Frugal living

[FairyTaleinNewYork]

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.

yup with the diy stuff. i have two wire finders as i couldnt find one. foubnd the 1st one when clearing out so am selling it to mieow for 1/2 rrp.

Maybe we should get a frugal living section on mumsnet to share tips etc

i have started one please add to it!

I'm trying to be frugal too. Make Me Rich is my new must watch programme - it makes me realise how much we waste. I did my first online shop this week - frozen stuff, cupboard and household - and will only use cash at village butcher/bakery and farm shop for everything else. I don't even like to think how much my Tesco bills were. It quite suits my competitive nature though dh is a spendaholic. We have to find a lot of extra money per month as we are helping my parents buy a house and I'm really worried where it's going to come from. No more lattes for me!

Have a look at this website. trolley dolly It could help.

We'd love to visit the Perthshire Highlands this summer and go up into Aberdeenshire to see some distilleries .

We are back to buying most of our food at the farmer's market again, so it's a good start.

I'm hoping that half the battle to reduce the bill of ours will be to go on a set day once a week. And, like others have said, plan what it is we need to buy. ATM, our shifts are so erratic that when I make it shopping varies wildly. If I return to work full time, DS will be going to the childminder (Hopefully) two set days a week, and the third day (I work long days) will vary. But I plan to send DP if I'm at work . Planning ahead with a bit more certainty (because I will know more when I am a t work and DP's pattern will be set too) will hopefully help ease things. ATM, my shifts change about all the time, often at the last minute. Food goes to waste and extra trips to the supermarket are made which is costing us a fortune.

We def must live more frugally next yeat.

It's not just the food bills though you can reduce, it's also house & car insurance/ gas/electric/telecom (landline,mobile and IT connection) that you can look at. Lightbulbs too!

Holidays; we go camping with 2/3 families and shared the cost of the tent, gas stove, sleeping bags etc. Sometimes we go together, sometimes we 'borrow' the stuff

I have lots of those engery saving bulbs, they are great.

mine are slowly being replaced by energy saving ones. i got sent free ones from mobility. so it saves me money and they were free

Any frugal holidaying ideas?

Camping!

We saved over a thousand pounds last year by camping rather than going in a rented caravan. had all the same facilities, the kids adore it!

last minute deals on haven/great british holidays. works out fab for me as i cant book in advance. we took a holiday in june earlier this year for 7 of us for under 100pounds. if you arent fussed on where you go, or when, then check them out.

I'm planning on losing loads of weight as well - no snacks or wine in the house, no lattes, more walking.... I'm a terrible one for buying clothes that fit when I see them, rather than lovely things (nothing looks lovely on me at the moment anyway!) so have a wardrobe stuffed with cheap fat clothes that would do better on someone 20 years older than me. Not buying any more fat clothes. That'll save loads.