Living like a possum: a frugal week

It’s been a busy week. I thought I might struggle to find five frugal things as I have mainly just worked. However, it’s the small day to day things that count. They really do add up in the greater scheme of things, so here goes…

Can you live well without a job?

I was watching a YouTuber called Princess Prepper the other day and she mentioned this book, Possum Living by Dolly Freed. It’s very old but, apparently, a classic work on frugal and simple living. It’s from 1978! I was in my teens when this was published. At first glance, in some respects I think I am already living like a possum – ie, extremely frugally!

Anyway, I was intrigued so bought a copy from eBay. They were charging a fortune on Amazon so I gave them a swerve. I think I paid £12 for this book.

It’s a very interesting and easy read so far.  I’m not sure I will be rearing rabbits to eat as she did, but hope to learn a thing or two anyway. I will let you know if it’s worth sourcing this book once I have read it.

Looking for opportunities

One of the things I have been meaning to do for a while is create a page to advertise my services as a freelancer.

I have done a bit of freelance writing, but to be honest these jobs have usually fallen into my lap via other bloggers or media contacts. If I want to increase my income as a freelancer, which I do, I need to make more effort. My new page will go live soon, once I have gathered my portfolio together.

I have also been looking on some sites offering work to freelancers and applied for a couple of opportunities. They aren’t very well paid though, so if I can get customers direct to me that would be preferable.

I really enjoy being given a topic and told to write. It beats scratching my head about what might be a subject that readers might find interesting. I can stay focussed and am really productive when I have a deadline that’s not of my own making.

Helping with the election

I said in last week’s round up that I had done a couple of sessions with the local council, helping to count the postal votes ahead of the local elections. Here is another way I am embracing living like a possum – turning away from the humdrum of the 9-5 and doing a bit of work here and there.

This week I did another day and the overnight count on Election Day . I have scheduled this post ahead of time, so by the time you read this on Friday I will hopefully be catching up on my sleep.

I say hopefully, as I’m not good at sleeping during the day. It is possible I will be up and functioning, but will be a zombie by tea time.

I really enjoy doing this work and seeing the democratic process in action. Even if it doesn’t always go the way I would prefer…

I took my own food and drink to work, of course. No point in earning extra money just to spend it on take-outs.

Creative gifting

As you will know if you are a regular reader, I am having a second hand year, trying to buy nothing new where possible.

It’s my dad’s 90th this year, and I want to give him something special, not easy with the restrictions I have placed on myself.

I have decided to get creative with my dad’s gift. Instead of buying a thing – when he really doesn’t want or need more pointless stuff – I am going to pull together an album of his life. Like the old This Is Your Life TV programme.

So I have been sorting through loads of old photos this week, finding a good selection to help illustrate it. I have also asked all of his grandchildren and some of his old friends to write some stories of their memories of him.

It has been a lovely trip down memory lane for me and I hope it will be for him too. His birthday isn’t until next month, so I have a bit more time to finish it.

Boot sale disappointment

I met my daughter early Saturday morning for our second boot sale of the season. It was so disappointing – even more so than the first time I went when it was full of traders selling ‘toot’. This was a different venue but mainly featured old men selling second hand tools. Not what we were after at all!

I did buy a nice jumper for £1.50 but that was it. Oh well, I think I will stick to the charity shops for now. I’m wondering if the all decluttering during lock down went on for so long that people got rid of their unwanted items as they went along and didn’t collect them together for a boot sale.

Incidentally, if you are thinking about selling at a boot sale, I have a useful post on this topic here.

So that’s the extent of my frugality this week. Not very exciting, but it’s real life. What have you done to save money this week? Have you been embracing the simple, frugal and self-sufficient life and living like a possum?

Remember to come and join my Facebook Group, My Second Hand & Frugal Life, to chat about all sorts of frugality and money saving. If you want to earn a little extra money, check out my post How to make money from your shopping receipts.

Feel like you never have enough money? Check out this post from Becky at the Lifestyle Blogger.

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