Frugal Friends Facing Forward with Fortitude

[Happierwithouthim]

Here's a friendly space for new and existing frugal friends.

We have all different types of incomes and lifestyles but with a common goal of making the best of the money we have.

Many of us have experiences of becoming debt free or being in difficulty with money for one reason or another so there's no need for embarrassment, just join in, post as little or as often as you wish.

Some record daily spends, some record only spends that are unplanned, some don't record spends at all, the choice is yours!

Yesterdays spends
€2.10 toll
€20 snacks for Panto
€30 kennels

I need to join please. It's dawned on me that since September last year I've spent money like water. Granted it's been on things I'm happy to have but I can't in all honesty say I needed them.

I certainly can't afford to carry on with this behaviour - at all - so having someone to be accountable to will be a huge help.

Yesterday - £30 on a new frying pan (gave old one to son, who split with partner and kindly gave her all the kitchen equipment).

I am aiming to have at least 8 days a month where I spend nothing ontop of what might be direct debited from the bank account. Today is one of them.
We had porridge and fruit for breakfast, went down to the beach (DC on bikes), homemade soup, bread and fridge left overs for lunch and I am making veggie sausage and mash and broccoli for tea with stewed apples (from the tree ) and custard to follow. . All from cupboards/fridge/freezer

Hi All, I really do need to try and keep up a bit better with this thread in 2024!

I've had a spendy morning, it's the first day I've been out since Christmas Eve as I managed to come down with covid all over Christmas!! So annoying, I spent most of Christmas Day in bed with a fever 😥

Thankfully feeling better now.

Spent £84 In Morrison's on food as well as a few sale items. I got one of those oodie type hoodies for tenner which I can give my mum for her bday next week.

Spent another £84 in Dun elm, went a bit mad in the sale, got two lots of new bedding (one for me, one for dd) got a couple of big towels, some new plates and bowls and a few other bits.

£36 on big bag of cat food.

We have a community fridge that's opened near us which is really well stocked at the moment so I have been in today and got loads. I'm going to try and make bread and butter pudding as got quite a lot of bread to use up. Also going to make pepper and tomato soup 😋

Hi all

Christmas was nice despite being a bit under the weather, I think this week has been the most relaxing week I’ve had all year.

Been spending too much on stuff (some necessary some less so) but want to be more sensible in the new year. Long term I want to track my spends properly but that has always been difficult with H here (no progress on that front yet, he did find somewhere but it fell through) - it will be easier when it’s just me buying all household stuff etc.

I really want to spend less money on Stuff and more on Experiences in 2024! Doesn’t need to be expensive days out or anything just doing fun stuff with the Caglets and with my friends.

https://pin.it/HLQfAKg

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heres some ideas!

for pasta/stir fries because my kids have suddenly started going off stuff I just cook things separately. Also stir fries. So they have veggies. Me and DH have the meat or whatever.

the sesame chickpea stuff is yum. Also substitute cauliflower for chicken in butter chicken.

£108 in garden centre for things for catface and some sale Christmas deca.

£155 Waitrose stocking up things.

I didn’t get out to the shed as the rain has been torrential at times, but we are eating pork shoulder steaks from the main freezer and the last of the Xmas fresh veggies tonight. I have resurrected the sour dough starter from the fridge and DH has made 3 jars of pickled beetroot that he picked from the garden last week. I have cast on some fingerless mitts for a friends birthday present next week.

Tuna pasta bake here and made garlic bread- cupboard eating instead of eating out before panto

freezer pie tomorrow and defrosting beef for Monday (hosting both days)

£10 Sainsbury’s on top up

Hi can I join? Starting the year in the black for once, and planning 3 months no/low spend to build up a little nest egg.

For me low spend looks like household bills paid, food shops kept to a minimum, reducing food waste, and no unnecessary spends at all. So no new clothes, no new books, no hair cuts, and no fripperies like coffee out and bought sandwiches.

@Nellieinthebarn if you aren't a member of a library join now. Most also give you access to audible, borrow box and press reader. As well as having ebook collections themselves. It has saved me a fortune.

