2025 Frugal Living Challenge

fionaandphil

Fantastically frugal meal @mumtoomany I have just been explaining the concept of rubber chicken to DS - he didn't look too impressed 😁 Hope you have a great time at the beach.

Wind is still really blowing here so washing is on the line. Just had a mini power cut - the storm isn't over yet

Gem-gem

mumtoomany said:

Very frugal tea last night. DGS2 is staying for the week, he is 5. So tea was for 3 of us. DS-i-L had sent a joint of beef she found in her freezer and won't eat. Been there since before her OH passed away. So free beef, HG potatoes, cauliflower and beans, gravey granules donated by DD3, Yorkshire puddings made with eggs from our hens, yellow sticker flour and milk. So a few pence to feed three of us. After we had apple crumble and custard. 

Picking lots of blackberries and raspberries. The first apples are ready. Loads of veg still being picked, with DGS2. Hoping to get to the beach later. 

Hugs to all, mumtoomany.xx

Hi Mumtoomany, 
I just love it when we have a cheap meals like you had last night, it does bring a big smile to one's face. 

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 
Today, my DH, friend and I spent a lovely day walking around Regent's Park area. We started at Baker Street, saw 221b Baker Street but never went in. 

Inside Regent's Park we saw a swan with five goslings in tow, a heron standing on the waters edge and various other ducks swimming around. The roses in the gardens were in full bloom and were pleasing to the eye. We watched the gardeners dead heading the roses. When we walked past the open air theatre we could hear a rehearsal going on. London Zoo was not on our plans for today as this was a low cost day out. 

Lunch was at the 'Spoons, costing around £21 for the three of us.
After lunch, we walked down towards Oxford Street, past New Bond Street, down around Saville Row and through Burlington Arcade. Lots of lovely sites to see but with our purses firmly closed. We popped into Fortnum and Mason on the way back to Charing Cross to see if we could find any bargains, alas it was not to be. 25% was not enough to tempt us. I managed to tap my card in at the barrier before 4pm, to ensure that I travelled my return journey was also at an off-peak rate. My companions both gave free travel in London as they are both past retirement age. Today, we had clocked up over 21,000 steps (over 12km - 7.5miles walking). 

Tonight's tea was boiled egg and marmite soldiers. 

Had a nice surprise from a crochet website that I had bought a box from. They had asked me to leave a review which I did. Giving them five stars and talked about how I had approached the making of one of the bags differently the second time round. The company gave a lovely response to my review. And after an email requesting if I can buy more wool to have a go at the third bag, they have offered to send me a free ball of wool so that I can make it. Now that is customer service. 😀

amber03

Love going to London, don’t like spending but love people watching and walking around the “posh” streets. Was hoping to go down there at the end of November but it’s so expensive just for the accommodation and travel compared to what it was a few years ago.xx

MrsCD

How nice of the company to send you the extra wool Gem Gem.
Sounds like you had a great time in London. 😁

Gem-gem

amber03 said:

Love going to London, don’t like spending but love people watching and walking around the “posh” streets. Was hoping to go down there at the end of November but it’s so expensive just for the accommodation and travel compared to what it was a few years ago.xx

I have family that come up from the West Country a couple of times a year to London, usually around their birthdays. They don't come and stay with us, even though we have offered. They come up by coach as it is much cheaper, they usually stay in Travelodge / similar type places and they come armed with discounted events eg theatre and food. 

I like sitting in places like Victoria Station or in the parks and people watch. 

I also find it interesting walking around parts of London looking at the architecture.  

Gem-gem

MrsCD said:

How nice of the company to send you the extra wool Gem Gem.
Sounds like you had a great time in London. 😁

Yes, especially as I am a first time buyer. I have been very impressed with their customer service. I will buy from them again next time I spot a box / pattern that I like. 

Gem-gem

Good evening, 
Another busy day. 

Another load of washing done. 

135minutes of yoga (part of membership)
Picked DM up from her home and brought her back to our house for dinner. 

Dinner - corn on the cob - from the garden as a starter. Leftover gammon from previously cooked joint, homemade chips, egg and tomato from the garden. Dessert - homegrown and homemade blackcurrant and apple pie with homemade ice cream. 

One hour travel to our destination. Watched performance that our nephew was playing in. It was free to go to watch.

Finally, dropped DM back home.  

Gem-gem

Good evening, 
Went for a frugal walk with a friend. £3.30 for parking in a country park. Took own drink. After walk, sat and chatted enjoying the scenery. No picnic or lunch out. 

Household chores - washing and eventually managed to get it all dried outside. 

This afternoon, looked into car insurance - increased by £16 due to retiring!! Otherwise it would have been £21 reduction as we removed European cover with breakdown. Did a price comparison plus looked at two other companies. Changing excess made no difference with own insurance!!!

This evening - continued to crochet my blanket. 

Prudent

@Gem-gem that sounds a lovely relaxing day.  I had that issue with car insurance and retirement until I followed an MSE tip of putting homemaker/ housewife in that box instead. I don’t know if that will work when I reach state retirement age though.

We are steadily eating our way through the glut of courgettes, cucmbers , peppers and tomatoes as well as giving some away. Breakfast today will be scrambled egg with grilled tomatoes with cucumber for me and toast for OH. Lunch will be courgette soup and dinner a Quorn sweet and sour with peppers and courgettes. I will also add some fresh pineapple as they are 39p in Farmfoods just now. The SR flour in farmfoods is now down to 19p so I am stocking up.

I am busy reorganising the house to improve access to the radiators for the new heating system going in next week. I have managed to fit in a few lovely crafting and friendship downtime activities.