The Diary of a Frugal Family | Living a Fabulously Frugal Family Life

Small Win: Swap One Branded Item This Week….

44836Leave a Comment2026-01-22+11%3A31%3A10Cassandra January 22, 2026 By Cassandra
This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m really enjoying this Small Wins series because it’s all about the tiny little habits that make life feel a bit easier without adding anything overwhelming to your week. Each small win only takes a few minutes but can save money, reduce waste or help things run more smoothly — which is exactly what most of us need at this time of year. 😀This week’s small win is really simple. Next time you do your food shop, swap just one branded item for something cheaper. Most supermarkets now have three levels of the same product: the well-known branded version the … [Read more...]

How to Make a DIY Draught Excluder (Cheap & Cosy)….

44251Leave a Comment2026-01-20+10%3A52%3A00Cassandra January 20, 2026 By Cassandra
This post may contain affiliate links.

Did you catch my post a couple of weeks ago about ways to beat the draughts in your house this Winter? One of the the ideas I shared was to make a DIY draught excluder and I mentioned that I'd just bought some gorgeous Liberty fabric from Vinted which was super cheap as it was a small piece of fabric leftover from someone's project. It was the perfect size for a draught excluder as it was long and thin so I was really pleased with my bargain. When the colder months set in, there’s nothing more frustrating than feeling chilly draughts sneaking in under the doors. A simple … [Read more...]

Eight ways to use up Leftover Chicken….

44786Leave a Comment2026-01-19+11%3A03%3A07Cassandra January 19, 2026 By Cassandra
This post may contain affiliate links.

Leftover chicken is one of those brilliant ingredients that can stretch into so many extra meals without much effort at all. Whether it’s from a Sunday roast, a midweek slow-cooker recipe or just a couple of pieces left on a tray, chicken is one of the easiest things to turn into something completely different the next day. I'll be honest, I've found so many different things to do with leftover chicken that I actually used to make big batches of Shredded Chicken in my Instant pot to pop in the freezer so I had chicken in to use in these recipes for when I didn't have leftovers! … [Read more...]

10 Simple Ways Families Can Save Money on a European Holiday….

450901 Comment2026-01-16+18%3A23%3A41Cassandra January 16, 2026 By Cassandra
This post may contain affiliate links.

Europe is one of those places that’s incredibly hard to beat for a family holiday. With dozens of countries packed into a relatively small area, it offers everything from iconic cities and beautiful coastlines to dramatic landscapes and rich history. You can wander the streets of Paris, explore ancient ruins in Rome, relax on Greek islands or take in the wild scenery of places like Iceland or Norway — often just a short flight apart.One of the things I love most about Europe is how accessible it feels. You’re rarely more than a couple of hours away from somewhere completely different, … [Read more...]

Small Win: Use Up One Thing From the Back of Your Cupboard….

448311 Comment2026-01-15+16%3A59%3A52Cassandra January 15, 2026 By Cassandra
This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m loving this little Small Wins series because it’s all about the tiny habits that make life feel easier without adding anything overwhelming to your week. Each post is just one small, realistic action that saves money, reduces waste or helps you feel a bit more organised. And honestly, this time of year feels perfect for simple wins that take minutes but make a surprising difference. 😀This week's small win is ridiculously easy - all I want you to do is choose one thing from the back of your cupboard and plan to use it up this week. That’s it. One item. It could be a … [Read more...]

Eight ways to use up simple Slow Cooker Bolognese…

44735Leave a Comment2026-01-12+13%3A13%3A44Cassandra January 12, 2026 By Cassandra
This post may contain affiliate links.

Did you see last week's post about all the different ways that I use my slow cooker mince and onions? This week, I thought I'd share all the ways that I use another of my batch cooking staple - bolognese.A big batch of slow cooker bolognese is one of my favourite easy dinners. It takes hardly any effort, smells amazing all day, and you end up with a rich, flavourful sauce that can be used in so many different ways. I almost always make extra because it freezes brilliantly and can be turned into a whole week’s worth of meals with hardly any extra work. Here are eight of my favourite ways … [Read more...]