2026 Frugal Living Challenge

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 
@Chan2019 thank you. My Mum will appreciate that. 

@AmyinIraq well done on your veggie haul and for managing to get so many meals out of it. 

@kimwp that is so interesting about dogs being able to smell out of both nostrils independently.
@Penny2myName I agree with Fionaandphil some impressive skills there. Please do share when you have made something. 

@mama67 do you do anything with the feathers? 

Gem-gem

DH and I have gone away for two nights. DH was hoping to watch two football games alas both have been cancelled. So we are going to just chill (hopefully not freeze!)
We have bought tomorrow's and Monday's breakfast with Nectar points. We had a cheap meal tonight. This morning, I bought drinks and pastries (planned spend) and the above book that a friend recommended. Lots of lovely, thought provoking, words of wisdom. It has been signed by the author. I also bought two balls of wool and a zip. Totalling £8.15 I will be turning them into another Christmas present. My friend gave me the pattern. It has saved me £25.00

kimwp

https://youtu.be/p7fXa2Occ_U?si=1DeoNNikcHIvnx1p

The ted-ed video about how dogs smell

Jojo77_2

Enjoyed reading everyone's posts so far, already helping keeping me on the frugal waggon. Yesterday me and my husband had a lovely afternoon out at our local cinema ( tickets were a christmas present)It's one of those posh ones where they have sofas & normally we'd order a bottle of wine (nope as trying to avoid alcohol) & a pizza. But instead I took a tea in my insulated mug & the last two bits of christmas cake. Probably saved £30! Today we needed a bit of shopping but I had some vouchers from M&S so we walked to the M&S foodstore and I stocked up on some basics - only spent 15p. I think M& S is ok for basics if ypu stay away from everything else. I got Milk, cheese, coffee, and some bread flour as my husband makes his own bread.  We've decided to set ourselves a weekly budget to cover food and anything else other than our D.D bills. I'm back at Work Monday and in the office which = expensive- train & food (I need to get my act together for lunches) I'm celioac so can't just buy a sandwich. 

Penny2myName

Big Spend day today, 

£36.57 mainly on a new stainless steel pan set that can also be used in the oven. Can finally get rid of my grotty oven dishes and lose handled pans. 

@Gem-gem, Finally got my final assessment through near the end of December. I do have a work colleague who has been waiting for me to get a body oil assessment, and at Christmas I was able to let her know I finally have one through. 

During 10th-17th I am hoping to be able to get plenty of stock made up, then when my annual leave starts on the 19th I am hoping to get some decent photo's and finally get my website updated and republished.

mama67

Gem-gem said:

Good evening everyone, 
@Chan2019 thank you. My Mum will appreciate that. 

@AmyinIraq well done on your veggie haul and for managing to get so many meals out of it. 

@kimwp that is so interesting about dogs being able to smell out of both nostrils independently.
@Penny2myName I agree with Fionaandphil some impressive skills there. Please do share when you have made something. 

@mama67 do you do anything with the feathers? 

Not usually but might keep a few pheasant tail feathers for decoration this time. 

Arrietty

Happy New Year everyone,

it is a bit fresh outside but I do love the simple beauty of the early cold winter mornings when the sky is clear and the sun creates beautiful colours on the  bark of naked trees. 

@Penny2myName - what a fantastic skillset there and reading your post  has reminded me that I have some beautiful silk fabric which could potentially be made into a dress for my  daughter's wedding. 

I did my last festive-visiting journey yesterday and now have have 4 days until I return to work
 
I have done my first grocery shop of the year and spent £64.41 which was mainly on fresh items;  some chicken, fruit, veg, cheeses and dairy. I love home made soup and brewed up a batch of curried parsnip which will definitely warm me up as I was bit generous with the curry powder 

I have also spent £31.84 on a set of glass and bamboo food containers so I can take left overs in to work for lunches and new salt and pepper mills as mine are very old and not very grindy anymore.

I also spent ££63.06 on fuel and screen wash. 

All spends were actually on 30th December but my monthly budget runs in conjunction with my pay days so from the 26th of the month to the 25th of the next.  So, I haven't  yet spent anything in 2026! 

I track all my spending using a simple spending diary app and log all accounts in there which makes it easy to do my end of year spending review. 

I currently have £218.68 left from my £400 monthly budget.  

Christianne1957

Love reading all the great tips.

Prior to retirement two years ago, I was a Benefit & Debt Advisor and would definitely recommend that you check you are receiving your full benefit entitlement either doing online on the Turn2Us website or by booking an appointment with Citizens Advice. 

Working age carers & the person they care for seem to be the ones who under claim in my experience & really benefit from claiming Carers Allowance/Credit/Universal Credit for themselves & Personal Independence Payment/Attendance Allowance for the person they care for. Lots of agencies (Citizens Advice, Age UK, Independent Living etc) will help you get the forms completed. 

Citizens Advice also give excellent free help with resolving debt issues from making informal arrangements all the way through to going through bankruptcy. Avoid debt management agencies like the plague as they invariably charge hidden fees for their services.
Hope this helps someone - back to lurking!

amber03

Had a lovely walk over the hill today in my village to the supermarket just for a few bits I missed getting yesterday.  Saw Easter eggs in there, I like to plan ahead but not that far.

Did a very big shop yesterday trying to be more healthier and hopefully won’t need anything else for the next 2 weeks, but I very much doubt it. Going to use stuff up that there is in cupboards, fridge and freezer before I head out again. 

Need to buy a slow cooker in the next few weeks. I had an air fryer that was also a slow cooker but it died. OH bought another air fryer not realising it didn’t have a slow cooker on the options. Didn’t realise how much I missed using one till now.  Hopefully will get a good deal on one and save a few pennies.

kayannie

I haven't been food shopping since Dec 22nd. I'm hoping to go tomorrow if the roads are clear. At the moment we have lots of snow but it has melted a bit today although frost forecast again tonight. The gritter has just driven by, which is a surprise as we live on a minor road. 

It's amazing how you can make food last. I only have a tiny freezer but I have a well stocked cupboard. Not eating meat helps, as does still having a few veg in the garden & a bread maker. 

I quite enjoy the challenge!
KAx