2026 Frugal Living Challenge

wishus

My husband has been doing his clothes sort too because he has just lost a shirt size. However, he is storing his clothes because he likes them too much to throw away!

After an unexpected social event that was only unexpected because I had forgotten it, plus some football stuff that sneaked in, I'm accidentally left with only £13 in my monthly social budget with most of a month left. Think I'll need to stick to tea at book club. I can make adjustments, but tsk, tsk, not good. I want to be serious about my weight loss too, so when I'm out I'll try to stick to softs from now on.

Just got gifted a box of seitan, so that's what I'm eating with my salads every day. Husband isn't keen.

fionaandphil

Great that you understand the local retirement home position Frugaldom, will give you something to work with and sounds better than lots of places which have all sorts of binding agreements and high ongoing costs. As you say, a while off yet. Well done on the PB win!

You also prompted me to check my food budget for the year, I was horrified that mine was £1515 which is double yours but then when I divided it by months it is only £252 per week so not feeling quite as shocked. Our freezers are fairly full so we have plenty to use up and we now have quite a bit of fruit and salad growing in the garden which will reduce costs further. There are 3 of us with DH and DS both having hollow legs! DS heading off to Uni soonish so I am encouraging him to cook more and practice making some cheaper meals. The weather also looks like it may pick up this week so I am thinking of having a look at what BBQ type food we have and combining that with some big salads and baked potatoes to fill them up.

I've just googled seitan Wishus, never heard of that. Hope you enjoy it.

Have a great week all

Finstickle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015896#Comment_82015896

Only just seen this as not been on in a while - unfortunately no rebate coming my way as the issue is on a shared private supply 😭

Finstickle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059958#Comment_82059958

How are you finding the seitan?

I have recently become pescatarian and have been trying various non-meat protein sources. I am obsessed with air fried tofu and have some seitan in the fridge to try.

Finstickle

I have been okay in frugal terms lately, am very behind on the thread, but nothing outstanding to report.

My ongoing water supply issue is coming to a head with a large section of underground piping being replaced on Friday. It isn't all the way to my house but will resolve the current issue and hopefully give me a chance to recover the funds before I need to replace the next section. Cost is shared with my neighbour but is still £1,300+.

I also need to replace my front gutters but am currently ignoring that, although it definitely needs doing.

All plans to wallpaper my stairs have gone as I needed to pay someone to do it due to the height and difficulty in access. Disappointed but I will paint it myself and it will still look nice, I may even have enough paint from the landing without buying more.

I have splurged on some books this month. I normally go to the library and am a very big proponent of it but really wanted some specific books and to have them now. Grand total of £20 for 4 and all will be resold wither via Vinted or 'Sell Your Books' when I've finished with them so the net cost will be less. Reading is my main hobby and so every now and then I just need to buy myself some. It's been a very busy period at work lately and I needed something to offset that.

Had a very frugal trip to the beach at the weekend. My mum drove and i got parking. My brother got DD and I fish and chips as I was hosting him for the weekend and my mum bought everyone coffee and ice-cream. my food shop was higher with the hosting but i should be able to manage that within the overall budget.

My next task is to work out childcare, trips and camping days over the summer holidays. The camping isn't necessarily expensive its sorting the dog out as full days on the beach just don't work with him and aren't fair on him if they do. So planning that is my next job on the agenda.

wishus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059988#Comment_82059988

This seitan is very nice. It is cooked in miso and mushroom bouillon. Had some before that just tasted like solid gravy!

Rosetta92

Delurking to say I love the Frugaldom blog post about the new hide. The photos are beautiful.

Finstickle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82060032#Comment_82060032

I cooked my seitan in the airfryer and then mixed through some hoisin sauce - highly recommend!