Page 7 | Frugally Forward To Autumn

jewishmum · 23/08/2022 12:58

Cut up a giant bag of baby clothes into lengths the size of two pieces of toilet roll. I keep these in an old laundry powder box, beside an empty one to put the dirties. Much better than wet wipes for toileting and as I've a free onsite laundry I just stick the dirties in with the cloth nappies and towels for washing.

ememem84 · 23/08/2022 13:02

jewishmum · 23/08/2022 12:58

Cut up a giant bag of baby clothes into lengths the size of two pieces of toilet roll. I keep these in an old laundry powder box, beside an empty one to put the dirties. Much better than wet wipes for toileting and as I've a free onsite laundry I just stick the dirties in with the cloth nappies and towels for washing.

This is something I was reading about. I’m not sure I could get on board with it though. I like the idea just there’s an ick to it.

that said I do use period pants (absolute game changer for me) and wash these No issue. So maybe….

soends £6 in accessorise and £5 lunch as I forgot mine. I know I know….

also took the dcs books back to the library to find that a) we took out 14 not 12. And b) the reason the machine thing wouldn’t let me return book 12 was that it wasn’t a library book it was one of ours.

must go home and find the missing 3 books….

blobby10 · 23/08/2022 13:09

I have had to stop buying my Nescafe Virtuo pods for the time being so drinking instant coffee - usually get Kenco or Douwe Egberts but they were nearly £7 a jar. I picked up a jar of Lidl own brand and have been pleasantly surprised at how similar it tastes! AT £3.60 I will definitely be getting it again. I'm dont even consider myself to be a coffee snob!!

ThisisCollie2022 · 23/08/2022 13:12

Omg I remember the chalet books conversation too!

Dentist was £100 cheaper than expected. Its painful and needed a filling to mend the crack. Only £75!

Anyway, frugal win 🏆

mustbefunny · 23/08/2022 14:24

Well done for keeping hold of them gen - there are only so many sacrifices that can be made either a) on our frugal journey or b) to support someone else's debt.

We're off blackberry picking as this afternoon's free activity!

tiredandstripey · 23/08/2022 14:26

lifelongfrugaleer · 23/08/2022 08:18

look at that i saved them on my one-note - its LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGG

