The Diary of a Frugal Family https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk Living a Fabulously Frugal Family Life Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:55:24 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 54642740 The Best Easy Lemon Shortbread Recipe…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-easy-lemon-shortbread-recipe/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-easy-lemon-shortbread-recipe/#respond Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:55:57 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46079 If you love classic homemade shortbread but fancy giving it a fresh, citrusy twist, this easy lemon shortbread recipe is the perfect place to start. It has the same buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture as traditional shortbread, with the addition of fresh lemon zest and juice to give it a light, refreshing flavour. I originally shared my […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-easy-lemon-shortbread-recipe/feed/ 0 46079 Setting Up at a Car Boot Sale – Before the Gates Open…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/setting-up-at-a-car-boot-sale-before-the-gates-open/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/setting-up-at-a-car-boot-sale-before-the-gates-open/#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:50:15 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46071 Last week I shared how we’d been getting ready for our latest car boot sale, from ruthlessly de-cluttering the house to deciding what to sell elsewhere and spending far too much time sorting costume jewellery into little display trays. This week, I’m sharing what happens once you actually arrive. I’m stopping this post before the […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/setting-up-at-a-car-boot-sale-before-the-gates-open/feed/ 1 46071 A Beginner’s Guide to Lace Front Wigs: A Smart Choice for a Style Refresh Without the Commitment… https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-lace-front-wigs-a-smart-choice-for-a-style-refresh-without-the-commitment/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-lace-front-wigs-a-smart-choice-for-a-style-refresh-without-the-commitment/#respond Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:29:17 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46147 Changing your hair can be expensive, especially if you’re thinking about a completely different colour or a dramatic new cut. There’s also that horrible moment when you leave the hairdresser wondering whether you’ve made a huge mistake and knowing there’s not much you can do about it until it grows out again. 😁 That’s one […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-lace-front-wigs-a-smart-choice-for-a-style-refresh-without-the-commitment/feed/ 0 46147 How to Prepare for a Car Boot Sale (Without the Last-Minute Stress)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-prepare-for-a-car-boot-sale-without-the-last-minute-stress/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-prepare-for-a-car-boot-sale-without-the-last-minute-stress/#respond Sun, 09 Aug 2026 10:38:19 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46068 We’re hoping to do another car boot sale next weekend and, for once, I feel like we’re actually organised. The last time we did one, we’d packed the car, set everything up and were ready for a good morning’s selling when the heavens suddenly opened. Within what felt like minutes, everyone was scrambling to cover […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-prepare-for-a-car-boot-sale-without-the-last-minute-stress/feed/ 0 46068 Why I still blog after all these years…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-i-still-blog-after-all-these-years/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-i-still-blog-after-all-these-years/#comments Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:52:56 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46035 I started this blog back in 2010 and, if I’m honest, I never imagined I’d still be writing it all these years later. At the time, I was a mum of two young children who had lost both my Mam and my brother within the space of about twelve months. Losing them both in such […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-i-still-blog-after-all-these-years/feed/ 2 46035 How to make towels fluffy again…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-make-towels-fluffy-again/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-make-towels-fluffy-again/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:50:31 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=31087 Wondering how to make towels fluffy again? If your once-soft towels now feel rough, stiff or aren’t as absorbent as they used to be, don’t throw them away just yet. In most cases, the problem isn’t the towels themselves – it’s a build-up of detergent and fabric conditioner trapped in the fibres.   Thankfully, there’s […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-make-towels-fluffy-again/feed/ 2 31087 Small Home and Garden Changes That Make a Big Difference… https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/small-home-and-garden-changes-that-make-a-big-difference/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/small-home-and-garden-changes-that-make-a-big-difference/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:59:23 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46104 You don’t need a big budget, a full renovation or weeks of upheaval to make your home and garden feel better. More often than not, it’s the tiny tweaks that count for the most. Shifting a bit of furniture, sprucing up a forgotten corner, or simply using something you already have tucked away can transform […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/small-home-and-garden-changes-that-make-a-big-difference/feed/ 0 46104 Does Washing Clothes At 30 Degrees Really Work? My Accidental Experiment…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/does-washing-clothes-at-30-degrees-really-work-my-accidental-experiment/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/does-washing-clothes-at-30-degrees-really-work-my-accidental-experiment/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:22:38 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45997 I’ve washed most of our clothes at 30°C for years now. I still wash things like bedding, towels, bath mats and particularly dirty whites at a higher temperature, but for everyday clothes I’ve always been happy with a 30 degree wash. It’s cheaper to run, it’s gentler on our clothes and I’ve never felt like […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/does-washing-clothes-at-30-degrees-really-work-my-accidental-experiment/feed/ 0 45997 This month’s pre-loved finds {July 2026}…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/this-months-pre-loved-finds-july-26/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/this-months-pre-loved-finds-july-26/#respond Sun, 26 Jul 2026 09:27:51 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45902 Welcome to my monthly pre-loved bargain post, which is always one of my favourite posts to write. 😀 There’s something so satisfying about finding something you genuinely need or love second-hand, especially when it costs a fraction of what it would have done new. This month I thought I’d share just two of my favourite […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/this-months-pre-loved-finds-july-26/feed/ 0 45902 New Driver Survival Guide: Common Road Mistakes Explained…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/new-driver-survival-guide-common-road-mistakes-explained/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/new-driver-survival-guide-common-road-mistakes-explained/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:40:17 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46101 Passing your driving test is an exciting milestone, whether you’re a teenager getting behind the wheel for the first time or an adult learning later in life. However, becoming a safe and confident driver takes time, and new drivers often make mistakes as they build experience on the road. I’ve watched both of my two […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/new-driver-survival-guide-common-road-mistakes-explained/feed/ 0 46101 The Money-Saving Advice I Happily Ignore…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/moneysaving-advice-i-ignore/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/moneysaving-advice-i-ignore/#respond Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:31:12 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45942 If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ll probably have seen countless money-saving tips pop up on your feed sharing so many different hints and tips that promise to shave pounds off your budget (or in some case, just pennies). Some are genuinely brilliant and tips that I’ve seen online have honestly saved […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/moneysaving-advice-i-ignore/feed/ 0 45942 Affordable Greek Island Holidays for Families: Where to Go? https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/affordable-greek-island-holidays-for-families-where-to-go/ Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:47:12 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46080 Family holidays can be fun. Greece has remained one of the top choices for families seeking outdoor adventure and activities. With its near-perfect sunny conditions and plenty of islands, it can offer a range of holiday experiences. Families interested in enjoying crystal-clear beaches, walking local fishing towns and relishing delicious local cuisine can make the […]

