A Frugal Tip or What do You Think?

Hello!

We get a lot of junk mail here at “Southfork”, pizza menus, double glazing leaflets, furniture sales adverts etc. Most of it gets dumped straight into recycling.

I hate it when over 50% of the items put through your letter box are not relevant or even personal. I refuse to open anything marked “For the Occupier”.

Between 2 - 4 times per week we get charity bags put through our door asking for clothes and bric-a-brac to sell.

Here is a selection we currently have.

 

Our Charity Bag Collection is Getting Ridiculous!

I always take my unwanted clothes, shoes etc to my local hospice shop, and I certainly do not have enough “stuff” to fill up 3 bin liners each week.

In all honesty I find it all a bit irritating.

But, the bags are quite useful, so now we have stopped buying black bin liners and use these instead. They are thick and good quality, perfect for the kitchen bin and wide enough to fit the litter tray deposit into too.

We have been doing this for ages, but I have held off talking about it. Charity is an emotive subject. I support charities whenever I can, but find now that this business of asking for clothes / shoes etc too much and we are inundated with bags. I put up a sign saying "No Charity Bags", it was ignored and then I looked for how to give them back with not much luck, if I did leave the unused bags out on the required day then they went uncollected.

So now I take them and use them, but I would be interested in your thoughts.

If I have upset you with this post, here is a picture of Belle I took last night to make amends. She was curled on the sofa next to me and looked so comfy and sweet.

Away with the fairies.

Frugally yours

Abigail

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Well That Was Worth Doing!

Firstly, hello and welcome to my new follower - Mad Maison. Thank you for visiting and your kind comments. x

Remember December? All that festive good humour and anticipation of time off to celebrate Christmas?

I do. I remember writing my Christmas cards, and getting cramp in my hands.

I remember buying all the stamps and being in a mood for a while after, as it had cost me so much.

I also remember getting our local magazine. You know the type of thing all glossy pictures and text, telling you of local businesses and some photos of posh people in expensive clothes opening something or other or at a fancy pants dinner.

I like getting this magazine, it comes every couple of months and I always have a read through. I shove it in my handbag and grab it out one lunch time for a mull over.

Well they always have competitions. I do like a competition.

In December they had three, 1) win a dinner for two at a local posh steak house 2) win a gold pendant from a local jewellers studied with semi precious stones 3) win a £50 voucher for the local high street to spend at one of 5 stores.

I entered all of them, some of them twice. Most you enter with an email. The final one you had to send a postcard and the answers to some very easy questions. As I had a couple of stamps left over, I entered twice.

I only went and blooming won! I got home last night to find a letter from the posh mag saying congratulations and I just needed to take the letter in with a proof of ID and “Bobs your Uncle”. £50 of free stuff.

There are limitations to the stores it can be used at

2 menswear shops

A jewellery shop

A photographic studio
A kitchen / cooking supplies shop.

A local museum shop.

I squealed, yes an honest to goodness yelp of delight passed my lips in the manner of an Enid Blyton heroine.

The Chap looked vaguely concerned, and I passed over the letter. My thoughts whirling as I mentally decided between some earrings, or perhaps a locket (I have always wanted one).

“Oh Good!” he stated, “We can get another saucepan or two”

…

Frugally yours

Abigail

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Impressively Organised or Move Away From The Dryer Abigail!

My very good friend G, with whom I work announced the other day

“I am Death, when it comes to vacuum cleaners”

Investigation revealed that she has just had to buy her 3^rd vacuum in 5 years.

My parents on the other hand never keep a kettle for any longer than 12months, whether they spend 10s or 100s of pounds. They have over the years, smoked, sparked and disintegrated their way to electrical heaven.

I am where hair dryers come to die.

A peaceful existence of between 6 to 18months of being used between 3-5 times per week, then the AC Grim Reaper arrives and it is curtains for my trusty appliance.

My last Superdrug hairdryer spluttered and coughed it’s way to an early grave in 2011 and had to be retired despite cleaning the filter regularly and the liberal application of Sellotape to hold it in place after an unfortunate accident involving a short drop and some hard floors.

So October last year it was my annual trip to purchase a new hairdryer. This time I went to Boots and automatically picked up the cheapest at £7.99 for a 1600W Boots Essential Hairdryer. I then managed to incorporate it into a 3 for 2 deal and used a voucher I had been sent.

It lasted 13months. Last night, post bath I was half way through drying my hair when I realised the inside was glowing bright orange like a toaster and either my dryer had picked up a packet of fags or it was probably wise to turn the thing off.

