2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Dizzycap

Cas said:

We feed her Ye4rs @MissRikkiC. Not the cheapest by any means but she can't tolerate chicken, turkey or indeed any kind of poultry or eggs. It's amazing how many dog foods or treats that say they are pork or beef but contain chicken so we need to check every label. We've tried so many different brands but this is the one that agrees with her and we've never had to bin. 

I have exactly the same issue with my gorgeous baby. I now make her fresh dinners in bulk and freeze as it's the only way to avoid all things poultry and I know exactly what's in them. Even treats stating beef only I've found have poultry stock mixed in, so I avoid processed food & treats at all costs. I make 100% pure peanut butter cookies made with water & cut up raw veggies, especially carrots, for treats which gorgeous loves, so it's a win-win all round. In the summer I freeze up 100% pure peanut butter & apple ice-cubes which sends baby into fruit-loops with excitement Now baby has realised what gives her a sore stomach, makes her feel sick, and irritates her ears & skin she walks away from anything processed. 

The only thing that costs me in the whole equation is a little time to prepare, cook, and freeze. I've also found that it's cheaper to feed baby and I know she is getting a balance diet which I have tailored to her needs, so I also get peace of mind xxx

mandy47

Mincemeat in Aldi reduced to 29p for a large jar.
Got one half price last week but couldn't resist at this price so I got 3 more. 1 will be kept for next Christmas and the others will be used in various bakes throughout the year. 
Today I'm making a slow cooker stew. Reduced turkey thigh meat, various veg from the freezer and still using shallots from 8p range at lidl.
Also a large pot of sweet potato soup for lunches. Had to buy sweet potatoes but everything else from existing stock. 
No frost today here but still chilly. Heating won't be used today. Just the wood burner tonight.

Prudent

Thank you @mandy47. I like making baked apples filled with mincemeat. I will pop in tomorrow. There were no veg boxes in Lidl today so I will also be checking in there too when I am out and about. We still have plenty of the Christmas cheap veg, but I am low on fruit.

I haven't been doing much spending other than new wellies and 50p for a shirt in a charity shop sale. I use shirts as a cheap way of buying cotton fabric for sewing projects. The wellies are ready for the allotment and I am itching to visit the mud monsters once I have managed a trip north to see my daughter. I had hoped to go this week but feel quite wiped out. Hopefully I will have more energy soon. At least it means I am not out spending I suppose!

I am curious about the business plan @Frugaldom. Did AI come up with any viable ideas or did you input all the information and just asked AI to present it like a business plan. I have often wondered about asking for savings and investment tips and see if it offers any new insight. My investments are done through an IFA and I usually rely on MSE for savings information. Will AI put the IFAs out of business in time? 

Frugaldom

@Prudent I am planning on posting it all into the group as an example of what it can do. It's utterly amazing, although not exact in its pricing as I had done a generalised UK request without adding any locations, numbers or specifics. Mud monsters look forward to seeing you when there's less mud and more heat. My new Hunter wellies - my 60th birthday gift from sister last year - are still in their box, being preserved for summer wear. 

dND

Thanks for the mincemeat tip @mandy47, I may get myself down to A1di 😁

I've still not got much of an idea of my outgoings so finding it hard to budget.  The last year's data is very skewed with the building works and replacing/completely restocking my house and pantry after moving back to the UK.  What I do know is that L1dl messaged me to say that I had saved £152 using their app in 2024!!!  So to celebrate I went out and used more of their 15% off coupons. 🤣

In my defence they are considered spends - I used up my stock of 6kg of sugar making marmalade on Saturday and lo and behold I had a 15% off coupon for sugar that runs out on Thursday - 4kg bought ready for the summer jam sessions.  Most of my receipts are predominantly discounted items or their equivalent of YS. 😁

While my freezer is still rammed with Xmas and TGTG bargains - so much so I skipped a TGTG box this week - I was lucky that there were veg boxes today and got one that was mainly fruit. 

suzeesu2000

Small shop for fresh bread, milk and salads again. Freezers are feeding us well.

Nelliegrace

We stocked up on half price items from Aldi baking section last week, currants, mixed dried fruit, chopped dried figs, dates, and apricots, candied peel, blanched almonds, flaked almonds, marzipan, and jars of mincemeat. Today the remainder were reduced to 25p an item, so we bought a few more. 

I like mincemeat tart, mincemeat slice, and a bit of mincemeat in bread and butter pudding or apple crumble, as well as in baked apples. Unopened, it keeps for years. I made a mincemeat Christmas cake one year. 

Sainsbury’s had some jars of their Christmas special, Taste the Difference strawberry jam with champagne. I noticed them in the storage area above the aisle shelves and wondered why they were not on display. DH reached them down and I found someone to check the price. They were reduced to 24p from £3.
It is very tasty, we had some on Aldi Greek style yoghourt. We bought a good stock of them, and left plenty. 

Siebrie

My husband made his business plan with AI and it's looking good. He then asked it to make a powerpoint, and that is also looking good. Just some minor adjustments.

Frugaldom

Siebrie said:

My husband made his business plan with AI and it's looking good. He then asked it to make a powerpoint, and that is also looking good. Just some minor adjustments.

I'm finding AI a fantastic tool and can't believe how quickly it does everything. I thought search engines were fast but this is definitely the next level.

MayDogsandCoffee

@Frugaldom - I can't quote but we were having a conversation about 'summer wellies' and 'best wellies' at my walking group.  My current boots have split but above ground level so are still in use until it is less muddy, then my best boots will become my everyday boots.  Trying to get a decent price on some muck boots for quality over quantity.