Which given that I spent £76 in the Chinese supermarket is as well. It will last a while but since when did ramen noodles get to £1 a pack?

Thanks em there looks to be plenty of ideas there.

I have cancelled Audible as I have enough books to read and listen to, plus I have my library card that gives access to audio books, magazines and newspapers too. I have also cancelled ITV X as we don’t watch it enough. Best of all, I have managed to put £100 into my savings account😁

I didn't know it had a name. I'm going to do this as I inherited a lot of storecupboard items from the everyday to the fairly exotic. My freezer is well-stocked so it will be interesting.

Tonight, we're having more or less all storecupboard items except for the cauliflower rice and the fish plus broccoli from the freezer. (Chinese Mushrooms braised in stock with salted black beans; salted Chinese radish; fish in lemon pepper; steamed broccoli with black bean sauce).

What times dinner?! I’m on my way!!! That sounds delish.

@Girliefriendlikespuppies glad to hear you're on the mend
@SingToTheSky housing is so difficult. My friend is going through a divorce and it's the major obstacle
@Unescorted half roast butternut with stuffing in the 'hole' (spinach, tomato, shallot ; or whatever you fancy)

NSD. All Christmas food apart from 2 cheeses eaten. 2 veg sides went into the bin. Pleased with that. Bills all due to come out on the 2nd I think so a fresh start for the new year and can assess the Christmas (over)spend

Welcome @Nellieinthebarn sounds like a good plan. Is the nest egg for anything in particular?

Thank you for the welcome, looking forward to getting tips and advice.

I'm not saving for anything specific but I am conscious that my car is 15 years old, the washing machine about 8, the dishwasher and cooker came with the house so who knows how old they are. I just have a feeling I will probably need a bit put by as I don't want to do without any of these things.

Edit to add tonights tea last of the Christmas ham with onion and parsley sauce, mash, carrots and peas. Potatoes and carrots were 15p a bag veg wars.

Nice to see even more familiar names!

I am also wanting to cut my food spends/waste, but that is not going to happen to any great extent until H is out of the house and I can reclaim the kitchen

We had the worst washer when we moved in 15 plus years ago.... It only died last year. I fully expect that the stove and oven to out live me... I hate the oven with a passion but it refuses to die.

Sing has he looked at the Housing Association listings? Some do non social rentals but local connection. He might be lucky.

He did speak to the council but they said they can’t help at all as his name’s on our HA tenancy. I’m not entirely convinced he’s looked into as many options as he could though. I’m going to email a charity who support autistic adults with housing as I’m hoping they can give some specific advice (as there are complicating factors like disability etc). I can never trust him to always ask the right questions so I’m seeking the advice myself instead. 💪

Just heading to bed after a lovely catch up with friends. They came over, I served a warm chicken & bacon salad & we had biscuit cake which one of them brought over. Coffee & water were had so no hangovers to deal with. I discovered that coffee goes off, it was gone a grey kind of colour I now have icecream & scones, as they brought them with them.

Went to dunnes earlier with no list or plan of what to buy, ds got clothes (needed) & a rugby ball approx €50 & another €80 on food. Normally I do click & collect and spend maybe €60 but have a weeks shopping.

Ds went to skatepark with his scooter & had it to himself because of the rain. Will be a great free activity to get him away from computer games.

Sing you will find such a difference when you've full control of your finances. When I was married, ex was spending my money as well as his own, now I'm in full control of what money leaves my bank account.

@Happierwithouthim 💪 totally agree. You've gone from strength to strength, and I know it's the case for many when they've been able to leave

Two planned spends are coming up today if the weather is OK

Am debating whether to run my 'oops' account low to replenish my planned bills savings (it would be in an easy access saver so could get out if needed)

Lots of new frugaleers welcome.

i need some bits today - defo leeks just to finish off the last of the Christmas food over the next couple of days.

best meal plan too

I have a voucher for M&S. might steel myself to facing it this afternoon to buy a final bottle of wine before dry January, and some nice fish and veg.