2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Prudent

@Gem-gem I hope you are both fully recovered. Travelling with an upset stomach and cramps is no fun. Thank you for the good tip about Waterstone's cafe. Our local one doesn't have a cafe, but I will check for one when I am taking day trips or breaks.

@Quantaqa Did you have a good day out in the Trossachs. I would also highly recommend a trip to Frugaldom if you have the opportunity. It is such a relaxing place. This year has been busier than I anticipated, but I would love to go back down for a visit.

This week we have been doing some remedial decorating after the new heating system going in last week. Our only spend so far has been £8 on a roll of lining paper as we already have enough wallpaper paste and paint. OH is going to a funeral today, so I am going to clear some floor space to piece together some wadding to put in the middle of my string quilt. I was given a large piece which has saved me around £35, but it was longer and narrower than I needed. I have cut some of the bottom and I will sew it onto the side. Making the quilt has eaten up most of my scrappy bits, but also made me realise how much more I enjoy sewing using scraps rather than buying brand new fabric. To me it feels much more in keeping with the humble origins of patchwork. Like all other areas of crafting, quilting and sewing in general, has become a huge marketing opportunity for fabric and accessory companies who encourage people to spend silly money on their projects. Other the past few weeks I have bought some wonderful boxes of fabric on eBay from someone who can no longer sew. It has cost me less than 15% of the new price. I am also noticing the quality is better than the current quality from these top brands. I am hoping to offset this by doing some eBay listings of my own once we have finished decorating.

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone,
DH and I have recovered from the gastric flu. I'm still having a little trouble with my digestive system as it has caused a flare up for me. No lactose / dairy for me until everything has settled back down as this is one of my triggers. 

This week has been a very cheap week for me, I've had no spends since last Saturday. 

Last two days, I have been decluttering and preparing for another boot fair. This time from our house/ our stuff not my DM. Couple of things have found themselves in the main bin. 🤨 As I won't sell !!!!!!! We have given an old bedside cabinet to our neighbour who loves working with wood. It used to be in my DH bedroom when he lived with his parents. Our neighbour will restore it and use it in his garage. 

I have made two batches of jam to sell as well as some more cards, mainly up cycling old cards. I only sell the cards for 50p each. 

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 
The jam flew off the boot fair table. Two flavours sold out by 7am! Only three jars of gooseberry by mid morning. The cards, I displayed the price and it resulted in more being bought. £102 profit. 

I have a question...I have two single sleeping bags that are just over 40 years old. They look in good condition but I haven't slept in them for over 15 years, so don't know if the still keep you warm. Should I a) bin them or b) donate them or c) donate to an animal place. We won't be camping out anymore, so don't want to store them any more. Has anyone donated sleeping bags before? 

maryb

Our local charity shops won't take bedding of any description for sale though they will sell it to the rag man and get a few pence that way.   otherwise I think it's only animal charities that will take them

Elisheba

I know the charities collecting for refugees, and for the camp at Calais, were desperate for them at one point, @Gem-gem, but I don't know if that's still the case.

weenancyinAmerica

I've just passed mine along to the homeless directly, but I don't know if you can do that there.

gran3

Gem-gem said:

Good evening everyone, 
The jam flew off the boot fair table. Two flavours sold out by 7am! Only three jars of gooseberry by mid morning. The cards, I displayed the price and it resulted in more being bought. £102 profit. 

I have a question...I have two single sleeping bags that are just over 40 years old. They look in good condition but I haven't slept in them for over 15 years, so don't know if the still keep you warm. Should I a) bin them or b) donate them or c) donate to an animal place. We won't be camping out anymore, so don't want to store them any more. Has anyone donated sleeping bags before? 

Perhaps one of the textile waste collection bins.

Gem-gem

Good evening, 
Thank you for your responses. I will look into your suggestions. 

Started the day early, going to the gym and then doing three loads of washing and housework all before midday. I said that it wasn't going to rain today but it poured down over my nearly dry washing. I just left it out there and it finished drying by late afternoon. 

Dinner was ys chicken and salad. For a little bit of variety we added pomegranate seeds. 

Not so frugal afternoon, booked a few days away in North Devon in November. The hotel is doing three nights for the price of two. We always book half board as the food is exquisite. We will also spend two nights with family as they are in the way home from this place.