I live in the US in northern NH. I have a limited income and garden to make my budget come together. This year started with drought conditions and then we had so much rainfall the our roads washed out.. Needless to say my garden has suffered. I now have tomato and potato blight. When you work so hard and lose so much needed food it is discouraging. I worry about how climate change might be effecting my garden. I love gardening but I have arthritis in both knees and am reevaluating how and what I grow. I love your videos because you have so much enthusiasm about gardening in spite of your knee pain Your fighting spirit is contagious.
Oh I hear you lovely....it's so hard to put all that work in to only have it wiped out by weather or disease.......but mostly it's worth it. Despite the pain. Ach, I worry sometimes how I will manage it as my knees get worse......cross that bridge when it comes....
I love your philosophy on life. What you can do with that bag of rice is decant the rice into a large glass jar and rinse out the inside of the bag and use it to wrap the opened feta cheese blocks. ♻️ ❤️
Love seeing your shopping trips… inspiring as I’m now heading into having to do extreme frugality and finding myself on my own to manage after over 30 years
Oh bless you......I'm sure this is a nervous time for you......but it's all possible and do-able....there are many of us here who will attest to that. You can do it!!!!! I wish you so much love and peace as you enter this new chapter of your life. X
You never cease to amaze me 😃 You are definitely an inspiration. Here I am one little ole lady with her little ole fur baby and I can't even come close to your frugal self. I only wish I had been so frugal when I was younger. I would definitely have a better life here in my Golden Years. Woulda, shoulda, coulda LOL Keep up the good work and I still can hardly wait to see your videos in search of the perfect Flat. Until next time - blessings to you.
Great job, Vivi!!!! Love this blog! Looking forward to your next blog as I am having organizational issues as well. My mom passed last month and trying to take care of her things as well as my home … wow it can really zap your energy. Take care of yourself and God bless you!
Oh bless you lovely....such a hard time.....and then all the stuff to deal with......all the paperwork and legal things can be mind numbing. My advice is to set aside a day per week if you can, just for this work......and for some crying time. XXXXXX
I love how you equate your garden to a gym, a social club and a spiritual soul place😀💗. Thanks for sharing your grocery haul with us. I’ve learned so much from your channel😀
I always say that when you're frugal, you pay with your time and effort instead of dollars. Great haul! And please don't feel bad about the rice. You're doing SO much to keep stuff out of landfills and nobody can do everything. Enjoy that delicious food and eat a couple of olives with feta for me! YUM!!
I am such a fan of yours. Your cheerfulness, gratitude, intelligence, humility, and willingness to share your experiences are admirable. Love your personality. Just charming!’
Great video vivi as usual You always make me feel so positive when I watch you. Now whenever I feel down I stick on a vivi vid lol So glad you’re feeling better too. ❤️
I cannot believe how inexpensive your groceries are compared to where I live in the northwest of Canada. Thanks for sharing today. It spurs me on to do better and use up what I have on hand. I'm looking forward to the video that's coming up about organization. It's something I desperately need.
They have stopped selling things loose here since the virus. But I buy a big bag of rice that comes in a fabric / plastic blend bag and it lasts us months. Its 15.00 upfront but its 6 months worth of rice for 2 and a handy reusable bag.
Thank you so much Sian....hahaha, I've just about stopped scratching now......I did, in my sleep, scratch one of them on my face....just waiting to see if it will heal without a scar.......calendula balm to the rescue!
Hi vivi What a lovely vlog You know I love your vlogs What a good spend I only spent around the same amount this week There are myself and my husband Plus I feed my daughter and grandson several times a week I've allowed myself 100 for 2 months I only use half the amount of washing liquid and put water with it It lasts so much longer I put water with anything that it will make go further Take care xx 💙💚💛💜
Great video and a timely reminder for me that I need to visit our local refill shop rather than buy from the supermarket whenever I can. The barter system is a win win for you. You have also prompted me to think of more uses for the glass jars before putting them into the recycling and I will resurrect my Freecycle account. Thanks.
Hi Vivi from across the pond--new subbie here! I've been gardening for just over 45 years, and the best way I've found to prevent blight on tomatoes is a nice thick mulch of grass clippings throughout the entire tomato area. I use it for my peppers too. Blight lives as spores in soil, and once it's there it's nearly impossible to eradicate. However, if you keep the dirt from splashing up onto the plants when it rains (or when you water) you cut way down on your chances of having it infect your plants,...no sprays required. ;-)) l
Lidl is a good place to shop for cheaper stuff,we get our biscuits there and sometimes a bun,I keep plastic containers for the garden and cheese spread constainers for indoors I have a lot of plastic containers now.
Wow amazing well done! Time is not on my side at the moment. Trying to grow veg to learn new skills, but not half as productive as your little plot. Went to my tiny plot that is about 3 miles from my home to find it ravaged by potato blight 😕. Cut and burnt stalks, just waiting now for a few weeks before harvesting. Not expecting much as March/April was so cold and wet, every time I had time, they didn't get in until begining of May! O well whatever will be!! Thank you for cheering us up look forward to your videos 👍
The bag for the rice can be reused If you open it carefully Vivi so it’s not wasted! We certainly notice a big reduction in our shopping bills since growing our own fruit and veg, definitely worth doing for that and the fresh healthy produce you know is on your table, plus all the other benefits you mention. When you know how hard it can be to grow things you definitely waste less, and appreciate farmers more …
Such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing. You look so happy after your trip to the allotment. Clearly it’s your happy place and just the tonic. Stay safe and well xxxx hugs 🤗
Always leave me with so much to think about Vivi. You challenge me in a great way. I am not living the life you lead but still don't want to be wasteful. Love marmite so much. One of my girls bought marmite chocolate for me at Christmas - it was delicious. Take care.
