Living frugally in 2025......

Justcrackingonwithit

@I_Love_comps I just round the change up and transfer it myself. Sometimes it’s just pence sometimes I’ll round it up to a pound or two. I like seeing the nice neat numbers!

@Cara_ I’m usually a bit gung ho, rush in and do things in a mad dash without thinking it through. I’m really taking my time with it, so hopefully it looks ok. To be fair they don’t look great now so anything should be an improvement!

I’ve just made soup with the cheap veg from Aldi, broccoli and Stilton, carrot and coriander and lentil and potato. Plenty to last me a while, and healthy too. I just need to swerve the mince pies!

@lilian1977 the wine witch, she’s just the worst. I bought a couple of bottles when I went shopping, I resisted last night and hoping to do the same tonight…..

@Chieveley oh I’ve not heard of that or the app, I’ll take a look. I’ve seen lots of people talking about the too good to go bags, but I’ve not got one yet. I’m right there for bread and pasties, my weakness!!

Justcrackingonwithit

Evening everyone, hope everyone is staying safe in the winds, it’s been gale force near me. 

So, pretty good day budget wise. I went to my friends for coffee so avoided going out, nicer in the comfort of her house and we had a lovely catch up. Nipped to the shops and just spent a couple of pounds so well within the budget I’d set myself.

Had a productive afternoon and made soup with the cheap Aldi veg I got, will freeze that when it’s cooled. Was going to make some lentil dhal but will do that another time.

All cosy and  snuggled up on the settee, just had a coffee and a mince pie. 

Have a lovely evening x

Honeysucklelou2

Love soup in winter…just a great comfort food, healthy and cheap to produce. Easy to freeze too. 

Justcrackingonwithit

@Honeysucklelou2 me too, I’m looking forward to soup and sandwiches. I’ve got lots of YS bread in the freezer. I live on my own so although I love to cook, I don’t make the effort for myself much, so these will be cheap but nutritious meals. 

Justcrackingonwithit

Evening all, goodness round to Sunday night already.....how did that happen?!  

So, I started my day in a productive way and have painted the wardrobe doors, they've been given 3 coats and I have so say look pretty good - I'm really quite chuffed with myself.  Hope they look as good in natural light tomorrow!

Made a big pan of lentil dhal.  I think I added too much salt, I didn't put enough in last time, and think I went the other way, so ended up putting more lentils and water in to try and make it less salty.  It was on the stove for almost an hour, then I was panicking about how much electricity that might have used......So with that and the soups I made yesterday I think I'll have got 14 portions of food.  I've got bits in the freezer too, so definitely won't need to supermarket shop for a while.  

Right, not much else to report, so think I'll head off to bed and snuggle down for the evening. 

Sun_Addict

Just popping in to say hello. Although I don’t live on my own I’m the only one who eats the sort of food I do so basically I’m just cooking for me. I halve a lot of recipes so I’ve got one portion for the day and one for another day. Also love my soup and usually make a big batch on Sunday for work lunches. 

Good luck with your debt free journey, keeping a diary is very helpful with staying on track, it certainly worked for me. 

Justcrackingonwithit

Hello @Sun_Addict that’s a good idea re: halving the portions, I do think about doing that, then find myself eating it all at once, especially if there’s pasta involved……I need to portion it out properly!
I’m really enjoying keeping a diary, I’m also posting on the cutting down alcohol thread which is also helping keeping me accountable; a couple of bottles of wine a week adds up and can go towards the debt. I’ve been looking at the old style board for food prep inspo too.

Justcrackingonwithit

Morning, first day of annual leave for me today 😊 having a coffee in bed and a slow start to the day, as I had an awful nights sleep. 

The wardrobes look great in the dreary morning light, I’m so pleased with them. First time I’ve ever done anything like this so I’m really chuffed. 

Plan for today is to put everything back in the wardrobes and tidy the spare room. I’ve not long been moved into my house and it’s already become a dumping ground….

I’ve got a couple of friends coming for coffee and mince pies later, I said I’d host instead of going out, which will save us all some money.

The weekends are my tricky times, and have been in the past very spendy, just mindless spending, nipping to the supermarket, home bargains, charity shops and before I know it have spent over £50.00, but this weekend hasn’t been, I need to make this my new normal.

Right, that’s the coffee drunk time to leap into action…..well maybe not so much leaping more creaking into action!

Cherryfudge

How nice wake up to the sight of 'new' wardrobes! I imagine it sets you off inspired to do more things.

Do you have anything in mind for your weekends to replace shopping? Now might be the time to set yourself a goal, whether it's going for a walk and achieving X miles over the coming year, or getting involved with a hobby or a charity or something to fill the time and have something to show for it. Just a suggestion. 

Enjoy your coffee and mince pies: what a good idea to host so you can all benefit.

PracticalPatty

Turkey wings have been a game changer for me. 
Dirt cheap at £4/kg free range Bronze turkey wings. Frozen & delivered (1st delivery free), ordered online; just Google.  Even cheaper (£2.67/kg) & fresh (i.e. not frozen) if u can pick up in London/South East near Xmas.
I first discovered them when I was lucky enough to get a vastly reduced turkey on Xmas eve last year in a supermarket; quite by chance. I found the tastiest bit for me were the wings.
It took 30 mins to traybake 4 wings with veg (2 trays) in my mini-oven, and were delicious.  I'm trying out slow-cooking them now.