Did you have another ‘no spend’ month? How did you get on? Today I am rounding up how my ‘no spend’ February went………including a rather shocking bill….shocking because it was 24% higher than last year. Grr! Also I share an idea to help you keep motivated and on-track with your ‘no spending’ and saving. I really hope it will help some folk.
Month: February 2024
Beyond Frugal: Shopping + Free Stuff.
Today I am going to unbox some shopping with you……and a bit of free stuff! The first item was something I needed to buy in any case so I was delighted to get it while it was under offer……..this then took me down a ‘rabbit hole’ of free stuff. I went for it with the free stuff……..but with a big caution attached which I’ll share with you. Beware the freebie!
On the Sofa (with books): Farms, Bees & Simplicity
Today’s books are: ‘An English Farmhouse’ by Geoffrey Grigson, ‘The Bumblebee Flies Anyway’ by Kate Bradbury and ‘Timeless Simplicity’ by John Lane. Quirky, niche, though-provoking……even challenging. Oh, and two new words for my vocabulary!
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: Sunshine, shepherds and quiet.
It’s the first really sunny (and therefore warm) day of the year. I make the most of it with some quiet, gentle work in the garden…..the only sounds are my secateurs snipping, the birds singing and a neighbour raking. It’s time to lap up the warmth and enjoy the peace as life slowly returns to the garden. Join me for some quiet time….and a wee chat about Shepherds in the mountains of the Lake District.
Beyond Frugal: Leek and Potato Soup – Shop bought vs. homemade.
Another shop bought vs homemade price challenge. Today I am making a gorgeous, thick, creamy leek and potato soup (with added extras at the end if you want) to see if I can make it for less than the price of a tin of ready-made stuff at the shops. I am making it with all shop bought ingredients so even if you don’t have a garden I aim to show that it’s possible to live on much less.
On the Sofa (with books): Childhood books, Woods & Wild Places & a Bookshop. #booktube
A little look back (please ignore my state, I was a bit ill at the time….but I’m fine now). Today’s books are: ‘Bookworm – A memoir of childhood reading’ by Lucy Mangan, ‘The Wood’ by John Stewart Collis, ‘The Living Mountain’ by Nan Shepherd and ‘Confessions of a Bookseller’ by Shaun Bythell.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: February – Tour & Jobs.
Goodness me, I haven’t brought you to the garden for ages……a mixture of weather and boring jobs have stopped me from filming. So, today is a bit of a catch-up; a tour to see where things are at and a run down of jobs to be getting on with before the new growing season kicks in.
Beyond Frugal: Cracking On! The Hallway Makeover.
Today I am getting stuck into the hallway makeover. I have decorators coming but I want to do as much as possible myself to keep costs down…….so…….I clamber out onto the roof (hahaha….I swore, off camera, heights terrify me!) to get the sky lights cleaned and do some prep before decorating starts in earnest……including the purchase of some off-cuts of wood for the meter box make.
On the Sofa (with books): Indigenous gifts and wisdom.
I have two beautiful books for you today……though one of them is a particularly difficult read because of the subject matter. ‘Indian Horse’ by Richard Wagamese and ‘Gathering Moss’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
On the Sofa: Life lessons from a mad man and other chat.
Another mixed bag of chat today including: reusable Christmas crackers, Caramac chocolate, food on TV and…..life lessons from a mad man!
