Frugal Friends Fearlessly Facing February.

[needastrongoneagain]

Thought I'd start the new thread. Been ages since I started a thread!

I need a godmother like yours @Girliefriendlikespuppies! The pond sounds awesome.

In fairness, the team at the hospital have been out to the house frequently, he's been lucky to have been on such a specialist and high quality ward. OT and physio out next week too.

Frittata is fab, really easy and useful for lunches too.

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetable-recipes/potato-pepper-and-broccoli-frittata/

@OrderOfTheKookaburra thank you ❤️. Yes, a huge stroke, he's been in hospital 9 months. He's got significant issues in most areas but your post has given me a positive vibe.

Enough about me anyways!!

I stayed up a bit later last night and prepped a batch of tomatoes for the dehydrator to make sun dried tomatoes. I wanted to see what they would be like if I removed the skins, but I'm also dehydrating the skins to use in a pizza flavouring recipe that I found online. Just waiting for the sun to be a bit brighter before I turn it on to make the most of our solar power.

This is all by way of an experiment as I have never had a decent veggie garden before and certainly have never had such a fabulous crop of Roma tomatoes!

Part of my living frugally is making sure I use up my fruit and veg glut wisely. And speaking of wisely, I still have so many mulberries in the freezer, I think I will buy some more vodka and make another bottle of mulberry vodka. I made a bottle a couple of months ago. Mix it with some lemonade in a glass and voila, super tasty expensive feeling but actually very cheap treat!

My prickly pear fruit are starting to ripen. (Prickly pear is a cactus). Last year I made sorbet out of some of it. It was the first year it had fruit and I wasn't prepared with recipes - or had the necessary equipment to de prickle the blasted things. Must remember to get some industrial strength gloves for this year's attempt... It tasted amazing. Prickly pear has this weird flavour that is a bit like a cross between raspberry, strawberry and watermelon.

I need to work out what to do with my zucchinis (courgette). We don't have a lot of bees around except in blossom time so I have been manually fertilising them. Quite successfully! By accident I chose the perfect spot for them, away from the rest of the veggie garden in raised beds because I knew they could get very big.

Oh and Jerusalem Artichokes. Anyone know any recipes that may eliminate what I've read about their flatulence inducing properties? I thought I had transplanted all of them to a good spot. Clearly missed a lot of them as they have sprouted up in other areas. I now know where the inspiration for "Day of the Triffids" came from. They are so damn tall and the leaves have a subtle prickle about them that leaves me itching for ages if I don't wash whatever part of me brushed up against it.

@Girliefriendlikespuppies - we had a small pond with 2 Koi in the UK which was heavily netted until my then DH cleaned said pond and didn't put the netting back quickly - heron had a lovely lunch... I left the netting off and within a couple of months newts had moved into the pond. If you make sure you have some newt friendly plants (with small leaves that they can use to lay their individual eggs in) hopefully you get some too! And apparently dragonfly larvae stay in the water for 2 years so you'll probably have quite a few of them too.

Prickly pears sound tasty kookaburra

can’t help you with other recipes though my glut go to was always have a second freezer when we had an alottment

need ❤️ you know where we are

girlie your godmother sounds great. We got a wildlife pond that needed some tlc and still is a bit dirty. Get pond plants to keep the water clean and a fountain thing for oxygen the second if you can plants do the job just fine
we did have frogs but one froze last year. Birds us ours to bath in and our blue tit is back in the bird box

yes i was childish and shouted “look tits!” 😂

stormy here fence is in peril. Should have been sorted last year but neighbors.

em i hope you walked away. We have a will but no poa . PIL won’t hear us on it either

I’ve had to give up on the POA conversations with Dmum. She says she’ll think about it, and then I get a barrage of emails saying how I’m after her money and nasty to me.

DH and I got our POA documents through, we have applied to be each other’s LPA for both health and wealth, after finding out that being married doesn’t actually mean you can make health decisions for the other person. DH has just been diagnosed with a heart condition and has 3 adult kids who don’t accept me and would definitely try to take over if the worst happens so we decided to get these for peace of mind.

