My frugal and thrifty week #5frugalthings

Welcome to this week’s round up, where I go through some of the frugal and thrifty things I have been up to in the past seven days.

I really believe that, when it comes to making your money go as far as possible, every purchase you consider, even small ones, can make a big difference to your wealth overall. It is possible to live a good and happy life on a small budget! So, if you are feeling the pinch, have a look at my money saving posts 50 ways to save money now and 50 more ways to save money.

You might also appreciate the chance to win a £100 Virgin Experience voucher! Take a look at this post to find out ways to enter, and don’t forget to share on your social media channels if you get the chance.

Five frugal and thrifty things for this week

1# A new to me outfit for £4

I have been keeping on top of decluttering my wardrobe, since I had a big clear out a couple of months ago. I can’t see the point in owning lots of things that I never wear.

Nevertheless, I am still short of tops and T-shirts. Well, I was, until I went into the charity shop near to Shoestring Cottage and found they still have all clothing for £1, apart from the more upmarket brands, which were half marked price.

As even their designer stuff is usually only around £5, this meant I picked up a pair of really nice floral Laura Ashley jeans for £2.50. I found an M&S green linen shirt for £1, which went with them perfectly as well as this forgiving black T-shirt. They always have lots of jewellery and this statement necklace was only 50p. On top of that, I got a couple of plain red T-shirts for £1 each.

So, the outfit in this picture cost a grand total of £4! You can see why I resent paying new prices for anything :).

2# More thrifty gifting

As I am doing a second hand year, everything I buy has to be pre-loved. However, for gifting, I have branched out a bit and now allow consumable items, preferably in easily recyclable packaging. 

There is still always a second hand element though. In this hamper for a family member’s wedding anniversary, I used a wicker basket that I already owned lined with some netting I rescued from somewhere else to put the gifts in.

We are going to a party to celebrate, so I hope they like it!

3# Selling old laptops

When I did my recent clear out of the attic (so much dust!!), I found two old laptops that had belonged to my daughters.  They are pretty ancient, dusty and battered, but I am keen that they are recycled. If I can get a little bit of money for them in the meantime, even better. 

I know they have some value on eBay, but have also found some companies online who will give cash for them. However, I needed to find out more about their condition and specification before I could go any further.

So this morning, I have located the chargers, charged them up, found the answers to the questions needed to get a value. My next step is to reset them to their factory settings, then go online for a valuation and list them!

I doubt they are worth a fortune, but every little helps. More importantly, they aren’t sitting pointlessly gathering dust in the loft.

4# A ‘new’ spiraliser

I mentioned in my recent monthly round up on YouTube that I had a glut of courgettes. Not grown by me, but lots of people seem keen to get rid of their excess.

One thing I enjoy is spiralised ‘courgetti’, especially when I am trying to keep my carb intake low. So I was pleased to find this spiraliser in the charity shop for just £2. 

This is much better than the tiny one I bought a few years ago, which isn’t very hard wearing. That can only manage soft vegetables, but this one can easily do even hard veg like carrots.

The bric-a-brac section of this particular shop is excellent. I have found all sorts of useful items in there recently, including the mirror in the photo above and a chandelier for the bedroom that I featured in last week’s round up. Who needs to buy new stuff, when there is so much brilliant second hand paraphernalia available?

5# Another way to find free audiobooks

I have waxed lyrical about how amazing the free library app Borrowbox is on many occasions. It’s a rare day that I don’t have an audiobook on the go using this. However, they don’t have every title and sometimes you have to wait a few weeks until something you particularly want to read or listen to becomes available.

My book group is currently reading a classic work, Orlando, by Virginia Woolf. I am not enjoying it!  It is amazingly well-written and the language is beautiful, but the story is quite thin. I am finding it hard going!

I thought listening to it might be easier, but sadly it wasn’t on Borrowbox. A reader mentioned that she listens to lots of audiobooks for free on YouTube so I had a look – and there it was.

Thankfully, I was right too. Listening to it is much better, not to say quicker. I am hoping we choose a more contemporary title next time! 

Anyway, that’s me for now. Have you done any frugal and thrifty things this week, or found any amazing bargains? 

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