Wow your food prices (in U S dollars)are soooooo much better than ours here in the States.....even Aldi, (which is your Lidle?). I was raised by a price conscious mom and from early on I learned to check unit prices, look for clearance, etc. ....loved your video....glad you guys have an allotment program so yes, you can also grow your lovely veg.! Rock on!
Oh you clever girl 💚 that’s fantastic! What a great idea 🙌 keep your trap shut on your foraging spot! Look after you first girl!!! Yes our plot is the same we can’t sell our produce either, I’m so lucky I have a back garden 🪴
Rice bags are a strong plastic.. can you re-use it somewhere? Your lifestyle is hard work (both mentally and pjysically) but clearly so satisfying... and these kinds of videos have lots of ideas for us.. even if we're not living exactly the same way.. Thanks for sharing! :)
Very true what you say about the lot being not only a supermarket but also your gym, social club and spiritual place. I agree 100%. I live in Helsinki and grow food on my lot (also number 17☺️) too. Very similar rules too: no selling the crop. Just picked 3 kg of cucumbers today. That’s my meditation right there. I really enjoy gardening. Have a great week and looking forward on your next video.
New subscriber. I love everything you stand for. Please try home bargains or B & M for marmite. Every penny counts lovely. My son love’s it too 🤗. Ps I have been watching loads of your videos 👍. A truly inspirational lady
So interesting vivi.im glad that you do shop and Lidl too as I just just them and Aldi,glass where I can. Fantastic on earning points at the refil shop🙂🙂🙂🙂 Your veg garden is looking wonderful.when you dug up those little potatoes how wonderful.i tried potatoes once in a tub.we also did salad leaves.at the moment we just have herbs and a wonderful rosemary bush.looking forward to your next video x
We buy our rice in big sacks, you can use the sack after too. May save you some money in the long run ( although you may want to save it until you move....those stairs and a sack of rice...err no) 😊
Ahh, yes, I often think about a big sack.......but the thought of getting it up all the stairs puts me off! All the more reason to move to a ground floor place!
Great video. I just made pickled beets and you reminded me that I need to see if the local figs or blackberries need foraging for preserves. I hope I am not too late.
You are so inspiring. I know I am wasteful and could be so much more mindful of things. I try to meal plan but that’s slipped off the radar lately too. Time to pull my socks up xx
I always get such good ideas from your videos, Vivi! Even though things are way more expensive here in California, there's always places I can refine my budget and usage for efficiency! Glad you're feeling better! ❤
Morning Vivi , so glad to see you back to normal,apart from the tiredness after your bout of chickenpox. I don't have a garden and after the lockdown decided to try growing in pots on the patio. I harvested my potatoes last week and they were fabulous so excited and pleased I planted another crop!! Up to pres I have one red tomato on my trusses loads of green ones so waiting for them to change colour!! My only pepper got eaten by predators I hope they enjoyed I would have!🤣 I also planted the bottom of a bought celery and can start picking stalks off soon. I also have a new pepper sprouting, 5 lettuces and some 🌿 herbs,mint thyme rosemary and I am trying to grow garlic!!So you can bee congratulated you are the instigated my humble efforts. THANK YOU SO MUCH😘 By the way if you haven't opened the rice yet Lidl or Aldi will take it back and let you have something in exchange.
Hi Jeanne.....aren't the vegetable predators annoying!!?? One year my lovely tomato crop in a BIG pot on my deck got completely ravaged by raccoons. And the little*****had the nerve to glance up at me with tomato dripping off their**** chins while I was trying to drive them off with a broom!
No one can or will live a life of absolute 'self sufficient or self sustainable' but a little here a little there is better than nothing at all. ") Your efforts, labor and joy are an encouragement to many, keep on, thanks for sharing, always a joy. In Joy
Great video once again Vivi .i am nowhere near as frugal as you but I do get inspirational tips from you. i am also looking forward to your video on organisation skills as this is something I can struggle with ,and it can be really frustrating . Yes please dont let the bagged rice become an issue that spoils your enjoyment of it. You are a marvel at how you do so much already to help the environment.
Thank you so much lovely....oh...and!!!.....thank you for your parcel.....I think it was you....soap and honey?! I just filmed it today (out next Friday I think). I LOVE the soap......so much that I want to take a second bath today! 😉
Wow! that's 20$ worth of feta in the US. It's nice you can get olives that aren't stuffed with pimento for a reasonable price. I spend way way too much on my groceries. I will try to be like you and simplify my eating habits to be more frugal. I'm not a veg so that ups my bill a bunch. Your great Vivi....Enjoy your summer salads!
Cucumbers can be stir fried, had some for dinner, chopped in soup. For pickles, bread and butter pickles for the old blimp sized ones; regular cukes = regular pickles with garlic and dill, easiest since all you need is some salt, the flavoring, a bay leaf to help them stay crisp, and water.
I went out the other day to buy a cabbage and a few other items. Came home started frying the onions and garlic, took out the chopping board to slice up the cabbage yes you guessed it! Luckily my lovely son in law went out and bought one. Hate olives Love marmite! Thank you for another inspirational video.
Hi Vivi! Thank you for the lovely package. Now we can have the Beatrix P tea party of my little grandsons dreams later in the year. He has the child's mug and all the books from his Daddy's and aunt's childhood. Now tell me, how does anyone live for two whole weeks without Marmite on their toast???!🤣
Vivi, your frugal haul videos are as interesting as watching a mega haul video from a mother of ten...each uniquely suited to that particular lifestyle. There is so much to learn. I am with you on the glass jars and have family and friends who save their castoffs for me, haha. To get more life out of that rice packaging you could wash it and use it for freezer storage. To seal the bag place it between some aluminum foil and go over it lightly with your (repaired) iron on a low setting. I wonder if we'll ever see shops where the main focus is selling goods with the consumer providing the packaging here in the US? We are such a litigious country that it seems a nightmare waiting to happen, what a shame. Hope you'll do a repeat shopping video again, thank you.
