Month: March 2023

Progress on the kitchen reno has been slow and isn’t going to plan….. ….but I’m already thinking about ideas for ‘staging’.

It’s time to get on with the kitchen redo…….I’ve got a bit of a cold so it’s all taking me a bit longer than I had hoped but I have, at least, managed to gather, borrow, and buy all the bits and pieces and kit I will need. I spent £116 ($142) which is a lot of money but some of it will do for more than one job; I explain it all today. And a brief word about ‘staging’ for sale.

I’m taking a breather from a busy day….time to sit and chat and sup some hot chocolate as I go through the postbag; getting exited about books and maps and fabrics…..and a think-out-loud moment about the vagaries of the English language.

I’ve got a busy day on my hands with lots of small jobs……including some sewing repair jobs to clothes and an item for the shop….and an overdue (since the lavender bags) bit of maintenance for my sewing machine. Maintaining things is part of the frugal life……we repair and maintain as we go in order to lengthen the life of our items….whether it’s clothes or tools.

Continuing in our series on having a low spend year: today I’m talking all things entertainment and socialising……..looking at ways we can do it for free or very minimal cost. Things to do alone or with friends……and even make new friends. I hope after this you’ll feel enthused to pick up the phone and make a date with a friend.

I didn’t get a chance, at the end of February, to review how my no/low spend had gone for the month so here it is today. Plus, in my last video, I got in a bit of a tongue tie trying to define my version of frugality…….so I have another go, with a bit more clarity (I hope).

I haven’t done a shopping bag for a while because for me they get a bit repetitive…..but I’ve done one today to show an example of how I shop to supplement my stored produce and….to talk about some of the ethical decisions I go through when buying….before I go on to talk about what Ill’ cook this week with my lackadaisical menu planning.

Oops, I did another long one….blame the weather! It’s cold, grey and damp…….so curling up on the sofa with a quilt, a hot chocolate and some books is the order of the day. Join me for cosy time and some thought provoking books.

I received a comment a few days ago about the joy of time spent on a porch swing, reading…..it sparked all sorts of thoughts and memories for me…..and ideas about what I’d like for my next home. Join me for a little trip down memory lane about a previous garden and how it helped me to make friends.

Crikey, it’s a bit of a long one so grab some knitting or sewing and join me for a natter while I start filling my lavender bags. I get onto the subject of food and what’s going on in the media at the moment with reports of shortages (and price increases)…….and think out loud about what we can do to help ourselves. I really hope that some of the ideas I share will help…..though I suspect many of you already do them!