Frugal & Fabulous!

I was recently asked by Dolly Mix website if I'd be prepared to write them an update as to how my #frugalfeb challange was going so far. If you take the time to head over to Dolly Mix and see how they are also getting on, you will see that they are being a lot less frugal than me and also have a much more glamorous lifestyle *big sigh and wistful look*

I'd like to share with you what I shared with them:

Frugal February was a challenge I entered into with some trepidation. None the less I've started so I'll finish. Setting a budget of only £25 per week for all things food, drink and leisure-related may have been tough, but judging by the feedback and comments I received via the blog/email, for some people it's a regular occurrence; so the challenge has been eye-opening in more ways than one.

It's been hard having to think of meals in advance and plan the use of ingredients so as to avoid throwing anything away. I could also murder a takeaway right now! It has however made me realise the amount of waste we normally produce simply because we buy/eat what we fancy at the time rather than what we already have in the cupboards. Hubby has certainly raised an eyebrow at the offerings I have presented him with for dinner on an evening, but it's been fun.

We've laughed and we've spent more time together; whether that be concocting all kinds of crazy things in the kitchen or walking the dog in lieu of going to the pub. I think it really has brought us closer together and made us take a step back from how crazy life was a times, which is no bad thing.

However, the planning is tough and as I am home-based, it is inevitably me who is left with that responsibility. There are days when I've felt as though I've worked a part time job around a full time one! There have been times when I've considered throwing in the towel and just ordering a takeaway or heading to the local for dinner, but perseverance is key and creativity usually kicks in and saves the day.

My top tips for any one else completing this or their own version of the frugal February challenge would be to:

• Try everything
• Dismiss nothing (New experiences can only be a good thing.)
• Get creative
• Involve others
• Have fun!

In other news...the wine arrived, with the added bonus of an extra box becasue Hubby also signed up for the delivery only price offer! Hic!

mwah x

Just call me Nigella!

As we edge closer towards week 4 of the #frugalfeb challenge, the cupboards are looking decidedly more sparce and as you know I am having to become more creative in my search for meal options. Worse than this though, is that Hubby seems to have have developed a sweet tooth and is now craving the usual snacks and treats we would have bought pre-challenge. Ironically, he never used to eat them, he just used to buy them for me, who of course could then not resist them once they were in the house. But it seems that frugal February has actually helped build my reserve levels of will power, as I have actually not missed them and I certainly haven't craved them.

Anyway, back to the case in point; Hubby wants something to curb his cravings. The answer was to scour the cupboards and cross match ingredients to recipes in some of my Gran's old cook books. The result was a mighty fine - if I do say so myself - iced walnut cake and a batch of rock buns. 

 

 

Now before you fellow frugalistas start shouting about the price of walnuts, these were the remainder of those we picked from the trees local to our house last year. They were also already in the cupboard and would have been thrown out if not consumed soon, so I think you'll find I was actually being double-ly frugal - and am not being smug about that at all.

You'll be pleased to hear that Hubby scored the rock buns an impressive 8 out of 10, whilst the walnut cake came in a close second with 7.5. Apparently the icing was too sweet for his taste. I know! There's a certain paradox to that statement is there not, being as it was his sweet cravings that started this baking frenzy.

mwah x

I bought wine *hangs head in shame*

Things started to get fraught last night as #frugalfeb really tested my resolve, for last night I ran out of two of life's little essentails; peanut butter and wine.

Now, I hear what you're saying; life can carry on perfectly well without them, but we all have our vices and these are mine.

Before we moved South, I have to admit to being spoilt, as my darling Grandad kept me in wine thanks to him being a member of a wine club. In fact, we had so much wine 'in stock' that I've only just ran out and we have been in Suffolk for exactly a year at the end of this month!

Anyway, we have two bottles of champagne and several bottles of Hubby's malt whisky collection left in the house. It seemed immoral - well, ok maybe not immoral, but definitely wrong - to drink the champagne for two reasons; firstly, it is frugal february after all and secondly, we have little reason to celebrate at the moment as we recently found out that Hubby is being made redundant. As for the whisky; so much of it is 40 something year old and highly collectible that it is there to be admired, rather than drank - Hubby's words, not mine - and anyway, whisky is way at the bottom of my list of favourite tipples.