You are so inspirational! I am eating out of my fridge and freezer at the moment, mealplanning. A financial hard couple of months coming up due to vet bills and some other unexpected events. I have cut our grocery bill to the bones this month. I even added a challenge on top - minimum 15 shopping free days, I don´t normally shop much to begin with, but its all those small things, going into the grocery store to get a loaf of bread, and ending up with 3 other items I didnt really need... I just bought a new roll of cling film, and to my delight, it is made of recycled plastic. The roll of garbage bag liners too. 👍Marmite.. I did try it back in 1988... I was working as an au-pair in London... I hated the stuff! 😂😂😂 Unfortunately I live too far away from eco shops that sell in bulk and refill containers. However, I was in Oslo last week with my mom, and I did shop at one eco shop. So exciting. I only use eco products for cleaning, (or just water and microfibercloth) as I have an eco sewage system that releases liquids into the ground. I found a new productline, never heard of before, after using it a week, its very concentrated, I absolutely love it. The brand is called Sonett, German I believe, have you tried it, smells wonderful. 🌱Pop that rice into a glass container, get rid of the plastic, and pick up a nice bottle of wine on your way back, because you deserve it! Have a lovely evening! 💕
Good on you for cutting your shopping bill so much...and shopping mindfully when you do go out. I am very lucky here with the selection of shops I have...it does make it much easier. Hahahaha, Marmite....yes it's either love or hate...nothing in-between! 😉
Inspirational! As I'm feeling the pinch. Never have enough money, too much stuff in the house... but I grow a little bit of food but family mainly meat eaters.
Love your videos, Vivi. I'm always very happy when a new one is up. I also have a small garden by my grandparents and I am very economical and process everything. All the best for you! Especially health! Greetings from Germany, Annie 😊🌻🌱
You are so inspiring!!! I do grow some of my own from the back garden but having an allotment & being somewhat self sufficient is the dream (dam waiting lists) I will get there and inthemeantime I'll enjoy watching your videos xx
So many great tips in here! Totally agree about big mounds of shopping. I enjoy youtube shopping hauls but ONLY if I'm confident that every scrap will be used. I'm trying to buy more stuff loose from my local zero waste shop. And saving some money by buying supermarket own brand yeast extract - have it every day and tbh am not noticing any difference in the taste, just the consistency. I'm definitely getting there and you're really helping and inspiring me Vivi 🙏
You can buy an iron for £4.00 in Tesco or Asda /steam iron. I got one for my cabin in the garden for my quilting. It a great normal size iron. I would be afraid to use one with a frayed cable. Hope this helps.
Great video, Vivi ! I try to go gluten free and i discover that this decision has a positive impact to our family budget :). I'm making a gluten free bread with different organic flours and it cost less that the standart bakery bread. Sometimes diet changes could be very helpful.
Hi Vivi! I love your inspiring videos and friendly chats. I save all my jars as well and sometimes will send people home with sauces or things in one of those recycled jars. Do you pressure or water can with them as well?
Oh I love that you send friends home with sauce! I used to do a lot of water bath canning but not recently.....the jars are so expensive and the process was difficult to fit in......now things just get flung in the freezer. 😉
Hellman’s Mayo comes in plastic, so now I make my own...easy peasy with lemon squeezie. I’m surprised you don’t have plastic film, (rice bag,) recycling. I make my own laundry detergent, very inexpensive.
Great haul. I wish I could be as successful as you are with your garden. I live in California & where I plant it gets so beaten up by our winds & crazy heat. We get multiple days in a row of being in the 100's. From 100 to sometimes 114 F (37.78 to 45.56 Celsius)....ugh. Anyway, I have to rethink where I plant for next year in my backyard. Also, thank you so much for mentioning about the palm oil. I do the same thing in my videos & word it the same way. I figure, I won't preach but maybe if I peak someone's curiosity. :0) Great video!!
When you freeze produce, do you use glass containers? (I'm trying to reduce use of plastics, natch, but am short of freezer space.) And thanks for your wonderful videos---you're such an inspiration!
Eek.....not sure that I know how I'm doing it.....if I'm doing it. I think the simple answer is that if you don't have the money you just don't spend.....
Nice video. I was just wondering what you eat for breakfast or lunch as I seldom see you buying any bread, crackers, or oats/muesli. I need inspiration!
DOH!!!!! I forgot to buy oats!!!!!!! Yes, I like an oats based smoothies for breakfast/lunch.....with foraged fruits and kale leaves....or spinach etc. Hahaha.....adding oats to the shopping list!
@@WhatVivididnext I don't know why but I have been craving the same lunch for a few weeks now (I don't do breakfast). I buy those bake-at-home baguettes at Aldi (about £0.70 for 2) and each day I'll have a half one with a fried egg and a little bit of (Polish) mayo. I get my eggs for free from the farm so overall lunch costs me about 20p and fills me up until dinner.
Wow groceries are a lot less expensive there then here in the US! For example a jar of Mayo here is $4.69 not 70¢ and a jar of olives cost $6.49 instead of 80¢. Even if you were to ship at the dollar stores where things cost the least anywhere it would still be at least $1 per jar.
Hi Vivi...I feel your pain on the subject of packaging! Here where I live in Canada the PRODUCE arrives wrapped in plastic, plastered with sticky-backed price/code tags THEN put out in plastic clam shells!! It's ridiculous how much packaging is needed to "protect" fruits and vegetables during shipping. e.g. the Costco where we shop sells English cucumbers packaged in 3's...of course wrapped in shrink wrap....when you manage to pry off the shrink wrap....EACH cucumber in said package is enveloped in its own !@##$$%$ shrink wrap! Bananas in shrink wrapped bunches.....tomatoes in shrink wrapped clam shells....the list just goes on and on. And Costco isn't the only villain here.....most groceries/supermarkets are the same. It is extremely frustrating.