My mum sorted POA so that myself and my brothers have it for her health and finances if the worst happens. It seems the sensible thing to do especially if you're single.

I was down to fumes in the car so have put my last £30 in it, I now have about £4 to my name plus about £8 in Tescos vouchers.

I have 10 days till payday ☹️

So depressing.

I blame brexshit.

Hello everyone, please can I join? I need to get control of the family/my spending with the col things are suddenly tight for us. Does anyone have any advice for a newbie?

I got LPA (finance) for my Mum and Dad - took absolutely forever, I think it was 18months from lodging it to finally being issued. And I have to do the registering thing still - I've just had it up to HERE with the endless admin that the last couple of years have brought. And there's still some bits looking at me as I sit here and write this.

So, although DH and I have wills, and life insurance written into trust, and death in service benefits sorted, I just cannot go through the LPA rigmarole again just yet. This may be a terrible idea, but perhaps - and here's a thought! - DH could do it! He won't though.

£76 on food since last Sunday, and apart from coffee, creme fraiche and naan bread, I'm done now until Monday/Tuesday. We've had our 3 meat/fish meals this week, and so the plan for the next few days is squash and coconut soup; lentil dahl with sides; baked garlic mushrooms on toast; pasta with roquefort and broccoli; Spanish omelette. Will make flapjacks and scones with what I have in the house. Tenth loaf from naice bakery came free with loyalty card, so I spent the savings on daffodils and tulips in LIdl. And very nice they look too!

Interlibrary loan book is ready to collect, so a visit to the library for me this afternoon. Planning a couple of new walks with Ddog this weekend, visiting t'old folks, and getting started on the next redecorating project, which is the (very tiny) loo. DS was going to be visiting, mainly to go out with a friend on his birthday; but in a rare flash of frugality, has decided he can't afford a big night out. So, sorry not to see him, but obviously proud of frugal impulses.

need and mrs - I can't think of a way of saying this which doesn't risk sounding cheesy, so forgive me - but, massive respect for all your care and work in supporting your loved ones and keeping the whole thing on the road. I hope 2023 brings you joy and some respite.

I’m at the indoor play park with the kids. It’s busy. And noisy as hell. I hate this place. But. They love it and need to burn off steam. We have a membership so entry is covered. I’ve treated myself to a ridiculous hot chocolate. £4?!

@Girliefriendlikespuppies , I think you wanted a high calorie veggie dish?
Jack Monroe’s sausange is very nice and could be made with veggie sausages and mozzarella.

@ememem84 gosh! I hope you got ALL the things on your hot choc for £4! We sell one in our cafe for 3.90 and it is HUGE, super chocolaty, has a layer of mini marshmallows, a good swirl of cream, topped with a few more marshmallows, a chocolate star with sprinkles on and dusted with cocoa powder!!! Not for the feint hearted, but it would make up for having to spend time in a children's soft play!!!

Order of the kookabura waitrose have some Jerusalem ARTICHOKE recipes on their website you might be interested in. Mine were new plug plants last year and strangely stunted I think they didnt like the heat although I watered. I am hoping they might be more day of troffid like this year!

I got another letter from the bank. The interest rates are changing so rapidly that the bank can't keep up.

I got a letter earlier in the week (dated 8th February) to say that the mortgage interest rate has increased to 3.95% and the new rate will apply from 20th February.

Today I got a letter (dated 14th February) to say that the mortgage interest rate has changed to 3.45% and the new rate will apply from the 16th January.

Hmmmm..........

Anyway, glad it's the weekend. I'm meeting a friend for coffee tomorrow. Other than that, it will be a quiet weekend. Disappointed that there are no rugby matches this weekend. And no Downton Abbey on Sunday night.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Welcome aboard Spring. The main advice I can give you is to draw up a budget. I do it on a monthly basis because my Ex used to get paid monthly. But it might suit you better to do it on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

So, work out all of your income sources for the month. Then work out all of your expenses or bills for the month i.e.