So this morning I decided that rather than face the rest of frugal February and a highly likely miserly March in a permanent state of sobriety, I would find myself a plausible solution using the remaining £14.21, bearing in mind that essentials such as milk and veg will also be required before the end of this week.

The solution  - and one I would suggest to you all, whether following an enforced or self imposed frugal challenge, or not - was to search online for a voucher code for a wine company. The result is that 6 bottles of pinot will be delivered to my doorstep on Monday for the pricely sum of only £6.93. Bargain!

Budget remaining until 22nd February: £7.28

Surely that will stretch to those essentials I mentioned previously? If not, Hubby will have to make his porridge with wine instead of milk. Hey, ho.

mwah x

Olay Total Effects for sensitive skin - During

It's three weeks into the trial and I've had to cease using the moisturiser as I have broken out in an itchy bumpy rash acros my cheek. Sadly, I know it is related to the moisturiser because when I stopped using it for a few days it cleared up, yet it returned when I started again.

That said however, I distributed samples to 10 other testers and no one else has had the same problem. They have made comments such as their "...skin feels more hydrated than normal." and that they were "amazed at how well protected my skin felt during the recent cold spell; with no high red colour and less flaky dry patches than normal." Not to mention that Hubby reports it works as a great post shave moisturiser.

I'd say that is still a pretty positive response so far, wouldn't you?

My skin is the bane of my life and has always been ultra sensitive, so for me the search for a suitable moisturiser continues. I'll be sure to let you have final feedback from the other 9 ladies (and Hubby) in a couple of weeks. I may even organise a girl's night in just to mark the occasion...any excuse ey? ;-)

mwah x

Frugal February reaches the animal kingdom

Well here we are, first day of week three and the stress of #frugalfeb is starting to show.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not stressed by the thought of what to cook - helped in part by so many of you proferring some great suggestions; soups, rice dishes and anything egg based - but mainly because my money making idea this week takes the shape of a 9 month old doberman puppy who is staying with us whilst her owner is on holiday.

She is an absolute joy, but I had forgotten how exhausting puppies are, let alone one who's the size of a small horse. With four walks a day and both her and Toby wanting to play with me, but reluctant to play with each other, plus the fact that I have a social enterprise to run, it really is proving to be a shattering week. Still, despite this being the hardest money I've ever earned, I'd say she feels right at home wouldn't you?

 

And so back to the budget...

Nothing more has been spent since I last updated you, though recent circumstances may see this frugal February extending into miserly March. In truth, I'm not sure whether that would be a good or a bad thing. The budget is tight, but it's fun hunting down bargains, blagging freebies and cooking up crazy concoctions in the kitchen. There's also quite a good community of super scrimpers out there, all of whom are willing to share their frugal tips and indulge information regarding the places to find the best bargains. 

Having an extra dog this week has led me to search for more doggy related #frugalfeb tips; as what is the point in having a best friend if you can't spoil them now and then? I've learnt that if you ask nicely, your local butcher will provide you with a shank or two that he would otherwise have no use for. And so my kitchen concoctions became doggy friendly as I slow cooked them - To stop them becoming brittle - stripped them and offered them in place of 'paid through the nose for' shop bought treats with limited nutritional value.  

Needless to say I am currently their best friend as well!

Finally, just because I'm being frugal doesn't mean I can forget about our feathered friends. I added the fat that came off the shanks to a bag of birdseed, melted it all together, placed into containers then chilled and now I have some tasty treats for the birds who are really struggling to find food during this cold weather.

Not a scrap wasted and everyone is happy. Job done.

mwah x

Olay Total Effects: Before

I was recently selected to take part in a project group involved in testing the new Olay Sensitive Skin Moisturiser.

My test kit arrived yesterday - it's lush! - and this morning was the first day of the trial.

Freshly cleansed and ready to get started.

(Oh my I am scary without make-up!)

The claim is that this moisturiser will fight the seven signs of aging, whilst still being kind to sensitive skin. Now, I'm not a beauty blogger, but I do have sensitve skin and I would love to control the redness. If I can  eradicate some of the wrinkles that are slowly creeping in at the same time, then game on!

I'll also be passing out samples to family and friends and asking for their thoughts on the results they see, so you'll hear from them as well as me over the coming weeks.

