2026 Frugal Living Challenge

mama67

Frugaldom said:

mama67 said:

Frugaldom said:

mumtoomany said:

Hi, @Frugaldom. We will indeed be much nearer to you when we move, and may venture that far one day.

I've been reading the old posts, and new ones, on the frugaldom blog. I am disappointed to find out that your name is not, infact, Nicky Media. I have always thought of you as that, although Media does seem to be an unusual name. Also that HS, (house share), is not actually called House. I always envisioned him as looking rather like Hugh Laurie. Next you'll be telling me that the slightly "home counties" voice I hear when reading your posts is not true either. I believe you are really Scottish. 

Hugs from (a disillutioned), Mumtoomany.xxx

This made me laugh! HS possibly does sound kind of borderline Home Counties but I am most definitely a born and bred Scot with a definite Scottish accent, borderline Glaswegian, apparently. (I grew up in North Lanarkshire but had to water down my accent in order to be understood by those around me. Most of the neighbours here originate from south of the border. Now for the H and Hugh Laurie part... Does 'LOL' compute on here? He may just qualify as sounding borderline Home Counties but I'm no expert. I actually have one of our fellow Frugalers visiting now but doubt if she will deny it confirm any of the above. Perhaps @mama67 or @DdraigGoch could make comment once they get here. 

I completed my 2026 budget - it's far from pretty but cut to be as neat as possible. It's also been rounded up (hopefully?) to reflect as yet unannounced price hikes.

I'll need to double back now and reread the other posts as the Nicky Media and House Share names threw me. I have, indeed, been addressed as Nick or Nyk in the past but I'll always be simply Susan (never Su, Sue or Suzy) and NYK will always be Now You Know. In saying that, I have been mistaken for the media manager of the New York Knicks in the past and there was a striking similarity between their team colours and that of the Irn Bru branding. 😄

Susan (aka Frugaldom) definitely is Scottish with a lovely accent. But also very eloquent. 

HS to me didn’t have a definitive accent, so can’t really attribute an area to him. 

But does he show any resemblance to Hugh Laurie? 😆

When I last saw him yes but with longer hair than Dr House x 

kimwp

StickyTheStickInsect said:

Thank you for doing this again @Frugaldom, I'll probably end up loitering in the background again, reading along but not commenting very much.
We aren't frugal at all at the moment, we just have too many outgoings, DH's and mine are needs only but the children do have some wants too. One of our biggest costs that I'm not sure how to bring down is all the associated costs with having three neurodivergent children and the extra (often expensive) supports they need.
The aim for this year, to try and reduce where we can.

I think for me, frugal means spending the minimum while achieving my goals and in line with my values - goals of being physically comfortable, social, contributing member of society etc, values being ideally vegan, ethical etc. It's harder with kids and pets because it's difficult to tell what toys, beds etc they will take to and which will get no use. (Although I'm not great at using some of the DIY and health stuff I buy as my intentions are not always followed through!)

What's useful is to set a specific area to think about - for example with socialising, it can be done at meals in restaurants or a walk in the park. Focussing on one area at a time allows you to identify which spends can be reduced and make the changes bit by bit. 

Frugaldom

kimwp said:

StickyTheStickInsect said:

Thank you for doing this again @Frugaldom, I'll probably end up loitering in the background again, reading along but not commenting very much.
We aren't frugal at all at the moment, we just have too many outgoings, DH's and mine are needs only but the children do have some wants too. One of our biggest costs that I'm not sure how to bring down is all the associated costs with having three neurodivergent children and the extra (often expensive) supports they need.
The aim for this year, to try and reduce where we can.

I think for me, frugal means spending the minimum while achieving my goals and in line with my values - goals of being physically comfortable, social, contributing member of society etc, values being ideally vegan, ethical etc. It's harder with kids and pets because it's difficult to tell what toys, beds etc they will take to and which will get no use. (Although I'm not great at using some of the DIY and health stuff I buy as my intentions are not always followed through!)

What's useful is to set a specific area to think about - for example with socialising, it can be done at meals in restaurants or a walk in the park. Focussing on one area at a time allows you to identify which spends can be reduced and make the changes bit by bit. 