Frugal tips from the hive mind so far....
Check your outgoing-are they essential, are you on the best deal
Loyalty cards for stores you regularly shop at
Meal plan
Annual budget rather than monthly for those, well annual, expenses
Second hand is fine for 90% of stuff
Sign up to money saving expert emails
Insulation at home.
Close curtains at dark and tuck behind rads
Foil behind external wall rad
Turn the heating down . Tropical houses are not necessary
Use the washing line when you can
Look out for food recycling scheme- bread and butter thing, company shop, too good to go type things
Do you have to buy that Christmas/ birthday present. Can you give time instead
Eat less meat (tho I’m rubbish at this)
Have a on toast day. Or baked potato weekly
Double up while the oven is on for a reheat meal or a bake. Save electric running the oven less.
Branded goods are not always the best
-Walk those short trips if possible, instead of using the car (I am the worst for doing this). Saves petrol, good exercise too.
-Combine car trips better too e.g. dropped DD off at an activity tonight, which is next to the supermarket.
Cancel sky, if you still want the programmes switch to Now Tv for a fraction of the price
Cancel any subscriptions you don't need. Check direct debits to make sure you're not paying for anything you no longer need by accident
Check all your bills, insurances etc are the cheapest you can get for the cover you need (the last bit is important)
If you can get a voucher, use a cash back site or have some sort of work discount (nhs, bluelight, Tesco, student etc) check before paying
Meal plan before you shop. Make extra to freeze for another day as it's often cheaper per kg to buy bigger packs of meat
Go veggie a couple of times a week
Aldi and Lidl are great but not if you're going to get side tracked by the aisle of doom
An annual budget is essential but pay yourself first each month so money into the annual pot, into savings, off debt before anything else happens. Make sure there's a line in your budget for fun money even if it's a tiny amount, budgeting can be a grind otherwise
You will have patches of spendings and demotivation, don't give up just start again from wherever you end up
Take your own drinks, snacks, food, picnic - Invariably cheaper and nicer
Make your own if you have a stocked baking cupboard and spice cupboard. Cheaper and nicer, tho building said cupboard can be ££ (costs can be reduced by a visit to your local international supermarket)
Aldi for baking stuff it’s fine.
Work out of season for clothes as it’s usually cheaper
I switched to a coffee subscription (coffee is my weakness) - so our local shop delivers me a 250g bag of ground coffee every 2 weeks (I have 4 in the cupboard currently) and I make my own morning coffee. the subscription is for 6 months and costs me £58 I think. a takeaway from the same shop is £2.80 a pop. so it is a money saver. I bought a Contigo cup (spendy but worth every penny). so take my coffee hot to work with me.
I'm also a fan of using it up. so things like toiletries, stationary (I am also a notebook hoarder) food etc. not replacing until it's all gone (or all of one thing gone).
my Lloyds account does "save the change" so it rounds up a purchase and then moves the pence to my savings account.
I also pay myself first on payday and am trying to use the things we have- zoo membership - use it loads so worth the £160 a year cost. same with my gym membership I use it so get my money's worth.
Also what you can save/be frugal on can be inversely related to your means. If you have more "spare" money per month it's easier to buy in bulk and choose things that are cheapest per kg. If you have less or no spare money this isn't possible to do and then you're looking at cheapest price per item rather than per kg.
Agree re taking own stuff although I do often forget but a good coffee cup and water bottle is a good investment if you can afford it
If you have a dog use something like all about dog food to work out what the best food is you can buy based on what you can afford to spend per day
I also give the clothes an extra spin in the washing machine before they go in the dryer, and dry outside whenever I can - currently not living at home, so limited to a washer dryer (which is crap) and an airer next to a rad which I hate.
I'm a big fan of using the freezer and freeze anything I can. we buy reduced items (like bread and keep it in the freezer as it saves it going off - we maybe get through a loaf every couple of weeks).
I know that credit cards are sometimes seen here as the work of the devil (on MN specifically not this thread) but if you have one use to your advantage. Mine gives me money back in the form of M&S or amazon vouchers every quarter depending on how much I've spent. and as long as you pay it off every month it works.
Top Cashback for all internet purchases.
Join the library - many have free access to Audible, Libby (for magazines and newspapers) as well as having an amazing selection of books.
Consider how you cook things - residual heat cooking works really well for rice and any slow cooker recipe.
Grow herbs and salad leaves on a window sill
Grow soft fruit - your local allotment / neighbours with a raspberry cane/ strawberry / current / gooseberry will be more than happy to give you a cutting.
Look for local food pantries
If you need credit use a Credit Union. If you are saving support your local credit union by becoming one of their savers.
Shop seasonally as its cheaper - pick your own can be fun and cheap - pick on eat one. Just be careful of the weight racking up

Useful websites
Money Saving Expert especially the 90 ways to survive the cost of living crisis
Independent Foodbank Network There are some things that I wish we did not need
CAB
step change
cooking on a bootstrap
Thrifty Lesley

Thanks @lifelongfrugaleer I am tagging this so I remember to come back to it when I have time to read through properly!

just wanted to share my charity shop bargains of the day.
£2 Joules puddle suit for my youngest. Looks barely worn.
£2 lovely denim Next dress for eldest
2 pairs of summer shoes look hardly worn for my youngest for next year. Slight gamble as I don’t know what size she’ll be then but for £1.49 a pair it’s a gamble I’m willing to take.
few items of play clothes 50p each from the basket of stuff that’s been out a while
Toy cars so my Dds can stop fighting over the one we have at home!! 25p each

ThisisCollie2022 · 23/08/2022 16:59

Another frugal win here. Complained about our Internet service and they apologised, sent out an engineer and gave me £30 credit.

WeightoftheWorld · 23/08/2022 17:04

BigSkies I didn't even think of working in the library. I wouldn't have been able to do it in my old job, but some of my new work would be doable from there (home-based). Problem is that I will probably end up getting sucked into loads of virtual meetings though which I couldn't do from the library I guess. One of the new jobs is office-based 2 days a week though so that will save us on bills as the house will be empty those two days, but then I will have to pay my bus fare.

Spends: £7 on two packs of supermarket nappies for the kids. Thing is though, one of us will have to go back to the shop tonight once the kids are in bed because we need milk. Couldn't get it before as I went straight from there to the nursery for DS's settling-in session. And likelihood is it will be DH and he will also buy me a load of chocolate hah.