Mortgage or Rent
House Insurance
Childcare costs
Mortgage Payment Protection
Gas bills (there's no gas where I live so I order home heating oil)
Electricity bills
Car insurance
Car Tax
Petrol
Groceries
Mobile phone bills
Subscriptions like SKY/Netflix/Disney Plus/Amazon Prime/Spotify
Entertainment - meal out/take away/night in the pub

In addition, you'll probably need a budget for things like:-

Christmas
Car repairs/new tyres etc.
Appliances - if your washing machine/fridge/oven breaks down, you'll need money to repair or replace it.
Annual holiday

In an ideal world, your income would exceed your outgoings and you'd have a surplus for savings. But some people have a very low income which means they find it difficult to pay for everything. And even people who would have had a comfortable standard of living in the past, are feeling the pinch now. If your outgoings exceed your income then you'll have to make changes somewhere, to reduce your outgoings.

Suggested cuts include:-

Save on energy costs by cutting back on electricity and heating. Hang clothes outside to dry instead of using a tumble dryer. Use an electric blanket or heated throw instead of heating the whole house.

Save on groceries by shopping in discount supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi and reducing the amount of meat in your diet

Save on petrol by reducing your journeys e.g. use one journey to do two or three errands instead of making two or three separate journeys.

Shop around for cheaper insurance quotes.

Cancel some (or all) subscriptions.

Cut back on entertainment. So, get a take away instead of going for an expensive meal in a restaurant. Or if you never go out for expensive meals but you usually get a weekly take away, maybe cut back to a monthly take away instead. Meet friends in your house for coffee or wine instead of going to a cafe or pub.

Forego your annual holiday. Or have a few days away in the UK instead of a fortnight in the sun.

I don't do all of these things myself but I'm just giving examples of where savings can be made. I'm sure the other frugaleers will suggest things I've left out.

Just agreeing with the budgeting advice - a real turning point for me was factoring in all those ongoing expenses like clothes, car repairs, insurance etc and realising how much in actual fact they cost.

sorry I won’t be able to catch up with everyone’s news but good luck em with the pay rise and need sending you lots of love and strength (not that you need it!)
also beautiful black kookaburra and your garden produce sounds amazing.
lovely that your DD remembered you on a tricky day tayto

just realised I’ve had quite a frugal half term and feel like I’ve actually had a week off as the DC are now largely self sufficient. Did I mention DD now has a job, in a charity shop? Will build up her confidence and also means she can now pay for her car insurance. DS1 also has a job (though I think I’ll have to sub him a bit for driving lessons in a few months when he’s 17, as he doesn’t earn a lot). They’ve organised their own activities and paid for them this week. So I’ve just chucked DS2 (who’s 14 and doesn’t have a job yet) a few quid for chips every now and then while he’s out with mates.

had a lovely day out at Lyme Park with a friend - used my membership and I paid petrol, she paid coffees. We went via Marple which was where o did my community midwifery placement years ago, a trip down memory lane!

sorry Kookaburra that should be beautiful beach. I should check before I press post 🙀

Welcome spring. tayto gives good advice there.

My bit would be don't deprive yourself of the things you love. Just find the cheapest way of enjoying it. Otherwise you will resent every moment and won't stick at it.

And don't buy meal deals for lunch.... Pack ups are so much nicer and a fraction of the price.

girlie that is going to be a long time to payday. Do you belong to a community pantry? The one near us is open to anyone on UC or tax credits. When they have gluts from the supermarket or local allotments/ farms they are available for everyone.

DS has got his living wage job back. He is happy. Most jobs pay minimum around here.

Martha you could have waved as you went by. I am guessing you went via NM.

