2025 Frugal Living Challenge

Gem-gem

Ah bless you @Quantaqa, I am still a novice at this crochet / crafting lark. I just have a go. When I crocheted a poncho I undid it three times until I got it right. @Prudent will tell you that it took me months to do. 

@Prudent, I am sorry to hear that you struggle to batch make. I find it amazing that some people (including people in my extended family) do not like homemade things. I will only be making them for people who appreciate the time / effort that goes into them. 

When I made my family hot water bottle covers I explained them that the wool that I used was good quality 100% wool that is spun and dyed in this country and was not cheap !!!!!!. Also, that I bought German hot water bottles that have a longer life of five years and were not cheap rubber bottles. 

Nelliegrace

@Gem-gem I use Bisto Gravy Powder still, though it is harder to find and is going up in price. I use the vegetable water, and some meat dripping if it’s available.

Ingredients, Potato Starch, Salt, Wheat Starch, Colour (E150c), Onion Powder, Inactive Yeast Powder (contains Barley, Wheat.)

I think Marmite, flour and onion powder might work? Mr As has onion granules £1 with the dried herbs.

I have saved this recipe if BGP is no longer available.

https://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2016/07/gravy-mix-from-scratch.html

We are stocked up with Easter special price potatoes, carrots, parsnips and swede which will keep well in the garage. The milk has gone up by 10p to £1.55 for 4 pints. Do supermarkets think we don’t notice?

weenancyinAmerica

@Gem-Gem - I made blankets for all of the members of my family one year, but one nephew and his wife (the one who doesn't speak to my sister, her mother-in-law, even after they gave the couple $250,000 to help buy a house, was really rude about it. Since she isn't speaking to her mother-in-law (my sister), she also won't let my other sister and I visit the two children. They aren't getting anything at the moment from me - homemade or otherwise. We see pictures of them on FaceBook, but haven't seen the 7 year old since she was two and have never seen the 3 year year old. After not letting us see them and being so rude about the presents - they probably won't be seeing me for the rest of my lifetime, unless she changes (I'm 77). Right now everything is going to my other nephew and his family. That's just the way families are sometimes.

Quantaqa

@weenancyinAmerica, my family would be the same as your nephew re homemade gifts.  The only ones who appreciate a HM gift is my Mum and DH's Aunt, possibly becasue they too are knitters, crocheters and sewers so they know the time, effort and cost that goes into things.  

Decluttering the loft continues.  DH has unearthed an old ikea couch (dismantled) that used to be in a summerhouse we repaced 12 plus years ago so that is heading to the tip today.  Unfortunately it's not in a good enough condition to be given to someone.  Also going today is 2 well past their best deck chairs, old waterproofs splattered with paint, a broken wicker box and a old rug.  The further we get back in the loft the older things get and it's interesting to see what's there.  I'm a bit annoyed at myself for not dealing with these things back then when they were in better condition and could have been given to charity or someone in need but being in the loft all these years means they are now only fit for the tip.  I need to remember that I was a different person back then and had different priorities and mindset.

I've been on holiday from work this week and, honestly, have been in a bit of a funk.  I've not done half of the things I had planned to do and felt quite low all week.  The weather hasn't helped but I think the reason is that I haven't had a routine.  I need to remember this going forward for myself.  I function better when I have at least some routine and anchor for the day or week, so I need to create this for myself when I am on holiday from work in future.  

I am hoping to rack up 2 NSDs over this weekend after a small food shop today. We are having Easter Sunday lunch with family on Sunday and (after today's shop) I have everything I need for our contribution to that - Choc Orange cheesecake and Dophinoise poatoes.

Have a lovely long weekend everyone.  Q x

missymoo81

Gem-gem said:

missymoo81 said:

Thanks @gem-gem I would love the instructions, I’ve just been following along in the back ground, but my daughter would love to craft something like this. 

I'm having trouble finding the instructions but luckily my DM has previously cut out some templates, so on Sunday, when DM is over, I am going to make one with her and write instructions / take photos of each stage for you (and me).

