Ten day party. DAY 6

Good morning, it's a lovely sunny morning here today, and I don't just mean inside. Outside the sky is blue, the trees are wafting in a gentle breeze, and the sun is shining in all it's glory. All is well at the Costa del Cheapskate.

I was sipping my coffee at 8am when a phone call came through, flippin heck who wants me before breakfast. It was my friends at BBC Radio Humberside. The nice young lady asked if I had seen the story about some dozy cabinet minister who had been caught chucking government papers in a park waste bin. I hadn't seen it but I got the drift. Carl Weatley on the morning programme is going to talk about things you find in bins and skips, and would I go on the radio and chat after 9am. Of course I will, I am an authority on rubbish, or things that are dumped but aren't rubbish. I was happy to entertain the listeners for a few minutes.

I've been amazed at how quickly my bank balance recovers after a bout of massive plundering. All money I have to say was well spent on things of value to me, walking trips, car repairs and MOT, and overpay on mortgage. Then I put the brakes on spending, and gave the account time to build back up again.

Last week I made do with a very small Tesco shop of £6.89, mainly fresh veg, and looking at my current stocks I will be able to delay this weeks shop untill the beginning of next week. I still have spuds and carrots in the garden, with some parsnips coming along. I even managed to pick a few tomatoes from the outside plants, which are now keeling over ready to give up and die.

Checking my food cupboards I can make a few meals out of this selection of canned items. As you can see I have marked them with the price I paid, that's to keep it fresh in my mind so I can spot when things have gone up on the next shopping trip. I very rarely buy branded goods these days, most of the Value range are just as good.


I'm going a bit posh for todays frugal summer fashions. Both top and skirt were from charity shops, and they have been in my wardrobe for a good few years. They don't get worn very often as I don't go to any posh do's. Saying that I am going out next Thursday to a wedding party, so I might wear it then.



My Commandment today for a lovely and happy life is..
Thou shalt not be jealous of what other people have. Jealousy is a destructive emotion, it harbours resentment, makes you suspicious, causes rivalry, and ultimately festers evil. Wouldn't we all like to win the lottery? But look what happened when the latest couple who won 101 million, went public. All kinds of worms crawled out of the woodwork, slinging the dirt. They anounced they are going to make twenty of their friends and family millionnaires. I wouldn't like to be around them when a few disgruntled others start bleating about where's mine.

I recall an indident when I was about 8 or 9 years old, my friends across the road had a lot of dinky toys, and me and my brother had none. We decided to steal some while they were inside eating their lunch. Surely they wouldn't miss a few when they had so many. Wrong! We hid them in our garden and mother found them. All hell broke lose, we got a good hiding and sent to bed. My mum did right, the lesson was learnt.

Consumerism is a nasty and ugly thing, it breeds jealousy and resentment. We see what other people have and we want the same. It must be terribly difficult to bring young children up in such an environment. This is why I think this Commandment is so very important.

My friend has just bought a flat screen TV, she can afford it, that's her choice. I wouldn't have one if someone gave it to me. All my purchases are carefully thought out, I don't buy things because I see other people with them. How many times do you hear the comment, 'I want one of those'. There is even a web site called iwantoneofthose.com It's full of stuff which you never thought you needed, untill you saw it there.

There is no room in my simple life for jealousy. I dont give a fig what anyone else has got. I don't want to be in anyone elses shoes, I don't want to look like someone else, I am perfectly happy being me.


Phew, that was a bit heavy, now for the LARF OF THE DAY. Another comic genius, the Eric and Ernie partnership. A classic sketch that is going to live on forever. It's only short, but it does tickle my sense of humour.



I've just done the draw from yesterdays comments for the raffle ticket. Only 12 names in the box, no it's not a hat, I am using a wooden box with a lid. Give it a good shake up and pull one out. When you win a ticket you can still comment on the days after, because your name will be included again. You never know you may win two raffle tickets. Anyway, without further ado, the winner of Bransby Horses Grand Christmas Draw, ticket number 735074 is......Saving pounds in the UK. Well done and good luck.