Mighty Money Savers

I am calling for posts for December's Thrifty Families Blog Carnival, which is here at A Thrifty Mum on December 8th. All you need to do is send in a post (on making or saving money, thriftiness, upcyling. recycling or living frugally) you have written in the past month (it can already have been published on your blog.) to me at mail@jenwalshaw.co.uk with Thrifty Blog Carnival in the subject header by 6pm on December 6. Each month across many blogs the subject of making money, saving money, living frugally and being thrifty are shared. It’s a sign of the times and a more careful and caring generation of people that we protect our resources, recycle, upcycle and make do.

This great post about turning worn out jeans in to a skirt by Slugs in the refrigerator, really inspired me to look at way to make clothes last longer. We used to be a throw it away family, but now we are make do and mend. Turn the trousers in to shorts - this is perfect for school trousers that are too short in the leg.  You do not even need to have sewing skills you can use wonderweb. Patch any holes.  Again you can use any old material you have lying around or of you are not a sewer then why not try iron on patches like clothes plasters . Have a swapping party.  Get together with other mums and swap your outgrown clothes. Sell them.  If they are in good condition, but outgrown, then pop them on e-bay and use the money to buy new to you ones. I would love your ideas for others ways to make clothes last longer.

Just because the weather has changed doesn't mean that you  need to put your childrens summer clothes away, especially as most children will have grown out of them by the time the weather changes for them to be able to wear them again..  It is all about layers. BG (From New Mummy's Tips ) rocking her summer clothes this autumn Layer shorts and short skits over leggings and tights You can add a long sleeved T shirt and tights under dresses Wear vests under tops Add a plain long sleeved t shirt under a short sleeved one Add long sleeved tops under short sleeved shirts Wear leggings under trousers when the weather gets cold Make sure any roll up trousers are warn unrolled When my boys were small I used to add long sleeved all in ones (the ones with poppers) under their tops Use t shirts for pj tops   I would love to hear your ideas for getting the most wear out of your childrens clothes

Each month across many parenting blogs the subject of making money, saving money, living frugally and being thrifty are shared. It’s a sign of the times and a more careful and caring generation of parents that we protect our resources, recuycle, upcycle and make do. Becky (from Baby Budgeting and Family Budgeting ),Cass (from a  frugal family ) and I thought it would be a great idea to pull these brilliant posts together so we could all learn from and share with each other our thrifty ways. So each month we are going to hold a Thrifty Families Blog Carnival and we woudl love you to take part, All you need to do is send in a post (on making or saving money, thriftiness, upcyling. recycling or living frugally) you have written in the past month (it can already have been published on your blog.)  Please send the link for: November – to  Becky@babybudgteing.co.uk   by Tuesday 5th Novembver 6 pm for the carnival on Thurs 10th November at  Baby Budgeting December – to  mail@jenwalshaw

I do a weekly shop at Aldi and if anything else is needed it tends to be the co-op in the village. Now I do have a good store cupboard and freezer with staples like gravy, frozen stock), herbs, spices, flour etc in. Sunday Lunch – mince (£1.99) and onions with veg from the garden and new potatoes from the garden too Dinner – Poached eggs (99p or six for the butcher or friend) on muffins (60p) Monday Lunch – Scrambled egg on toast (99p for the eggs and 99p for a loaf of bread) Dinner - Bolognese made with left over mince pasta (99p a bag) and pasata (59p) with added herbs and any veg left over from Sunday dinner (pureed).  Garlic bread (home made) Tuesday Lunch – Beans and Sausage on Toast (59p) D inner –  Curry with home made naan bread   Wednesday Sausage rolls form the bakers (4 for 99p) Sausage casserole with Potatoes from the FIL Thursday Lunch – Scrambled Eggs with cheese and ham   Jacket Potatoes with Cheese and Beans or leftover curry  Friday   Sandwiches (cheese and ham or e

It was dark by 4.45pm tonight and it is just going to get earlier and earlier as the winter draws in, so I have three quick, easy and inexpensive tips to save money. 1) Close the curtains as soon as it gets dark, this makes sure you keep the cold out and the heat in. 2) Buy a hot water bottle for everyone.  There is nothing worse than getting in an icy bed.  A simple hot water bottle can make getting int o bed on a night so much nicer. 3) Turn the thermostat down by one degree.  Just by doing this you can save up to 10% on your heating bill.