Theskyoutsideisblue · 23/08/2022 18:19

Some of you have far to go. Hint 're poster

Fearofawelshplanet · 23/08/2022 18:45

@ blobby which lidl coffee is it please? I need to change...

ancientgran · 23/08/2022 18:51

Got a same day food delivery as I was planning to shop today but I'm not well enough. Got some frozen meals as DH would starve before he cooked (well he's disabled so gets a pass but he wouldn't have done it before he was disabled) so putting a ready meal in the microwave is about right for him. I was shocked at their idea of a portion of meat, it was less than half what I'd serve. Maybe smaller meat portions is a way to save money?

I applied for a refund for a train journey, long story but it was for GC and one leg of the journey was delayed and I'd done one of those split ticket things so I thought I'd get back the portion that was delayed ie. the second part of the outward journey. Expecting about £30 back, that's what i asked for and they've given me just over £120, the full money for the return journey. I'm not sure if it's a mistake but they say they've worked it out and I'm delighted. It isn't in my account yet but I have an email saying payment has been arranged so fingers crossed.

I must go and have a look at the MSE 90 ways thing. My big issue is the electricity bill but I'm not sure how I can get round that, DH uses so much tech. I guess I just have to think that's where the DLA, or whatever it is that he gets, goes.

@Theskyoutsideisblue I'm trying to remember the rhyme, think I might have to look it up.

BigSkies2022 · 23/08/2022 19:02

Is it Thursday's child that has far to go?

Original poster

Wolfcub · 23/08/2022 19:12

Made dinner for one in the new airfryer - frozen chips and none frozen M&S crisp bakes. Very impressed at the cook and the speed. I also think it'll be handy for the frequent times I'm eating alone and feel ridiculous putting the oven on

OP posts:

jewishmum · 23/08/2022 19:17

Contemplating bulk buying soap nuts from Amazon for non-stained (non cloth nappy and bum wipe) laundry.

Anyone had experience?

Decafflatteplease · 23/08/2022 19:32

jewishmum · 23/08/2022 19:17

Contemplating bulk buying soap nuts from Amazon for non-stained (non cloth nappy and bum wipe) laundry.

Anyone had experience?

I've tried them and wasn't impressed.

We also use cloth nappies /wipes/ cloth pads etc and use miofresh for that wash plus normal powder.

For regular laundry we either use non bio own brand powder or ecover /. Bio d liquid watered down half with water. I buy these in 5litre bottles to save money in the long run

HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 23/08/2022 19:46

Gensola I hadn’t twigged that you were MissA. I am also very glad you kept the books 😉

Gran my DH would also starve rather than cook. He hadn’t got an excuse 🙄

I use a dehumidifier in the spare room to dry most laundry (on a normal cheapo rack), it’s great. We don’t have a damp problem except in the leaky conservatory but I don’t want to run the risk. We leave it running when we are out and it turns itself off when the humidity is normal so it doesn’t waste leccy.

I bought a Tesco £3 meal deal for lunch today, with a tomato pasta salad thing. Not too unfrugal, but I had forgotten to retrieve my ‘office’ camping cutlery set from the holiday beach bag of stuff. And Tesco don’t give out cutlery. Nothing to be found anywhere in the office and I didn’t have time to go out again. So my lunch is uneaten and I am starving! I’ve just got home from work but we’ll be eating at 9 once DC are in bed, so I may as well hold out now and save it for tomorrow.

Gammon has been in the slow cooker today, having it with new pots and salad. Very simple is the way forward on office days - I find i am too knackered to do much! Will also do lunch salads or sandwiches.

kessiebird · 23/08/2022 19:47

jewishmum · 23/08/2022 19:17

Contemplating bulk buying soap nuts from Amazon for non-stained (non cloth nappy and bum wipe) laundry.

Anyone had experience?

I liked them as they made the clothes really soft on the line. Added a few drops of tea tree oil. My DS got excema and they seemed to help. They worked but didn't seem as clean as with detergent - more to do with the scent I think.

tiredandstripey · 23/08/2022 19:53

Just about to try and do my weekly asda shop online and need some good ideas for quick and cheap meals. However we have the following ridiculous combination of diet related requirements:

I am happy to eat anything but have to be GF due to coeliac

DH will not eat any meat but he does eat fish

DD1 (autistic) will eat fish fingers and either meat sausages (which DH will not eat) or veggie sausages (which I can’t eat as they contain gluten) and will otherwise not eat any protein other than cheese or scrambled egg. To be fair she does eat a range of fruit and veg but is funny about safe foods etc.

