First let me get the spendy bit out of the way!............. I love my pair of Hotter Whisper boots so much that I decided it would be a good plan to get another pair before they stop doing that style. Also ordered two new cardigans to pick up. I've got a few jumpers but needed something to replace old two baggy cardis to wear at home and haven't been able to find any in charity shops. Jumpers seem too hot sometimes. My two really thick roll neck jumpers haven't been worn at all in the last four winters - proving climate change! but I'm loathe to pass them onto a charity shop as that will be the year we get a really freezing winter.
Normal outgoings............. Direct debits for Council tax, phones, charity and car breakdown insurance.Food spending up a lot for some reason. Diesel spending up on September with more journeys to swimming etc but still down on October of last year as prices per litre are still lower.The bill came for the boiler repair and service.......Not cheap, and there were family birthday gifts and bits I've bought for the Christmas hampers and Christmas bits from my outing plus all the usual things needed for running a house and then the window cleaner turned up. Three outings involving coffees and cakes (a lovely return to a sort of normal) and a Chinese takeaway.
Frugal Things
- Made a pair of leggings last a bit longer by turning over the top and stitching down then threading some new elastic through to make a new waistband.
- Used old carrots, a big red pepper from the greenhouse and one onion to make 4 portions of soup
- Always catching the cold water in a jug at the kitchen sink while waiting for the hot
- Home made bread
- The £1 bag with local paper, crisps and popcorn
- Reading library books for free
- Own fruit until the last week of the month
- Boiler not on much as it's been relatively mild and I've lit the wood-burner in the afternoons/evenings
- Couple of cabbages and the last peppers from garden/greenhouse
Still Clearing out
Well done with the clearing out. Interesting thing about Ziffit - I sorted some books when I was in Norfolk but only had about £4 worth. I brought them back here, and next day found that "we are not accepting this book" I waited 24 hours and tried again, and got accepted with a better price! I really do not understand how it works. Some of our CS won't take books any more
ReplyDeleteNo idea how Ziffit works it seems totally random but I'm just glad to have an easy way to move books out of the house
DeleteI put together some paperbacks for Ziffit, but it suddenly became cost ineffective when I would need to buy a printer, so the charity shop, when, and if, it ever reopens will have them.
ReplyDeleteHi, If you are referring to the posting slip, they will send you one in the post. And, at the moment, you don't even need that if your books weigh more than a certain amount as they use DPD to collect from you and you just need to write Trade No on the top of the box. Hope this is useful.
DeleteThe mystery Unknown has said exactly what I was going to say!
DeleteScattered here and there around our town are little cabinets where you can set things that you don't want and they can be collected at no charge by people who DO want them. It's a nice way to get rid of books and children's games, shoes, etc.
DeleteThere's always something unforeseen in the expenditure column, isn't there! And Christmas makes my heart sink - so many unavoidable expenses. This year I'm getting much of the Christmas expenditure over early - supply chains are disrupted so ordering early for grandchildren's presents will mean at least those will be sorted. Not cheap, but sorted and carefully stashed away.
ReplyDeleteThe ride-on mower has been very annoying this year but I can't do without. There's bound to be something that will be an extra expense
DeleteSome serious decluttering needs to be done here too, mainly clothes and crafty things. At one time I would whizz through my craft supplies getting things done, but not any more due to MS and age. It is what it is.
ReplyDeleteI also got rid of a stainless steel frying pan because things stuck. Such a disappointment.
I can't remember why I ever bought the stainless steel pan - a daft idea!
DeleteDid you try seasoning it? Stainless steal pans need a lot of seasoning (heating with oil in, and leaving to cool) and a bit of breaking in. Don't scrub them too hard once you have them seasoned (and certainly not with a metal pot scourer - MIL diligently scoured all the seasoning off mine and I had to start again). They will eventually reward you and you won't find yourself eating peeling teflon or silicon based coating in a couple of years time.
DeleteI have those boots too - they are, indeed, very comfortable. Good idea to stock up!
ReplyDeletexx
Hotter do sometimes change their designs and I know how comfortable they were so thought I'd get another pair. What's the betting they'll be in their New Year Sale at half price!
DeleteI think this month has really gone quick. I love seeing your lists at the end of the month. Because I am not going out I decided to made little shopping bags to go into the Christmas boxes for D and D in L I was so pleased, next things to make are padded coat hangers. I always give money at Christmas so they can buy something but I do like to give a few bits mostly they come from the charity shop but not this year.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk 🌈🌈🌈
I have no idea what I'll get grandchildren for Christmas, they all seem to have a ton of stuff already - free from facebook or passed on from friends. It will be money for the children and their Other Halfs as usual. Hampers are now done for My sister and Cols sister.
DeleteHello, just ran across your blog and love it! I'm following now, hope you are having a great day :)
ReplyDeleteHello and welcome hope you enjoy the blog. There's 7 years to read - if you are so inclined!
DeleteOK, question from New England: I've noticed all the British bloggers frequently mention window cleaners coming and even sometimes that the windows are cleaned monthly. Over here, only quite wealthy people have window cleaners and even they only have it done once or twice a year at most. The rest of us just hose the screens and exteriors down in the spring and perhaps do the interiors once a year at best. Why do you clean your windows so much! With admiration from Maine!
ReplyDeleteWindow cleaners aren't expensive here and the windows get dirty from all the rain we get and we like to see out!
DeletePerhaps more of our houses are taller than those in Maine. We are mostly at least two storey in this country and a set of ladders needs to be stored and are expensive to buy.
DeleteI remember "the good old days" when we could get 10% interest on our savings!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with No Spend November - you never know, the lawnmower may just behave itself :)
Interest rates are terrible right now, and there is no getting much better in sight.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your November No Spend.
God bless.
It is an atrocious expense, but I have a lawn service that mows my yard for me. I am really glad not to have to do it though. I always enjoy your monthly accounting posts. Hearing how others save a little here and a little there is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteGood for you on the frugality! I think it is very smart to buy a second pair of boots if you have found ones that really suit you. I have started doing that with sweaters and tops, buying a second one in another color if available. I am considering a No Spend November, but just as it relates to hobby spending on crafts. They have been my sanity this pandemic, and while I have gone through lots, I have plenty. It would be nice to see some extra empty space.
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