2025 Frugal Living Challenge

fionaandphil

For us holidays are a must and are included in our annual budget - not essential but we feel it's something we benefit from as a family. We also know if we had to we could cut them from our budget. We are just back and I feel much better and feel well rested - apart from the mountain of washing now!!

What about a few nights away in a hotel or rental house midweek? If you avoid school holidays then there can be some good deals. Also check out cashback sites and loyalty schemes as this may help too. If you live in a city what about a beach or country place, or vice versa? Or the YHA seem to have lots of options. Do you like walking, sitting on a beach, visiting museums? I'd base it around something I like doing and then look at how to go it frugally. Let us know if you find something nice

Prudent

Aww @Frugaldom that is the downside of Scotland. We have so many benefits but dreich days are not one of them. 

@sams247 I cherish getting away. I have got to the stage where time in good health is precious and I do try to get away to make memories. I have a trip away planned for March (down south for a family event), April (still in the planning) and May to a caravan by the sea. This is mainly to visit my daughter as it is her birthday that week. My dad also wants me to go up north with him in the summer as he is 90 and wants to revisit places we lived and see people we knew. He is remarkable though and still lives a very full and active life.

I mostly go on self catering breaks. I have found some really good static caravan deals the last few years, but you have to be quite picky about the site. I love Nairn Lochloy and often do a Monday to Friday break. The best price I have paid was £71 for a two bed caravan and the most expensive was £130. I tend to book when Parkdean do flash sales. There are always discount codes to be found too. Last year I went with a group of six friends for one break and my sister on an another break. We all booked our own caravans. I usually take the coach which means I can use my bus pass, so no travel costs.

OH and I will look at how much are costs are rising in April and then make a decision about a 'proper break' together as he didn't get away at all last year. We used to do cottage breaks every year, but they have become a lot more expensive. I am eyeing up one in Dumfries and Galloway just now, but I want to sure of other costs first. 

cbsexec

How about looking at university accommodation somewhere you would like to go.   I think they offer a good deal and are usually well situated to transport links.  

sams247

Thank you for your suggestions, I think I got into the mindset of not being able to afford a holiday, but I think it will be a good investement in the long run.  Some good ideas, I'm going to go look

Quantaqa

@sams247, like other here I think holidays are a must.  I am in a stressful job and breaks away to switch off are essential. I prefer self-catering as it allows me to keep costs down by taking my own food.  Caravans can be really good value and we also like glamping.  Some glamping pods are incredibly expensive with added luxuries like hot tubs.  We often go to ones run by a Youth project in Callendar that are quite reasonable, especially mid week.  Another option is to book out of season as prices tend to go down when demand does.

Quantaqa

Frugaldom said:

Hutting - are you in the Reforesting Scotland's Thousand Huts group or forum? I think hutting is in my blood. I absolutely love it and have been part of their campaign for over 10 years. We now have 3 of those 1,000 huts built at Frugaldom. 😊

Hi @Frugaldom, I'm not part of that group but will def take a look.  They were mentioned by Peter MacQueen yesterday as part of his talk, coincidentally.  His talk was really excellent, DH and I really enjoyed it.  The drive home was horrendous though in torrential rain and wind. I have never been so glad to get home and get the wood-burner on. 

Thanks @Frugaldom and @Prudent for the prompt to do re-do the budget to reflect price increases across the various services we use.

Nonnadiluca

@sams247, do you have any interests or hobbies that you could incorporate into a break away? My sister-in-law and I are going on a sewing weekend later this year; a few days in a nice hotel and tuition in a small group. I think you can do things like pottery, nature conservation, walking and all manner of activities. Good if you want to do or learn things, not so much if you want to put your feet up for a week.

Prudent

Thank you @Quantaqa for the information about the pods. Callander is one of my favourite places. This is something to explore for a night away. I had a touring caravan years ago and often went to Callander for a weekend break.

Frugaldom

sams247 said:

Thank you for your suggestions, I think I got into the mindset of not being able to afford a holiday, but I think it will be a good investement in the long run.  Some good ideas, I'm going to go look

We haven't had a holiday in many, many years and over the past 7 of those, I've had, I think, a total of 3 full days off, as I'm in a 7 days a week situation. I can't wait to be able to wind down and escape for a few days here and there, even just visiting friends & family. I can claim my bus pass but just haven't got round to reapplying after not being able to get the online application process to work for me. However, I do spend a great deal of my time hutting (it's like off-grid cabin camping) and offer all my frugal friends the option of joining us here to make use of said huts. If you're ever within travel distance, come visit. There's no running water or electricity so it's very frugal but there are some home comforts. Camping gear essential but it's an option for you. 😊

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 
Holidays to us are very important as the give us respite and valuable quality time together.
@Sam247, my DH and I went to Cornwall last summer by train (2 together railcard). He looked at Penzance but the hotels were too expensive so we stayed outside in Camborne, the WSpoon hotel was much cheaper (the area is run down but we used it only as a base). We then used the buses which was free to DH and £2 each way for me. I always take cake with me, so we have cup of tea in our room and cake rather than eat out. We don't have deserts in a restaurant, we either buy a bar of chocolate or some fruit. 

We have just arrived back from a long weekend in Carlisle. DH paid for this trip as he wanted to see his football team play there. We stayed at a Travelodge, went by train and took a packed lunch on the first day. We had breakfast there - DH ate breakfast and lunch in one meal and didn't eat again till the evening. I struggle to do this, so I took a piece of fruit to eat later.