Don't get me started on the horrors of Costco. One of my pet peeves with said place is the long line of cars in a queue, running their engines, to get cheaper gas than other places in the city. Counterintuitive to say the least. I've not shopped there for almost 30 years. Will never go in that place again.
Good reminder about checking mayo for palm oil . Any excess glass jars I get I give to a friend who in return gives me pickled eggs and or other pickles.
Wow good job Vivi! Love watching you. Thanks so much. What do you store in your empty glass jars? Just wondering. Do you have to use oxygen absorbers in with your stored food in the jars? I don’t know. I am retired also and watch my costs just like you do. Thanks for your help, honey. Love your channel. Keep going 😊👍
I mostly store beans in the glass jars (or rice, lentils etc) but also use them for storing seeds, elastic bands, pennies, home made body balms and oils.......hahaha, the list is almost endless. 😊
Perfection is not possible, all anyone can do is their best! Your best is admirable. 🌸
Absolutely! If we all try our best that's all we can do!
You're a bleedin' inspiration Miss Vivi. 😘
Cheers lovely! 😁
I live in the US in northern NH. I have a limited income and garden to make my budget come together. This year started with drought conditions and then we had so much rainfall the our roads washed out.. Needless to say my garden has suffered. I now have tomato and potato blight. When you work so hard and lose so much needed food it is discouraging. I worry about how climate change might be effecting my garden. I love gardening but I have arthritis in both knees and am reevaluating how and what I grow. I love your videos because you have so much enthusiasm about gardening in spite of your knee pain Your fighting spirit is contagious.
Oh I hear you lovely....it's so hard to put all that work in to only have it wiped out by weather or disease.......but mostly it's worth it. Despite the pain. Ach, I worry sometimes how I will manage it as my knees get worse......cross that bridge when it comes....
I love your philosophy on life. What you can do with that bag of rice is decant the rice into a large glass jar and rinse out the inside of the bag and use it to wrap the opened feta cheese blocks. ♻️ ❤️
Yay! Thank you lovely.
Love seeing your shopping trips… inspiring as I’m now heading into having to do extreme frugality and finding myself on my own to manage after over 30 years
Oh bless you......I'm sure this is a nervous time for you......but it's all possible and do-able....there are many of us here who will attest to that. You can do it!!!!! I wish you so much love and peace as you enter this new chapter of your life. X
Said it before, will say it again ( and not for the last time either) you are inspirational Vivi, truly inspirational.😘
Awww, bless your cottons lovely, thank you!
You never cease to amaze me 😃 You are definitely an inspiration. Here I am one little ole lady with her little ole fur baby and I can't even come close to your frugal self. I only wish I had been so frugal when I was younger. I would definitely have a better life here in my Golden Years. Woulda, shoulda, coulda LOL Keep up the good work and I still can hardly wait to see your videos in search of the perfect Flat. Until next time - blessings to you.
Awww, thank you lovely. I'm so looking forward to starting the flat hunt next year.....and I will certainly be bringing you along for it.
Great job, Vivi!!!! Love this blog! Looking forward to your next blog as I am having organizational issues as well. My mom passed last month and trying to take care of her things as well as my home … wow it can really zap your energy. Take care of yourself and God bless you!
Oh bless you lovely....such a hard time.....and then all the stuff to deal with......all the paperwork and legal things can be mind numbing. My advice is to set aside a day per week if you can, just for this work......and for some crying time. XXXXXX
I looove frugal shopping hauls :) I wish you would make this video every moth :)
Awww, thank you lovely......I may make it a bit more of a regular thing...... 😊
Can I just say that if everyone had your mindset, this world would be a great place. We need more people like you.
Thank you so much for your lovely, kind words. 😊
I love how you equate your garden to a gym, a social club and a spiritual soul place😀💗. Thanks for sharing your grocery haul with us. I’ve learned so much from your channel😀
Thank you so much lovely......three cheers for our garden spaces!
I always say that when you're frugal, you pay with your time and effort instead of dollars. Great haul! And please don't feel bad about the rice. You're doing SO much to keep stuff out of landfills and nobody can do everything. Enjoy that delicious food and eat a couple of olives with feta for me! YUM!!
Thank you so much lovely. Ooooh, olives and feta....my guilty pleasure!
I am such a fan of yours. Your cheerfulness, gratitude, intelligence, humility, and willingness to share your experiences are admirable. Love your personality. Just charming!’
Oh my goodness Sonja, thank you so very much for your kind words...I truly appreciate them. X
Great video vivi as usual
You always make me feel so positive when I watch you. Now whenever I feel down I stick on a vivi vid lol
So glad you’re feeling better too. ❤️
Aww, thank you so much Linda!
I cannot believe how inexpensive your groceries are compared to where I live in the northwest of Canada. Thanks for sharing today. It spurs me on to do better and use up what I have on hand.
I'm looking forward to the video that's coming up about organization. It's something I desperately need.
Aww, thank you lovely.
You are just fantastic Vivi 🥰 I think you are an amazing lady with what you do 💚 and you’re so passionate 😘
Thank you so much lovely, I appreciate this.
Great video, very inspirational. Striving to be more mindful of packaging. I grow and preserve alot. Cheers from BC Canada 🇨🇦
Thank you Bev...and good on you for striving to be mindful as you shop, that's the way!
Your garden is so productive. Good job!
Your food haul is nothing short of amazing.
Aww, thank you so much.
