The Diary of a Frugal Family https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk Living a Fabulously Frugal Family Life Tue, 19 May 2026 18:04:40 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 54642740 Understanding HbA1c vs blood glucose (and why they’re not the same thing)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/understanding-hba1c-vs-blood-glucose-and-why-theyre-not-the-same-thing/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/understanding-hba1c-vs-blood-glucose-and-why-theyre-not-the-same-thing/#respond Sun, 24 May 2026 09:54:06 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45342 First up, I get that this is a post that’s probably only useful to you if you’re diabetic so please feel free to move on if you’re not diabetic 😁 But if you are and you’re struggling to understanding the difference between your HbA1c and your finger prick testing then this could be a pretty helpful […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/understanding-hba1c-vs-blood-glucose-and-why-theyre-not-the-same-thing/feed/ 0 45342 A Pre-loved home office {on a budget}…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-pre-loved-home-office-on-a-budget/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-pre-loved-home-office-on-a-budget/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 10:58:58 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45560 For the first time ever, I have an actual office at home. In our old house, my “office” was basically just a corner of the dining room and honestly, I didn’t mind it at all.  I loved being downstairs in the middle of everything. I worked long hours back then and quite often ended up […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/a-pre-loved-home-office-on-a-budget/feed/ 0 45560 The worst things about living in a Victorian reno project…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-worst-things-about-living-in-a-victorian-reno-project/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-worst-things-about-living-in-a-victorian-reno-project/#respond Mon, 18 May 2026 08:40:28 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45536 I absolutely love living in an old house. I love the character, the high ceilings, the big rooms, the wonky little details and the fact that every single corner seems to have a story attached to it.   What I do not love quite as much is the fact that every single corner also seems to […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-worst-things-about-living-in-a-victorian-reno-project/feed/ 0 45536 This month’s pre-loved bargains {May 2026}…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/this-months-pre-loved-bargains-may-26/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/this-months-pre-loved-bargains-may-26/#respond Sun, 17 May 2026 10:50:28 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45434 Welcome to my monthly pre-loved bargain post – one of my favourite things to write because it gives me an excuse to share the second-hand treasures I’ve brought home lately. 😀 May has been the first month since last September that I’ve felt like me again and have been able to enjoy life fully again […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/this-months-pre-loved-bargains-may-26/feed/ 0 45434 Homemade Coconut Soap using melt and pour soap… https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/homemade-coconut-soap/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/homemade-coconut-soap/#comments Sun, 17 May 2026 10:05:35 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=27589 A while ago now, I shared my first attempt at making soap with you.  My lovely Honey and Oatmeal Soap was so lovely that I decided to have a go at making a coconut soap because as the weather gets warmer, coconut is definitely one of my favourite scents. I always used to think that […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/homemade-coconut-soap/feed/ 1 27589 The little things I’ve done to feel ready to go back to work…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-little-things-ive-done-to-feel-ready-to-go-back-to-work/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-little-things-ive-done-to-feel-ready-to-go-back-to-work/#respond Sat, 16 May 2026 09:18:00 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45574 Going back to work after being off for over six months feels much bigger than I expected it to. When I first went off, I think I assumed life would somehow pause for a little while and then I’d just slot neatly back into my old routine as soon as I was feeling better. But […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-little-things-ive-done-to-feel-ready-to-go-back-to-work/feed/ 0 45574 How I’ve used Plum to up my savings game this year…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-ive-used-plum-to-up-my-savings-game-this-year/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-ive-used-plum-to-up-my-savings-game-this-year/#respond Tue, 12 May 2026 11:07:08 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45045 I’ve been using Plum for a little while now and, honestly, it’s one of those apps that makes me feel like I’ve got my life together far more than I probably have. 😂 I know that sounds dramatic for a money app, but there’s something about having little pots, savings rules and even a tiny […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/how-ive-used-plum-to-up-my-savings-game-this-year/feed/ 0 45045 7 Best Mental Wellness Apps for 2026…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/7-best-mental-wellness-apps-for-2026/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/7-best-mental-wellness-apps-for-2026/#comments Tue, 12 May 2026 08:50:14 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45612 The online world is packed with wellness apps promising calmer minds, better habits and instant peace, yet anxiety and burnout levels — especially among younger adults — are still incredibly high. With hundreds of new wellbeing apps launching all the time, finding one that genuinely helps rather than just looks good on social media can […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/7-best-mental-wellness-apps-for-2026/feed/ 1 45612 From the garden to the kitchen: Mint (and a lot of it)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/from-the-garden-to-the-kitchen-mint-and-a-lot-of-it/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/from-the-garden-to-the-kitchen-mint-and-a-lot-of-it/#respond Mon, 11 May 2026 09:44:12 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45331 I don’t know how it happened, but I seem to have a mint plant that is growing quicker than the beanstalk in Jack and the Beanstalk. Every time I look at it there’s more of it, and I’m at the point where I feel like I have an unlimited supply so I’m starting to use […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/from-the-garden-to-the-kitchen-mint-and-a-lot-of-it/feed/ 0 45331 Small moments of calm lately…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/small-moments-of-calm-lately/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/small-moments-of-calm-lately/#comments Sun, 10 May 2026 15:51:50 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45336 The last six months has been far from ideal but now that I’m feeling so much better, I can appreciate the things that I’ve learned while I’ve not been very well and one thing I’ve really come to understand is that the quiet, calm moments in life are what makes me happiest 😍 The run […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/small-moments-of-calm-lately/feed/ 1 45336 Instant Pot Chicken and Rice…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/instant-pot-chicken-and-rice/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/instant-pot-chicken-and-rice/#comments