyed them. 

jwil

Reading is my thing.  If your library has Borrowbox (or similar apps) you can get free books/audiobooks/newspapers/magazines or of course the physical library is great too, and they often have events on that are worth a visit.  Museums are often free.  There are loads of online courses on all sorts of topics - I mostly browse future learn and open learn, but there are many others.  Supplement your duo by reading/watching/listening to things in French (I mean to start doing this).

Justcrackingonwithit

Thanks @jwil I like to read too, and do have a few books I've got to read - I must dig them out.  I've just moved to my new house in a new area so must investigate if there's a library near by too.  I'm struggling with DUO at the minute, so I need to keep practicing!

LzzyIsGod

I enjoy knitting - I'm just not particularly brilliant at it and I can only really knit square so I do a grand line in blankets!!

There is something satisfying about using up old bits and making it into something new.

Hopefully you're on the mend soon 

kayannie

Justcrackingonwithit said:

Good shout @kayannie I've done the online ones  few times and enjoyed them. 

I didn't know about online ones, will investigate.

Cara_

Sorry that you have been ill. I think you are doing the right thing by giving yourself a little more money in February and I do think it helps to take a moment to recognise you've got off to a good start by getting through January. We have snowdrops in the garden so spring is just around the corner with the lighter nights which I think makes things seems a little easier.

Definitely check out your local library as ours has a book club and other activities plus, it's warm there on cold days.

Justcrackingonwithit

Thanks @LzzyIsGod feeling much better now, thank goodness.  Oh I'm the same with knitting, I do find it really therapeutic, but can only do scarves and squares!  
@kayannie my mum got me into them, I think there's a free app you can download and pick the number of pieces etc.
@Cara_ thank you - starting to feel much better now thankfully.  I will be so glad when pay day is here.  I think in terms of my mental health I definitely need to cut myself some slack, I know I've been poorly, and that hasn't helped but I've been really down in the dumps and felt really fed up.  Being so hard on myself with the budget hasn't helped.  I work full time, so will definitely see if the library is open at the weekend.  There's a book shop at my local coffee shop in February I was going to join, it's on after work.  The nights are definitely drawing out and it does make me feel a lot better knowing spring is round the corner. 

Sun_Addict

I’m glad you’re thinking about giving yourself some leeway with your budget. It’s like being on a diet, cut out too much and you won’t stick to it. Good to hear you’re feeling better.