They have stopped selling things loose here since the virus. But I buy a big bag of rice that comes in a fabric / plastic blend bag and it lasts us months. Its 15.00 upfront but its 6 months worth of rice for 2 and a handy reusable bag.
That's a great deal......and the sack could be sewn into a new shopping bag!
Great video & so inspirational as always. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
Thank you so much Sian....hahaha, I've just about stopped scratching now......I did, in my sleep, scratch one of them on my face....just waiting to see if it will heal without a scar.......calendula balm to the rescue!
You’re looking well Viv 😀
Cheers lovely. My spots have almost disappeared! 😊
This is just beautiful, Vivi!!! I've been doing small changes in choices on packaging.
You're doing wonderfully, Vivi!!! Be well. Blessings to you 💖
Oh thank you so much lovely. 😊
Hi vivi
What a lovely vlog
You know I love your vlogs
What a good spend
I only spent around the same amount this week
There are myself and my husband
Plus I feed my daughter and grandson several times a week
I've allowed myself 100 for 2 months
I only use half the amount of washing liquid and put water with it
It lasts so much longer
I put water with anything that it will make go further
Take care xx 💙💚💛💜
Yay, good on you lovely! 😁
Can I just say you are brilliant!
Hahaha, just an ordinary lass getting on... Thank you lovely.
Great video and a timely reminder for me that I need to visit our local refill shop rather than buy from the supermarket whenever I can. The barter system is a win win for you. You have also prompted me to think of more uses for the glass jars before putting them into the recycling and I will resurrect my Freecycle account. Thanks.
Yay, that's fab......oooh, you've made me so happy by saying this! 😁
Hi Vivi from across the pond--new subbie here! I've been gardening for just over 45 years, and the best way I've found to prevent blight on tomatoes is a nice thick mulch of grass clippings throughout the entire tomato area. I use it for my peppers too.
Blight lives as spores in soil, and once it's there it's nearly impossible to eradicate. However, if you keep the dirt from splashing up onto the plants when it rains (or when you water) you cut way down on your chances of having it infect your plants,...no sprays required. ;-))
l
Yay, cheers lovely....and a very happy, warm welcome to you here.
Lidl is a good place to shop for cheaper stuff,we get our biscuits there and sometimes a bun,I keep plastic containers for the garden and cheese spread constainers for indoors I have a lot of plastic containers now.
Hahaha, I hear you......I have one whole cupboard just for Tupperware.......the frugal girl's best friend!
Wow amazing well done! Time is not on my side at the moment. Trying to grow veg to learn new skills, but not half as productive as your little plot. Went to my tiny plot that is about 3 miles from my home to find it ravaged by potato blight 😕. Cut and burnt stalks, just waiting now for a few weeks before harvesting. Not expecting much as March/April was so cold and wet, every time I had time, they didn't get in until begining of May! O well whatever will be!! Thank you for cheering us up look forward to your videos 👍
Ugh, it has been such a tough growing year......I hope it hasn't put you off!!!
The bag for the rice can be reused If you open it carefully Vivi so it’s not wasted! We certainly notice a big reduction in our shopping bills since growing our own fruit and veg, definitely worth doing for that and the fresh healthy produce you know is on your table, plus all the other benefits you mention. When you know how hard it can be to grow things you definitely waste less, and appreciate farmers more …
Abso-blooming-lutely! 😊
Such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
You look so happy after your trip to the allotment. Clearly it’s your happy place and just the tonic.
Stay safe and well xxxx hugs 🤗
Oh it really is my happy place....I'm so grateful for it.
Always leave me with so much to think about Vivi. You challenge me in a great way. I am not living the life you lead but still don't want to be wasteful. Love marmite so much. One of my girls bought marmite chocolate for me at Christmas - it was delicious. Take care.
Thank you so much lovely, that's great to hear!
I am so glad to see you chipper again. I just love your videos.
Thank you so much lovely.
Your shopping hauls are all part the frugal lifestyle adventure that we all love to follow with you ❤️
Thank you s much lovely.
Wow your food prices (in U S dollars)are soooooo much better than ours here in the States.....even Aldi, (which is your Lidle?). I was raised by a price conscious mom and from early on I learned to check unit prices, look for clearance, etc. ....loved your video....glad you guys have an allotment program so yes, you can also grow your lovely veg.! Rock on!
We have Aldi and Lidl in UK , they are very similar 😀
Cheers lovely......yes, I am SOOOO lucky to have the garden....it saves me a small fortune every year!
God I love your life, you make me so happy x x x x x
Oh that's so lovely, thank you Clare.
Oh you clever girl 💚 that’s fantastic! What a great idea 🙌 keep your trap shut on your foraging spot! Look after you first girl!!! Yes our plot is the same we can’t sell our produce either, I’m so lucky I have a back garden 🪴
Hahaha, too right! 😉
Rice bags are a strong plastic.. can you re-use it somewhere?
Your lifestyle is hard work (both mentally and pjysically) but clearly so satisfying... and these kinds of videos have lots of ideas for us.. even if we're not living exactly the same way..
Thanks for sharing! :)
Thank you lovely. When I move to a ground floor flat I will look at buying big sacks of rice......and using the sack to sew into a shopping bag...
Good video
Thank you.
how do you do it an inspiration well done vivi
Thank you so much lovely.
LOVE your mind set Vivi. I learn a whole lot from you. I've got a ways to go that's for sure but you spur me on!🎉
Oh that's lovely Ruth, thank you and good on you!
You are SO frugal!!! I'm impressed 👏
Cheers lovely.
Vivi, just be yourself, sweetheart! Delete the negatives and live your happy life.
Yay! Thank you lovely.
Very true what you say about the lot being not only a supermarket but also your gym, social club and spiritual place. I agree 100%. I live in Helsinki and grow food on my lot (also number 17☺️) too. Very similar rules too: no selling the crop. Just picked 3 kg of cucumbers today. That’s my meditation right there. I really enjoy gardening. Have a great week and looking forward on your next video.
