When life give you lemons....

I've had lovely comments on my blog recently, with praise about my organisation. Necessity is the mother of invention!  I have obstacles to overcome so I've found ways of getting round them. Diesel costs are escalating with diesel costing £1.25 a litre in and around where I can get it, so I use the train for £96 a month, which saves me £15 a week (diesel would cost £40 a week) and therefore £600 a year. That's one problem solved!

Food prices are sky high! Today I made 400g of beef mince into three cottage pies, one was shared between four of us and two have gone into the freezer for another day. Tomorrow, I will cook the chicken I have and that will make three meals for the pair of us, so that's our food sorted for the week. I've sorted enough food for our lunches and snacks for the rest of the week. That's another problem solved.

I've bought new clothes and I need to earn some extra money to compensate for what I've spent. I've photographed all of my old clothes ready to list them on eBay which seems like a lot of work for little return but every penny counts, even if I make £30, it's all positive in our direction. £30 is a week's commuting costs for me or a week's groceries so a little work is always worth it.That's another problem on the way to being solved.

The things I do to save money all seem so natural to me. When commuting, I take my flask on the train so I can have a coffee on the way home. I take a couple of biscuits to eat as a snack. I don't carry money so I'm never seduced by the coffee trolley. I cook once or twice a week and plan all of my meals. I plan what I will wear so I have outfits ready and they are varied so I always look professional and I never look frugal. Can you see a problem? I can't; only solutions.

It does take a little effort but it is my normality. I leave home every day at 6.30 am to walk to the station and by the time we walk home from the train every night, it's 6.30 pm................but we have jobs!!!!! I make, mend, scrimp and save because I have to, but I will see the rewards one day. Again, I don't see problems; just ways of dealing with what I have.

I never forget how lucky I am. I have some disposable income due to having a lodger and I can afford to make little gifts to give people for Christmas. The house is warm enough, we earn enough, we eat enough and all the bills are paid on time every month. I have lived frugally for quite a while now and I've never been happier because treats are so special when I get them. I have brand new, one owner only clothes in my wardrobe (primark and matalan) and I have a new coat from Trago Mills (waterproof walking coat for under £15) and I feel, excuse the pun, like a queen.

I don't feel 'organised' and my life is what it is. Anyone can do what I do; anyone can give up spending money and live within their means. I'm different from some people and I'm proud of that; I've been called subversive and a maverick and I'm proud of that too. I have a glorious end to my debts in sight and I will get there, in the mean time, I will just continue dealing with what I have, by making lemonade.