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]]> 46080 Easy Homemade Shortbread Recipe (Start Here)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/easy-shortbread-recipe/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/easy-shortbread-recipe/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:32:47 +0000 http://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=19265 If you’ve never made homemade shortbread before, you’re in for a treat. There are some recipes that I come back to time and time again, and this is definitely one of them. It only uses three everyday ingredients, takes very little effort and somehow tastes so much better than shop-bought shortbread. For years, I thought […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/easy-shortbread-recipe/feed/ 12 19265 Easy Budget Energy Balls Recipe – No Bake & Perfect For Using Up Muesli…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/easy-budget-energy-balls-recipe-no-bake-perfect-for-using-up-muesli/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:45:35 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45947 Every so often I convince myself that this is the time I’m going to become someone who happily eats a bowl of muesli for breakfast every morning. I smugly buy a box of muesli, have one bowl, pour the rest into a nice storage jar… and then completely forget it exists. 😂 A few months […]

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]]> 45947 How to optimise your cybersecurity on a budget…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-optimise-your-cybersecurity-on-a-budget/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:37:49 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46039 When people think about cybersecurity, it’s easy to assume you need to spend a fortune on software and subscriptions to keep yourself safe online. Headlines about data breaches and online scams can reinforce that impression. In reality, that’s not usually the case. Some of the most effective ways to protect yourself don’t cost anything at […]

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]]> 46039 Easy Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/homemade-roasted-tomato-soup/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/homemade-roasted-tomato-soup/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:23 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=30466 I wasn’t planning on making soup this week, but then I spotted a 7kg tray of tomatoes at our local farm shop for just £5 and I couldn’t leave them behind.  There was absolutely no chance we’d get through that many tomatoes before they started to turn as there’s only me really who eats them […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/homemade-roasted-tomato-soup/feed/ 1 30466 5 Bedroom-Friendly Window Blind Ideas for Better Sleep and Privacy…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/5-bedroom-friendly-window-blind-ideas-for-better-sleep-and-privacy/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:39:12 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=46009 It’s tempting to grab the cheapest window coverings you see, install them, and hope for the best. But often, the room stays too bright at 6 a.m., neighbours can still peek in, or the blind just looks off because it doesn’t fit quite right. The best way to choose bedroom blinds is to ask yourself: […]

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]]> 46009 Don’t Rush Your Home…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/dont-rush-your-home/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/dont-rush-your-home/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2026 10:58:36 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45955 When we moved into this house, we could easily have gone shopping and bought everything we needed in one go. It would certainly have been quicker, and within a few weeks every room would probably have looked finished. There would have been furniture in every corner, pictures on every wall and accessories on every shelf […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/dont-rush-your-home/feed/ 1 45955 The £1 Question I Ask Before Buying Almost Anything…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-1-question-i-ask-before-buying-almost-anything/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:41:22 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45931 We all have little phrases that we say without really thinking about them, and one of mine used to be, “It’s only a pound.” Whether I was standing in the supermarket, ordering a coffee or shopping online, I’d regularly find myself justifying spending a little bit extra because, after all, it was only £1 and […]

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]]> 45931 Overnight Oats – what’s all the fuss about? https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/overnight-oats/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/overnight-oats/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:02:46 +0000 http://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=20959 For the longest time, I was convinced I wouldn’t like overnight oats. The name just made me think of cold, soggy porridge that had been forgotten about in the fridge overnight. It didn’t sound remotely appealing and, despite hearing people rave about them for years, I never felt tempted to give them a go. But […]

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