2026 Frugal Living Challenge

maryb

Interesting debate about stockpiling.  I do stock up but only when I get a discount or can use vouchers.  For instance Tesco is the cheapest fuel around here so that is where we fill up.  I use a Tesco credit card to pay for it which gives me extra points but the card is always paid off each month.   I save up my Clubcard points in their Christmas saver scheme which pays out in December along with some money off coupons, usually £6 off a £30 spend.  I use those to stock up on soap, toothpaste and DH's shaving foam and razor blades for the year. ( Razor blades are unbelievably expensive!)  I aim to save an average of 15% on the headline price on anything I buy for the stock cupboard and I think that beats leaving the money in a savings account (especially as it's tax free)  But I don't buy in bulk just for the sake of it.  I've never understood the thinking that you are saving by buying at today's price if it's just something you are going to have to buy again in future when it's used up

kimwp

maryb said:

Interesting debate about stockpiling.  I do stock up but only when I get a discount or can use vouchers.  For instance Tesco is the cheapest fuel around here so that is where we fill up.  I use a Tesco credit card to pay for it which gives me extra points but the card is always paid off each month.   I save up my Clubcard points in their Christmas saver scheme which pays out in December along with some money off coupons, usually £6 off a £30 spend.  I use those to stock up on soap, toothpaste and DH's shaving foam and razor blades for the year. ( Razor blades are unbelievably expensive!)  I aim to save an average of 15% on the headline price on anything I buy for the stock cupboard and I think that beats leaving the money in a savings account (especially as it's tax free)  But I don't buy in bulk just for the sake of it.  I've never understood the thinking that you are saving by buying at today's price if it's just something you are going to have to buy again in future when it's used up

It's not something I personally do, but stockpiling ahead of time will save money (if the items do not perish and are used, of course) even if bought again, because they are being bought at a lower price than they would have been if bought later.

To simplify the maths, assume an item starts at £1 and goes up by 10p every month.

Buying 12 at the start of year 1 costs £12.

Buying one every month costs £18.60. 

At the end of the year, a single item costs £2.10. at the point, bulk buying for the next year will cost £25.20, but this will still be cheaper than buying one each month through that year.

Gem-gem

We do stockpile things like roasting joints, porridge oats and long life oat milk when it is cheap because our aim is keep our food / grocery bill as low as possible whilst eating ultra process free as much as possible.

But for myself, I need to not buy or borrow anymore books whilst I have so many waiting to be read. 
When I left work, I had bought so many resources that I looked at it in horror and thought about how much of my mortgage I could have paid off or extra had in savings if I hadn't bought half the stuff. 

Maryb, I get your point though that saving 15% is far more than I can get in savings. It is going to be a fine balance, thinking about is it best to spend or to wait. I think the key is to reflect. Rather than just doing something because that you have always done. 

Thank you kimwp for your input / thought too. Lots to reflect upon. 

Jojo77_2

Hi All, I'd like to join and follow along. Although I've been reading on here for a few years ive not really posted. Ive followed the challenge for quite a few years & 2026 is a big year for me. Our income will drop significantly in Spring as I'm about to stop working for a while (not sure how long) mg healths not great & working us taking all my energy. My husbands retired & we've agreed i need to take some time off & see if it helps my health. I've ME/ Chronic fatigue and several autoimmune conditions thst are getting worse. We will be living off jyst my husbands pension. We lucky weve no debt, but it going to take a lot of adjustment & changes to ensure we csn make it work. Ive about 10 years before I can claim any pension; ill probably have to find work again at some point but hopefully something much more part time & local if I csn adjust to more frugal ways. Looking forward to the challenge. 

DiscountDuck

Hello folks,

I used to be incredibly frugal, but since becoming mortgage free that has slipped and I’m keen to get back into good habits and to build up a decent savings pot to make the gap between when I can take my private pension and when I can retire shorter! Future me wants today me to get their act together so I can be retired sooner rather than later - and I’m hoping a bit of accountability will help. 

I’m aiming to save £12k this year, which may be somewhat ambitious. 

Off to cancel needless subscriptions to make a start on saving now.

mama67

Hi to all the newbies and stalwarts. 

For anyone who hasn’t or doesn’t. Don’t forget about cashback sites when purchasing items online. There are a couple of different ones. 

Then when you cash out the rewards look to see if you can boost that again with a bonus. 

We have had a couple of meal out vouchers this year for treat meals as that rewarded the biggest bonus. 

We would have gone out for these meals anyway but felt even better knowing they were technically free. 

Quiet day here today as there was a big family gathering at one of Dave’s nephews yesterday with lots of traditional fayre (black bun, black pudding with bubble & squeak, gammon & lentil soup, tablet & shortbread). 

Look forward to reading about everyone’s endeavours. 

mama67

Not for everyone but friend who shoots regularly has just dropped off these for us. 

3 brace pheasant and 1 brace of duck 

I’ll make him a game pie for next time he comes round as a thank you xx

Chan2019

Hello all, hope you’re having a lovely evening! 

I forgot to thank you @frugaldom for all of your tips over the years! Really appreciate you! 

Today I took my DS to a local soft play cafe, it cost £6 but I’m back to work on Monday so it was nice to go. Refused buying a coffee or any snacks like I normally would. 

Tomorrow I’m heading to a free story time in our local library and then a few friends will pop in for a cuppa and a slice of my homemade cake- this will save me money because we would usually go to Costa! 

Take care all, please keep sharing your frugal tips! 

C xxx

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 
@mama67 what a lovely gift. How long do you hang them for? 
Had a small family gathering today as my Mum had a heart attack last weekend and it got postponed. (She is okay, but not back to her 100%). Served the meal that I cooked and froze when I knew that it wasn't going to happen - Lasagna. For dessert, we had left over h/m mince pies, Christmas cake plus a couple of bits of Christmas present choc thrown in. 

My brother brought back empty jam and chutney bars and swapped them for full ones (h/m of course). Mum went home with the box of Lindt chocs that I cannot eat. 

NSD 2 for me.
Has anyone had a visit from Agent Millionaire? If not, good luck for tomorrow and finding out about the smaller prizes.

I found out today that... Cat's noses have 200 million scent receptors. We have 6 million.

amber03

£36 in roadkill, that’s a good find and you’ve had a good start to this years total. Managed not to go food shopping over Xmas or new year, so tomorrow is my first shop for over 2 weeks, never been heard of before but due to my new mindset it’s going to be he norm, only shop when I need to.