2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Quantaqa

Hi everyone, huge thank you for all the advice re buying a new car.  I have managed to negotiate a good deal on a new to me car and will hopefully be able to pick it up in the next few days.  I just need to organise new insurance so I'll get onto that tonight.  It will be great to have a car again.  I will need to have a rethink after this re a new Emergency Fund and a look at my budget going forward.

@Blackberrycurved, don't be too hard on yourself.  Take things slow and maybe look at the Grocery Challenge thread for ideas regarding your food budget.  Food is often a good place to start to make savings.  Planning, batch cooking, freezing and setting up a Pantry are all good ways to reduce food costs.  Best of luck to you on your journey.

Blackberrycurved

Thank you so much Prudent and t14cy_t. I just need to have a bit spare I haven’t made up his wages since he died so working more and getting older. My food bill for one person is stupid I make too much and throw it out and buy convenience as I’m tired. I’ll do a budget at the end of January. I’ll watch the You Tube recommendations and I’ve advertised for a lodger but baby steps but they need to be taken I can’t face being in debt again thank you

Blackberrycurved

How do I bookmark this thread please 

kayannie

At the very top it says '2025 Frugal Living Challenge', on the right of this is a white flag like symbol, tap that & it will turn blue. That's the way I do it, but there could be another way. KA

RavenRover

Blackberrycurved said:

Thank you so much Prudent and t14cy_t. I just need to have a bit spare I haven’t made up his wages since he died so working more and getting older. My food bill for one person is stupid I make too much and throw it out and buy convenience as I’m tired. I’ll do a budget at the end of January. I’ll watch the You Tube recommendations and I’ve advertised for a lodger but baby steps but they need to be taken I can’t face being in debt again thank you

Look out for Olio - free food from shops and individuals which would be going to landfill if not claimed - and Too Good To Go - food from restaurants,  cafes and shops which you pay a small amount for.  For example an M and S bag from my local service station can be around £4 but has around £10-12 worth of food.  Some Aldi and Lidl stores also do £1.50 boxes of close to date food.

Blackberrycurved

Thanks I joined ‘Too good to go’ but it’s mostly coffee shops here, processes sandwiches and cakes stuff I don’t eat. I’ll look at Olio I’ve never heard of it thank you so much

fionaandphil

@Blackberrycurved welcome to the group.  Have you checked that you have claimed any benefits available to you now that you are on your own? Entitledto.co.uk is fairly easy to use.  I am assuming you have contacted your council about council tax reduction too.

It will take a bit of time to adjust to being on your own and having to worry about money won't help.  Lots of lovely people on here who will be able to offer advice on living more frugally and making the most of your income.

Blackberrycurved

Thanks fionaandphil - I'm not entitled to anything I did ask but I earn over the threshold and have my own house so I don't pay rent. I am 60 soon and our council gives free travel from 60 so that will save me a bit.  I have applied for single person occupancy on council tax so that's a help. I'll post my budget as soon as I've sorted it. 

fionaandphil

That will hopefully help a bit with the free travel, sounds like you have checked everything else so you are in the right place for frugal ideas!

Prudent

@Blackberrycurved you might be able to use your bus pass for coaches too. I can and it saves quite a bit over the year.

I had a red weather alert on my phone for storm Eowyn so I have made a big pot of soup that can be heated on the gas hob if the power goes off tomorrow. We have put the garden furniture in the garage, tied all the bins together and bought in the litter tray for the cat so she can stay inside. I have torches etc ready. At times like this I wish we had a woodburning stove. One was just creeping up my priorities list when the Guardian was suddenly full of articles about them causing pollution. I know for many in rural areas they an essential rather than a choice.  All transport is off here and services, schools etc are closed tomorrow.