Gosh, @Kimwp, (edited - this was meant for @StickyTheStickInsect) you have your hands full juggling finances but the fact that you are here following is great, even just for some new ideas. My younger grandchildren love constructive stuff so I've learned not to be so overly protective and just allow them to help build stuff using the tools. We play with coins and they live the dictionary guessing gane combined with, dare I say it, AI for making up some really outlandish stories and poems. They also love all the free and frugal passtimes such as board games. There's a very old thread linked to post 1 about some of the fun things that are mostly safe for all ages, if a bit messy. Our last episode of summer was making more papier mache piggy banks and we have an ongoing project with scrap wood horse game. All free or very low cost by using what we find available.

2Scratters

@kimwp you have already some areas you can work on. Suggestion to not spend or at least limit your spending on your well being until you have used up what you already have. You may decide some of it is not for you but at least you gave it a good go. Start shopping from home. Do store cupboard lists and stick on the inside of the door will help use up food that is needed to be eaten. Cleaning products corral them into the same place and see what duplicates you have. White vinegar will do a lot of cleaning and will be a lot cheaper in the long run too.

You've got this

2 Scratters xx

mumtoomany

@Frugaldom, I too am a Susan, there are an awfull lot of us about of a certain age, but prefer to be Sue. My mother always insisted on calling me Susan, and as there was very little love lost between us, I preferred Sue. 

I have done an inventory of the freezers, all three, and we have enough meat and fish for at least January and February. Hopefully means I can cut a little off the food budget. Lots of Christmas cheap veg too. Still have a little broccoli in the tunnel and a small amount if kale, also a celery plant seems to have taken up residence in there. Not planted celery for three years. I've put some early broad beans seeds in. May try some more of these on a windowsill.

@StickyTheStickInsect, I feel for you. We have an extended family with every variation of neurodivergence. Not the easiest at times, but very rewarding. Good luck with cutting down.

Hugs to all, mumtoomany.xx 

kimwp

Frugaldom said:

kimwp said:

StickyTheStickInsect said:

Thank you for doing this again @Frugaldom, I'll probably end up loitering in the background again, reading along but not commenting very much.
We aren't frugal at all at the moment, we just have too many outgoings, DH's and mine are needs only but the children do have some wants too. One of our biggest costs that I'm not sure how to bring down is all the associated costs with having three neurodivergent children and the extra (often expensive) supports they need.
The aim for this year, to try and reduce where we can.

I think for me, frugal means spending the minimum while achieving my goals and in line with my values - goals of being physically comfortable, social, contributing member of society etc, values being ideally vegan, ethical etc. It's harder with kids and pets because it's difficult to tell what toys, beds etc they will take to and which will get no use. (Although I'm not great at using some of the DIY and health stuff I buy as my intentions are not always followed through!)

What's useful is to set a specific area to think about - for example with socialising, it can be done at meals in restaurants or a walk in the park. Focussing on one area at a time allows you to identify which spends can be reduced and make the changes bit by bit. 

Gosh, @Kimwp, you have your hands ful.l juggling finances but the fact that you are here following us great, even just for some new ideas. My younger grandchildren love constructive stuff so I've learned not to be so overly protective and just allow them to help build stuff using the tools. We play with coins and they live the dictionary guessing gane combined with, dare I say it, AI for making up some really outlandish stories and poems. They also love all the free and frugal passtimes such as board games. There's a very old thread linked to post 1 about some of the fun things that are mostly safe for all ages, if a bit messy. Our last episode of summer was making more papier mache piggy banks and we have an ongoing project with scrap wood horse game. All free or very low cost by using what we find available.

@Frugaldom, I think you might have mixed up me and the other poster I was responding to. I only have a cat. 😸

patentgirl

Good evening everyone 
I would like to join 2026 Frugal challenge again didn’t post much after about March last year will try and check in more often still
try to keep on track though I retired at 60 nearly 5 and half years ago now never regretted it once get my pension Jan 2027 so countdown now. My downfall is always food tend to over buy like to feed everyone especially ever growing family oldest grandkids are both 16 now who love food really going try to cut food spends will come back on with budget when worked it out need a holiday budget as we got few in pipeline including Northumberland and Yorkshire trip and we fancy a canal boat trip thank you Frugaldom for doing this challenge xx

Finstickle

Hi All,
I'm going to be joining in this year although not the extent of others.

