Gosh its wet and wild here.... 40 mile an hour winds ... it feels really wintry. I truly hope its not the beginning of winter.... because it will mean a really really long (and expensive ) winter for all of us.
Just a few bits and pieces to share with you ... bargains .. and thrifty deals!
Remember the bathroom ... well I found a new light shade, I had to throw the old one away. It was just one of those cheapo paper ones and they get dusty and brittle after a time.
Anyway I was going to get a new paper one - cheap and cheerful... but then I found this one on a carboot stall .... as new (was still in its cellophane wrapper) and only £1!
I thought 'well - that'll do!'
Its quite nice ... kinda ... well ... stringy!
Hubby P did his stuff and put it up and it looks just fine ... be a great home for all the little spiders!
Whilst roaming around the 'Boot sale' I found this little hotwater bottle in its cosy little jacket ... new in its packet £1 ... just the job to go in the Christmas present box. Everyone needs a 'hottie' during the winter.
I'm finding everyone is thinking of winter ... must be this cold wintery weather .... and its certainly made me feel like 'Setting out my stall' as my Grandmother would say ... getting all ready for the winter months..... stocking up on supplies and whatnot.
Recently .. more than ever I have become aware of the struggle people are having just to get by.... just holding their heads above water. Jobs are scarce and if you do have one pay is poor... there are few opportunities here on Anglesey, we are an Island and in a way a bit out on a limb.
I've decided to try when ever possible to shop locally ... to help keeping the money on the island or at least in North Wales..... to help keep the small people in business.
Today I bought my first (of the winter) sack of spuds (potatoes)... locally grown and sold by a husband and wife team who stand the markets in all weather... always cheerful and often cold and wet!
They look like fine spuds to me ... haven't tried any yet ... but lots of ideas for meals .. how versatile is the potato!
£6 for the sack ... is that a good deal?
Cant say I really did much comparing prices ... I didn't have to travel to pick them up and I went for locally grown.
Filled .. or rather topped up the freezer (we have only a small freezer) ... the butcher's van has started coming to the carboot (getting more like a small market, which I think is a good thing)... so I bought some meat.
Business was slow (cold and wet) so I bagged 10kgs of chicken portions (legs ) that's 47 portions for £20. I split this with a friend £10 each (its a lot for the two of us to eat!).... and although my maths isn't too great ... this works out at under 50p a portion.
Hubby P did his utmost to fit it all in the freezer.... all but 4 portions he squashed in ... so we just had to have chicken and chips for tea (and stuffed ourselves with two legs each!).
Such wild indulgence .... must get a grip!
How are your winter preparations going.... any tips on the Frugal Front... any Thrifty Snippets?
Take care x bye for now
When I was a single mother of three boys and living on a student grant, my grandfather used to buy me a sack of potatoes every two weeks. He used to say that we would never go hungry if we had potatoes in the house and how right he was! x
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that you are shopping locally where you can. I do the same. We are not quite as isolated as you are but I do object to giving my money to the big supermarkets when there are little shops nearby trying to survive. Many shops in our little town are empty and like you, there are few job opportunities.
ReplyDeleteI never mind bits of food left over as we have hens, cats and dogs who will eat them up. But I do try not to waste food and am always pleased to see the fridge empty on my big shop morning.
Times are tough and I think they are going to get tougher. I try to find bargains at the booty and buy local when it comes to fruit, veg, meat and eggs.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to winter, we are going to keep only the most used spaces in the house warm to save on energy bills. Lots of hand knitted blankets me thinks!
The weather is vile isn't it? I've started buying meat from a little butcher in the next village to us. It's sooooo tasty. I'm going to make more Christmas pressies this year, we are putting up thick curtains in all the bedrooms this weekend and one over the front door.
ReplyDeleteI'm also intending to make jam and marmalade in the next week or so, it's like we're pepraring to hibernating isn't it?
Twiggy x
I wish I could buy a big sack of spuds - sadly I have nowhere to store them...£6 for the sack is an excellent price...and so was your chicken bargain.
ReplyDelete