2026 Frugal Living Challenge

Prudent

That's great news @Finstickle . Enjoy your break away. The weather is glorious just now and I expect @Frugaldom will have lots of visitors in campervans.

I've had a busy few weeks and lovely trip away for a big birthday. Back down to earth with a food shop today. I now describe the prices as 'ouchy' to my partner. I know a lot of people are stocking up against future rises, but I haven't had a huge amount of headroom in my budget this month inspite of being treated to meals out and an awful lot of afternoon teas! Still one of each to go, so not much cooking this weekend.

I did manage to get some yellow stickers today and I was happy to note that Farmfoods had their 350g mature cheddar for 99p again. I got some nice wee fabric bargains in a charity shop while I was away so I will have fun sewing with those. Also on a happy note, I won a radio competition this morning and a set of posh cookware is included in the prize. I don't know anymore details yet, but even a two piece set will be welcome. I have two large two handled pots which I use for soups and things like curries, casseroles. One is cast iron and both OH and I are finding it quite heavy. I had decided to buy a replacement in May, but I will wait and see what arrives first.

mandy47

Congratulations Prudent on your win.

Frugaldom

Good evening, frugal friends. 😊 Not an awful lot to report here as I've not talked up my monthly spends yet. They shouldn't be much but I did buy some compost.

Congratulations @Prudent and here's hoping your winning streak carries you through a premium bonds win. I can hardly believe that's another month gone already! On campervan side of things, we are too remote to be busy but I'm expecting 3 over this coming weekend.

Great news about getting your water pipes fixed at no cost to you @Finstickle

Igo and total my monthly spends then update my budget. I think I have got sunburned after spending the full day outdoors - animal chores in the morning and sorting out electric fencing all afternoon.

suzeesu2000

Been good and, although later than expected, have cleared all the Easter veg, now all peeled, sliced, blanched and packaged into the freezer. Also made some very nice veggie stock cubes. Didn’t expect to make quite so much so have 5 bags of individually wrapped stock cubes, about 8 in each bag and a decent size. Saw how to make them on YT so finally got around to doing it.

Instead of spending £8 on Vanish to soak my dish cloths, I went back to soda crystals and boiling on the gas stove. Oh they came out so bright white, very pleased and much more economical. Plus I read that boiling water with soda crystals is really good at cleaning the waste pipe so it did that job too.

Cooked five quite small chicken drumsticks and used the meat to make a big bowl of chicken salad.
May is going to be a VERY frugal month as April was so costly with the funeral, flowers, paperwork etc.

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965187#Comment_81965187

i have some mini ellnett hairsprays you can have - they were my mum's. Live in beds

i don't bother with hair styling products - pull your hair into a bun / chignon and get in with the day. Don't even do make-up

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966620#Comment_81966620

likewise

went to gdn centre for a light lunch - they wanted £2.99 for a can of diet coke! You can get a pack of 8 for £5 in supermarkets. Lady justified it by saying we have to chill it. I didn't order one - had free water with my sarnie lol

re water - you'll need water purification tablets. I used them when iI was back packing. They leave a taste - you can boil it away

Frugaldom

HAPPY MAY DAY!

I hope everyone has a great weekend to celebrate the start of warmer weather and summertime preparations to see us through the year.

@suzeesu2000 Well done on the washing soda! I'm never without it as it's so versatile and affordable. It has saved me a small fortune.

@Sallyp2 The reason things cost so much when sitting in somewhere include wages, business rates, insurance, utilities, higher purchasing costs, VAT, etc. It's not actually about the price of the products on sale. My dad used to always say it's about helping keep people in jobs and it's an honour to be able to do so. Eating out is an absolute luxury for me as it simply isn't in the budget, but if I could, I probably would, knowing I'm paying a premium for the service. For that reason, if treat myself to something special to drink, rather than an off the shelf can. 😊 Dad also taught us that if there's a job to be done, pay the person whose job it is and help keep them in work - he was most definitely not into DIY, but mum is and always has been. 😄 He'd likely turn in his grave if he could see now how hard it us to find tradesmen, general workers or volunteer help. But it may not be like this in the towns - we are rural, where there's almost nothing within about 10 miles. 😄

Frugaldom

Tallied up my grocery spends for year to date and they total £352.42 We had several weeks without any Olio but I managed to make a few requests over the past week, so I've probably gained another couple of kilos in weight by breakfasting on almond croissants and eating pizza and 'posh' bread. No further spends on petrol for the car as I simply haven't been driving anywhere.

Bean_humane

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81978799#Comment_81978799

Hello @2Scratters

Thank you. I didn't think of it in those terms, which makes me feel better. I am good at criticising myself too much, maybe less so than focusing on the bills. I will do the money makeover I spotted on here... Must do better, as my old school report used to say...

The food - comfort and stress eating is convenience too (caring for relative with dementia who denies they have it and very difficult when they refuse help e.g. personal hygiene, wearing underwear, medication) has made for fraught grocery shopping, both with and without them present.

Time consuming leads to what is quicker to be made or shovel in before/after medical appointments as hospitals aren't the cheapest or most nutritional ironically places to eat.

The last appointment time leading to two missed attempts to get there e.g. refusal to get up, second time 2 hours before even getting into the hospital itself, third time actually allowed to have the appointment even though late, thanks to me explaining everything repeatedly to different hospital staff). 😕

Hence. Chocolate. For my own medical use (and unbranded cheap as possible).

I shop at L!dl for me, Tosco for the cat as sadly very picky, plus items I can't get at L!dl. These are the closest. Not the best idea to shop after supporting relative as my brain wants comfort! But they are on my route home from relative.

I need to make time for batch cooking again, used to make healthy treats e.g. fake chocolate truffles (dates, nuts, cocoa powder). And I never seem to get there for the reduced stuff at the shop. 🤔

Ah the excuses.... 😁

Bean_humane

@fionaandphil

Hello, thanks for that, there's an A!Di in a different route I will have a browse. 👍