This time was different. ”Ah Hah!” though I, in a smug self-congratulatory pose. I still have the receipt and the warranty. I had wised up last year and stapled the receipt to the warranty and put it in the drawer in which I stored the offending item.

A quick scoot to the drawer and I lifted the receipt / warranty aloft with all the pride of an Olympic Gold Medallist , punching my fist skywards. I may even have muttered “Yeah, Baby!” in a fake American accent…. I forget….

Anyhoo, off I pop to  Boots The Chemist today brandishing the Hair Dryer.

A “Yes, Madam. I am so sorry Madam. Here let me get you another Madam”  moment later I am in possession of a brand new dryer (no box though) with little fuss safe with the additional information that a new warranty for 2 years starts today.

I can see myself never having to pay for a hairdryer again.

If you want to check your statutory rights (UK) I recommend here for all information. It is amazing what a few simple phrases can do.

“2003 Sale of Goods Act”

“Satisfactory quality, as described and lasting a reasonable amount of time”

I am not a natural complainer, but when pushed the 2 phrases above have been my verbal cheerleaders at many a conversation with an over made up snotty Manager.

Another little win!

Frugally yours

Abigail x
EDIT: Please note that Boots exchanged the dryer with no fuss. Perfect customer service in fact.

It's Amazing What Can Be Picked Up For Free

I tend to walk eyes down, not a very confident pose I suppose. But, today at lunchtime it meant I saw a 2p coin.

I am really funny about small denomination coins I see, I always pick them up and stuff it it my bag. Who knows when the change could be useful? And, hell it is money after all.

When I went out again to take the post later, I saw another. As I did not have my bag with me I kept it in my hand.

It was not until I was back in the office I looked at it closer.

It is actually a 1955 Half Penny. It looks exactly the same as a 2p coin.

And minted 2 years after our Queen's coronation.

I have checked and unfortunately, it is not worth enough to pay off the mortgage or even buy a stamp. But, I was fascinated.

A 57 years old coin just lying there on the pavement!

What's the best thing you have found?

Who knows what I may find tomorrow.

Frugally yours
Abigail
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Ooo I love a voucher I do!

Is there anything better than free? I love free. It sends a shiver down my spine.

I went shopping after work today to buy Easter Eggs. Always an expensive time. I buy for my sister, brother in law, nephew, parents, The Chap and 5 children of friends. It can be an expensive visit.

Today, I bought these.

Total cost? £17. Total spent? £0.

You see with a little prudent forethought I paid for the whole lot only using vouchers.

My quarterly tesco club card vouchers arrived a few weeks ago £7. I saved them to use today.

I also joined Valued Opinions and complete their online consumer surveys, dead boring but I do it whilst I eat lunch at work, so time I can easily afford. 10 - 30 mins for each one and they pay anything from 50P to £3. You then redeem the money for vouchers. Every time I have £10, I redeem it and keep it for just such an occassion.

Here is the voucher I got a week ago.

So you see, Easter done on a budget of £0.00. Perfect!

Frugally yours
Abigail
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Food Waste Friday

"Trying To Reduce Food Waste One Day At A Time!" 

It is Friday, which means it is that time of the week again – Food Waste Friday (imagine Vegas style show girls prancing at this point to organ music and a cheesy crooner!)

After last week's success, I am back down to earth this week with a nasty bump.

3 items got thrown today.



Gravy left over from a meal last weekend. With it’s stealth technology, it holed up on the bottom shelf behind some butter packs. Probably trying for long term notoriety in the fridge fraternity.

Also the dregs of a bottle of milk that went out of date on Tuesday. It made close friends with a tomato left over from some work lunches that I bought back last Friday from the office. I like to think they had a doomed love affair and committed fridge suicide together, rather than be parted.

A Purchase

I am always trying to make what I have last longer, but after 4 months I have finally given up on this make up bottle. It is well and truly bereft of any foundation after soaking in hot water, shaking and some general cursing and threats.

I have been buying Christian Dior foundation for years, it is currently £28.50 per 30ml bottle.

For 12 months in 2011 when money was very tight for me I gave up my favourite brand and used max factor instead but at £14 per tub, I realised I was buying it every month. Nope, no money saving there. So at the beginning of December I bought it again and today it has finally run out. Equates to £7.13 per month.

£28.50 is a lot to spend on a bottle of foundation, so I decided to try a different brand and after reading up I decided to look at Benefit “Hello Flawless” – hey who does not want to look flawless at 35? It was a bit cheaper at £24.50 for 30ml. Off I trotted at lunchtime today and got them to colour match it to my existing choice. She then applied it to the whole of my face. Perfect, I liked the coverage and the tone.