Any bright ideas?! We get in late from work/childminders and need dinner ready for the children within 15 mins so has to be quick. I like to try to eat with them as often as we can although sometimes can’t quite face it 😂 but it helps to keep costs down.

jewishmum · 23/08/2022 19:59

tiredandstripey · 23/08/2022 19:53

Just about to try and do my weekly asda shop online and need some good ideas for quick and cheap meals. However we have the following ridiculous combination of diet related requirements:

I am happy to eat anything but have to be GF due to coeliac

DH will not eat any meat but he does eat fish

DD1 (autistic) will eat fish fingers and either meat sausages (which DH will not eat) or veggie sausages (which I can’t eat as they contain gluten) and will otherwise not eat any protein other than cheese or scrambled egg. To be fair she does eat a range of fruit and veg but is funny about safe foods etc.

Any bright ideas?! We get in late from work/childminders and need dinner ready for the children within 15 mins so has to be quick. I like to try to eat with them as often as we can although sometimes can’t quite face it 😂 but it helps to keep costs down.

I made this thing the other day.
Recipe calls for pepperoni but I used thin slices of courgette. So fry some disks of courgette for a minute, add a handful of mozzarella or whatever cheese on top (I used mature cheddar) then a few beaten eggs on top of that, fry on low for a while then add a soft tortilla on top while the egg on top is still floppy, fry that and if you can, carefully turn it over like a pancake, or put a lid on top to steam the egg through. My fussy Dd and DH both ate it and thought it was good.

kessiebird · 23/08/2022 20:03

Drat just lost a big post!

@HalfWomanHalfChocolate that's the kind of thing I'd do. we've lost our lockers at work unless you are working there full time. One of the office based ladies let me store my camping style cutlery and bowl in her locker. Went in without my laptop charger last time 🤦

LSD here. Combined a trip to the Post Office to pay in DCs pocket money from DM with a good run, rather than drive. Not been out for two weeks - was rather puffed at the counter!

£9.49 engine oil
£9.97 sleepover birthday present for DD's friend
£4.49 absolute essentials after return from holiday and a pack of kit kat chunky on offer
Made loaded nachos from left over bbq chicken and tortillas in the freezer.
Still have to head out to get fuel /pick 16 year old DS from work

Two spendy days ahead as I'm still on holiday from work and tomorrow was planned a while back - day out at beach with a friend and her DC. At least one of us gets paid on Thurs!

flowerycurtain · 23/08/2022 20:11

Frugal fail for me today.

£5 on knives I'd left at the hardware shop months ago to be sharpened.

£21.99 in the bookshop. £15 of this was a token for a birthday gift which was fine. But I got carried away and let DD buy a book (to be fair it was the first Malory towers!)

worst of all I went to Waitrose to spend a voucher I got for complaining to buy a cake when visiting a friend tomorrow. Firstly I couldn't find the voucher. Secondly I ended up with some ys items which considering I was in Waitrose brought them to about Aldi price.

But worst of all once I got home we were all hot and tired and ate the cake so it was a completely pointless exercise I shall have to repeat tomorrow 😂😂😂

Unescorted · 23/08/2022 20:48

gen I had no Idea that you were MissA and Mines you are JAM.... I was thinking of you the other day.
Life how did you get to post that and when I did they killed the post..... Favourites 🙄
Laska. Still there.... Doing one of the specialist ones now.
@weegiemum my DD is going into 3rd yr of a BFA too. Materials are eye opening. And she is thinking of an MFA in London next year. I am experimenting with growing extra arms and legs or maybe there is more money in kidneys.

Frugal news.... I have gone back to one monthly shop with weekly fresh top up.
Not frugal news - I have joined the gym. It is cheaper and less depressing than buying a new set of clothes.

CurlsandCurves · 23/08/2022 20:51

Tough day today. We have a house that we rent out and our tenant has sadly passed away. I only found out because his rent didn’t land in our account which was totally unlike him. He was a lovely chap but had a lot of health issues bless him. Now I have to play detective and find out who is in charge of his estate. He was single with no dependants. The neighbours have been really helpful so hopefully I should be able to get in touch with someone very soon. I’ve no idea how this process all goes.

Feeling totally wrung out.

Unescorted · 23/08/2022 20:52

@tiredandstripey fish cakes? They can be made in advance and frozen.

Unescorted · 23/08/2022 20:59

Curls that is hard.