2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 
I have been catching up on everyone's posts as DH and I bought a late deal holiday and spent a week in Madeira. I was very impressed with how people cope with the lack of power / how people had prepared for the events. It has got me thinking about how would we cope. My heart went out to those who were having to cook their defrosted frozen food. I have four freezers full of food. 

On the first day of our holiday, we walked just under 15km going into the city and mooched around. We did splash out on a cable car ride up to the top of the island. On the seconds day, my DH managed to get into one of the football grounds for free to watch the game and I treated myself to a massage and facial. It was at least half the price it would have been in the UK. That was my only individual spend. Our only other spend was a one day tour around the west section of the island. For the plane and the outings we took our own 'Scoobie snacks' and filled up our empty bottles with water. The rest of the time we chilled out, used the facilities and read two books.
Today, DH and I popped into S@insbury's as they had butter for £1.70 (my nectar price) and our porridge for 70p less per packet. Whilst in the store a lady brought out all the reduced products they were all marked up at a quarter price. We got four Indian meal for ones; two pilau rices; bento box meal; three Chinese meal for ones; one complete Chinese meal for two with all the trimmings; pate; a loaf of bread; a whole uncooked chicken; plus three bags of porridge, four butters and a pack of three onions all for £24. This is the first lot of food that we have bought for the freezer this year.  My DH will eat the ready meals when I am down at my Mum's next week, helping her to clear out before she moves home the following week. 

Gem-gem

Blackberrycurved said:

Does anyone us a bar of soap inside a net or one of those plastic soap holders with a handle that you swish about in the water to wash dishes? I have used them in youth hostels and campsites but might give them a go at home. 

Sorry, I haven't heard of either. 

weenancyinAmerica

@Blackberrycurved - We used both methods when I was younger. I still sometimes do the bar of soap inside the onion bag netting to wash dishes, especially if they have been sitting too long in my roommates rooms. It is either that or a steel pad. Haven't used the switching methods in quite some time. We did when we went camping when I was in Scouts. I did make the soaps last longer. 

Blackberrycurved

WeenancyinAmerica - I’ve just ordered a few soap bags from Etsy. You don’t scrub with these you put your soap in and waft it around to get the soap in the water and it’s great for washing up. I couldn’t find one of the plastic traps with a handle but I can fix an old wooden spoon to the net. I remember my mum buying washing up liquid for the first time. I think it was available in the 60s but most people used soap powder to wash the dishes and the clothes. 

Katiehound

Just a quick hound up date.

Yesterday had a quick couple of questions to vet (via reception- so free!) to ask about medication.

He's done really well, now off the steroids which made him want to eat like a gannet! I mean trying to lick the pavement!! This morning we walked our usual route which we haven't done for 10 days. He's not quite running but trotting quite fast off lead on the field. Diet is stabilized.

The only thing remaining is that his head has a slight tilt and just occasionally he has a wobble. I am not letting him near the stairs just yet.

suzeesu2000

Yay me! Januarys over and we made a big difference on what we have spent in previous Januarys. We have been eating from the pantry shelves and freezer so have only shopped for fresh milk, bread and salad. And we did that three times. Very happy with that.

Freezers are still well stocked, pantry shelves are looking pretty good too. Going to try to carry on through February as long as possible. It’s fun seeing what you actually don’t need to buy. 

Hope everyone’s weekend is going well xx

angelicious

Hi everyone 
 

A bit late I know but could I join you all please?

I turned 50 last November. I’m determined to retire on my 60th birthday so I have 10 years to save as much as I can to make that happen.

I’m eager to learn from you all on ways that I become more frugal to maximise my saving power and make my retirement dream a reality!!

sams247

Hi, been reading through the pages.... may I join in please?  I am 5 years from my retirement age and 10 years from my retirement plan (as in when I plan to retire).  I have had a rough financial time since marrying a spender decades ago, including going bankrupt, but I fight on.  I live month to month but am slowly trying to make things better.

I have a pension with work that I am about to increase my % donation to
I hope to move this year to a nicer (less damp) flat
I have a savings account (not much in it since the car broke down)

I am going to work hard, my first target is my food budget.  Due to past history and food compulsive issues my food bill is high.  I am going to work on that as best as I can

boxer234

January went quite well ended with savings.  I tracked everything I spent mostly dog related expenses but he’s doing really well on his diet so that is fine.  Unfortunately I have to have my fence repaired this month it is hanging on like a wobbly tooth.  There is always something.  I should be getting my council tax rebate this month.  

fionaandphil

Welcome to all the new people, I am sure you will be made most welcome and learn from the lovely people on this thread.  Frugaldom is heads above us all and encourages us with her frugal ways and things that we hadn't considered.

@suzeesu2000 well done on the January budget, great what we can achieve when we put our mind to it.  We have come in at £96 for the month and then there is another £25 to knock off that for vouchers, points etc being used up.  Like you, we still have lots in the freezers and pantries so we are going to try for a frugal february too.  It does just show though that we have way to much in the stores 

Hope you are all having a great weekend, a bit quieter than the last few weeks of stormy weather.