2026 Frugal Living Challenge

kayannie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013591#Comment_82013591

I was gifted 2 of the Kilner bottles a few years ago that have the old fashioned swing top fastening. Before then, I used small screw top glass bottles (I begged some empties from a local cafe). As long as you use an airtight bottle it'll store well although it can be drank immediately. I keep mine for 12 months before my supply runs out & it's time to make a new batch.

Before I began making the cordial, I used to make elderflower champagne. This was a bit hit & miss as it needed storing a few weeks before drinking but stored too long and it tasted rancid!

Let me know if you need the recipe.

KA

Frugaldom

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82011345#Comment_82011345

FABULOUS POST - WELL DONE! 😊

We did ok from Olio last week but nothing available this week. I cashed out £5.00 in Morrison's More points and managed to get a £1.50 home delivery slot. Fruit, veg and toiletries replenished, along with some frozen items and, hopefully, done extra points. I like the new addition to their receipts... Asterisk at items that attract VAT. I do my best to avoid buying stuff that incurs VAT as I see them as wants rather than needs. I think I'll start counting up how much tax I'm paying on goods & services. Which reminds me, I must get my tax return done somits out of the way sooner rather than later.

Hope everyone managed to enjoy the recent sunshine. Free vitamin D for everyone. ☀️

Finstickle

It's been an up and down week or so when it comes to Frugal life.

My water continues to be an ongoing issue as more leaks have been identified and the poor woman next door ended up with water in her house last Friday. General consensus from everyone who comes is that all of the pipes are shot and we do need to replace them all. It looks like we will try and get linked jobs but separate bills. Next door are going through their insurance and will be pushing for a quick resolution, hoping for all the details on Monday so I can start organising from my side. I have some money, hoping it comes in under that however my mum has kindly said she will lend me some if I need, which is very generous of her, she is on a pension and doesn't have a lot. Unfortunately does need sorting as I still can't shower and it takes a long time to get the bath to a decent fill.

Positive frugal things this week has been DD's pocket money. (She gets 10p a day and extra for reading) I don't know exactly how much she had but she brought it all to a festival with us last weekend. This was perfect as her friend had done the same and both of them were able to go mad buying all the little bits and pieces young girls love and I didn't have to pay for any of it 😁 And she had to manage what she had and what she could buy.

Frugal plans for the weekend involve mist coating my newly plastered walls (I have white paint to do this) and painting the upstairs walls properly, hopefully both coats (I also should have the paint to do this). I have budgeted £100 this month to go on a Sprive B&Q giftcard, although I am not sure I'll use it this month I am going to get the giftcard so it's in my account ready, just in case I need a paint top up or get further along with my projects than I think. I also have everything I need to repaint my metal garden furniture so may start in with the wire brush. I've had my little bistro set since in sat in the garden of my London flat roughly 15 years ago so a bit of a spruce up is overdue

Nelliegrace

I have just had a reminder of the Dogs Trust Companion Club membership. It provides good value 3rd party dog insurance, especially for seniors at £12.50. Sadly, not needed now, so I shall cancel the Direct Debit.

Quantaqa

A wee success for me this morning. RAC quoted me £171 for another year of breakdown cover with them. Even after I phoned them the cover would only go down to £130 but no national recovery included. I cancelled and went with AA at £108 including the national recovery.

Welcome to @startin_again, it sounds like you're off to a great start ☺️.

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015249#Comment_82015249

i think you'll get a water rebate once the pipes are repaired. You'll need a couple months meter reads but i got £800 years ago in my old house

PipneyJane

Morning All

Anyone here have an account with Chase? They’ve changed the rules again on theit cash back. Now, you have to have a consistent £1,000 in savings with them and make 15 spends a month (DD or card spends), in order to get 2% cash back. While they’ve expanded the eligible spending to include cafes, restaurants and takeaways, I am seriously wondering if it is worth the effort. How am I going to make 15 purchases a month?

DH reckons, worst case, we can go to Sainsbugs and buy individual bananas or carrots, in order to make up the spend. Hmmm…..

• Pip

ETA: that £1,000 is the total balance of your savings accounts - you can still have multiple - on every day in the month.

Sallyp2

frugality won … listening to Arsenal game on radio rather than paying TNT or HBO £

its actually quite nice sitting in garden with 5live and a glass (or two) of rose

doesn't sound great for gunners

fionaandphil

@quantaqa for next year also have a look at Autoaid which is about £58. We have used them for years and have called them out. They send local recovery people and they've always arrived quickly and fixed the problem. Do check if your car is older as I think there is an excess. MSE usually have a discounted link too

fionaandphil

Welcome to the thread, making a good start @startin_again