Unescorted if I’ve read that right I did 😂 I am about an hour away from Manchester but in yorkshire

Welcome spring you will get great advice and lots of support here. I need to meal plan better and stop just nipping to Morrisons on my way home daily instead of doing a full planned shop once a week yes I pick up some yellow sticker bargains but end up getting stuff full price stuff i don’t need
Including a meal deal for the following day as I am so bored of lunches at work at the moment

i find being accountable on here helps so spends today £25 pet shop for dog and cat food £30 Morrison went for bread yesterday £1200 payment towards my new shutters this has been saved up for and hopefully having these booked will get dh to get a move on with the other jobs he needs to do before they are fitted as nothing has been done for months now

ns or ls weekend as dh is working and so are dc so nothing planned

Hello, seem to have dropped off the thread. Been busy which then feel less organised and more spending 😕 trying though! Got emails for three EE contracts and BT TV / broadband package, all going up by 14.4% as I think EE is owned by BT? One of the phone contracts and the now ludicrously expensive TV broadband package is ending soon so hopefully good savings to be made there. Started as £80 per month as a treat when I went full time two years ago, went up to £92 last year, now its going to be £105 😳 I think I can get this down by £45 for the same. Plus DHs phone contract down by £25. I'm SIM only, just DS's iPhone but that ends December and we will all be SIM only.

Managed a weekly shop for £106 yesterday between Lidl and Iceland, hopefully some thing will last two weeks! I am shocked by food prices every week. Its the cost I am struggling with most.

Day out with Spendy friend today. I just go with the flow on that one as she's lovely and the kids are nearly 12 so I don't think they'll want to keep doing this. I've agreed to go to a chain pizza restaurant I thought was pretty cheap, when I've looked its £30 for me and DD 😳 signed up for their email offers - will see what comes in.

Hello spring I find being accountable on here helps.

Lovely beach pics kookaburra

Sorry will try to keep up properly 🙈

Welcome spring. I’ve found cancelling Amazon prime a great way to cut down on buying all those little things. When we have it, the delivery drivers are here frequently

Also one I need to get back in the habit more, now the weather is improving is walk more, drive less. I’m bad with this as often time poor, but it saves fuel and exercise in one hit.

DH has been through mils finances. And slashed her budget. She’s worried about having enough money to retire in a couple of years.

some things on her old budget

hair and cosmetics 600
travel 1200
groceries 700
pocket money 400
clubs and memberships 800
Clothes 800

DH was a bit shocked at these. (the other things were insane too - she’s paying both mortgage and rent; paying for 2 cars: paying rent on office space for her business but not using it; paying utilities etc for her office and her house and not using it etc; )

the above are all monthly costs. And admittedly are in nzd. But still.

we assumed the travel was savings to travel. But no. It’s using the bus or petrol for the car or taxis etc.

dh has told her to totally slash the budget. She buys groceries and eats out most of the time because the place she’s renting out hasn’t got a full kitchen.

he told her that she doesn’t need to get her hair cut every 2 weeks or coloured once a month. She gets her nails done weekly. She has to apparently because she’s a real estate agent.

she needs two cars because one for day to day and one bigger one for moving things around or travelling.

she has to buy new clothes because she’s a real estate agent and it wouldn’t do to see her in the same outfit when she’s showing houses.

pure insanity

Morning all, not doing too well on the regular posting. Just back from a few relatively frugal days away. Will try and read back a little but hope all are doing ok. Feels like a long week and a half until pay day.

Unescorted** there is a community fridge locally but tbh it's not food I'm worried about as the cupboards and freezer are well stocked. Im more concerned with fuel as dd is currently on a work placement which is in the middle of nowhere so I have to drive her. It's 30 miles a day in addition to normal miles I need to do.

Next week I'm working so will be driving around for work and tomorrow the dog has an agility class (already paid for) that is 20 mile round trip.

So next week I'll be doing over 200 miles (if my maths is right) so it will be tight on whether I have enough fuel to last.

I've got two friends coming over today to discuss if the pilates class we all go to is worth the money it costs! It's £8 a class and we've just realised you can join the local gym for £32 a month!

The issue is the pilates class is a 5 min walk from my house, I enjoy the class and it's at a fairly convenient time.

The gym in theory would allow for more exercise as includes use of swimming pool as well as classes but would I be committed enough to go?! It's a 10 min drive from my house.

We will weigh up the pros and cons over a cuppa 🤔