Frugal February Findings

5 Mar

What a FARRKING ride. I was so inspired by listening to the energetic Canna Campbell so jumped on board with her “Frugal February” Challenge.

13 is my lucky number so here are my top 13 tips:

Easy areas to cut money: After the hustle of weekdays, we have always enjoyed a Saturday & Sunday morning ‘treat’ - for my 9, 14 & 16 year old, that was a very expensive açai bowl. I worked out how to make an equally delicious one for 80% less than they charge in our local cafe.
Grow it yourself: I wouldn’t say I have a green thumb but I grow all herbs in my little garden - oregano, rosemary, mint, parsley & sage are growing prolifically, meaning no soggy wasted herbs
Buy on special: every week I look at what items are on special in the big 2 supermarkets & especially for things I might see as “optional”, I buy them when on special eg same as Canna, I use an expensive washing machine powder, so I only buy it when half price.
Exercise in nature - Walking is my happy ‘place’. It doesn’t cost a thing to be outdoors
Freezer - products like big bags of frozen fruits are the most popular item in our home at the moment, especially when fresh fruit overripens so quickly in this heat. In a bowl of yoghurt or for dessert on its’ own, this stuff is cheap, frozen fresh & a great, easy option…especially with two teens & a tween in the house. Also, freeze your bread to minimise wastage & keep it super fresh.
Waste not, want not: Food wastage is awful, but I am not perfect. I really tried to make sure no food was wasted. This goes back to frozen is often best - buying frozen mixed vegetables means no rotting veggies in the bottom of the crisper drawer.
When I picked something up in a shop (other than groceries), I looked at it & considered whether I really needed it. See I love a bargain & sometimes I would buy a “just in case” item purely because it was on special. The paradoxical ethos of buying when NOT on special, means you actually really question whether you value or genuinely want that item.
Return & Earn - our household are suckers for a flavoured mineral water. All cans & plastic bottles are taken back to return & earn for a few extra dollars. Find your nearest return & earn here.
Activate any Flybuys / Everyday Rewards offers when they come through, even if you aren’t sure you will use them. Worst case scenario, they expire.
Surveys - this was something Canna mentioned & I took onboard. So far I haven’t done any paid Surveys but have earned Qantas points & Virgin Points. Not enough to leave Sydney airport but hey, it all counts!
Unsubscribing - I regularly monitor my email subscriptions & if I know it’s a product I just don’t buy, I unsubscribe to take away any temptation. As I already mentioned, I am a sucker for “buy it because it’s on special”. Out of sight, out of mind.
CALL YOUR BANK! I knew I should have done this earlier but inspired by Canna, I called my bank & within 10 minutes, negotiated a 0.7% decrease in my mortgage interest rate.
Gift Vouchers: this gives you some time to plan for next February! We try to live with minimal “stuff” so Gifts often come in the form of vouchers - I was able to use a massage voucher I had been gifted & feel zero guilt. We were also blessed with two restaurant vouchers recently, such a treat to eat ‘free’!