Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Couperwife]

Ive decided (or rather the bank manager/credit card company) has decided that im going to do this again this year

 

Ive got into the habit of "impulse buying" then I have the cupboards full of food, and nothing to eat, or a room full of clothes and nothing to wear and im always hitting the top of my overdraft, but i shouldnt be.

 

so, now im being sensible.

 

ive started today with planning dinner for the week and im going to shop for what I need - and nothing else

 

Anyone joining me?

 

my plan is to be out of my overdraft and be credic card free by December 31st 2012

 

cathy

x

[Olly]

Ooh Cathy, strangely enough I was thinking of this myself! I'm lucky enough not to have debt other than my mortgage, but that is pretty huge and I want to reduce it as much as I can while interest rates are low. I'll join you if I can.

 

I've been helping a friend to clear her parents' house - long story, but her dad has been a compulsive hoarder for many years, I made four trips to the tip on her behalf and there was no possibility of sorting the stuff, it was a case of filling the car boot and dumping it. I rarely go to my local tip, and I was absolutely astonished and sickened at the stuff people were chucking into the skips - some of it clearly capable of being recycled, useable furniture, an entire three-piece suite, beds, chairs ... unbelievable.

 

It's made me determined to use what I have and not to collect more 'stuff', so I'm up for this. I've already decided that January is going to be 'eat up' month - I have a freezer full of food, so I'm only buying milk/green veg if I can, and using up what I have before it all goes out of date.

[craftyhunnypie]

It's amazing, but since moving I don't tend to buy many clothes. I tend to wear what I have and accessorize them with jewellery to make them look nice. I live in jeans, leggings jumpers & wellies unless I go out anywhere. So I don't need so many posh clothes any more. I look at things in shops & work out if I could make them myself for less. I usually can!

We have never been wasteful with food ever - but living here means we can grow more ourselves this year too - which will be great!

I have also found & this is real good advice...that most stuff that is in the crafting & knitting magazines - you can find on the internet or you tube!

I really appreciate things much more & I've been saving 20p pieces in a tin can money box thingy. It's not far off full, but when it is I'm not sure what I'll treat us both to.

When you buy stuff - just stop & think if you really do need it or if it is just a whim!

Emma.xx

[Couperwife]

I planned this weeks food and I bought exactly what I needed and nothing more

 

it came to £23.06

 

I was told the other day...that people who write shopping lists are close to losing it and that this person wouldnt do that as it was beneath her

[AMS]

I'll join you... sort of...

 

One of my goals for 2012 is to spend mindfully. I'm not saying that I won't buy anything new this year but it will have to pass the "want it/need it/use it" test and then be discounted by at least 10%!

 

The Nespresso coffee machine we were planning to buy with the money my dad gave us for Christmas has already failed the test - I want it and I'll use it but I don't need a £200 coffee machine! As have the two new chickens I was planning to get for my birthday - I want them but I don't need them and I won't use the extra eggs. We're hoping to get an allotment this month so the money will be much better spent on a small shed, a wheelbarrow and some more tools.

 

I have a larder and freezer full of lots of lovely ingredients - but never everything I need to make a dish - so we are also planning menus and making shopping lists this year. I nearly managed to stick to the list this afternoon but ended up buying one extra item (but it was something that we use regularly, it was half price and in date until the end of March).

 

Alison

[Olly]

I thought it might be helpful to remind people where this all started, in 2006 with the San Francisco 'Compact'.

The aims were:

 

...To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of US consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc — a step, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact

To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er)

To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

 

I believe that the 'rules' are along the lines that you can buy new underwear ; birthday presents and gifts; medicines, essentials such as shampoo and so on, but that anything else should be bought second-hand, if possible. I think work clothes are also permitted new, and I would have to include shoes, as I'm a bit fussy about that!

 

The aim is to be more environmentally friendly, and less wasteful, so buying second-hand from eBay or charity shops or acquiring things on Freecycle/Freegle is ok, but ideally we should all stop and think about whether we really need the things we're lusting after. I'm going to try and combine this with some Flylady decluttering, thereby giving others the chance to get some second-hand goods.

[craftyhunnypie]

I always aim to have in at least the following....

Mince / Quorn mince

Pork or lamb steaks

Oxo (red & green) & Bisto

Various pasta - lasagne sheets, penne, tagliatelle

rice

Potatoes

Tinned tomatoes

Leeks, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sweet potatoes

Cheese, milk, bread & some cooked meat (usually ham)

Baked beans & tinned tuna

A full spice rack

The girls supply the eggs!

 

I can make a wide range of meals just from these ingredients & usually cook enough to be able to freeze some or turn the ' mince' into a totally different meal!

