Charlottechicken Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Burning some of my wombled wood as we speak Well, two weeks in to the year and so far just food purchased, feeling quite virtuous. Trouble ahead though, Boots 75% off sale is possibly this week so might need to make some purchases for presents, just need to remember not to go mad I've been in the loft and brought down some old duvets, and found some bedding which is past it's best so we are taking it to the local animal rescue centre, when I have checked that they want it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I am steadily ebaying stuff and have 3 items to get on tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 May I join in too? Really need to declutter and get to grips with my finances. Doing okay so far, but have 5 new wooden double glazed windows to install and pay for at some point and they aren't cheap. The bathroom needs doing too and then the new house is done Have so much stuff that I could have a field day with ebay, just need to set aside time to take pictures and do it. My fabric stash is way out of control, so no more purchasing there, unless it is essential..... Wood is a problem for me. I do pick up twigs and small sticks when out walking Milo, but anything larger is tricky - there are loads of fallen branches when out walking, but can't get them back home I spend around £150 a year on log deliveries which i don't think is too bad - free would be better though! I won't even comment on my clothes..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Start wombling skips for wood Christian, and let your neighbours know that you will take any wood from renovations, pallets etc. I have a chainsaw and more wood than I can burn in one winter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Trouble is, my garden is tiny! I have the chicken run, 4 raised begs, the oil tank for the rayburn and not much space left. The logs are all cut to size and stack neatly (ocd freak here) in the corner......If they were different sizes, I wouldn't be able to get as much wood stored Plus, I daren't get a chain saw, i'm lethal with the axe as it is.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Hahaha! I love this thread. I understand the small garden plight. Mine is now stacked with windfall wood, wombled wood and some subsidised, un-split wood from the city council's parks department. And today, when I was doing a school visit for my job, I noticed that they had a skip full of off cuts, etc. The head teacher was happy for me to take what I wanted - but he gave me a funny look just the same. It's great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 Couldn't resist the lure of Mr Boots today Bought (quite) a few lovely gift sets, which are all earmarked as gifts over the next twelve months. Nothing for me, unfortunately I have not spent so much in Boots sale for quite a few years, probably since 2006, so was overdue a good splurge See the damage ***here*** (link to my blog) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Blimey, you did do well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Well done Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I'm lucky enough to have a garage to store wood, but a wood store can usually be tucked away somewhere as it only really needs to be the depth of a log - 12-15 inches. Could you sneak another one n against a wall of the house, Christian - underneath the kitchen window, say, or even in front of the house (if you trust your neighbours!) I cut pallets, s"Ooops, word censored!" wood etc to length - I keep a piece of plastic curtain-rail of the right length, to measure against - and any off-cuts which are too short to stack go straight into the log basket for burning. I think the electric chainsaw was a really good investment for me, as I've not paid a penny for wood in the last four years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Olly and Dogmother, I've got an electric chainsaw, too, but what do you recommend for cutting up skip-scrounged boards, etc. My shoulder can't cope with a regular saw. Do you think it would be okay to chainsaw long boards into usuable sized bits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 That depends on the type and size of board; some are thinner and can be stamped on to make smaller, bigger ones are clamped in the Workmate and sawn, I sometimes saw several layers of thinner sheets together as it saves time and it's easier to cut through something that's thicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Do you mean with a regular hand saw or chainsaw? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Sorry, with a chainsaw, but use your judgement depending on the thickness and size of the wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Sounds sensible - Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 I suppose the good thing about bad weather is not being able to visit shops easily, and once you go out you just buy the basics and get home quick! I'm not even using my time productively in the house, just doing damage limitation with the snow, clearing paths and cars and the chicken run. No time for internet shopping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Could you sneak another one n against a wall of the house, Christian - underneath the kitchen window, say, or even in front of the house (if you trust your neighbours!) I have an area on the other side of my cottage, in the small courtyard. There is a fence with 40cm or so of earth, then a path and then the gravelled area with table and chairs. Will ask my lovely retired neighbour, who loves a 'project', if he can build a slim lean-to log store for me. The only trouble is, I will have to bring the logs through the kitchen and lounge to get