Awww, wonderful, good on you lovely.
New subscriber. I love everything you stand for. Please try home bargains or B & M for marmite. Every penny counts lovely. My son love’s it too 🤗. Ps I have been watching loads of your videos 👍. A truly inspirational lady
Oh thank you so much Paula.....and a very warm and happy welcome to you here. 😊
Working in the garden.... free enjoyment... I feel exactly the same...
Exactly! And all the lovely company when it's an allotment garden. 😊
So interesting vivi.im glad that you do shop and Lidl too as I just just them and Aldi,glass where I can.
Fantastic on earning points at the refil shop🙂🙂🙂🙂
Your veg garden is looking wonderful.when you dug up those little potatoes how wonderful.i tried potatoes once in a tub.we also did salad leaves.at the moment we just have herbs and a wonderful rosemary bush.looking forward to your next video x
Cheers lovely!
Wow! 👍
Cheers lovely.
We buy our rice in big sacks, you can use the sack after too. May save you some money in the long run ( although you may want to save it until you move....those stairs and a sack of rice...err no) 😊
I do this also.
Ahh, yes, I often think about a big sack.......but the thought of getting it up all the stairs puts me off! All the more reason to move to a ground floor place!
Great video. I just made pickled beets and you reminded me that I need to see if the local figs or blackberries need foraging for preserves. I hope I am not too late.
Ooooh, yes, I hope you can find some.
You are so inspiring. I know I am wasteful and could be so much more mindful of things. I try to meal plan but that’s slipped off the radar lately too. Time to pull my socks up xx
Yay for a rethink and the socks up! 😉
I always get such good ideas from your videos, Vivi! Even though things are way more expensive here in California, there's always places I can refine my budget and usage for efficiency! Glad you're feeling better! ❤
Thank you so much lovely, that's great to hear!
Morning Vivi , so glad to see you back to normal,apart from the tiredness after your bout of chickenpox. I don't have a garden and after the lockdown decided to try growing in pots on the patio. I harvested my potatoes last week and they were fabulous so excited and pleased I planted another crop!! Up to pres I have one red tomato on my trusses loads of green ones so waiting for them to change colour!! My only pepper got eaten by predators I hope they enjoyed I would have!🤣 I also planted the bottom of a bought celery and can start picking stalks off soon. I also have a new pepper sprouting, 5 lettuces and some 🌿 herbs,mint thyme rosemary and I am trying to grow garlic!!So you can bee congratulated you are the instigated my humble efforts. THANK YOU SO MUCH😘 By the way if you haven't opened the rice yet Lidl or Aldi will take it back and let you have something in exchange.
Hi Jeanne.....aren't the vegetable predators annoying!!?? One year my lovely tomato crop in a BIG pot on my deck got completely ravaged by raccoons. And the little*****had the nerve to glance up at me with tomato dripping off their**** chins while I was trying to drive them off with a broom!
Yay for your own harvests.....enjoy every morsel!
Love seeing what the costs are across the pond :)
Cheers lovely.
No one can or will live a life of absolute 'self sufficient or self sustainable' but a little here a little there is better than nothing at all. ") Your efforts, labor and joy are an encouragement to many, keep on, thanks for sharing, always a joy. In Joy
Oh thank you so much lovely.
Love this! Your food prices are so cheap!
Cheers lovely.
Great video once again Vivi .i am nowhere near as frugal as you but I do get inspirational tips from you.
i am also looking forward to your video on organisation skills as this is something I can struggle with ,and it can be really frustrating . Yes please dont let the bagged rice become an issue that spoils your enjoyment of it. You are a marvel at how you do so much already to help the environment.
Thank you so much lovely....oh...and!!!.....thank you for your parcel.....I think it was you....soap and honey?! I just filmed it today (out next Friday I think). I LOVE the soap......so much that I want to take a second bath today! 😉
@@WhatVivididnext So glad you like the soap, the honey is from my bees ,enjoy xx
@@rickiwinter1587 Oh that makes it even MORE special. Thank you!!! 😁
Hooray, a shopping haul !!!!
I haven't even watched the video yet, but I love your shopping bag. Did you sew it yourself?
Ahhh, no, not this one.....a charity shop buy for £1......it's super strong and reversibleblue on the other side. It has been a great find.
@@WhatVivididnext It's such a shame that we don't have any charity shops here!
Wow! that's 20$ worth of feta in the US. It's nice you can get olives that aren't stuffed with pimento for a reasonable price. I spend way way too much on my groceries. I will try to be like you and simplify my eating habits to be more frugal. I'm not a veg so that ups my bill a bunch. Your great Vivi....Enjoy your summer salads!
@@WhatVivididnext Right! Is your feta sheep's milk? That is almost impossible to get here... =)
@@heatherfoley4945 I think so.......sheep or goat feta is widely available on my street.....I'm VERY lucky with the shops here.
@@WhatVivididnext Here in the US I think quality gets sacrificed for quantity. To many mediocre choices... =(
Cucumbers can be stir fried, had some for dinner, chopped in soup. For pickles, bread and butter pickles for the old blimp sized ones; regular cukes = regular pickles with garlic and dill, easiest since all you need is some salt, the flavoring, a bay leaf to help them stay crisp, and water.
Cheers lovely.
I went out the other day to buy a cabbage and a few other items. Came home started frying the onions and garlic, took out the chopping board to slice up the cabbage yes you guessed it! Luckily my lovely son in law went out and bought one. Hate olives Love marmite! Thank you for another inspirational video.
Hahahaha....I sympathise......I did the same with lemons the other day....
Hi Vivi!
