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Original poster

Frugal living

64 replies

FairyTaleinNewYork · 20/12/2005 10:55

was chatting to mieow last night about how we used to do food shopping really cheaply, but as we have started going to tesco again rather than farm foods, lidl etc our bills have rocketed. but how do we go back into it? we're not struggling atm, so part of me says stop being silly, but i would like to be able to save up to take the kids to eurodisney at xmas 2007, and this seems a good way to start.

OP posts:
followthestarlover · 20/12/2005 22:42

not here! open christmas eve and boxing day!
who on earth would need to go shopping on boxing day?

Original poster
FairyTaleinNewYork · 20/12/2005 22:49

jeeeez, we used to get 2days off at least, and NYD as well.

OP posts:
followthestarlover · 20/12/2005 22:54

even clarks is open christmas eve and boxing day. and nyd too!!!!

notasheep · 21/12/2005 15:29

I am lucky not to live anywhere near a Tescos,Sainsburys or Waitrose.So consumerism isnt such a think round here.Very few of heard of Boden and the richest in the land drive the tatty,muddy car!

notasheep · 21/12/2005 20:09

Wouldnt we all be so much better off if we only bought what we needed-obvious but difficult to keep to

puffoeufnog · 21/12/2005 20:14

Agree about menu planning, plus we eat a lot more non meat meals now which works out cheaper. When I do buy meat, I get cheaper cuts of meat from the butcher and use slow cooker recipes.

Misspiggy · 21/12/2005 20:19

Notasheep - so true. I'm horrified at how much I throw away each week. I shop once a week and try to menu plan but something always comes up and food ends up being chucked in the bin We need to economise (one of the many things on the list for re-vamping in 2006!)so I'm determined to crack down on the food wastage. Just wish I didn't have to shop in a huge Tesco with all the tempting clothes etc. Bring back proper greengrocers and butchers!!

notasheep · 21/12/2005 20:34

We have proper greengrocers and butchers here and even a fishmongers! The butchers chicken breast fillets are cheaper than morrisons!!!!!!!

MerlinsBeard · 21/12/2005 20:37

i found shopping online helped us, i can't see things i don't actually want that way and i always forget something so saves me money how is ur dd btw (slight highjack)

Misspiggy · 21/12/2005 20:57

Unfortunately the local massive Tesco has succeeded in killing off the butcher, greengrocer, ironmonger and 2 independent petrol stations that used to thrive in our village What used to be a pretty, individual place is now starting to look like everywhere else..grrr!

notasheep · 21/12/2005 21:04

Now i get it!! We dont have a tescos(its an hours drive away!)

Misspiggy · 21/12/2005 21:21

So there is somewhere that they haven't managed to infiltrate yet...am starting to sound like one of these rabid anti capitalist types Lucky you...

notasheep · 21/12/2005 21:46

Hence my mums net name-get it!!

notasheep · 21/12/2005 21:48

Sorry that sounded so aggressive,what i mean is life here is alot different!

Mercy · 21/12/2005 21:56

What about looking at changing gas/electricity/telecom services?
We have recently changed providers for all of these.

Electricity and phone bills definately cheaper (only one quarter's bills so far though) Gas - well with all the price hikes and cold weather so far, we'll have to see. No doubt tht bill will arrive 2nd January!

Turn lights off, close curtains late afternoon, use draught excluders, turn heating thermostat down 1 degree, etc. Should check with dh, he's the expert. Will let you know if he has any ideas

Misspiggy · 21/12/2005 21:58

Der!! I should have realised! I lived in the countryside with loads of lovely (and cheap!) farm shops and no supermarkets in my early 20s and didn't appreciate it at all,

Misspiggy · 21/12/2005 22:00

Notasheep - didn't sound aggressive at all! (((trembles)))

Mercy · 21/12/2005 22:03

Also turn off electrical appliances at night (at wall plug) especially tv

notasheep · 21/12/2005 22:21

Phone bill much cheaper now we finally have broadband,had to sign a petition to be considered!

seb1 · 30/12/2005 15:58

So is anyone else going to be more frugal in 2006? I am going to try

expatinscotland · 30/12/2005 15:59

i'm going to give it my finest effort, seb, b/c i REALLY would like to have a family holiday this year, no matter how small.

seb1 · 30/12/2005 16:01

Where do you fancy going? think we are going to stay in sunny Scotland next year

noddyholder · 30/12/2005 16:05

me too!I have always been good at this but I find if you say sod it and don't menu plan for even 1 week you are back on the slippery slope!Asda is dreadful as it sells so many non essentials at really cheap prices and so I find a combination of sainsburys lidl(for some things)and the local market is the cheapest.Buy one get one free only good for stuff you really need and use.Strict menu planning had our budget right down at the beginning of last year but I let it slide in the summer holidays but will go back to it now.No packets only cook from scratch and freeze any leftovers

Original poster
FairyTaleinNewYork · 30/12/2005 16:09

i got my food bill down to 41.44p this week, so agood start, but have bought too much in the sales and repalced the kids car seats, so still have overspent. am hoping once everything else is sortedthat needs replacing i am going to be better spending wise. I need a vegetable rack as not enough space in the fridge for allthe veggies i bought. i am also decluttering which will make life easier spenmding wise as i will know what i have in the house and what i dont need to buy, if that makes sense.

OP posts:
noddyholder · 30/12/2005 16:16

sell everything you don't need on ebay and give the rest to charity shops.Misdee I agree if you can't see what you have you buy things again Dp is forever doing that with diy stuff drives me mad.Also we used to have one really cheap meal each week like soup and lots of bread or beans on toast with cheese