2018 Frugal Living Challenge

Hi all,

Not posted for a while, not so much fallen off the wagon but this last fortnight things seem to have ground to a halt, I've been trying really hard as usual but not seeming to be getting anywhere with paying off my debts so got a bit disheartened for a couple of days. Nevertheless I've given myself a kick up the bum now and will continue on.

Hope you've all had a lovely sunny day like we've had here. Some of our friends are in Florida and they've been on facebook today saying it's raining and cold there - oops!

I've spent most of the day at my old rental property getting it ready to sell. Today I've managed to change the locks and do some tiling in the bathroom all by myself. Not only am I very proud of myself but I've also saved myself a lot of money on tradesmen. My mum came down and cleared a lot of rubbish from the garden so just a few more jobs to do and I'm hopeful we can get it on the market very soon.

We've had a massive Lidl open up right near the rental property so popped on the way home and got my weekly shopping and some charcoal and some nice bits of meat as we're hoping for a BBQ tomorrow. Still needed to pop to Mr T to get a few things that Lidl dont stock but saved a fair bit ( just a shame i cant shop there regularly as too far from my house to make it viable) All in all came in £2.19 under budget but I did get about £10 of YS meat from Mr T which I've frozen and will save me a fair bit over the coming weeks.

Also sorted and listed a load of stuff on the selling sites this week. Not had much interest which is annoying. Actually thought I'd sold my massive double pram which would have been brilliant firstly because it takes up so much room but the money would have come in handy. As it was we arranged a time for pick up but the girl didnt arrive, when I messaged her it turned out she'd come over an hour earlier than agreed (without messaging me or anything to tell me) and I didnt hear the door as wasnt expecting her so was upstairs in my office - I work from home. Apparently that was my fault though. I offered to deliver it to her but she refused every one of the options I offered her then finally said she was going out but I could leave it at the back of her house "if I really wanted to" but no mention of the money she was supposed to be giving me - erm I dont think so! I'm really annoyed actually as I dropped the price at her request and she was getting a blooming bargain. People like this only seem to exist on selling sites but there's so many of em that after a while you start to wonder if you are the one that's being unreasonable. Oh well nowt I can do I suppose but feels good to get it off my chest and have a little rant.

On a positive note all my veggie seeds have sprouted so barring bug attacks or disasters I should have potatoes, onions, beans, peas and garlic at least - along with various herbs. I also have raspberry canes and rhubarb doing well though I wont get fruit this year. This is the furthest I've ever got with growing my own stuff so feeling quite positive and hoping it continues to thrive - no more cat droppings either since someone on here advised me on how to repel the little darlings from my garden.

Hey ho thinks thats quite enough for tonight. Will try to check in more regularly again to keep myself motivated. Night all!

Good morning
I hope the sun is shining where you are? It is making an effort - so the washing machine is on

Not posted for a while, trying to exercise my new powers of frugality whilst I was away in the campervan! It was a great few days away over the bank holiday, and we made the most of the weather. We couldn't resist a couple of ice-creams over the weekend as it was so hot, and a nice cold beer at the mid-point of the hike. Otherwise we were self-sufficient in the van for food.

We then had a family visitor this week for a few days. This is always harder to manage. I made sure that we all had a drink and some food with us everyday that we went out. Also had a nice big breakfast to power us through the day
Although by the time parking has been paid, then there is the coffee and cake(!), things start to add up rather quickly. This is before we have paid an entrance fairs to any attractions.

Seven NSD so far this month which for me is very good. Ive set myself a little challenge. To buy outfits from a charity shop, to buy gifts from charity shops and to buy in bulk for some things. Hopefully I can save a bit of money doing this. Im not in any debt, I dont drive and I have an emergency back up but I want to be able to save for my future, if that makes any sense.

Morning everyone

Have been MIA for couple of weeks DH 60th so we been to New York to celebrate all budgeted for though and although food and drinks with tax and tips very expensive didn't go over budget I put money by every month for holidays which this covered back to saving now did monthly shop last night online coming later need to clean and get in garden today Glad to be back back to normal.