I have a few bigger things going on this year so I would really like to cut down the wasteful/unnecessary spending.  I became a single parent living with my DD last year and so would like to increase my savings to give me a better sense of safety and security whilst also funding fun and adventure for both of us.

I'm going away with DD in Feb but will be adjusting the dates so it's not fully in half term and hopefully save a bit of money (our school only fines if you are out a full 5 days).  (I have the money saved for this)

I'm going to trade in my current car for a small converted van so we can have lots of away time without needing expensive accommodation.   (I previously had a separate van but sold that last year - it was used a lot so this feels like a sensible purchase)  My car is 15 years old and approaching 200,000 miles so planning to get newer and less mileage with the aim of keeping it for just as long.  (I don't have savings for this but can afford a loan, waiting until I had the cash feels unrealistic and would have an impact on time with my DD so I am content with this choice).
 
Having moved house last year I would like to continue to decorate/update - most of which I will do myself and will primarily use what I have, a few new to me second hand pieces, paint and wallpaper - however, it always seems to add up!

I'm in the grocery challenges so will track that there.
Clothes are mostly second hand or handmade - I have a lot of fabric so shouldn't really need to buy anything.
If we go out I mostly bring lunch but budget for coffees/ice creams etc.
I don't socialise loads with being a single mum but do love festivals and going away, although this is mostly low cost campervanning.

I think I am mostly going to track my NSDs (excluding groceries bills etc) and review the percentage of undefined spending that was a want vs a need.  I currently budget 20-30% into this category, if I could achieve the same level of contentment on 25% less for a full year that would effectively cover off my Feb holiday.

RavenRover

@Frugaldom thanks for doing this again.  

I will eventually get round to looking at my budget for the next year.  Unfortunately lost most of December thanks to ill health.  Really greedy, had the flu followed by sinusitis followed by cold now on to second dose of flu!!  I only get 2 weeks paid sick leave with the company I started working with this year, so the way things are going my first pay of 2026 is going to be non existent and I am going to have to hit the savings.  Thankfully fully stocked cupboards and pantry will help.

I have 2 jobs which still only add up to part time hours -25 per week- but am happy to say I am not in debt and hope that continues this coming year.  I even have an emergency fund.  I am pretty frugal by nature and don't think I can squeeze my budget much further but am willing to try.

My biggest goal is to try and remain part time - 4 days a week- as I also look after my mum and want to enjoy spending as much time with her as possible as her health isn't the best.   She occasionally gives me an envelope to help with bits and pieces, especially if she has had a rough time and I am doing lots for her.  I don't like that but I get why she does it.  She is the only family I have left that is worth bothering about.

Luckily we have a wee touring caravan that we leave at a site which we use on my days off and on holidays so it's just worth it's site fees which we share.  My car is a van type car which acts as a micro camper too for camping trips and now as a "staffroom" for me in one of the jobs - I am considered as a contractor so need to have my own space for rest breaks and if beneficiaries of my service don't turn up ( wish some of them would do that more often when they are poorly and I might not be so poorly now).

I am a food waste collector with Olio and also go to others if they have good stuff.  This really helps with my food bill.

I want to be able to retire early in 10 years time when I am 62 as my dad didn't make it to retirement age and neither did mums parents, so I want to have enough money to live on till I get state pension.   So bigget goal is to save as much as possible and love learning from ghe collective wisdom on this site.  

Sorry bit rambly but probably making myself accountable x

Thorny123

Please could I join you all too?

Both myself and my husband were made redundant from the same company last year (him Feb & me April) but it was for the best as he was diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer in March and I have been struggling with my back for the last 13 years (7 back operations including 3 Spinal fusions). He is 57 and I am 53 so only hubby is able to access his Personal Pension, so I need to make some changes to our spending and savings. We also need to make sure that we have the funds to travel as our daughter moved to Boston, US in 2019, married 2020 and is expecting her first baby July 2nd ....exciting but worrying too!

I am looking at all ways that I could make & save some more money this year (I am quite good but know I can be better) so would appreciate any ideas or would love to hear what works for you. I love reading all your posts.....been lurking in the past but now know I need help and support.

Thanks