2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Nelliegrace

I think I have shocked my grandson by asking for a doggy bag for the slices of turkey he could not manage at the restaurant. The waitress produces a neat, water-resistant cardboard box. 
The dog was delighted. 

weenancyinAmerica

Nelliegrace, we are so used to asking for doggy bags here (for ourselves, not the dogs) that waitstaff will ask if you want one even before you ask. Expensive restaurants may not be used to it - but I have friends who are better off than me and they ask in the restaurants they go to. Portions are just so large, that we sometimes get two or three meals out of the leftovers. Why waste it.

Gem-gem

@Frugaldom Good to hear that you got some help with your planting and that you finished the job - so satisfying. 

@Prudent well done on your cs finds. I see buying from cs like a good sport - some days you win, some days you lose. Regarding your allotment, what are you planning on growing this year? Today I planted leeks, spinach, Charlotte potatoes, beetroot and spring onions. I had a discussion with my DA about whether to start the tomatoes yet. She is going to wait one more week. My BIL buys me my seeds / potatoes as a Christmas present. 

Spent first part of the morning sorting out DM hospital appointment - I've now got to drive her 120 mile round trip for a 5-10min appointment at the Eye hospital. We are in the process of getting her transferred up to a hospital that is next door to her. 

After the gym, we took up the Nectar offer of 4 pints of milk for £1.07; custard for 92p. Also got cat's food 45p off each box. 

Finishing the day with a good book, Jojo Moyes - Someone Else's Shoes. I resisted the double stamp promotion over the weekend at W/stones. 

Prudent

@Gem-gem charity shopping is indeed like a sport with good finds always a welcome win. I haven’t read Jojo Moyes for a while, I will have a look for that book. I joined a book club and get a free book sent out every month. I have just finished Yellowface and enjoyed being pushed out of my usual comfort zone. This year we are reducing what we grown on the allotment. We found it different to get a break away together and due to OH’s age I want to take those breaks while we can. I am focusing on fruit because it is easy to grow, but expensive in the shops. I also want to grow flowers for cutting and to support as many pollinators as possible. We have a wee pond and I want to make more spaces for wildlife. I also will grow some peas and beans and herbs. OH likes to grow potatoes and has a selection chitting on top of the dresser. He grows those in pots as a knee issues makes digging quite difficult for him. 

@Nelliegrace I think it is okay to ask for a doggy bag, better than binning the food. The only time I find they do this as standard here is afternoon teas. 

kimwp

I have a collapsible silicone tub for the sole purpose of taking leftovers home, it helps to stop me overeating as I hate waste. Because it's collapsible, it fits fairly easily in a bag and then there's no extra plastic container being used.

Frugaldom

Well done, @Nelliegrace! Proud to have you here as a frugalite. They you get generations need to learn that there's no shame in rescuing perfectly good food to keep it from being binned, especially if you've paid for it.

Frugaldom

kimwp said:

I have a collapsible silicone tub for the sole purpose of taking leftovers home, it helps to stop me overeating as I hate waste. Because it's collapsible, it fits fairly easily in a bag and then there's no extra plastic container being used.

Fabulous idea!

Work here continues - the main fence is completed and a friend has parked up in their campervan to help over the next week or so to get all the trees planted.

 Tuesday babysitting day so DGS chopped all the wet bark off a big log of red cedar that I got for using as a chopping block. DGD spent her time working on her papier Maché bank. 

Olio pizza for tea and a big pan of veg & lentil soup is now simmering on the logburner. The sun shone here today but there's a really cutting breeze and the pond was iced over first thing this morning. 

Prudent

A bitter cold day here so far. I am making soup and starting to pack for my trip away to see family next week. I want to get the sewing machine out and take up some PJs and make a gift bag for a baby shower. The joiner delivered lots of cardboard yesterday, so OH is taking that down to the allotment. 

If anyone is buying summer bulbs at Lidl, I found a wee glitch this morning. I bought two packets of Gladioli. Both look similar except one is pink (Priscilla) and one is purple (Nori). The pink pack was £1.49 and the purple £2.49, although they are both displayed as £2.49. The difference seems to be the price coding, which I see when looking at other bulbs that I bought. Anything ending in 96 seems to be wrongly categorised as autumn bulbs on the receipt and are cheaper.

Also on pricing, I had an interesting wee charity shop spree yesterday. After the big declutter, I am sticking firmly to my  'needed' list. I found an M&S swimsuit for £5 new with labels ( £19.50 originally). I have the same one that I bought before the pandemic and now needs replacing. I know it is well made, my existing one has had lots of wear. I checked the current price online and a similar swimsuit is now £35. I wonder if they are also less well made as is often the case. I also got three Next long sleeved plain t-shirts, new and tagged at £9 each for £1 each. A pair of M&S chinos for £3, a pair of Next leggings for £2 and a new and tagged (but no price) M&S blouse for £6. I amused myself on the bus home by comparing current prices. I spent £19 and new would have cost about £127. Happy days. 

Quantaqa

Hello All, more decluttering from the loft today. Nine items including a VHS Video player, an 'On Digital' Box, two PC monitors, a burst suitcase and ripped sports bag/wheelie bag contraption and more cables.  There is still loads up there though but at lest we're making progress.

@Prudent I am having soup today as well, only it's defrosted form the freezer.  We made a big batch of Carrot and Ginger soup with a bag of free carrots we got from Lidl.  Thank you for the heads up re the summer bulbs at Lidl, I'll take a look tonight on my way home.  You've also reminder me I need to get the sewing machine out so I am doing that tonight as I have been meaning to do it since the weekend.  My Mum has decided to stop using single use items like wipes/kitchen roll in the kitchen so I am making her some reusable cloths. I also want to make myself some new lavender bags.  A nice wee project for a cold night.   If I have time over the weekend I might make some napkins as well. 

fionaandphil

It must be a day for it with this cold, we also had hm soup today. The last of the Christmas 9p veg which has just started to go wrinkly and I made carrot and parsnip soup.

@Prudent we need to know which charity shop sounds like you always get good deals!