LOCKDOWN ON A SHOESTRING

The war generation are known for their frugality, while millennials are always getting a hard time for wasting money on soy lattes and smashed avocado breakfasts.

But two thrifty young women, 25-year-old twins Jessica and Alice, are helping to break that mould and have used the lockdown to launch their thrifty alter egos @the_fru_gals to help others save cash.

Teaching assistant Alice and Jessica who works in

PR have been furloughed from their jobs and are living back at home in

Oxford, but they’re aware that for many, finances are being stretched and the future is bleak.

Alice says: “We both earn a less than average salary, so being careful with our money has become second nature. Frugal often has negative connotations – we want to prove that thrifty doesn’t equal boring!”

Her sister Jess adds:

“Saving money has always been a hobby for us. We opened our first savings accounts at the local bank aged eight, and since then have enjoyed watching our savings grow through a combination of hard work and careful spending.

“Student loans mean that for our generation debt has been normalised. We wanted to show people that taking control of your finances can be empowering.”

The sisters’ mantra of buy less, waste less, and grow-your-own on their Instagram account is not only good for the pocket but also helps the environment.

Alice has thrown herself into her allotment over the lockdown, where she is growing fruit, veg and flowers to share with friends and family. She says:

“Gardening can be an expensive hobby, but only if you fall into the trap of spending lots on new plants, seeds, bulbs and equipment every year.”

Take cuttings and propagate your own plants, especially hydrangea, penstemon, dahlias, salvia and pelargoniums.

Grow annuals from seed, and invest wisely in perennial plants that will come back year after year.

In the autumn make a list of the bulbs, seeds and equipment that you would like for the coming year, and put them on your Christmas list

Save seeds in autumn and swap them with friends. Store in a cool dry place over winter and remember to label the envelope.

Make your own plant pots out of yogurt pots, fruit punnets or toilet roll tubes. Plant labels can be made from wooden takeaway cutlery.

Make your own compost for free from household and garden waste.

Use a mixture of green nitrogen-rich materials (grass cuttings, fruit and veg scraps, weeds) and brown carbon-rich material (dried leaves, straw, shredded paper

Remember to add water to your heap to help the decomposition take place.

Aerate the heap regularly by turning it with a fork.

If using homemade compost for sowing seeds it is best to sieve first to remove lumps.

Yellow stickers aren’t just for food! Garden centres have a reduced section full of plants that have finished flowering or looking a bit unhappy. With a bit of love and attention they can soon be brought back to life.