Ah so very kind of you.

Prudent

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing. I have just spent a pleasant twenty minutes catching up with the thread. Welcome @startin-again. It sound like you have quite a challenge ahead. You will find plenty of support here.

@Gem-gem well done on marking a start with the veg. I have to confess that I haven't done anything yet. I put them in the garage as it is so chilly here. I noticed the variety across the supermarkets was more limited this time. I was hoping for some onions and cabbage too. This month has been quite an eye opener as there has been no veg boxes, no olio and a slim offering at the community shop. My food spend has jumped by quite a bit.

@RateTartExtraordinaire that is a good point about increasing emergency funds by 10%. Something I shall certainly bear in mind. I had an issue with my car last week and I am still waiting for the garage to get the part. Thankfully I don't think it will be expensive. 

I have been enjoying a relaxing few days making blocks for a 'string' quilt out of lots of scraps of fabric. Quite a bit of it has been given to me and some is left over from other projects. As a result, it is a totally uncoordinated riot of colour. I am not sure what I will do with it yet. I am wondering if it might be nice to snuggle under it on a chair in the garden, or at the allotment. In the true spirit of frugality, I will sew together wadding scraps and back the quilt with some larger fabric I was given (or perhaps just a sheet). One of my aims at the start of this year was to use up my fabric stash and only buy items I need to complete a project.

startin_again

@prudent thanks for the welcome, I’ll need all the help I can get. 

@frugaldom thanks for all the useful tips for cutting costs. 

@nonnadiluca I have most big items, beds,sofa etc. I need lots of the smaller items.  As you suggested, I have been scrolling the free cycle sites. You need to be quick for those sites. I’m currently on a mission to get a free ironing board. 

@Quantaqa I’m off on leave for the next week. You reminded me, that when on leave you never get as much done as you expect. Also,  you do get in a bit of a funk,  especially if all you’ve been doing is cleaning all week. I need to make a plan. 

Today is going to be a spendy day as myself, DD and nieces are going out for Easter Sunday dinner. I don’t mind the spend as it helps us stay connected. If my house was in any sort of order and if I had a kitchen table they could come to mine but unfortunately I don’t. It’s a work in progress. 

I removed a built in cupboard from my living room so I could fit in a lovely old  bookcase I have. Removing the cupboard left me with missing skirting board. Thankfully I was able to get matching skirting for free,  and my brother came with his mitre saw this week and fixed it. 

Today’s job is to caulk and paint the skirting and fill my book case. That will clear a few boxes. 

I hope everyone is enjoying there Easter Sunday!

ApplePie23

Hi all, I've read the last few pages. I followed this challenge quite a few years ago (in a different lifetime it feels like).

I'll follow along if you don't mind unofficially and pick up hints and tips as I go. I've got a baby who was 6 weeks old on Friday, on maternity leave now so trying to make the pennies stretch. We are moving house at some point very soon (waiting to exchange). Moving an hour away to get a bigger house for less money, taking 6 years off mortgage term too.

We already meal plan, sell on vinted and hunt for yellow stickers. Amazing what an incentive a gorgeous chunky baby is to encourage you to stay on budget as I want to be able to work part time and spend all the time I can with him.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Prudent

Welcome @ApplePie23 I hope the tips shared on here will help you to be able to stay home with your wonderful bundle of joy. I started being frugal as a young mum to allow me to work part time too. The good habits started then have stayed with me and eventually allowed me early retirement. I wish you every success with your frugal journey.

Quantaqa

Good Morning everyone,  I'm back at work today but in good spirits with the sun shining in the window.  It's amazing the difference a bit of sunshine can make to my mood. 

Welcome @ApplePie23 Today is going to be a NSD, oh yes it will.  DH will not scrape up some pennies to have a beer and I will not go for chocolate.  I have plenty of baking supplies so I'll make choc brownies or similar when I get in to have with a coffee instead.

Other than the baking I do need to get some housework done when I get home.  The floor in the living room needs a good hoover and I have a rug that needs a spa day but it will have to make do with a hoover today.