Hey frugalists and frugalistas! Welcome to another five frugal things round up.
As we zoom towards Christmas I am attempting to catch up with myself. Our house move took so much time and attention, I have been neglecting my blog (and work generally!). However, we are finally getting settled. We feel so at home and happy here, it was worth all the stress and exhaustion that goes along with a house move. It will be lovely to have our first Christmas in our new home. If you missed the madness, you can see our moving journey on my YouTube channel here.
Anyway, moving on, here are five frugal things I did in the last week or so.
Getting cash back
Usually, by the end of November, I have done all my Christmas gift shopping and started my wrapping. However, I thought it would be sensible to wait until after the move, rather than have to pack up all the presents as well as everything else. Now I wish I had just gone ahead, as I hate rushing!
I did manage to get what appeared to be genuine price reductions in the Black Friday sales. Usually, I avoid Black Friday, but it happened to fall at the point when I was beginning my shopping.
I also remembered to go via TopCashback* for most of my online purchases. This makes so much sense as you don’t pay any more by using a cash-back site. You just go on, find the retailer you want (they aren’t all on there, but most of the big ones are) then click through to the site and make a purchase. As a reward you will receive a specified amount of your spend back. What’s not to love?
I also used TopCashback* to sign up for our broadband package. As a result, I have over £200 to come back at some point. Not to be sniffed at!
Reusing fabric for wrapping
I dug out a large bag of fabric that I keep for gift wrapping from the garage. It consists of old scarves, purchased cheaply at charity shops, fabric remnants, ribbons and bows. As we were seeing friends for lunch, I used a couple to wrap their gifts.
I like using fabric that might otherwise be considered waste, then encourage the recipient to use it again themselves, or give it back if they aren’t going to.
To me, this is a more eco-friendly way to present your gifts and creates a lot less paper waste.
Dusting off last year’s decorations
We don’t rush out each year to buy new Christmas decorations. In fact, we have had most of ours for many years. I don’t think it is necessary to create a new colour scheme each year, or make the house look like a professionally decorated retail outlet. It’s cosy, a bit messy, not that tasteful, but glittery and fun.
So we have pulled our ancient tree out of the loft as well as several boxes of tinsel and baubles, ready to start our decorating tomorrow!
We even have some old treasures made by the girls in primary school. They are a little the worse for wear, but always raise a smile and bring back a few memories.
Keeping it simple
It is just me and Justin for dinner this year. I think it will be lovely to have a quiet one for a change! The girls will be around for a week or so though either side, so I have started to buy some extra food and treats. The meat for our dinner was purchased at Lidl and is in the freezer. I decided on a stuffed turkey breast, as there is no point buying a big bird for just the two of us. I also found a beef joint yellow-stickered that we can have when the whole family is in for food.
But I am determined not to over cater and will write a careful meal plan as I usually do. I don’t like food waste and there is no point spending more than is necessary. It is only a few days, and there is only so much we can eat. I’m also not buying ridiculous amounts of chocolate, as we always have too much and end up eating it for the sake of it.
Staying local
We are loving exploring our local area and have been looking out for free Christmas events to visit. There is a lot on, and we are planning to go to carols on the quay near to our house and a couple of Christmas markets.
I even spotted St Nicolas arriving by boat last week!
The other thing we enjoy doing is walking at night and looking at all the lavishly decorated houses. Even though energy prices are so high, it doesn’t seem to be putting some people off creating a winter wonderland of their own homes.
You don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy a fun Christmas. So these are five frugal things I have done as we approach the festivities. I am determined to keep within budget and not to go into the New Year with a financial hangover. How about you? Are you saving money this Christmas?
If you enjoyed this post, check out How to do Christmas when you are skint and Reduce food waste at Christmas.
*This is my referral code.
June says
Although I use Top Cash Back, I always check. My car insurance quote was £60 more via TCB than without using it!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Good point!
Mindo says
Congratulations on your house move! I moved 2,000 miles last year and am still decluttering (should have been more decisive BEFORE moving ).
My open plan downstairs looks somewhat like yours post move as I recently had the kitchen renovated. I did manage to find some bargains on appliances and kitchen accessories in the Black Friday sales, and of course I used the US Topcashback site.
Christmas this year will be very scaled down. It’s my 3rd as a widow, and I’m gradually finding my own style again after 40 years with a Christmas enthusiast! For me it’s fresh greenery, lots of candles, food treats, and a background of choral music – so calming after the noise and bustle of the outside world. Our huge, lighted artificial tree went to a family having a hard time, and I shall string some of the baubles on a fresh wreath for the front door. Gift giving will also be scaled down, our family has agreed on presents for the children only and it’s a relief not to have to shop for adults who are lucky enough to have all they need. Food wise I will contribute wine, homemade mince pies, and Delia Smith’s chocolate log on Christmas Day – as UK expats we do like to stick to some of our old British favorites!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Your Christmas style sounds lovely. My sister makes that chocolate log – it’s delicious!
CurlyTop123 says
Your new move sounds idyllic Jane and it’s good to hear that you and Mr Shoestring have survived the stress of your move. It’s obviously all been worth it. How lovely to be spoilt for choice with the community activities. I wish you both every happiness in this next chapter of your lives.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Thank you!
Ruby says
You have done a great job settling into your new home.
We are having a small Christmas this year, without any traveling. I bought a nice frozen duck at Aldi at a good price for our Christmas meal and found a good brand of canned cherry pie filling at a discount at a clearance store. We love cherry pie at Christmas. At the same store, I bought nine pairs of socks for my son, which he had asked for as part of his gifts.
For smaller frugal things, I mended yet another pair of pajamas (the third pair in two weeks), shortened and rehemmed a pair of thrifted trousers, and added new stuffing to an old pillow. The stuffing came from an estate sale at a house in our neighborhood: I paid only $1 for a large bag of polyfil stuffing. Also used some furniture markers to repair some scratches on the wood floor.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Sounds like a good week!