Five fabulously frugal things I have done this week 20th April

Welcome to Friday and my five fabulously frugal things round up. It has turned into a beautifully sunny week that has really cheered me up.

An unscheduled no spend week

I have hardly spent any money at all this week, so this is the first of my five fabulously frugal things. I have been spending a lot of time with my very sweet French student, just chatting. We also found a great series on Netflix that she absolutely loves so have watched that together too. You have probably seen it as I am late to the party. I didn’t think it would be my thing but it was. It is called A Series of Unfortunate Events.

What a great programme! Quirky and odd, and a little dark. Definitely entertaining. The books and film had passed me by, but I am glad I watched this.

She leaves tomorrow and I have to get her to the coach by 4.30 am! 4.30 am! I didn’t know that when I signed up. I will need an afternoon nap tomorrow for sure.

If you are interested in hosting language students, you can sign up with Homestay. It is a fun and interesting way to earn a little extra money. I have a post on hosting foreign language students here.

Bargain makeup

One item I did purchase this week and the favourite amongst my five fabulously frugal things was a mascara from Aldi. It was only £2.49! What an absolute bargain. It works really well too. I have a habit of rubbing my eyes when I am in the office working on the PC and end up with mascara all down my face. This one doesn’t seem to smudge easily.

I intend to try some more Aldi makeup as I see it. I have used the moisturiser, shampoo, etc. for ages and always found them excellent quality and value.

A good lunch

Obviously, I have also been feeding my student from the budget supermarkets! There is no point earning extra money and then spending it all on luxury food. Nevertheless, I make sure she gets a decent lunch.

She enjoys white rolls or baguettes so she has had two of those each day, plain crisps, an apple and a little cake or come chocolate biscuits. I don’t usually buy bottled water as I dislike the plastic waste, but I made an exception this week as she needs to take water in. As it is so hot I have also included a Capri-sun, since they were on offer in B&M.

I remember being a size 6! She is a skinny little thing and doesn’t eat much, so I have kept portions reasonably small.

Decluttering and making money

Having given a few things away on Facebook last week, I have been sorting out some more items to sell this time. I just want to get rid of them really so I won’t charge much. However, I am loving the spaces appearing in the shed. I pulled out a little exercise stepper and have just put that on for a fiver. Hopefully somebody will want it.

I wish I had a couple of days free just to declutter. In the summer I might have to think about this. I find it a great feeling to simplify your life and streamline.

Looking at coupons

I don’t tend to pay much attention to money off coupons. Aldi and Lidl don’t accept them and that is where I do most of my shopping. However, I might have to have a serious think. I am in the process of reading a book by the ‘Coupon Kid’, Jordon Cox.  He has written the Secrets to Saving: The Ultimate UK Couponing Guide and it is proving an interesting and easy read. I won’t go on about it now as I plan to review it, but I have already followed Jordon’s advice and written to a few companies to tell them how much I am enjoying their products. He says this is a great way to get free manufacturers coupons, sometimes worth quite a lot.

So this might be one of my five fabulously frugal things for this week – we shall have to see if I am successful!

I’m linking up with Cass , Emma  and Becky in this week’s ‘Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week linky.

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