Welcome to this week’s round up of my week. It was a frugal week, but most are, since there is nowhere to spend any money!
Actually, that is not entirely true. The boot sales are open again here, so I could have gone to four so far, just in the past week. However, I have chosen not to, partly because I don’t really need to buy much and partly because I wanted to hear back about how they were organised first.
From the feedback I have had, lots of measures have been put in place to keep people apart, including wider aisles and stalls being put further apart. If the weather holds out, I intend to go to one on Saturday morning. I am taking the dog, so that could be interesting!
I also managed to get to the shops this week, but more on that later…
Freebies
Most of my friends know that I sell stuff on eBay, and often give me things that they are throwing out. I received a huge box of vintage Warhammer type books and magazines this week. I have no idea about this subject, but it seems people love this stuff. Listing those should keep me busy for a bit anyway!
I also bought a bag of clothing from my lodger. She is forever buying stuff that she never wears, so it was all new with tags. Good for me, and it has made a bit of space in her wardrobe.
Doggy spending
I did get to a shop other than a grocery store this week and I did have to splurge on the dog a bit. Well, I didn’t have to but…. Anyway, I went to Poundland.
We like to get him a lot of chews as he is still losing his puppy teeth. It tends to mean he takes the urge to chew out on these rather than our shoes or the furniture. I had to remove the rug from the hall as he wouldn’t leave it alone! It will go back down in a few months when he has (hopefully) stopped being so destructive.
I have found Poundland is good for treats, chews and toys. There is never a queue in the one I go to either, so result. I spent a whole £8 on stuff for Archie, but it will last quite a few weeks.
We also visited Pets at Home to get him a tag engraved with his name and both our phone numbers. This also only cost £8 using their clever little computerised machine.
He surpassed himself this week though, rolling in a big pile of fox poo… So he had a shower. This is always an adventure and we all got very wet!
A frugal week back at Aldi
I took a chance and went back to Aldi this week for our groceries, by far the cheapest place to buy what we need. As I said in my June goals post, I want to get our food bill down. Monday morning was a good time to go, as there was no queue at all.
However, I wouldn’t shop there at a busy time. Their queuing system was terrible! There are steps up and a slope down. Obviously, you have to exit the shop with your full trolley via the slope, but this is where they have people queuing to go in too, with markers at 2 metre intervals. However, the slope is quite narrow, so to come out you have to pass close to all the people waiting to get in! Ridiculous.
Unlike Morrison’s, Aldi didn’t provide any wipes or antibacterial gel for customers anywhere that I could see. Morrison’s had it on the way in and again on the way out. This was pretty poor. Fortunately, I always keep my own in the car. Not impressed at all!
Surveys
I have done a few Prolific surveys again this week. They don’t make vast amounts, just a couple of pounds at a time, but aren’t very demanding and can be done in front of the TV or listening to the radio.
My tally is £20 now. I will withdraw this money and add to my savings when I hit £30.
If you want to learn more about making money from surveys, see this guest post by Naomi from Skint Dad.
Home grown update
We have had our first lettuces of the year! I wasn’t very organised with these and the first lot got forgotten about, but these ones are healthy and delicious.
The courgettes are now doing well and I can see the flowers developing, so we should have a decent crop. The same with the runner beans, which I love.
The veggie patch does need weeding again desperately, but the weather’s been awful the last few days. However, I mustn’t complain about the rain, as the garden was so dry and really needed it.
It is really hard to keep on top of this with Archie. However, I am going to stop stressing about it. He won’t be a puppy for long, then I will wish he still was. Such a cute boy!
So that was my frugal week. I would love to tell you about the great days out I have had, how I hit the charity shops and the friends I met, but that hasn’t happened yet. Obviously lock down is easing here in the UK, but it is early days and I am approaching everything cautiously. Although I have ventured into a couple of shops, I always wear a mask, take wipes to clean my trolley or basket and always have anti-bac gel to hand.
I can’t wait for normality to resume, the same as everyone else, but we might have to accept a new normal for a while.
How has your frugal week been? Have you ventured out a little more?
I’m linking up with this Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Frugal Friday’ linky.
julie says
i’m surprised by your aldi’s lack of organisation, my local aldi has been really good, the queue has been well organised with a staff member always present to make sure it runs smoothly and there’s a table by the door with cleaning spray, paper towels and hand sanitizer spray, you’d think they would all have the same system. i love hearing about Archie’s adventures, he’s so sweet x
Becky says
I had no idea boot sales were back! might make them a little less a scrummage!
Julia says
My life just feels like it’s one long round of grocery shopping, housework and cooking these days, and next week the last 2 return home from uni, so will probably have to go back to doing 2 grocery trips a week to cope with the amounts!! At least the Big 3 a couple of miles away (Aldi/Asda/Sainsburys) have more space than the little high street Sainsbury’s I’ve been going to.
I’d like to say I can’t wait for things to get back to normal, but apart from the occasional days out on long walks a couple of times a month, having everyone around the house 24/7 is pretty much my life anyway!! 😀
Marianne says
Cut the legs off an old pair of Jean’s and tie knots in them, make great chew toys for dogs, durable and machine washable, just trim off any stragglers that come out. Did a good job of getting out girl through teething with the house and contents in tact!
Joleisa says
We love reading your frugal linky posts! We would love to see what’s happening at car boot sales too. We don’t even know if any near us are happening! We are so deep in hiding! Waiting for others to go out there and test the waters before we decide what to do.
Our garden is beginning to look up too. although, saying that, I think the slugs are winning. They’ve destroyed so much! Maybe you have tips for us? But we now have large plastic bottles covering some of the stuff. Only one little courgette plant survived and he is well and truly shielding!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
The slugs are out in force here too! The only thing to do is pick them up in the evenings. Either that or slug pellets. I give into those sometimes I admit!
Eloise says
I’ve not been in a shop since 22nd March. I’ve been doing my food shopping online fort nightly for most of the past year but I am having to be more organised and making sure that what is delivered will last for two weeks with no popping out for top ups. Freezing bread and milk is working well. Flour and eggs have got a bit close to running out but it’s not actually happened.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
I am always running out of eggs! We eat loads of them. Think I should get chickens again!
Sue B says
My local Aldi has been excellent. Member of staff outside asking if you need a small or large trolley which is sanitised and then there is hand gel as well. Now made one queue for the checkouts. There is an Iceland next to ours but there were only large trolleys. The Aldi staff gave me their small one to use and sanitised it as well ! Also found the staff very helpful whilst shopping for two older people with items I was unfamiliar with. Pity not all the Aldi stores alike. Love reading your tips.