2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

Following on from my list making, I included a reintroduction to 'Phil the Pig'. He was my papier mache bank I made during an old mini challenge. It was hosted on the previous forums so all the photos have been lost but here is the link to that old thread so anyone can familiarise them self with it
 https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/646765/papier-mache-other-free-hobbies-for-all-ages/p1 

I will be making a new sealed pot paper pig and hope to Phil the Pig' throughout 2025. 

mama67

MissRikkiC said:

I use that system but virtually using Monzo @SparFuchs it’s very handy!! I love your enthusiasm for it 

I’ve used envelopes for “pots” for years since when boys (now 29 & 26) were at primary school and have now moved to virtual ones. 

Quantaqa

I use a cash envelope system.  Mainly for monthly groceries and other monthly bits like personal spending. I also have a separate folder for some annual things I use cash for, like paying my cousin who does my boiler service (he is a gas engineer) and chimney sweep etc.  I have a beautiful red A6 fiolfax that I use, that I got for the bargain price of £10 on Facebook marketplace as well as a couple of the cheaper folders (that you see on Amazon/temu etc), along with the plastic zip pouches.  I find using cash for certain things keeps me focussed and helps me budget in those areas and it's working really well for me. 

Prudent

mama67 said:

MissRikkiC said:

I use that system but virtually using Monzo @SparFuchs it’s very handy!! I love your enthusiasm for it 

I’ve used envelopes for “pots” for years since when boys (now 29 & 26) were at primary school and have now moved to virtual ones. 

I find the virtual version easier too with it becoming trickier to access cash. I have different current accounts for different outgoings with standing orders set  up to replenish them on 1st month. I have found this really helpful for food. I can have a quick glance at my banking app before I go into a shop and decide how much I want to spend.

The other big advantage of running a few accounts is the cash bonus (often a couple of hundred pounds) that comes with switching and ditching. I spread my direct debits for utilities etc across a few of these accounts. I usually do a switch and ditch before a UK holiday and that gives me my spending money.

Dizzycap

Cas said:

Dizzycap said:

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

Some lovely ideas there that I might pinch @Dizzycap! She loves peanut butter, apple and veggies and is a devil for Greek yogurt! It's incredible what they put in processed dog food, isn't it with chicken meat & bones, eggs and "animal derivatives" appearing in the ingredients list far too often for my liking!

You're very welcome xxx Be very careful, as I'm sure you are aware, when it comes to peanut butter. 100% natural only. So it should contain peanuts and virgin olive oil only Whole Earth produce the finest, it's not cheap, but if you buy in 2kg bulk, you can buy directly from them through Amazon. Anything else is an imposter if it contains any other ingredients, and is exceedingly bad and poisonous to baby pouch

Greek yogurt is a must in this house Baby demands it every morning along with a chopped up apple It's fantastic for her digestive system. Fat free is perfect, if your baby has weight issues, or usual fat, if not. I always make sure that what I buy only contains 2 ingredients: milk & water. You can't get better than that How the other half lives

Cas

@Dizzycap Absolutely, I've been a ingredients label reader for decades. I'm usually that person standing in the aisle with 2 similar products comparing what's in them. That's good to know about buying Whole Earth in bulk, thank you.

As soon as take the lid off the Greek yogurt tub the pooch suddenly appears at my side licking her lips! Spaniels and their noses, she doesn't miss a thing! 

Katiehound

My boy gets home made kefir. I've been making it now for maybe 4 years.

He doesn't get home made food but does have hm sardine flapjack.
All the dogs in the neighbourhood seem to know what is in my pockets!! Just baking some now in the Remoska.

SecondStar

I also do ‘cash envelopes’, but digitally using Monzo Pots.

This enables me to round up my spends from each Pot into my emergency fund which is in a fixed savings account, rather than having shrapnel rolling about which will get spent on silly things instead. It also means that I can track and categorise my spending from each Pot, so I can review how much I’ve spent at the end of each month, and adjust the budget accordingly.

My ‘cash envelope’ categories are:
Food (weekly shops)
Gas / electric
Petrol
Bus
Pet food / litter
Pet jab (cat arthritis jab)
Pet meds (cat for kidney and thyroid)
Personal spending (covers my Wants - charity shop bric a brac, coffee with a friend, dates with my partner)

Fixed bills and subscriptions come from a separate bank account, so they’re not ‘envelopes’.

2Scratters

We have a cash wallet for the grocery shopping which gets topped up when running out. This has developed a pattern of we actually use less and it goes further. We do roughly put down what is spent. DH could do better but I leave him to it   its cheaper him going to the local shop than me needing to go to a supermarket especially when I cba and is a lot further away. The upside to using cash I still find it great when we get change in denominations of what we save. I.e 5p that fit into a whisky dimple jar that came from parents house and I remember them saving 6d pieces. I have a vintage black jack coin machine (given to me from DS GF) which would have been used for 1d, 1/2d or if rich maybe a 2/- or half crown. The £2 coin fits perfectly. A very functional ornament  When this small change needs converting up there are many local shops/small businesses that love getting a bag of change/real money 
Oops drifted a bit there in conversation.
 There is a set aside monthly amount of 250 but only withdraw 200 in cash. The left over will sit in an interest bearing account and will be used to do a bulk buy, usually meat from our butchers shop. 

Have a good weekend

2 Scratters xx

boxer234

Hello everyone it has taken a while to read the thread some great ideas.  I must sort my finances In 2025.  I constantly overspend and don’t save.  So I’m trying a no spend year only buying when things need replacing.  Unfortunately my phone has broken this month after 5 years and several replaced parts so I picked up a refurbished one.  My biggest expense is my dog who lives a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget.  He is on a novel protein diet and I cook for him.  He loves his toys and shopping for them, field hire and insurance costs all add up but I’ve budgeted for him.  We have loads of bus stop book shares around here so I am having a year of not buying books or renting films.  I have plenty of Xmas books to get through.