Monthly Archives: August 2010

Downshifting challenge: clothing week part two

Posted on August 26, 2010 by piperterrett

In the second part of my challenge to apply the principles of downshifting to clothes shopping, I have been busy trialing my purchases. If you remember, earlier this week I bought cheap briefs, socks and pyjamas from a discount store … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge | 10 Comments

Downshifting challenge: clothing week

Posted on August 24, 2010 by piperterrett

This week I found myself in Romford’s enormous shopping centre. Romford in Essex is my home town and, as I was visiting, I decided that its wealth of stores made it a good place to undertake the next part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge | 8 Comments

Downshifting challenge: Day four

Posted on August 19, 2010 by piperterrett

This week on the blog I have been investigating whether I can shift down a brand in my grocery shopping but still retain the same quality I expect from branded products. I have to say that I was impressed with … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge | 9 Comments

Downshifting challenge – Day one

Posted on August 17, 2010 by piperterrett

On Monday I headed to my local supermarket, my shopping list in my hand and a new mission to fulfil. My task this week is to try to save money by shifting down a brand from the items that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge | 7 Comments

Downshifting Challenge Begins

Posted on August 12, 2010 by piperterrett

I know what you’ve been thinking…It’s high time for a new challenge on the Frugal Life blog, and you’re quite right. So, here goes…! A popular buzzword during the recession has been on my mind lately. You’ve probably heard it … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge | 17 Comments

Beekeeping for beginners

Posted on August 10, 2010 by piperterrett

Yesterday I did something really exciting – I met a real-life beekeeper and his bees. DJ has been toying with getting a hive or two for years. But his other hobbies, combined with the fact we back onto seven other … Continue reading →

Posted in Food from the garden | 10 Comments

Adventures in Homemade Jam-making

Posted on August 5, 2010 by piperterrett

Our home-grown blackcurrants were ready and ripe over the weekend, so DJ decided to harvest the lot and put them all in a big bowl in the fridge. There were hundreds of them. In previous years we’ve barely noticed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Food from the garden | 12 Comments

Should hospital parking fees be axed?

Posted on August 3, 2010 by piperterrett

I received an email yesterday from the Macmillan Cancer Support which, frankly, left me feeling outraged. For some time now, the charity has been running a campaign to stop hospitals charging cancer patients and their loved ones parking fees. It … Continue reading →

Posted in News and politics | 16 Comments