A bookshelf declutter and some Christmas prep #5frugalthings

This week I spent the first part of the week looking after Mr Shoestring, who came down with a nasty winter vomiting bug. Amazingly, I didn’t get it myself, possibly because as soon as he became ill I confined him to the bedroom and cleaned the house like a mad person. I thoroughly disinfected all the door handles, zapped the bathroom and wore a mask when I took him water. I also slept in the spare bedroom. So basically I used all of  my anti-virus skills learned over the past two years and they worked!Since we couldn’t get out much, I also had a bit of a bookshelf declutter and got myself organised for Christmas.

A big  bookshelf declutter

I have had a HUGE clear out of my old books this week. Some are going to the charity shop, and others I have put aside for family members who expressed an interest. Figured I may as well earn a little cash from them instead of them gathering dust.

I did two boxes worth – the first made £6 and the second £4.50. So over a tenner for my old stuff! I should have done them in one box, but did my first trade and then found a few more. You don’t get much per book. I only earned 50p – £1, as you can see, but it all adds up. 

Ziffit doesn’t accept everything, only those which they are confident they can sell on, and they do need to be in reasonable condition.

If you want to do the same, you can get £5 extra when you trade in your old CDs, DVDs, games & books @Ziffit using my unique code I0LMLPHCY

www.Ziffit.com

It’s a wrap!

I have talked a lot in the past about not buying Christmas wrap any more, in order to save money and, mainly, to be more eco-friendly and sustainable.

I didn’t buy any new wrapping paper last year and haven’t purchased any this year either. Instead, I had intended to use a large piece of gold fabric I found in a charity shop for just £1.75 and do furoshiki style Japanese gift wrap. However….. when I went up to the attic to find the many recycled gift bags we have kept, I found a big box of new and half used rolls of wrapping paper hidden under a pile of other bits. 

There was also a large bag of saved wrap from previous years, ready to be reused!

Honestly, I think my fabric is safe for next year. I may as well use what we have first. In fact, I am only using the opened rolls and have saved the brand new stuff for my daughters. I am pretty sure they must have purchased it and it will stop them getting yet more.

Is anyone else avoiding buying Christmas gift wrap? The sparkly stuff is the worst, as it is made from mixed materials (including plastic) and is not recyclable.

Improvising and being a frugal cook

The other night I was looking forward to sausages and mash for dinner – one of my favourites! However, when I went to make it, I realised we had no potatoes at all. I completely forgot to buy any!

It was so cold out and to save me having to go to the shop (where undoubtedly I would have ended up buying other stuff too), I changed plans and made a sausage casserole instead. This meant that I could make rice with it instead of mash. 

It was one of those throw it all in affairs – mushrooms, celery, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, a past its use by date sachet of casserole mix and some seasoning. This turned out to be a most delicious meal, and used up some bits that really needed eating too. Better than sausage and mash. There was plenty left for the following evening too. 

Sometimes the best meals are improvised, I find!

You might like my latest YouTube video, featuring two frugal food favourites, if you are looking for some new ideas.

Layering up

It has turned really cold and frosty here this week. Fortunately, we have had no snow yet, but it has felt bitter nonetheless.

As energy prices are going up fast, I am trying not to have the heating on until I really have to. Instead, I am sitting working under a throw or two, with a big fleece cardigan on!

I have the boiler set to come on for an hour in the morning and an hour and a half in the evening. However, I have a lodger so I do put it on when she is around. I don’t want her leaving because her digs are too cold! That would be a false economy.

Keeping a tally of Christmas spending

I always make a Christmas spreadsheet, which lists all the people I have to buy gifts for along with other expenses, such as food and drink. Beside each I put what I have budgeted to spend, so that I know how much it will all cost.

This year, for the first time ever, my actual spend is under my projected spend! This isn’t because I have been mean. However, I have been buying a lot of second hand things as gifts, which tend to be much cheaper. 

I also asked everyone who is coming for dinner to bring a contribution. So my daughters are bringing the soft drinks, a chocolate cake and a fancy gin between them, my mum has ordered some meat from her butcher and one of our guests is bring a vegan contribution to the meal. This has also helped me to stick to my budget.

I have never done this before, but everyone seemed really pleased to be asked! It’s odd that we feel awkward about asking people to chip in, but why not! We are all feeling the pinch, after all. 

If you want some more extreme money saving ideas, check out my post Extreme Frugality: 12 frugal living tips for a budget lifestyle.

Have a great frugal week! Don’t forget to use my referral code for Ziffit if you decide on a bookshelf declutter before Christmas!

I’m linking up with this Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Frugal Friday’ linky.