The Diary of a Frugal Family https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk Living a Fabulously Frugal Family Life Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:50:31 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 54642740 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/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/affordable-greek-island-holidays-for-families-where-to-go/#respond 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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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/affordable-greek-island-holidays-for-families-where-to-go/feed/ 0 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/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/easy-budget-energy-balls-recipe-no-bake-perfect-for-using-up-muesli/#respond 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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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/easy-budget-energy-balls-recipe-no-bake-perfect-for-using-up-muesli/feed/ 0 45947 How to optimise your cybersecurity on a budget…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-optimise-your-cybersecurity-on-a-budget/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-optimise-your-cybersecurity-on-a-budget/#respond 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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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-to-optimise-your-cybersecurity-on-a-budget/feed/ 0 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/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/5-bedroom-friendly-window-blind-ideas-for-better-sleep-and-privacy/#respond 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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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/5-bedroom-friendly-window-blind-ideas-for-better-sleep-and-privacy/feed/ 0 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/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-1-question-i-ask-before-buying-almost-anything/#respond 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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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-1-question-i-ask-before-buying-almost-anything/feed/ 0 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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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/overnight-oats/feed/ 16 20959 Getting back to being me… https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/getting-back-to-being-me/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/getting-back-to-being-me/#respond Sun, 05 Jul 2026 09:54:46 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45836 I sit down at the start of every month and write down a few things I’d like to achieve or do over the coming weeks.  Last weekend, I was thinking about July, I realised that every set of monthly intentions I’ve written so far this year has been centred around getting through the month while […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/getting-back-to-being-me/feed/ 0 45836 Basic Quiche Recipe – perfect for using up leftovers…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/basic-quiche-recipe-perfect-for-using-up-leftovers/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/basic-quiche-recipe-perfect-for-using-up-leftovers/#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:01:47 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=28960 My basic quiche recipe is one that I learned from my Mam years ago. I always used to look forward to her baking days because they were wonderfully predictable. There would almost always be a quiche, a corned beef pie and a cake chosen from her well-thumbed Be-Ro cookbook. I can still picture her standing […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/basic-quiche-recipe-perfect-for-using-up-leftovers/feed/ 2 28960 Did you ever play the holiday lottery? https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/remember-when-holidays-were-basically-a-gamble/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/remember-when-holidays-were-basically-a-gamble/#respond Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:08:12 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45628 I’ve been looking at holidays this week and honestly, the amount of choice these days is overwhelming 😂 There are so many companies, an overwhelming number of hotels and different board options, and that’s before you’ve even looked at flights. You can choose to add on pretty much anything nowadays too. Pool view, sea view, […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/remember-when-holidays-were-basically-a-gamble/feed/ 0 45628 The best things about bringing a Victorian house back to life…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-things-about-bringing-a-victorian-house-back-to-life/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-things-about-bringing-a-victorian-house-back-to-life/#respond Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:32:16 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45544 After writing about the worst things about living in a Victorian reno project last week, it only feels fair to give the house a chance to defend itself. 😁 Because yes, there is dust everywhere. Yes, every job turns into three other jobs. Yes, we have a plasterer on speed dial, and yes, I have […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-things-about-bringing-a-victorian-house-back-to-life/feed/ 0 45544 How I use Google Lens to check the value of charity shop finds https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-i-use-google-lens-to-check-the-value-of-charity-shop-finds/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 11:59:09 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45635 You know I love a good pre-loved find. 😀 And I love them even more when they turn out to be worth more than I paid for them – but how do I find out that they’re worth more than I paid for them?  Since moving into our old Victorian house, we’ve been much more […]

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