I casually mentioned that their website was offering two free testers with every purchase and would she do the same. “Of course” came the reply. I explained I was coming to Benefit to save money and then the piece de resistance, House of Fraser has a 2 day event on 10% off all purchases so the final price was £22.05. She also gave me 4 moisturiser testers. Brilliant, £6.45 saved on my purchase and some freebies. I can most definitely live with that.

Plus inside the foundation box was a pore reduction tester.

What have you got reduced / free recently?

Frugally Yours
Abigail
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Material Bought, Check! (& The Great Debate)

I had such a lovely weekend. I was at the National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. All day and it was glorious!

The "Sewing for Pleasure" and "Hobbycraft" show was on. It only comes once a year and is a must for any sewing or hobby enthusiast. A few favourite stalls.

"The Silk Route" I am going to purchase some Indian Carpet Silk online to make a swing jacket like this (without the collar). Just beautiful unusual fabrics.

My absolute favourite "Fabrics Galore" actually had 2 stalls this year. Which is so much better as I was queuing for over 40 minutes to buy the dog fabric last year. This year I bought the heart fabric on the left.

£15 / m and I only wanted ½ m. My friend "P" noticed a fault in the fabric for the last ½m on the roll. So the kind people gave it me for free. Brilliant! The fabric on the right is for contrast, I am thinking it will make a nice bag.

Total Spent c £20. Could have been a lot worse!

"P" and I had a wander around the Hobbycraft section, she is an artist. But really it was mainly aimed towards card makers and scrapbookers. Not our thing, but fascinating to see what you could do.

We arrived at 9.30AM and left about 4isPM. Honestly, being surrounded by like minded people, seeing everything that there is to offer in my chosen hobby. It was like Xanadu for me.

And finally...
I got this sent to me Facebook Account. It has caused huge amount of debate with everyone I showed it to. Obviously B is the only way to hang paper.  I also "educate" anyone who is hangs it differently....:o)

"A" people are mad, mad do you hear me?

And finally finally: The Lost Hour, I would have spent re-threading my over locker. Now I have to do it tonight. Bum!

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

Mary Berry and Nigella Lawson Are Gods, Do you Hear Me Gods! I say :o)

The day before pay day, and is supposed to be No Spend Wednesday.

Unfortunately it is not. The reason? Well I forgot to bring some lunch in.

Been a pretty disappointing 24 hours really in terms of spending.

Yesterday, I left work early as I had a dentist appointment - £17 NHS check up and clean.

At least my teeth are so sparkly you will not realize I have holes in them, yup…. Got to go back at the end of Feb for 2 fillings. Heck, another £30 to spend on the gnashers next month.

I forgot to take my toothbrush into work with me so had to stop off at the Co-op and buy a toothbrush and toothpaste. I also took the opportunity to buy the plain flour to make the pastry last night. Total spent £3.

So today, in order to eat at lunchtime. I wandered out to buy a loaf and went to Poundland. Got a Hovis brown Loaf for 50P about to go out of date. I only buy short dated bread products as they freeze and defrost so easily. I had some tomatoes back at the office to go with it. Whilst I was in there, bought 3 cans of diet coke and a multipack of crisps. Again, total cost £3. But hopefully this means I can avoid spending tomorrow and Friday.

I checked my online banking today to see what was left 24 hours before pay day and discovered I was £9.65 in credit (well before I hit my OD limit) not having expected this cash, I immediately transferred £9.60 off Credit Card 1 as an additional payment. This is 1.85% off the balance for Credit Card 1. ….Every little helps!

So time to review my debt at the end of the month

Overdraft           £300.00

Car Loan            £334.00
Credit Card 1      £514.12
Credit Card 2      £710.00

Total Debt          £1858.12

I hate throwing food away, so when I got home today I noticed that the remainder of the eggs were about to go out of date tomorrow and as there were 5 left I ought to try and use some. I will probably eat the rest over the weekend. They will not kill me as long as they still sink in water, then they are fine. Plus I bought 3 lemons on Friday that need to be used up too.

So I got out another favourite baking book…

And did 2 of Nigella’s lemon loaves I meant to make at the weekend. I am going to freeze the second for another time.

I am rather pleased with these.

I love a freebie and today provided me such a situation courtesy of Martin Lewis. I ordered a Valentine’s Day card for free from CardTown for The Chap. Bargain. Or am I just cheap? Answers on a postcard...

Still blooming cold here tonight. Went to bed early last night with a hot water bottle and a good book. Probably do the same tonight.

Frugally yours

Abigail
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