Thank you for the lovely package. Now we can have the Beatrix P tea party of my little grandsons dreams later in the year. He has the child's mug and all the books from his Daddy's and aunt's childhood.
Now tell me, how does anyone live for two whole weeks without Marmite on their toast???!🤣
Quite happily...!
Awww, I love the idea of your tea party for him! Have a wonderful time. ❤
Vivi, your frugal haul videos are as interesting as watching a mega haul video from a mother of ten...each uniquely suited to that particular lifestyle. There is so much to learn. I am with you on the glass jars and have family and friends who save their castoffs for me, haha. To get more life out of that rice packaging you could wash it and use it for freezer storage. To seal the bag place it between some aluminum foil and go over it lightly with your (repaired) iron on a low setting. I wonder if we'll ever see shops where the main focus is selling goods with the consumer providing the packaging here in the US? We are such a litigious country that it seems a nightmare waiting to happen, what a shame. Hope you'll do a repeat shopping video again, thank you.
Oh what a fab idea for reusing and resealing the bag! Thank you lovely.
I’d love to be able to get my detergent bottles refilled! No places here...
Places are few and far between here too.....but hopefully it will change soon and we can all do it.
Hi Vivi, so glad you're feeling better never mind the trolls you do a great job. Enjoyed the video I am catching up I missed the last 2. ❤
Thank you lovely.
Always a joy to catch up with you 🤗💛🌼
Aww, thank you Lisa.
You are so inspirational! I am eating out of my fridge and freezer at the moment, mealplanning. A financial hard couple of months coming up due to vet bills and some other unexpected events. I have cut our grocery bill to the bones this month. I even added a challenge on top - minimum 15 shopping free days, I don´t normally shop much to begin with, but its all those small things, going into the grocery store to get a loaf of bread, and ending up with 3 other items I didnt really need... I just bought a new roll of cling film, and to my delight, it is made of recycled plastic. The roll of garbage bag liners too. 👍Marmite.. I did try it back in 1988... I was working as an au-pair in London... I hated the stuff! 😂😂😂 Unfortunately I live too far away from eco shops that sell in bulk and refill containers. However, I was in Oslo last week with my mom, and I did shop at one eco shop. So exciting. I only use eco products for cleaning, (or just water and microfibercloth) as I have an eco sewage system that releases liquids into the ground. I found a new productline, never heard of before, after using it a week, its very concentrated, I absolutely love it. The brand is called Sonett, German I believe, have you tried it, smells wonderful. 🌱Pop that rice into a glass container, get rid of the plastic, and pick up a nice bottle of wine on your way back, because you deserve it! Have a lovely evening! 💕
Good on you for cutting your shopping bill so much...and shopping mindfully when you do go out. I am very lucky here with the selection of shops I have...it does make it much easier. Hahahaha, Marmite....yes it's either love or hate...nothing in-between! 😉
Glad to see you have all the ingredients for your Greek salad now. Yummm. Enjoy some nap time when you can too. 😴
Hurrah for the first Greek salad of the year........now that blight has arrives the GS is even more special and tasty!
Inspirational! As I'm feeling the pinch. Never have enough money, too much stuff in the house... but I grow a little bit of food but family mainly meat eaters.
Hopefully we can share good ideas here to help with all the pinching.
Love your videos, Vivi. I'm always very happy when a new one is up. I also have a small garden by my grandparents and I am very economical and process everything. All the best for you! Especially health! Greetings from Germany, Annie 😊🌻🌱
Yay, good on you lovely.
@@WhatVivididnext 🧡🥰
You are so inspiring!!! I do grow some of my own from the back garden but having an allotment & being somewhat self sufficient is the dream (dam waiting lists)
I will get there and inthemeantime I'll enjoy watching your videos xx
Yay, good on you lovely.
So many great tips in here! Totally agree about big mounds of shopping. I enjoy youtube shopping hauls but ONLY if I'm confident that every scrap will be used.
I'm trying to buy more stuff loose from my local zero waste shop. And saving some money by buying supermarket own brand yeast extract - have it every day and tbh am not noticing any difference in the taste, just the consistency. I'm definitely getting there and you're really helping and inspiring me Vivi 🙏
Good on you lovely...it's great to hear you have a zero waste shop nearby! Thank you for your kind comment.
You can buy an iron for £4.00 in Tesco or Asda /steam iron. I got one for my cabin in the garden for my quilting. It a great normal size iron. I would be afraid to use one with a frayed cable. Hope this helps.
Hmmm....I'm a bit wary of things being so cheap.......my first thought is that whoever made it can't have been paid very well......
Trolls 🧐🙄they will Always find something to be mean about 🤷♀️Your such a inspiration Vivi 🥰🌸
Thank you lovely. X
One the reasons I hate using grocery pickup is they put all the vegetables in plastic bags which is silly when they pack it all in plastic anyhow
Ugh, exactly!
Great video, Vivi ! I try to go gluten free and i discover that this decision has a positive impact to our family budget :). I'm making a gluten free bread with different organic flours and it cost less that the standart bakery bread. Sometimes diet changes could be very helpful.
Yay, good on you lovely.
You can use the plastic package from the rice for seed starting. Trust me, it works.
Yay, great idea, cheers lovely.
Funny, one of the adverts mid way through the video was for Lidl. And the haul was €8.79 for us eurozone friends 💶😁
Hahahah - the ad agents have ears! 😉
YAY Shopping Haul!!!!
Thank you Paola.
Brilliant love it xx
Cheers lovely.
Don’t worry about the trolls ,it’s your life
Thank you lovely.
Oh my, those groceries would have cost me about $40 ! Food is so expensive in Canada. I am so grateful for my large vegetable gatden!
Yay for our veggie gardens!
