Frugal Fun, Freebies, Frugaleurs and Friends

Frugal Fun, Freebies, Frugaleurs and Friends

This past week has been interesting, as it has brought several visitors, freebies and frugal fun to the fore.

As some of you may know, social media is one of my passtimes, participating in various chats, discussions, challenges and promotions. It's frugal fun, mainly because its free! It's also where we're gathering togetger all the frugaleurs that we can, in an effort to show others that starting a small business needn't mean running it indefinitely as such. A Frugal entrepreneur loves their work and, although money isn't the first thing on their minds, it's an added benefit if it all comes together and reaps rich rewards.

Anyhow, my first lovely freebie of the week has been a copy of A Book About Innocent: Our Story and Some Things We've Learned. Along with this, I received £12 worth of Innocent Drinks vouchers, so I shall, at long last, be able to try the drinks for myself (assuming the local stores accept the vouchers).  Having been awarded the free copy, I asked that the founders of this very successful, multi-million pound empire each sign the book. It took a bit of time to get all three signatures but these guys obliged! How much more of a recommendation do you need for a company when its founders will take the time to show such a courtesy to little old me? I'll let you know what I think of the book (and the drinks) soon.

Meanwhile, I have received a sachet of freshly ground coffee from CafeDirect and am eager to try this out, just as soon as I can get at the box where the new coffee maker (a half price bargain from Aldi) is stored.

I've had a lovely week of catching up with friends, neighbours, fellow frugalers and local entrepreneurs, sampling their fine produce and enjoying the chit chat. Trading potential for 2013 is looking good, with more and more of these small businesses springing up in the area. Sarah at Creeside Charcuterie is eagerly awaiting the launch of her new website to further promote all her lovely homemade artisan foods. I sampled the 'Rustic Pork Terrine' and was suitably impressed. It was a rare luxury teat for us here in Thrift Cottage, I can tell you! Feel free to follow @CreesideLife if you have a Twitter account, then you'll know what's available, where and when Sarah's website goes live.

Not content with snacking on luxury pork terrine, I am now snacking on chilli jam... with everything! A fellow frugaleur who lives nearby has a passion for growing chilli peppers and is starting her own homebased enterprise making chilli jam - something I had never previously tried. I've now discovered that the chilli jam tastes great on hot toasted Aberdeen Butteries! And with oatcakes, cheese, pizza, chips, stir fry, fajitas... you get the picture. I think I have just found a frugal substitute for chutney, sweet chilli sauce, salsa and relish!

Now that the colder weather has arrived (having seen photos of the snow falling in Aberdeenshire) it is time to take a serious look at the cost of winter and what plans we are putting in place to combat the cold and beat the budget. Keeping warm has to be a priority and, with the price of gas and eletricity climbing again, the whole 'heating or eating' debate rears its ugly head for those of us trying to live on a tight budget while saving for rainy days and future security. What is your top priority? I think mine is currently to keep the log store full and the home fires burning, while hoping to have some sort of a kitchen in time to batch cook and bake the festive goodies. The one good thing about all these years of frugal living is that it has finally afforded to put a secure roof over our heads, we just need to keep warm, dry and fed now. (Beats having a bad landlord anyday!)

 

NYK Media (Frugaldom) has been running costcutting and moneysaving challenges since 1998, which means 2013 is the 15th anniversary! That has to mean something special... so let's start preparing for a great year of frugal living, frugal enterprise and the beginnings of bigger and better challenges.

 

Don't bin it, burn it or bury it if you can reduce, reuse or recycle it. Self-sustainability at home and in the workplace isn't just a pipedream, so lets make 2013 our best year ever. Join Frugaldom to share your highs and lows, hints, tips, news, views and reviews of frugal living, frugal working and life on a shoestring budget. See you in the Frugaldom forums.

 

Before ending, I'd like to pass on my congratulations to a fellow frugaler and blogger who has been part of our challenges for several years - here's to freedom from the mortgage, that gorgeous cottage is yours forever! CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO MR & MRS SFT!