2025 Frugal Living Challenge

sheilavw

me , my Sister and Brother have stayed several times at the Haven Lakeland site. However, we book through a private owner who owns a few mobile homes in a prime position around the lake, they are a lot cheaper than booking through Haven. We don't buy the passes though. We just use free facilities

patentgirl

@sams247 not sure where you are but we went to Compton Acres near Poole while away last year lovely sculptures in amazing gardens, another one who had to budget in holidays normally Hoeseasons Park Dean Haven type self catering out of season normally get good bargains we often go Mon to Fri looking forward to end of March when we booked one in North Yorkshire plenty of walks planned will budget in few meals out but I am always  happy to cater for us while away, would love to visit and stop at Frugaldoms camping but too far as we down South.

sams247

Thank you for the holiday and sculpture ideas

I will def look into Haven, and private hire too.  I'm near Northampton, so Poole is doable for a holiday, I'll take a look see thank you @patentgirl

When I win the lottery I'll go on a cruise again (not much chance as I dont buy a ticket! )

Frugaldom

Prudent said:

Thank you for the yoghurt suggestions. It is something I buy regularly so worth considering. I used to be able to make it in my old bread maker. I will need to check if that is an option with my new one.

If I can find my yoghurt maker, you are welcome to try that. I'll have a cupboard rummage before you get here. Must write that on the board, too, to remind myself. 😁

H has a FB page and is also at https://ecoartsblog.wordpress.com 

Nelliegrace

I make kefir rather than yoghurt. It works with cold milk in our chilly kitchen. I used to make yoghurt successfully with tepid milk, in a wide necked vacuum flask. Would a slow cooker with a low setting work? @Prudent.

Prudent

@Frugaldom thank you so much! I do have a slow cooker so could try that in the meantime. Yesterday I noticed basic porridge oats have jumped 10% in Lidl. I am off to Asda to stock up tomorrow as their price hasn't gone up yet. So being able to reduce costs on yoghurt will all help. 

We had a trip to a garden centre today. I saw the huts that are being built in woodland near Saline in Fife from the car. They are most impressive. This is a well published initiative and I wondered if it was discussed at the talk you went to @Quantaqa? We bought four tiny blueberry bushes, a blackcurrant and a Tayberry plus a metal plant support using a £50 voucher that I had received at Christmas.

OH took the bushes to the allotment, but it is pouring rain so too wet for planting today. We had fourteen peppers in the veg boxes I got last Friday so I made stuffed peppers for dinner this evening and roasted, pepper, tomato and cannellini bean soup ready for lunch.

I am hoping to get out for a bit if the rain stops but if not I will try to finish my book club book as I need to finish it by tomorrow evening. 

gill5blue

thank you for your replies regarding the yoghurt maker I have ordered one from lakeland, and I will report back when I make some.
thanks again
gill5blue

Quantaqa

Prudent said:

We had a trip to a garden centre today. I saw the huts that are being built in woodland near Saline in Fife from the car. They are most impressive. This is a well published initiative and I wondered if it was discussed at the talk you went to @Quantaqa? We bought four tiny blueberry bushes, a blackcurrant and a Tayberry plus a metal plant support using a £50 voucher that I had received at Christmas.

Hi @Prudent, yes the huts at Saline were mentioned at the talk I was at.  DH and I are planning a wee drive over to see them in the next month or so.

Payday for myself and DH this week.  Budgets done and actioned.  Cash withdrawn for my groceries this month.  DH was given a voucher of choice as a reward from work so we chose Ikea and we'll be heading there over the weekend.  We've decided to use it to buy a bistro set for the garden (if they have any at this time of the year) and also get some storage boxes.

pearl123

A pleasing gain. I managed to buy two charity coats for £13 and £15. Once smart and one waterproof. 

I've cancelled my TV licence, as just didn't watch in enough. I got a refund for over £140, due to the cancellation. There's still channels, I can legally watch without a licence. 
I look at my budget/ outgoings and there's not a lot left to cut! The cost of living crisis seems to get harder every couple of months. 
I notice a mention of making yoghurt. I'll look into it. 

Quantaqa

Has anyone used the Aldi potting bench that's been popular in the past few years?  Is it worth getting/does it last if outside?  I am thinking about getting one this year and I think they should be in store next month sometime.