A Christmas Wrap
No don’t worry, I’m not turning into Eminem. I am impressed with myself for starting to wrap all the Christmas presents last night. I had a big pile of shiny packages after an hour, but then I had had...
View ArticleForget it! I am not being a domestic goddess this Christmas
How are your Christmas preparations coming on? I have got myself into a financial stew in the past, buying people presents I couldn’t afford on my credit card and feeling an underlying anxiety about...
View ArticleThe week at Shoestring Cottage – catching up with myself
Well, the week has got away with me. I have no idea where it went, it was just one busy Christmas blur. And we still have almost two weeks to go! I feel more on top of Christmas now. I … Continue...
View ArticleLove Christmas, Hate Waste
I was exploring the Essex County Council website today and ended up on the Recycle for Essex site: http://www.recycleforessex.com/christmas, which has some excellent advice on reducing waste and...
View ArticleI’ll embrace this new trend
I heard on the news the other day that there is a new trend amongst parents not to overspend when buying Christmas presents for their children. Instead they are buying four gifts: something they want,...
View ArticleHappy Christmas from Shoestring Cottage
Have a cool Yule! We are deep in preparations here at Shoestring Cottage and looking forward to a lovely few days with the family. Back soon! The post Happy Christmas from Shoestring Cottage appeared...
View ArticlePlanning for Christmas….and saving money
I can hear some virtual sharp intakes of breath at the thought of planning for Christmas when we are still in August! How dare I mention the C word when we have only just had the bank holiday! I belong...
View ArticleFrugal Christmas: Budget now to save your bank balance
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Are you planning to splurge or are you aiming for a frugal Christmas? The festive season should be fun but can cause stress as hard pressed families...
View ArticleEco friendly Christmas gifts
Don’t shout at me for mentioning the festive season in October – it soon creeps up! I have already started buying and have been looking at some eco friendly Christmas gifts. Christmas has felt like a...
View ArticleFame at last… spreading the frugal message
What a strange and exciting week we have had here at Shoestring Cottage, spreading the frugal message. I was approached a couple of weeks ago by a journalist who had read my Frugal Christmas article....
View ArticleChristmas bargain hunting – now is the time!
How is your Christmas bargain hunting going? I am almost there! Hardest to buy for is always Mr Shoestring. He can rarely think of any ideas to give me. I have cracked it! I have been looking on...
View ArticleHo ho ho! Planning for Christmas
Planning for Christmas Ok don’t pelt me with rotten eggs. I know it’s only 2nd October. However, if you don’t want to end up with a huge credit card bill Christmas should be planned for. It comes at...
View ArticleLast minute affordable gifts
This post is sponsored by Groupon. However, all views and opinions are my own. Are you a last minute shopper? Ok, own up. Who is still scrabbling around for Christmas presents? With the season almost...
View ArticleChristmas thoughts and an over active brain
I woke up very early today. There seem to be lots of Christmas thoughts whizzing around my head. Sifting through them with a cup of tea, I am surprised at the amount going on in my head. So this is...
View ArticleDark Days: Black Friday
What is wrong with the world when people queue from 5 am to get £80 off a TV, and are prepared to push old ladies over and wrestle strangers to get ‘a bargain’? Lots of us don’t have much money, …...
View ArticleBargain sites for Christmas
Darling daughter no 1 has put me onto a fantastic bargain site selling makeup and toiletries, www.cosmeticsfairy.co.uk. Check out their 99p section! This would be great for small Christmas presents and...
View ArticleSausage, apple and herb stuffing
Finally, I have finished work and have had a lovely morning pottering around tidying up, wrapping a few last minute presents and planning tomorrow’s dinner, including this lovely sausage, apple and...
View ArticleI’m dreaming of a frugal Christmas…
I enjoy Christmas – I am no bah humbug sort of person. I love the little treats and outings that cheer up the short, dark days, the sparkly lights, the presents and the carol services. However, I can’t...
View ArticleTurkey with pasta and blue cheese: Christmas leftovers
I thought we had used most of our Christmas leftovers, but then Mr S turned up with a great hunk of cooked turkey breast from his brother! Never one to waste such a gift I decided to adapt a recipe I …...
View ArticleChestnut, parsnip and mushroom roast: Christmas leftovers
I am still steadfastly working through my meal plan and using up all the leftovers from Christmas, as well as some of the bits and pieces I found at the back of the cupboard. With this in mind,...
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