2026 Frugal Living Challenge

tiddles

Wow Mamma2004 - what an inspiration - you are so organised!

Mamma2004

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81886122#Comment_81886122

Thanks @tiddles 🥰

I have AuDHD, and it has taken me 4 years to get here. I started with the Kakeibo book and somehow it all fell into place last year with Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps.

kimwp

I'm not doing so frugally on my spend at the moment, I've had a bad cold virus for four weeks now and going through spells of feeling dubious about the food I normally eat, so deliveroo has been busy bringing treats that I feel like eating. I've been trying to ram in lots of fruit, veggies, fibre, protein etc where I can but some days are mostly crunchy nut cornflakes and oranges. After four weeks of eating like this I don't know if I'm feeling rubbish with the virus or malnourishment 🤣

ShazzaDazza

Hello Frugalers! I hope everyone is doing ok!

February is off to an ok start, in the swing of vouchers, cooking frugally when I get reduced ticket items, and we are enjoying more veggie dishes and home cooked sourdough items more often now 😊. Think our grocery bill in a month for 2 ppl (B+L+D + all household stuff) is around £150 including alcohol and treats. Not bad!

I also also headed to Pizza Express for a free pizza last week (amazing!). Saw that on Martin Lewis site...and luckily had time to head down there with my stripey t-shirt!! Im amazed at whats out there once you know where to look

McDonald's Food gor thought BigMac will be next months treat LOL

Toiletries purchasing is greatly reduced as I stopped buying items until I work through the bathroom backlog!! All ive bought is toothpaste so far this year!

February challenge im following in @mamma2004 footsteps. I sorted two wardrobes out and now have things to sell on ebay or Vinted, some things ill just donate or put on Freecycle, and I managed to repair two really nice skirts with my donated sewing machine (from freecycle amazingly!)

So proud of myself, I have a pile of other items I might try and upcycle an repair now with my new found confidence 🤣🤣. My sisters asked me to have a go at some bits for her! I need to start charging or ask for a swap (ie cook me something and I'll repair something!!)

x

ShazzaDazza

Get well soon!

2Scratters

@ShazzaDazza I'd definitely say having a meal being made is a damn good exchange of trades.

2 Scratters xx

fluffycatling

I've just had my first Olio food collection - very positive experience 😁

I only requested what we will really use and will definitely not go to waste (looked at use by/best before dates very carefully).

Come back home with a bag and my partner exclaimed in shock, 'Oh God, did the person knew we're not really poor?!' 😶😶😶 I've explained this is about not wasting food but it is starting to make me feel uneasy the longer I think about it... What do people think? Am I a villain by collecting? Are there requirements for the Olio use? As I said, my first collection so please be gentle if I got the whole idea wrong. I do personally and strongly believe in not wasting food, even when we manage it at home we desperately try to avoid it, the way I was brought up I suppose.

joedenise

You are absolutely right - it is about not wasting food and no you don't need to be poor to use it.

Sausageroll14

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888124#Comment_81888124

Olio is about stopping food waste. You do not need to be in need to use it. Your distributor will be happy to have someone collecting. It can be a bit thankless sometimes.

Sausageroll14

I had a bit of break through with food saving. I can't say this is frugal though......

Sometimes we just really don't fancy the meal plan and takeaway has been utilised to greater and less degrees. This is getting ridiculous now with most meals for 2 adults coming in at £30 or more.

So my money saving work around is a treat super market M&S.

I got 6 meals for £30. Things I am no longer sure I could make for the cost M&S charge. So I am just hoping this scratches that particular itch. 🤞🤞🤞The Gastro Steak Pie was absolutely delicious.

Also the added bonus is that some ready meals from M&S and a few other similar supermarkets are not classed as heavily processed due to the ingredients.

Obviously it's a work around but it feels like progress.