Watch the pennies #fivefrugalthings

The old adage is right in my view – watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. Some people scoff at the idea that taking practical measures to save small amounts of money each day will equate to big savings. They are often the same people telling me that they have no money in savings, have debts or who have too much month for their money …

This week’s Five Frugal Things round up may not make me a millionaire, but all of the things I have done this week do help me to watch the pennies.

Let them eat soup

I made soup a lot, especially at this time of the year. It’s getting pretty cold and frosty!

There is something so simple and satisfying about a nutritious and warming bowl of soup with some crusty bread. It’s cheap too!

Last week I made some of my mum’s Easy Peasy Pea Soup. Honestly, it is the quickest and easiest soup recipe ever.

Yesterday, I just got all of the bits of leftover veg I have been collecting in the freezer, along with carrots, potatoes, celery and sweet potatoes and chucked it all in the pot for a nice chunky winter warmer.

I love soup so much I even wrote a post about why you should make more of it, here.

Working the election

If you live in the UK you MIGHT have heard that we have a general election coming up next week. I worked at the last one and put my hand up for this one too.

It will be useful money this month, with all of the expense of Christmas. I am working three days, helping to process the postal votes. As I have been working alone at home since May, I am really looking forward to having colleagues again for a few days!

More free apples

Mr S presented me with another big bag of windfall apples from a neighbour this week. As we both love stewed apple on our porridge and served with custard for dessert, I made another big batch for the freezer.

I am trying not to put anything else in there for now though as I need to leave space for the Christmas food.

New Christmas jumper

I might have been tempted to buy something new to wear over Christmas. To be honest, I don’t have a lot of glitzy clothing – I am not one to dress up unless I really have to!

However, I was pleased to come across this beautiful little sparkly jumper in the charity shop for £3.50. It is cashmere and must have cost a fortune new. Black is such a good colour too, as it goes with anything.

I have already worn it once – to meet my old work colleagues when we went out for a meal in the week. Buying second hand definitely helps me to watch the pennies.

What’s in the attic?

Mr S is a bit of a hoarder – and comes from a family of people who never get rid of anything! I am the opposite and, if I’m not using something or am confident I will definitely use it in the near future, I want rid.

However, it does mean he occasionally arrives with treasure that he has had stashed in his mum’s attic for years for me to sell on eBay. He gave me a load of collectible Toy Story dolls and Barbies a few months ago. This time he turned up with two Bakelite radios and an old violin!

I need to research them to see if they have any value. If they do, I will list them online. I can’t see much point in items sitting gathering dust for years when someone might really love and use them.

We do seem to influence each other in a good way. He is getting rid of some unwanted clutter and I have learned that some things are worth hanging onto because they will come in handy at some point.

What have you done to watch the pennies this week? Or have you given up until after Christmas?

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