Lovely to see you looking so much better Vivi. I have a glut of cucumbers this year , no idea what to do with them . Any idea 😃😃xx
I use them for smoothies.....yum! Someone suggested I freeze them for winter smoothies.....I'll be giving it a go.....
Well done, Vivi. :)
People call me frugal, but I'm just cheap. ;)
~ Jon in rural BC, Canada
Hahahaha - love it!
Hi Vivi! I love your inspiring videos and friendly chats. I save all my jars as well and sometimes will send people home with sauces or things in one of those recycled jars. Do you pressure or water can with them as well?
Oh I love that you send friends home with sauce! I used to do a lot of water bath canning but not recently.....the jars are so expensive and the process was difficult to fit in......now things just get flung in the freezer. 😉
Hellman’s Mayo comes in plastic, so now I make my own...easy peasy with lemon squeezie. I’m surprised you don’t have plastic film, (rice bag,) recycling. I make my own laundry detergent, very inexpensive.
It comes in glass in the Netherlands
I really must remember (I've made a note!) to have a go at my own laundry liquid this winter. Cheers lovely.
Great haul. I wish I could be as successful as you are with your garden. I live in California & where I plant it gets so beaten up by our winds & crazy heat. We get multiple days in a row of being in the 100's. From 100 to sometimes 114 F (37.78 to 45.56 Celsius)....ugh. Anyway, I have to rethink where I plant for next year in my backyard. Also, thank you so much for mentioning about the palm oil. I do the same thing in my videos & word it the same way. I figure, I won't preach but maybe if I peak someone's curiosity. :0) Great video!!
Hear, hear lovely.....I'm so mindful that I don't want to preach....but I do want to sow the seeds of thought......
You blooming Rock! 💚
😁
When you freeze produce, do you use glass containers? (I'm trying to reduce use of plastics, natch, but am short of freezer space.) And thanks for your wonderful videos---you're such an inspiration!
I do sometimes but they MUST be food grade jars.....like jam jars for example...so they don't shatter.
Can you do a video about how to stay on track and focused on your goals?👍
Eek.....not sure that I know how I'm doing it.....if I'm doing it. I think the simple answer is that if you don't have the money you just don't spend.....
Nice video. I was just wondering what you eat for breakfast or lunch as I seldom see you buying any bread, crackers, or oats/muesli. I need inspiration!
DOH!!!!! I forgot to buy oats!!!!!!! Yes, I like an oats based smoothies for breakfast/lunch.....with foraged fruits and kale leaves....or spinach etc. Hahaha.....adding oats to the shopping list!
@@WhatVivididnext I don't know why but I have been craving the same lunch for a few weeks now (I don't do breakfast). I buy those bake-at-home baguettes at Aldi (about £0.70 for 2) and each day I'll have a half one with a fried egg and a little bit of (Polish) mayo. I get my eggs for free from the farm so overall lunch costs me about 20p and fills me up until dinner.
Wow groceries are a lot less expensive there then here in the US! For example a jar of Mayo here is $4.69 not 70¢ and a jar of olives cost $6.49 instead of 80¢. Even if you were to ship at the dollar stores where things cost the least anywhere it would still be at least $1 per jar.
Oh my goodness....such a difference!
@@WhatVivididnext yeah certainly weird
A dollar jar of mayo is about 1/3 to 1/2 smaller than what you purchased, here in Chicago.
This is amazing tbh.... those items would come to 20 dollars in the us.... simply Brill
Wowzers! 😊
Hi Vivi...I feel your pain on the subject of packaging! Here where I live in Canada the PRODUCE arrives wrapped in plastic, plastered with sticky-backed price/code tags THEN put out in plastic clam shells!! It's ridiculous how much packaging is needed to "protect" fruits and vegetables during shipping.
e.g. the Costco where we shop sells English cucumbers packaged in 3's...of course wrapped in shrink wrap....when you manage to pry off the shrink wrap....EACH cucumber in said package is enveloped in its own !@##$$%$ shrink wrap! Bananas in shrink wrapped bunches.....tomatoes in shrink wrapped clam shells....the list just goes on and on. And Costco isn't the only villain here.....most groceries/supermarkets are the same. It is extremely frustrating.
Don't get me started on the horrors of Costco. One of my pet peeves with said place is the long line of cars in a queue, running their engines, to get cheaper gas than other places in the city. Counterintuitive to say the least. I've not shopped there for almost 30 years. Will never go in that place again.
Good reminder about checking mayo for palm oil . Any excess glass jars I get I give to a friend who in return gives me pickled eggs and or other pickles.
Have you got a local repair cafe for the iron ?
Ugh, it's all so infuriating!
Hi Kate, yes we have a repair cafe but this is a repair I can do myself - yay!
your food is cheaper there than in Canada by far, even with dollar exchange rates... like the olives would be 2.89-3.20 in wallymart here.
I'm grateful that we are able to get some foods so cheaply here.
You have the receipt you can take your rice back for a refund. Love your blog Jessica
Argh, didn't think of that...the receipt was torn up and now in the compost bin......
Your prices are better than in the states
I'm so grateful for that.
😉💗💗💗 Amazing 👍🏼!
Cheers lovely.
Yummy, good shopping Vivi!
Yay, cheers lovely.
Wow good job Vivi! Love watching you. Thanks so much. What do you store in your empty glass jars? Just wondering. Do you have to use oxygen absorbers in with your stored food in the jars? I don’t know. I am retired also and watch my costs just like you do. Thanks for your help, honey. Love your channel. Keep going 😊👍
I mostly store beans in the glass jars (or rice, lentils etc) but also use them for storing seeds, elastic bands, pennies, home made body balms and oils.......hahaha, the list is almost endless. 😊
Hi just an idea but a lot of coop stores recycle soft plastic ( rice bags)
Cheers lovely....I heard about this but there isn't one near me unfortunately....