Fingers crossed my 'after' photo looks way better than the 'before' and I'll be sure to keep you posted.

mwah x

Is it really only week 2?

I am struggling to believe that we are only halfway through week 2 of our #frugalfeb austerity challenge.

We managed to make it through week 1 unscathed and with £3.44 of the inital £25 budget remaining. For those of you keeping up to date with the challenge, we also managed to make some money on EBay (Final amount still pending.) and attended a free art installation preview, so have at least we've had a dose of culture to keep us sane.

I was told by several people that I would have to start getting creative at this point if we were to survive the challenge...and how right they were.

On Thursday afternoon I morphed in to my Gran (There are worse people to be, believe me.) as I spent the afternoon in the kitchen trying to concoct dinner from the little amount of food that remained in the fridge, whilst also trying to use the last of anything perishable to avoid wasting even a penny of the budget. This resulted in me making my own breadcrumbs, a spicy salsa and cinnamon cookies, though obviously I didn't serve them all on the same plate!

By Friday, Hubby had started referring to me as 'Old Mother Hubbard' as no matter how many times I looked in the cupboards, they remained bare. However, as you all know, Friday is the day of the dreaded weekly shop.

This week we took a slightly different approach and decided to combine the budget for weeks 2 and 3 in order to buy ingredients that I could make meals from that could not only be eaten on the day of making, but also frozen for use the following week. The idea is that we will have more variety this way, as believe you and me; I am running out of 'things to make and do with a potato'. (That so has to be the title of my future novel.) Total shopping spend: £39.23.

Outside of the kitchen, the big freeze has continued. I have to say the snow and ice has actually helped with the #frugalfeb challenge because when temperatures drop to -10 degrees, there are very few people who want to be sociable beyond the warm confines of their own homes. We therefore haven't yet felt as though we have missed out on too many social activities, but time will tell once the inevitable thaw sets in.

As for making money this week, I don't really have much to report. There are still a few items on EBay, with everything due to be sold (Fingers crossed.) by Sunday, so I'll have final figures once the postage for those items has been accounted for. I do however have a cunning plan up my sleeve that combines my love of animals and home-based work location with a couple of extra pounds of income, so watch this space...

Current spending totals:

Week 1: £3.44 remaining (Yay us!)
Week 2: £25 + £3.44
Week 3: £25
Combined budget for weeks 2 & 3: £53.44
Spent so far £39.23
Remaining: £14.21

Oh my Goodness, we only have £14.21 left to spend until 22nd February...that's 11 whole days away! You'd better hope and pray that my cooking and freezing plan works or else this challenge is over already.

Maybe I need your help? Please provide a plethora of money saving, #frugalfeb top tips in the comments box below...

mwah x

How we survived the weekend.

Well here I am on Monday afternoon; six days in to the frugal February (#frugalfeb for all you Twitterers) austerity challenge and, despite Hubby's little 'wobble' whilst doing the shopping on Friday, I think we are actually still on track to come in below our £25 budget for week 1.

We even made it through the weekend with a only a measly £3.44 remaining and much to our surprise we still have that £3.44 in our pockets...PLUS we actually made money!

So how did we do it?

Well, I was warned by a fellow blogger not to become a crazy coupon lady, so I have so far avoided all use of coupons. I also received many comments and emails from people advising me of some of the super scrimping ideas they had tried in the past. (I guarantee they will all feature in a future post, as some were just too ingenious to not share.) But for now it has all boiled down to the following:

• I still have enough 'ingredients' to add taste and variety to even the most boring of food stuffs; potatoes, rice, bread etc.

• I have surprised myself with the amount of freebies available to you if you are happy to blog/tweet/speak about your experiences after using said freebies. 

On Saturday Hubby and I drove in to town to attend a new art installation preview; details of which I found out about because I actually read the emails from groups/organisations/places that I subscribe to.

I have to say it always feels like a privilege to be one of the first to experience new art works and this particular installation was no different - absolutely stunning in fact.  Hubby is not a lover of 'modern' art, but what can I say? Even he was won over by the free coffee and cake on offer.

