2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Gem-gem

Prudent said:

Car costs seem to have risen so much. OH and I paid £95 for the service at a small local garage including oil and filter change. This was a big increase as previously we were paying £60. The next week a friend got the same done at a main dealer and was charged £240. We usually pay £55 for an MOT, but it is good value as they check it over first and fix any issues before dropping it off at the MOT station. It avoids getting caught out with small things like wipers or tyres. 

That is why I do both at the same time. Service is always done first for this reason. I also like to take the car to them the week before, so that they can check my tyres and inform me if I need to get any changed. I then action that before the service / MOT. 

Gem-gem

Visited a hygienist today, another necessary expense. Booked it this week as their prices are increasing by £5 in the new year. I have switched to an NHS dentist to save money but the hygienist casts the same whether you are private or NHS. 

After, I went and visited my DM, we had a jacket potato with Philly cheese and ham rather than go to the restaurant in her complex. Saved over £18 eating in her apartment. Helped DM pay her tax bill, tax on her savings. 😩🤬

Found £2 on the pavement by a bus stop 😀. The other week, I was walking back home in the dark and I found £10 laying on the pavement. I was amazed that I saw it as it was so dark. No one was around. 

We have a pot and we save any money found throughout the year, at the end of the year we have a 'free' lunch. I also like to give some away to a chosen charity. 

Frugaldom

Good evening to all, hope everyone who is under the weather is feeling much better soon.

 It actually stayed dry here today so that was good, not quite as muddy mud. Caught up with DD this afternoon and tomorrow is going to be soup making and I'll probably make a trifle for Xmas day. That's the plan, anyway, but other than that, it's business as usual with mucking out, feeding and watering the animals.

I'm still mulling over how best to do my budget for 2026... Same as always but with an increased total or go all out frugal crazy and attempt £4,000 as per the original challenge just to see if it is possible. I need to challenge myself more in 2026 otherwise the repetitiveness of my relentless daily routine becomes too monotonous and unfulfilling. I need new goals and challenges. 2026 sees year 1 of my next 5-year plan - this one's for retirement. I'll read back through some of the original challenges to see how far I can push against all those years of price changes and see if I find some extra motivation along the way. 

Well done to everyone managing to access the 5p vegetables. Some may be shocked to know that I haven't been in a supermarket since 2019. I've had a few homemade deliveries but none of the online stores offer those sorts of bargains and not do they offer yellow sticker goods. I'm considering looking for my retirement home to have a bus stop nearby, and Aldi or Lidl nearby and an active Olio food hero. 😄 

RavenRover

Frugaldom said:

Good evening to all, hope everyone who is under the weather is feeling much better soon.

 It actually stayed dry here today so that was good, not quite as muddy mud. Caught up with DD this afternoon and tomorrow is going to be soup making and I'll probably make a trifle for Xmas day. That's the plan, anyway, but other than that, it's business as usual with mucking out, feeding and watering the animals.

I'm still mulling over how best to do my budget for 2026... Same as always but with an increased total or go all out frugal crazy and attempt £4,000 as per the original challenge just to see if it is possible. I need to challenge myself more in 2026 otherwise the repetitiveness of my relentless daily routine becomes too monotonous and unfulfilling. I need new goals and challenges. 2026 sees year 1 of my next 5-year plan - this one's for retirement. I'll read back through some of the original challenges to see how far I can push against all those years of price changes and see if I find some extra motivation along the way. 

Well done to everyone managing to access the 5p vegetables. Some may be shocked to know that I haven't been in a supermarket since 2019. I've had a few homemade deliveries but none of the online stores offer those sorts of bargains and not do they offer yellow sticker goods. I'm considering looking for my retirement home to have a bus stop nearby, and Aldi or Lidl nearby and an active Olio food hero. 😄 

On a serious note would definitely recommend being an Olio food hero - hate the cheesy name- for the 10 per cent that we can claim.  Due to the large number of items I get, usually around 100 to 180 a week with my 2 slots, and being able to claim them before we post, I have saved a fortune this year.  I have had around 5 lamb roasting joints and a couple of beef ones.  Also lots of pork steaks.  I get lots of fruit and veg which can be more of a gamble and bread by the ton - especially if it is sourdough.  

The only downside is that I stay in an upstairs flat and average 6 large banana boxes of food twice a week!  A great workout, who needs a gym🤣

Prudent

@RavenRover, that sounds quite a workout, but well worth it for the savings. 

@Frugaldom, wishing you well with your plans to transition towards retirement. You do need time to do other things while your health is still good. 

I am having an extremely quiet Christmas as I just can't shed covid. I have had it for weeks, so I am well past the infectious stage, but I still feel too unwell to do much. I did have a wee trip out today (with OH driving) to collect a library book that I had reserved to read for book club in January. I popped into Aldi as we are low on washing-up liquid. I hit really luck as they were doing reductions. I got a full side of salmon, two salmon fillets, a vegan 'Turkey' roast (for OH), eight butter croissants, a pack of crumpets, a big pack of fresh raspberries and two bottles of washing up liquid for £9.03. Apart from that, I made butternut squash, tomato and roasted pepper soup and a Tiramisu for tomorrow. 

I haven't given much thought to next year's budget. I want to replace the roof on my house next year, so I will need to be frugal to achieve that. 

mumtoomany

Hello everyone. Hope your all keeping warm. Hope you're feeling better soon, @Prudent. 

Been round all the supermarkets in town this morning. Lots of reductions, salmon, chicken, pork, turkey. Spare freezer now stuffed. 

Dadtoomany and DGS1 have made a frugal Christmas tree, we hadn't bought one this year and grandson thought we should have one. Total cost, nothing! Tree made from a pallet. Lights found in the barn, left from previous owners, batteries left by DD3 when she moved out. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. Hugs, mumtoomany.xx 

fionaandphil

Fantastic tree @mumtoomany I would love DH to be able to make things like this but it's completely out of his skillset.

@Prudent hope you feel better soon and that you'll get a chance to recover fully over the festive season. Well done on your bargains. Ours were quite thin on the ground but did get some 2 full salmon yesterday and chicken fillets and bread today to keep us going. 

@Frugaldom I hope you get your thinking cap on over Christmas and find something to inspire you for the year ahead. As you say retirement beckons so I'm sure you can come up with a plan. It can get tedious always thinking about being frugal and I agree with prudent that you need to do things while your health allows.

I haven't done a full budget count up yet but we've managed to keep food budget to £260 per month for the 3 of us. I'm fairly pleased with this given the big increases this year. We are lucky to have extra produce from the garden and greenhouse to supplement the purchases.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 🎄

kimwp

I loved woodwork when I was a kid, I made quite a few things once my dad had taught me the basics of sawing and hammering nails.

One nice DIY Christmas tree effect I've seen is to arrange lengths of thin branches in increasing size and tie them in that shape with string string. That can then be hung on the wall to put presents etc under, taking minimal space as well. Lights, tinsel, baubles can be added as desired.

suzeesu2000

Thanks for all the ideas and inspiration, wishing everyone a VERY merry Christmas xx

Frugaldom

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

The new thread for 2026 can be found at this link - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6647615/2026-frugal-living-challenge/