Hi lovely frugal folk! It has been a few weeks since I did a round-up of some of the frugal actions I undertake each week to keep my spending as low as possible, make extra money and get the best value for my buck.
As a consequence, this is more of a ‘five frugal actions I have undertaken in the last couple of weeks’ post, not just the last seven days. Anyway, here is some of what I have been up to.
Election work
I usually volunteer to help out whenever there is an election. It’s a way to a little extra money and I always enjoy getting a look at our democratic system close up.
Last night I was involved in the overnight count of the votes in the local council elections. There wasn’t a huge turnout, and as a consequence, I was home by 2.30 am. I started at 9 pm, so only five and a half hours’ work, but it’s a good rate of pay and every little helps.
As you can see, Archie thinks it’s important to use your vote! It’s not really our local area, but it’s a lovely place for a walk when it’s not being a polling station :).
A bit of home-grown…
Regular readers will know that we moved house at the end of last year (you can see the chaos of the move on my video here). We are in the process of sorting out the new garden, so we are being unambitious about the amount of food we grow this summer.
Justin has made some small raised beds, and I have direct sown beetroot, broad beans and chard. The trouble is that the cats think they are giant litter trays, so not sure how successful they will be!
The seeds in our mini plastic greenhouse are doing Ok, though. The courgettes and runner beans need potting on, as do the sunflowers. The tomatoes and peppers are a little slower, but hopefully will get there. Justin has been digging the small vegetable patch at the top of the garden in readiness for these, although I think the tomatoes and peppers will stay in the greenhouse or go on the patio.
We don’t have time to grow a lot, but it’s nice to have some food fresh from the plot.
Boot sale bargains
I went to a boot sale on a very beautiful Sunday morning at the weekend. It was heaving and there were loads of stalls.
I love a boot sale and came back with quite a few bargains, including this Boden jacket for £8. On eBay someone is (rather optimistically, I think) asking for £50 for an identical one! It is perfect for dog walks now that the weather is improving, but is shower proof too against the still frequent showers.
I’m going to be wearing this a lot.
Buying and selling on Vinted
I have been buying and selling on Vinted quite a bit recently. It’s such an easy app to use and prices are generally really low.
As I type this, a large pink throw has just arrived. It cost £4.50, and looks fine but had a slightly musty smell, so has gone straight into the washing machine before I remembered to take a photo!
I have also cleared out a lot of low-priced items that I have had on eBay forever. At this point I am just getting rid of stuff, so even if I only get £2-5 I am going for it. The good thing is that Vinted don’t charge you as a seller, unless you choose to pay a little extra to bump items or get your wardrobe spotlighted. It’s a great way to make extra money whilst having a declutter.
Searching out reduced food
Now that we are out of town a bit, we can’t just pop to the nearest supermarket if we only need a couple of items. As a result, we use the local Coop a lot more. It’s much more expensive generally, but very good for reductions if you go at the right time.
I pick up a lot of meat and fresh produce that has been discounted and fill up the freezer. If I am passing near the end of the day – or at the beginning sometimes – I go in. This was my latest lot. Sometimes there are even bigger discounts, but I take any that I feel we will reasonably eat. It’s a big money saver, especially if I manage to find gluten-free products. These are stupidly expensive if you have to pay full price.
This week I found courgettes, sausages and minced beef.
So these are some of my frugal actions that help us stick to our budget. How has your week been?
Penny Vant says
I’ve planted my tomato plants and dwarf beans from last years’ seeds. Got a good supply of yellow sticker items from Morrisons, some for the freezer. Got my 5th car wash free with the special offer that Texaco are doing. I know I could wash it myself but I have osteo-arthritis which makes it difficult. Done 2 machine loads of washing at 30% and line dried in the sunshine. Bought 2 coats for when my granddaughter goes off to Grammar school in September, one for Year 7 and one for Year . Then when her sister joins her, she will used the coats too. They were £4 each and like new. I’ve even made my own Coronation decorations.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
That’s a flipping good frugal week!
Dianne says
Hi Jane. They are all really useful ways to save. The election counting sounds interesting. Have you ever done exam invigilator too? As I knew someone who used to do that when required. I’ve done hair cut and dye me, haircuts for oldest son and husband too this week so that’s always a good saving. Have a lovely week. X
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
I have thought about exam invigilation actually but hear it’s very dull! I would try it though
Ruby says
We are having a mostly chilly, rainy spring in the southeastern United States, but the container garden of tomatoes and herbs is doing well. We have been able to dry laundry on racks on our screened in back porch.
I have been losing weight to help my arthritic knees and have lost, in English terms, 3.5 stone in a year. All my smaller clothes were now too big, so I had a marathon sewing session and altered everything to fit. My summer wardrobe is very small while I continue to lose weight: only ten tops, five pairs of trousers, one dress, three pairs of capri-length shorts, and two cardigans, but I really like it that way now. It was all bought from thrift stores or secondhand.
Found a sale at a clearance store on dishwasher detergent, birdseed for the feeder in the back yard, and coffee. Stocked up accordingly.
Continuing to bake bread for us every week and bran muffins for breakfast.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Wow – you are doing so well with your weight loss! And you have had a great frugal week too by the sound of it. 🙂
Vicki says
Hi Jane, Are you a Coop member? It costs £1 to join and every week you can chose 2 from a selection of offers eg 20p off milk, 40p off fruit. Recently I bought reduced salmon fillets and still got 50p off with the digital ‘voucher’ making them a reasonable price. Like you, our nearest shop is the Coop otherwise it’s a 4 mile drive which isn’t worth the time or cost for the odd item. We’re still picking winter spinach and cabbage in the garden and have potatoes, carrots, beetroot, chard, lettuce, summer cabbage and swede in the ground with tomato, runner bean and courgette seedlings in the greenhouse so fingers crossed for some good crops this year. Haven’t commented much recently but always read (and watch on YouTube). Have a good week. Vicki in East Yorkshire
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Yes I am! But haven’t heard of that offer. Better update my details with them! Thanks
RJL says
Gosh, I haven’t been to a boot sale since I was a kid! Used to love them but I don’t see many about these days, not like the good ol days.
Always remember doing a boot sale and opening the boot and having about 30 traders ransacking before you could get one item out.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
God, yes that’s annoying!