• About twice a year I have a clear-out and post some bits and pieces on EBay. I was a little bit earlier in the year than normal in doing this, but figured #frugalfeb was the ideal time, so why wait? Sunday evening rolled around and 7 items sold for a grand total of £173.25. Now, for all you cynics out there, I know I have to deduct my Paypal and final EBay fees from that amount, but I will not let you rain on my parade. I have final a 3 items still listed, so will let you know a grand (net) revenue once everything is sold, posted, deducted and banked.

Finally, a special mention must go to the weather, for on Sunday our village was carpetted so tremendously well that there was no need to pay for any other entertainment. The day was spent running about in the snow with the dog, snuggled up watching the neighbours children making snow men and having snow ball fights and then drinking hot chocolates as the sun went down and the winter wonderland re-gained it's icy chill.

One day remains of this week and we still have £3.44 remaining so surely we're through this initial phase home and dry? Mind you...I'm not looking forward to week 2 as store cupboard essentials start to run so low. Maybe the real challenge is only just about to start...

mwah x

Man + Shopping. Will that end well?

For all of you following our frugal February austerity challenge, you'll be pleased to know that yesterday went well, with us managing to spend absolutely nothing...zip...nada...nil.


Today however, was a different thing. You see, Friday is normally 'big shop' day, which, with me being unable to resist a bargain, or shiny packaging, or a cute advert - I am a marketer's dream I tell you! - is usually inevitably expensive.

So, in order to combat my magpie like love for all things shiny and bargain-ous I sent Hubby off to work this morning with a list of items to be purchased on his way home. To add to the trauma I also gave him strict instructions to head to Aldi, not Tescos and to Farmfoods, not Morrisons, with a 'via' added in to the local farm for a sack of his finest potatoes.

What harm could it do anyway? After all I think the Aldi marketing campaign is fantastic and if changing the shops we use allows us to buy cheaper food stuffs without compromising on quality, then I'm all for it. So off he went to work; note in hand, jar of coffee under arm (Because this challenge means he is no longer allowed to purchase coffee at work. He has to take his own, make use of the dreaded canteen boiler and drink it black...oh I am such a hard task master!)

Problem is, it seems Hubby is also a marketer's dream, but in a slightly different way. He loves a bargain whether it's on his list or not and he can't resist the alcohol aisle!

So this week our 'big shop' went something like this:

4 x bottles of sparkling water £1 (I have swapped my regular diet coke for clear bubbles. I am yet to be convinced on this one, but we'll see.
2 x Packet of tortillas£1.38
2 x 2l cartons of milk £1.80
6 pears 99p (These are the dogs favourite treat, so not to be scimped on.)
Large bag of dog biscuits £4.45
7.5kg sack of potatoes £2
4 x 550ml bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale £5.56

Budget available: £25
Budget spent today: £18.56 on the above items.
Budget spent so far: £21.56
Budget remaining: £3.44

So there we have it: Man + Shopping never ends well. I can see I am going to have to step up my Yoda style training or fail this task before the start of the second week. Thank goodness that at this stage I still have a fairly healthy stock of store cupboard essentials and frozen veg!

And so to the weekend merriment with only £3.44 to spend...wish me luck!

mwah x

Maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew?

Well, I woke up to a cold and crisp morning, but at least there was no covering of snow as had been forecast. My mood was pretty good at that point, so I drank my morning coffee, walked the dog (For walked, read; shouted and screamed at him to come back after he decided a frozen pond was the best place to try to dig through the ice.) and then sat down to read my morning e-mails.

It was at that point that my mood changed, as there in my inbox sat the beautiful sequin pocket jumper I had been lusting after for weeks...at HALF PRICE! Just as I was about to click 'buy', it dawned on me...day 1 of the austerity challenge was upon me and no matter how good I may be at balancing budgets, there was no way even I could make this week's £25 budget stretch to include purchase of said pretty (oh so pretty) jumper; half price or not. So I did what every self respecting super savvy scrimper would do...I deleted the e-mail and said a prayer to the fashion Gods that it would still be on sale and available in my size after the challenge ends.

Anyway, I digress; back to day 1 of the challenge:

Budget available: £25
Budget spent today: £3 on a tray of 30 eggs from the local farm.
Budget spent so far: £3
Budget remaining: £22

So now off I go to figure out some recipes to make with eggs...scrambled, boiled, coddled...

mwah x