to the courtyard, but I can do it in small batches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazaddress Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 I have just done a major overhall on our finances... And managed to cut back over £600 a month. Bupa has been reduced Virgin media has been downgraded Cancelled music and movie subrcriptions Cancelled cat insurance (and save the same amount into a savings account). Reduced kids classes Changed mortgage product Moved credit cards. Gone back to making our own soap and detergents. Back to cycling to work (saves £80 a month). Stopped buying coffee at work.. And bring in milk for tea (saves £40 a month). It feels sooo good to cut back. holiday this year will be camping at the justsofestival.co.uk If only we could afford the woodburning rayburn and solar panels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 If only we could afford the woodburning rayburn and solar panels I think you will if you continue saving at that rate, well done! OH and I have saved about £600 between us for the whole year by changing bank accounts and stopping direct debits for things we no longer see as necessary, £600 a month is amazing! By the way, welcome back to the forum Kazaddress, I remember you from ages ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazaddress Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 If only we could afford the woodburning rayburn and solar panels I think you will if you continue saving at that rate, well done! OH and I have saved about £600 between us for the whole year by changing bank accounts and stopping direct debits for things we no longer see as necessary, £600 a month is amazing! By the way, welcome back to the forum Kazaddress, I remember you from ages ago! Thanks Charlotte, I remember you too. I have been dropping hints left right and centre at my lovely DH, so hopefully we will have chooks again soon Its hard cutting back so hard and fast. but i know we will get used to it, and I see it as a kinda challenge so I think we will stick to it. (apart from the odd bottle of wine as a treat.. but we only do that about once a month so shouldn't break the bank.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Saving that amount of money you should treat yourselves to a bottle of wine once a month. I find cutting right back quite cathartic! You can always release the reins a little if you feel you have gone too far We used to indulge in fish and chips on a Friday night, from the local (and very good) chippy. But, it cost a fiver and was a huge portion. OH is a big lad and would happily polish off the remains and then feel bloated the following day. Now I cook fish and chips on a Friday, with mushy peas, and we have a glass of something with it. The fish doesn't have batter, it's just oven baked haddock, and oven chips. The whole lot costs less than half what we used to pay and is much more enjoyable too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazaddress Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Saving that amount of money you should treat yourselves to a bottle of wine once a month. I find cutting right back quite cathartic! You can always release the reins a little if you feel you have gone too far We used to indulge in fish and chips on a Friday night, from the local (and very good) chippy. But, it cost a fiver and was a huge portion. OH is a big lad and would happily polish off the remains and then feel bloated the following day. Now I cook fish and chips on a Friday, with mushy peas, and we have a glass of something with it. The fish doesn't have batter, it's just oven baked haddock, and oven chips. The whole lot costs less than half what we used to pay and is much more enjoyable too. I love fish. It just costs so much now that there are 4 of us I still have a strict shopping budget (I alternate between 2 companies weekly, I have a £55 budget with riverford, and a £80 budget with Organically speaking on the alternate week), and when ever I put fish in the (online) basket its always the thing to come out when I have gone over the amount (booooo). We do something similar with pizza. I make a home made pizza a couple of times a month, and just top it with left overs (ham / peppers etc). It costs pence compared to the £20 we would spend getting a delivery. I wish i could make decent wine... we have some lovely Damson tree's but the wine always turns out rubbish (boooooo) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 We've tried various home made wines, the best is raspberry, which is lovely. We drink it chilled like a rose. Tbh, though wine is a luxury I refuse to give up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 I'm feeling quite pleased with myself I haven't bought any unnecessary food so far this year, as in sweets or cakes. I did get a pack of six cans of real cola for £1.50 though, as we do enjoy an occasional JD and coke occasionally, and the cans will last longer than a bottle which has to be drunk once it's been opened. I've just been down to the local Co Op and bought two large pies off the reduced counter, they are in the freezer. One was £1 and the other was just 68p. I managed to ignore all the Valentine chocs and even a little bag of pink jelly hearts that I almost picked up they were only a pound too. This week I've been given a dozen hot cross buns and a big jar of coffee at work, the dates were just up on the hot cross buns and the coffee is out of date but unopened and unwanted. not sure why people think they can unload their unwanted food on me but it's very welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Out of date hot cross buns, would make a perfect bread & butter pudding - if they are past their best. Emma.x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