Sat, 09 May 2026 11:50:37 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=30970 This Instant Pot chicken and rice recipe is one of those meals that I still think about, which probably sounds a bit dramatic considering we’re talking about rice in a bowl, but honestly, it was that good. I don’t actually have my Instant Pot anymore, which is one of those practical decisions that made sense […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/instant-pot-chicken-and-rice/feed/ 1 30970 What’s growing in my garden {May 2026}…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/whats-growing-in-my-garden-may-2026/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/whats-growing-in-my-garden-may-2026/#comments Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:55 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45471 One of the things I love most about our new house is the garden, which already feels like it has the potential to become such a lovely space for us. It’s probably my favourite part of the house, if I’m honest, and ever since we moved in I’ve been itching to get out there properly. […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/whats-growing-in-my-garden-may-2026/feed/ 1 45471 Why we’re fitting a new shower door this weekend…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-were-fitting-a-new-shower-door-this-weekend/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-were-fitting-a-new-shower-door-this-weekend/#respond Fri, 08 May 2026 09:29:31 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45512 When we moved into our new house, one of the very first things we did was fit a shower in the main bathroom because somehow, there wasn’t actually a shower in there at all and that was a non-negotiable for us. 🚿 At the time, we decided to save a bit of money and cut […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-were-fitting-a-new-shower-door-this-weekend/feed/ 0 45512 Things I Forgot To Do When I Moved House (So You Don’t Have To)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/things-i-forgot-to-do-when-i-moved-house-so-you-dont-have-to/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/things-i-forgot-to-do-when-i-moved-house-so-you-dont-have-to/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 09:35:46 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45419 I like to think I’m quite an organised person. 😁 I make lists, I plan ahead and I’m generally on top of most things… I own a filofax so that makes me organised by default, right? Moving house humbled me though and showed me that I am not the organised person because I managed to […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/things-i-forgot-to-do-when-i-moved-house-so-you-dont-have-to/feed/ 0 45419 Why is giving things away on Facebook Marketplace so stressful? https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-is-giving-things-away-on-facebook-marketplace-so-stressful/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-is-giving-things-away-on-facebook-marketplace-so-stressful/#respond Sun, 03 May 2026 11:39:29 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45460 I don’t know what it is about giving things away on Facebook Messenger but in my experience, it leads to some very random messages landing in my inbox.  Recently, we’ve been having a proper clear out at our new house and we’ve been listing a mix of things that were left here by the previous […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/why-is-giving-things-away-on-facebook-marketplace-so-stressful/feed/ 0 45460 The Best Potato Salad Recipe in the World (not even exaggerating)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-potato-salad-recipe-in-the-world-not-even-exaggerating/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-potato-salad-recipe-in-the-world-not-even-exaggerating/#comments Sun, 03 May 2026 10:45:09 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=34560 I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you that my potato salad recipe is the Best potato salad recipe in the World!   It’s actually the only thing I make that has people asking me for the recipe afterwards… which feels like a proper badge of honour if you ask me. 😂 I first made it […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/the-best-potato-salad-recipe-in-the-world-not-even-exaggerating/feed/ 1 34560 What International eSIMs Offer Travellers Planning Trips Abroad…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/what-international-esims-offer-travellers-planning-trips-abroad/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/what-international-esims-offer-travellers-planning-trips-abroad/#respond Sun, 03 May 2026 08:04:54 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45507 One of the things I always think about before we go away now is how we’re going to stay connected once we land. It used to be something we just sorted when we got there, whether that meant paying whatever roaming charges came up or wandering around an airport trying to find somewhere to buy […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/what-international-esims-offer-travellers-planning-trips-abroad/feed/ 0 45507 Amazing DIY Orange Peel Kitchen Spray…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/diy-orange-peel-kitchen-spray/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/diy-orange-peel-kitchen-spray/#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:15:15 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=29700 This DIY Orange Peel Kitchen Spray smells amazing and more importantly, does a great job cleaning your kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Over the last couple of years, I’ve really started to enjoy making and experimenting with homemade cleaning products and one that I’ve made over and over is my DIY orange peel kitchen spray. I […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/diy-orange-peel-kitchen-spray/feed/ 2 29700 Cruising with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/cruising-with-kids-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/cruising-with-kids-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:05:32 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45414 Taking the family on a cruise is one of those holidays that genuinely works for everyone. The adults get to relax, the kids stay entertained, and nobody has to compromise too much. That said, with so many options out there, knowing where to start can feel a bit daunting. Here’s what’s worth thinking about before […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/cruising-with-kids-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/feed/ 0 45414 What to do when your flight is cancelled (and how to get your money back)…. https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/what-to-do-when-your-flight-is-cancelled-and-how-to-get-your-money-back/ https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/what-to-do-when-your-flight-is-cancelled-and-how-to-get-your-money-back/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:41:27 +0000 https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/?p=45411 There’s a very specific kind of stress that comes with travel going wrong. You’ve packed, you’ve planned, you’ve probably spent weeks looking forward to it… and then suddenly you’re stood in an airport staring at a departures board that just says cancelled. I’ve definitely noticed over the past year how often flights seem to get cancelled […]

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]]> https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/what-to-do-when-your-flight-is-cancelled-and-how-to-get-your-money-back/feed/ 0 45411