Friday again and time for my weekly round up of the small frugal wins that allow us to stick to our budget. I have been back at work for the first time this year! I am only working mornings but it has been quite nice to get back to a routine and lovely to see all my colleagues. Some things never change, though, and I am still being penny-wise and thrifty!
Taking snacks to work
I am being healthy and penny-wise by taking a snack to work each day – usually some fruit. This stops me hitting the snack machine and spending 90p on a bar of chocolate! I am home for lunch so don’t have to worry about taking that in with me.
Hanging out the washing
It was a beautiful sunny and breezy day on Sunday. Perfect for drying the washing outside on the line. I don’t have a tumble dryer so during the winter have to dry our clothes on racks around the house. I love to see it outside on the line and think it smells so much nicer too.
Self-sufficient(ish)
Because of various health issues (fibromyalgia and 2 slipped discs) we gave the vegetable patch a rest last year. I did miss our usual stack of home grown produce though. This year we are determined to make our little plot productive and be more self sufficient.
I still can’t manage any of the heavy work, but I could plant some seeds. So Sunday saw me sitting on the bench surrounded by pots, seed packets and bags of compost. I really enjoy it and wish I could get digging!
First boot sale of the season
My daughter and I went to our first boot sale of the year. It wasn’t great weather but good enough to get a few sellers out who weren’t just traders. We found a few nice things for very little money and I got Mr S some new work boots for just £1. Boots from the boot sale!
I do love a good boot sale. If it is nice enough I will go again on Saturday.
Don’t dump it – repair it
One of the bargains my daughter picked up was a lovely Marks and Spencer leopard print coat. However, the pocket was coming away and it smelled of cigarette smoke. It was only £1 but I thought it was worth a bit of attention so I sewed up the pocket and left the coat in the shed to see if the fresh air would get rid of the smell. It didn’t, so I got out my steamer and gave it a good going over. With that and a good spray of Febreze it was much better.
If it was in my size I would have pinched it. I love a bit of leopard print!
So that is my round up of all things penny-wise and prudent this week. What have you done that has saved you a bit of money?
As ever, I am linking up with Cass , Emma and Becky in this week’s Five Frugal Things I have done this Week linky.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with Shoestring Cottage.
Savannah says
Check out https://www.wikihow.life/Get-Cigarette-Smell-out-of-Clothes for how to ‘bag’ the smell out of faggy smelling clothes. Also, re your Febreze, I gave up on that years ago but buy the ‘ironing water’ instead, store’s own brand. If you check the ingredients it’s exactly the same as Febreze. I had to wear a uniform (dry clean only!) for a long time so as they only gave us once a week dry cleaning, I used to turn the uniform inside out, spray the ironing water (in an old Febreze bottle) on it, and in the summer, hang it outside to air off and in the winter, hang it in the airing cupboard.
[email protected] says
Thanks for that link. Will check it out!Actually, my Febreze isn’t the real stuff. I make it from a recipe on diary of a frugal family. Lots of people use diluted Zoflora too but I haven’t tried that. I make my own ironing water too with cooled boiled water and essential oils. However your idea is a very good one! Might give it a go.
Mo says
Hi there hun x the smelly coat will be fine to pop in the washing machine; I have washed hundreds of things including many coats that smelt bad (ebay buys; never again) personally I could not wear a coat that smelled so it would be washed or thrown and everything I have washed even on very hot wash with a prewash has come out lovely’; even when it says dry clean only xxx
Texas Silver says
Making bone broth from chicken carcass for vegetable soup tomorrow. Trying a new recipe for French toast casserole using leftover bread & coconut milk (Instead of whole milk). We shall see. Trash picked several large bags of clean folded clothes. These will go to clothes closet at my church. Of course will inspect & if they smell of smoke, etc will wash. Trash picked a nice sewing basket for my sewing notions. Was sitting on pavement outside the skip. Also found a nice grapevine wreath with pretty purple & magenta flowers. I need to tack down one area with hot glue gun. Will make a nice hostess gift for my friend who I will visit next weekend.
[email protected] says
Wow! Good going. It never stops amazing me that people will throw away perfectly good items!