2026 Frugal Living Challenge

Viking_mfw

Glorious sunshine here all week so time to get through our washing backlog. Despite the frost - and I really hope my (very) makeshift cold frame has protected my tomato seedlings.

Frugaldom

Good morning, it's frosty here, too, so I hope your plants survived, @Viking_mfw I can't decide if it's safe enough to sow anything yet, as the ground has been saturated and then frozen or frosted so often. I do know those strawberry runners aren't going to transplant themselves so I may attempt that job as soon as I have weeded out enough of the beds and just hope the cats don't invade them.

Enjoy the free vitamin D if the sun is shining wherever you are.

fionaandphil

Frosty here too this morning but soon cleared up and the sun has been shining. The strawberry runners should be fine, very hardy things. I also have quite a few things growing on in the greenhouse that seem to be doing well despite the cold. I picked up a tumbler tomato when I was out yesterday and have put it in a hanging basket in the greenhouse and hoping it will soon bear fruit. Only 2 of the early green beans I planted a few weeks ago have sprouted so I've put them out today and started a fresh batch. Got some lettuces growing in the greenhouse too which will come in handy for lunches, I'm hoping I've bought the last supermarket ones for a while.

Frugaldom

@fionaandphil I sometimes feel it's getting later and later in the year before being able to sow or plant anything. There's no way I could start off peppers or tomatoes in February or March even under cover of the potting shed. Not sure if it's just that we are in a particularly bad frost pocket or if the seasons are moving, or a combination of both.

I stocked up on cat food today after spotting the Amaz0n offer of 4 for price of 3 included the cases of 120 sachets. I need fast food for the ferals and strays we feed at Frugaldom. The pouches are more convenient than tins for storing and distributing. The offer brought them down to a fraction under 20p each.

Contacted mobile phone provided to check deals but discovered my previous contract on second SIM (work related) runs until December. At that point, I'll cancel it as Three & Vodafone are now merged so no need for 2 contracts. That should save me £15 a month in 2027 budget.

Today's sunshine turned to hailstones and then rain just after lunchtime. It's now stopped but it's grey, overcast and cold outside now. No garden work got done.

Leftover curry for dinner tonight then I have more of the stewed rhubarb to use up so will maybe make some custard later.

Warming the place up be boiling up some homemade laundry gloop. I'll make 5 litres and that should do for another few months.

Bean_humane

Hello all

Sunny here but cooler nights. I have been weeding away as things are taking over the garden.

Chives, fennel, rosemary, mint and lemon balm are growing, as are thyme, bergamot and chamomile, so hopefully don't get knocked back with late frost.

A little apple tree planted last year, with plum are showing flower buds, with the promise of summer, very much needed boost to the spirit after a long wet autumn and winter.

I've planted nasturtium seeds which gave me lovely slightly peppery leaves last year, the bonus of bright edible flowers, and I will explore more edible flowers.

Need to repair a little greenhouse which was already here, so hopefully I can have tomatoes, cucumber and peppers. It's big enough for four growbags so fingers crossed it works.

Happy frugaling! 🤗

Prudent

Ah @Bean_humane thank you. I was trying to work out which herb hasn't made it through the winter at the allotment and it is fennel. Everything else is doing well, especially the rhubarb. I think I will make some jam. I have planted some salad leaves in a tub in the polytunnel and some broad beans outside. As @Frugaldom said everything seems to be late in Scotland. I am away from tomorrow until Sunday, so I will start off some more seeds when I get back. Our allotment has a plant sale in May so there will be plenty of young plants available then.

I had an unexpectedly good shop in Morrisons this morning. I often find them expensive but they had quite a few decent reductions. I went in because I had a £2 off £20 voucher. My best buy was six boxes of 50 'The Best' Decaff Earl grey tea bags which were reduced from £2.40 to 60p. I mainly drink decaff and Earl Grey is my favourite tea, so it was a win for me. I got another voucher when I paid. I also met someone that I haven't seen for years and stood for ages chatting. I think those incidental meetings are one of the benefits of in -person shopping to me.

RateTartExtraordinaire

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81950988#Comment_81950988

HI Broomstick, Yes! I've made soya yoghurt using a cup of soya yoghurt with the active bacteria and soya milk. I use the microwave as it has a setting for bread dough proving and there are two settings for yoghurt - one for small cups (7 hours) and one for large bowl (9 hours). It's a Sam sung model. Very handy. The soya yoghurt comes out a bit runny though so it might benefit from more time to set.

But you just need to keep it warm overnight really. An airing cupboard over the hot water tank would do it.

joedenise

If yoghurt is too thin you can make it thicker by straining through some muslin.

Bean_humane

Hello everyone

I didn't know that making soya yogurt was possible at home. Thanks for that @RateTartExtraordinaire

Bean_humane

@Prudent

Your welcome 🙂