2010 Frugal Challenge

**peanut** · 01-02-2010, 12:47 PM

Okay folks! Here's the new thread for the 2010 Frugal Challenge. Seeing as I haven't heard from Madhen, I'm starting this up for us this year. I love seeing all the ideas in this thread.

Let's see how frugal we can be!

**hotprincesscm** · 01-02-2010, 12:50 PM

Yay! Well haven't been doing too much to be extra frugal, but will be trying to do more for this new year!

Today:
~Haven't had the heat on for two days
~Keeping the lights off as much as possible
~Limiting the errands I have to run
~Eating left overs

That's about it for the last couple of days...Hope to step it up some in the upcoming months!

**baxjul** · 01-02-2010, 12:54 PM

~all laundry in cold
~meals at home
~printing coupons online to use
~organizing coupons
~making homemade chocolate syrup and bread crumbs
~coffee pot turned off
~lights off
~heat on low

**peanut** · 01-02-2010, 01:00 PM

The last few days...

~ entertainment at home.
~ walked to the library to return books. Didn't take any out because I have enough to read at home!
~ have a menu plan based on my freezer/cupboards...so no grocery shopping the last 2 weeks.
~ turning an old stained tablecloth with a hole in it (due to my bleaching efforts!) into dinner napkins.
~ reading books loaned to me by friends.
~ watching library DVDs for entertainment.
~ putting together puzzles DD#2 left here when she moved out for entertainment.
~ had company in for entertainment. They brought food! That's the best kind of company! We're having more company today and I was running out of Christmas goodies for them. This was just what I needed!
~ washing laundry, adjusting water and temperature level, hang drying.
~ turning off lights behind DH. He's terrible at leaving them on!
~ turning off computer and power bar, and TV power bar when we aren't using them.
~ as of today, I won't be plugging in the Christmas tree lights. Christmas is mostly over. I'll look at the tree for a few more days and then take it down.
~ sorting through 2009 receipts and storing them. Have to go through the grocery receipts and analyze where we spent our money in that budget category this year.
~ no drive day yesterday.

I think that's about it so far.

**baxjul** · 01-02-2010, 01:41 PM

Forgot to add that I took down the Christmas tree, so no extra electric is being used!

**mauimagic** · 01-02-2010, 03:20 PM

Mahalo peanut for a new thread for us to fill up!!

Just walked out of the kitchen behind DH - he turned around, turned off the kitchen light and said "We don't need this on"!! Who is this man? MY DH is the worst offender of leaving lights on - guess no more!!

He made a great kale and shrimp omlette from LO New Year veggies - it was fantastic!!

There is usually coffee left over in the morning, so instead of throwing it out, I have been heating it up for my first cup of the day!!

Am going to check around for some bargain puzzles, love doing them - mahalo for mentioning it Peanut!!

**madhen** · 01-02-2010, 04:08 PM

Thanks, peanut. I hadn't gotten around to checking the old thread when you posted your request.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-02-2010, 04:14 PM

Today I ....

Didn't go anywhere, spend any money, use any gas
Limited electricity.....been researching my electrical company to help reduce costs
Clipped coupons
All lights off until dark then only the bare minimum
Homemade dog food
Washed laundry in cold with HM detergent
Used a re-usable water bottle
Recycled
Reading and needlework for entertainment

**Mamaw** · 01-02-2010, 05:42 PM

*sold a few of my books online
*cutting coupons
*printed a few online coupons
*laundry in cold but did use dryer
*not turning up heat - it is 20 something degrees currently..burrr
*posted paw points to my account
*leftover kraut and pork today - making mashed potatoes and having the ends of snack foods for dinner
*will watch a redbox DVD for entertainment with DH, covered up with quilts
*shut blinds to keep in as much heat as possible
*updated my debt reduction spreadsheet to include mortgage and home loan. Makes me sick to see how much interest I pay
*paid 2 bills online - no stamp used
* signed up for ambassador club for joint medication I use. Will provide coupons in future for a bit of savings
*posted an item to sell on ebay
*posted another item to sell on craigslist

Thats about all for now

**ladytoysdream** · 01-02-2010, 05:52 PM

Stayed home. One load of wash hung to dry. Spent no money.

Chickens mobbed me this morning when I went out to get the eggs. They wanted their treats ! Oops. After I came back in house, I cooked up a pound of macaroni. Half I put into goulash for us for lunch, and the other half plain was for the chickens. I think I have some spoiled girls out there.

A snowy day here today. Glad I did not have to go out in it.

**miss_thrifty** · 01-02-2010, 05:58 PM

today-
made fish cakes from left over potatoes yesterday
kept minium lights on
never left house no gas used
quick scrubbed floors-swiffer and spray bottle hm cleaner
reading books from libary
watched movies off tv

**warramra** · 01-02-2010, 06:23 PM

Today -

~ did grocery shopping for the week, picked up good deals on discounted fruits & veggies, stuck to list
~ heat set at 65
~ practiced passive frugality by being lazy - DH and I read all afternoon, so no TV or computer on - and only reading lights on
~ no laundry
~ Eating leftovers for dinner
~ made 'gourmet' hot chocolate by mixing in a tablespoon of butterscotch instant pudding with the hot chocolate mix - tastes yummy, like toffee hot chocolate!!
~ having a fire tonight and plan on playing board games with the kids tonight for entertainment

**peanut** · 01-02-2010, 06:28 PM

Well my frugality flopped today...i had to grocery shop. It was $90CAD by the time I was done! Sigh... However, on the up side, I bought huge bags of dried kidney beans and black beans that I know when I make them up will keep us the rest of the winter in beans.

Mostly, though, it was stuff like sugar, Splenda ($10 here), organic flours ($6 ea. 5 lb. bag here), free range eggs ($3.65). Then DH threw French Vanilla flavouring and half and half into the cart for his hot chocolate! Sigh...he has so few things he really likes to spend money on that I find it hard to deny him. Still...I don't see much cutting back going on here.

Picked up sewing patterns $1.99 each at Fabricland's New Year blowout sale. And a rotary cutter blade 50% off.

Also found a calendar for 30% off (under $10).

Other than that...my afternoon hasn't been too frugal. I tried mall walking and my feet are killing me. I have no idea what's going on. Just suddenly I'm limping and in pain. Weird.

Trying to finish books I've started around the house. I've worked through 3 of 6 the last few days. I have 3 more to go.

Supper tonight is food from in the house. Entertainment is company.

**NikoSan999** · 01-02-2010, 06:49 PM

Only necessary electric
Everything unplugged possible
No unnecessary water ran..well water..pump
Walmart bags for trash..don't buy bags
Microwave used for heating up vs stovetop
No heat
May wash/dry load laundry in cold water after 9

**Lucky Star** · 01-02-2010, 07:32 PM

1/2 Update:
*Went to the library today with my daughter; picked up a book for me that was on hold and a few for my daughter
*Did not spend any $$ today, other than to pay some overdue fines at the library - in the future this will remind me to be more careful about returning books on time. Those late fees do add up!
*Eating leftovers/items from the fridge & pantry
*Trying to be more conscious about turning lights off when not in use