Emma.x

[Couperwife]

a few years ago I bought a big gammon and cooked it (made ham)

 

It was huge, I ate what I could then chopped the rest up and bagged and froze it. i gave loads away to mum mum, and it lasted ages great for cooking pies/quiche and stuff

 

I like you idea to have a set amount of staple stuff in the cupboard

[Couperwife]

ok, I seem to have gone a little OCD with this

 

Ive made myself a spreadsheet, and im logging all of my spending

 

I have saved it to my desktop too, so hopefully, ill keep it up to date

 

well, its worth a try isnt it. apparently you only have to do something for 30 days to make it a habit

[Charlottechicken]

I won't be joining you all but good luck!

[Olly]

Oh, Claire - you've been my inspiration in things thrifty!

 

My plans were scuppered on Tuesday night when I got home to find the house phone leaking battery acid ... it was quite old, and as it's a phone and answerphone combined I really needed to replace it. I did try new batteries, but it wasn't having any - couldn't get it to connect, and my calls were going straight to voicemail with no way to pick it up. I didn't think there was much chance of getting a second-hand phone, but I did shop around for a new one and went out of my way to pick up a bargain at Maplin.

 

I successfully resisted the discounted electric blanket on the way through the store!

[Charlottechicken]

Sorry Olly! I just know I'm after some nice shelving units and clothes storage for the loft (bought clothing bags and mothballs, and need a rail to put winter coats on), and some nice cabinets for the bathroom. I've got a few rooms which need a quick tart up and I'll need coving and wallpaper so I'll just concentrate on restraint and general tidyness this year!

[Lesley]

Sorry Olly! I just know I'm after some nice shelving units and clothes storage for the loft (bought clothing bags and mothballs, and need a rail to put winter coats on), and some nice cabinets for the bathroom. I've got a few rooms which need a quick tart up and I'll need coving and wallpaper so I'll just concentrate on restraint and general tidyness this year!

 

But you'll probably still be buying mindfully Claire - you've inspired many of us already.

[craftyhunnypie]

Had to succumb to a new washing machine! Mind you ours was 25 years old apparently! Was leaking big time over kitchen floor. Hubby the inventor had a good look & decided it time for a new one!

Emma.x

[Couperwife]

wow Emma - machines arent built to last anymore are they

 

25 years isnt too bad is it?

[craftyhunnypie]

Ha ha! It used to walk across the kitchen floor here & sounded so poorly! You've never heard anything like it when it was on spin!!

Emma.x

[Olly]

I think the 'Rules' must exclude essential household items, and a washing machine is surely essential. Besides, if you are replacing something that is broken, that's not buying needlessly or just for the sake of shopping.

 

Charlottechicken, I think your thriftiness has been a real inspiration, you're entitled to have a little spending spree occasionally. Wasn't trying to make you feel guilty!

[Guest]

I'm with you on the "use up what you have first" thingy! I have my shopping delivered, but skipped a week after xmas as there was still enough in the kitchen already. I have not placed an order this week either as I think I can go another week before I need a big shop - I just need a few basic/fresh things.

I've gone through my wardrobe and cleared out stuff that I no longer wear/have never worn/is too big or too small/I don't like/or is old or tatty - or just plain doesn't suit me!

I also got rid of about a dozen pairs of knickers!!!! and i'd bought more recently convincing myself that I needed some!

 

I really am going to be more thoughtful in my shopping habits this year!

[Space Chick]

I am planning to live more sustainably this year, buying less, growing more.

 

We have bought some new staging for the greenhouse (out of Christmas money), however I see that as an investment in our self sufficiency, but I am endeavouring to only buy what is really needed.

[welovemarmite]

well i think i will join you.... I have just had my salary halved so need to be careful. Ok, so i have just signed up for a training course which will cost me, but that is an investment. I dont like buying clothes and plan on losing a little wait so wont be buying them for sometime until it becomes so indecent because they fall to my ankles.

 

So i will do the need it/want it/ affordit/ worth it test. And try and be frugal. I already make my own household cleaner which is so much better, enviro friendly and although i havent done the calcs i am sure its cheaper.

 

So i will be popping back and looking for any money saving tips people might have.

 

Our food bill may be a little higher. We have just started on a paleolithic diet (but not quite the extreme version) so lots of fresh meat and veg, nuts and seeds. But, will be looking to grow lots of veg on the allotment and finsing ways of buying the other things more cheaply.

[Couperwife]

Ooh, making your own cleaner? tell me more

 

Cathy

X

[superkitty]

Yes, I'd be interested in that as well! Having used vinegar on lime scale successfully am now thinking 'hmm, what else can I replace the chemicals with?'

[welovemarmite]

ok, not got it to hand at the mo, will try and remember to put it on here tomorrow night.

[lillybettybabs]

I'll be joining to a point, being frugal etc.

[Lesley]

Yes, I'd be interested in that as well! Having used vinegar on lime scale successfully am now thinking 'hmm, what else can I replace the chemicals with?'

 

There's a thread at the top of this section called Green Cleaning Recipes which you might like..........