2025 Frugal Living Challenge

RavenRover

It's a good job I like pumpkin.  Through job number 1 I had to buy a load of them for a family event.  You can guess what we were doing!  Had some left over which went to job number 2 family event.  Still some left over, so one of my volunteers took a couple and I took the rest.  Pumpkin soup and pumpkin curry anyone?🤣🎃🎃🎃

I have had a bit of luck and have managed to pick up a second weekly Olio slot.  Thankfully any leftover food goes to a young lad for his chickens.  The amount of fresh stuff he gets I'm imagining chunky chicken and big eggs!

Prudent

Well done on the premium bonds @Frugaldom. I had a discussion with OH yesterday about them. We both had a win which was welcome, but the total over the year to date is really making me question if they are worthwhile. I have won just 61% of what I would have made on putting the money in my easy access savings account. This is my worst ever return. I would have made even more spreading the money across regular savers. I will see what next month brings, but they are definitely something that I am reviewing. As even with their tax free status, I am not sure that they are paying their way.

On a happier note I have won a £250 gift card to spend in some shops in Renfrewshire. I am looking forward to some days out to spend it. 

Frugaldom

boultdj said:

If any of you like silverside beef, it's on offer at Tesco till the end of the month, £11 a kilo instead of £17. hth.

Thank you for the heads up on that, it's getting so expensive for beef nowadays that even our mince has changed to turkey or pork.

Well done booking a break @Gem-gem You can enjoy luxuries far more when they're paid for from frugal living savings.

Managed to get some Olio on Tuesday night and am now eagerly watching tonight's listings while wondering if there will be pumpkins. @RavenRover, I like pumpkin soup but have never tried pumpkin curry. If you find the time, would you mind sharing your recipe, please? I stocked up my spice jars last month so should have everything I need to try making some.

Managed to book a £1.50 delivery slot from Morrie's on Monday night so will welcome a heads up for any frugal bargains. 

2Scratters

Good afternoon Peeps,

I have been missing from here for months. RL getting in the way and I have definitely lost some of my way. Any how I have filed 9 months of paperwork away, checked my bank accounts as I have 5. I am pondering of reducing them slightly. The savings have been happening in the regular saver accounts with good interest rates albeit on smaller amounts but it all helps. I have spent too much time too procrastinating in the place of FB, I call it a thief of time. 

I did manage to get 2 car boot sales done so some money has been recycled 

It took me ages to get back into laptop and it get updated as I had forgotten my password, standard, as I hadn't got it written down.

Reading through and catching up I said to hubby it makes such a difference to mind set when you are with people in your happy place.

2Scratters xx

Fruball

New to this thread.

Just saying Hi! 

RavenRover

@Frugaldom there isn't a recipe as such.  I just sweat all the veggies-whatever is needing used up- in the pot till they are soft and then add my curry sauce which comes in a concentrated block - Goldfish brand found in home bargains- add some water and let cook for 20mins.  The concentrate has a nice mix of spices.😋

Frugaldom

2Scratters said:

Good afternoon Peeps,

I have been missing from here for months. RL getting in the way and I have definitely lost some of my way. ...

Reading through and catching up I said to hubby it makes such a difference to mind set when you are with people in your happy place.

2Scratters xx

This made me smile and I can't agree more! Being among others who understand the concept of frugality is great. 

Fruball said:

New to this thread.

Just saying Hi! 

Hello and welcome to the land of frugal freedom (Frugaldom)

RavenRover said:

@Frugaldom there isn't a recipe as such.  I just sweat all the veggies-whatever is needing used up- in the pot till they are soft and then add my curry sauce which comes in a concentrated block - Goldfish brand found in home bargains- add some water and let cook for 20mins.  The concentrate has a nice mix of spices.😋

I will experiment this week

Frugaldom

Good afternoon on this sunny (after the hours of torrential rain earlier) Sunday afternoon.  I've nothing much to report from the lands of Frugaldom, although we did get a fair selection of items from Olio this week, plus extras for the goats, ponies and wildlife. We also received a gift of coffee, sugar, milk and biscuits from a friend and fellow frugalite who came to stay last night. Our little furry feline friends also got special treats - everything was greatly appreciated. We do get through a huge amount of all of the above here so it all helps.

This coming week will bring more soup making and we have been using up olio cake by having it with custard. I'll make a batch of basic Bolognese sauce that half can be used with spaghetti and half spiced up with chilli and kidney beans to serve with rice. Cooking with chicken drumsticks is still working well as I get enough meat off them for a couple of hearty meals and I have stopped buying 'back bacon' in favour of buying the £1 packs of cooking bacon. They seem to give you enough for bacon butties - there are always rolls or bread products in the Olio offerings - plus enough bacon to make a big pot of soup, then still some meat left over to add to a cheese & ham pasta sauce. I still don't have a proper oven so pie-making has been off the list for a while.

Hope everyone is doing ok, all prepped and ready for winter. 

nannygladys

Hi everyone, I've been off the boards for months but as winter is here I thought I'd better get back on for more frugal inspiration to get me through the winter months and belong.
I've been doing alright, I was really pleased with the amount of produce my small garden produced, and I'm still getting carrots, potatoes, cauliflower celery and beetroot off it. I gave my lottie up finally year and its the first year I've really tried to get any amount in the few raised beds and pots I have.
I'm painting my front room but its taking me an age as being in my seventies I'm much slower than when I was younger, but the painting part should be completed by Xmas, its the ceiling that's taking me ages! I'm on the look for some bits for it from the CS and hopefully will eventually buy a new carpet next year, but it'll take time to save for it.
I'm another one who doesn't scroll FB anymore, I acquired my dgd's old phone and FB didn't like it so I've not bothered, only problem now is I tend to watch or listen to YT instead 
I'm going to have a bit of a catch each night on the different boards to get some new frugal ideas that I hope will work for me but there is a lot of them so it may take some time, but at least it will keep me off YT for a while 
Hoping everyone is keeping alright
Nannyg

Frugaldom

Lovely to see you back on board, @nannygladys. None of us are getting any younger, that's for sure, so you're doing a great job getting on with the painting at your own pace.

I've managed to book a £1.50 delivery slot from Morrie's and was able the cash in my first £5 voucher from my More points. There was also a nice little freebie that the grandchildren should like, in the shape of Disney collector cards - you can claim a free pack with each £15 you spend.

I made a big batch of laundry gloop tonight so that should keep us going for the next couple of months. I think it cost just around 10p per litre. I've added tonight's version into the blog so I hope nobody minds me including the link here. https://frugaldom.blogspot.com/2025/11/homemade-laundry-liquid-or-homemade.html