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[nykmedia]

Welcome to Part 4 of 'Living on £4000 for a Year'.
(The fourth quarter of 2008)

Part 1 - January to March 2008
Part 2 - April to June 2008
Part 3 - July to September 2008
Part 4 - October to December 2008

Join us in 2009 - The new challenge thread is now linked HERE

The links above will give you an idea of how, where, when, and what this challenge is all about and provide you with plenty of reading material on the subject of frugal living, whilst getting to know the others taking part. This entire challenge has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for many and I feel honoured to have become part of something that means so much to so many. Thank you to all who are participating.

Edited in: For anyone who hasn't had the time to read much of this forum, the £4,000 budget is about the cost of living - if you can survive without it, technically it shouldn't be counted. However, there have been many, many variations introduced by many, many people, according to their individual lifestyles, so I will not be including the amounts in the 2009 challenger list, we'll just be recording total spends periodically throughout 2009. For me, my personal challenge budget for the cost of living (running a household of 3 adults) is £4,000.

Now we are entering the final quarter of 2008 and, hopefully, the months ahead will treat us kindly.

From now until 31st December 2008, all those participating in this challenge with £4000 SHOULD have around £1000 left, but that may not be the case. Don't worry, we always have time to play catch-up. We now have until the end of December to further hone our frugal living skills and prepare for our next big adventure in 2009.
Here's to Frugaldom and online frugal friendships
CHALLENGER LIST

001. Nykmedia - £4000 for 3
002. Whitetigeress333 - £3920
003. Notanothergreyhair - £4000
004. Mini_huny_money - £4000
005. Penny2myname - £4000 + child benefit
006. Hypno06 - £4000
007. Impomdasp - £5000
008. Whitewing - £5300
009. LoadedIWish - £4000
010. Tigerseye - £4000
011. Oliveoyl - £4000
012. Funbrum - £4000
013. Tryingtodobetter - £5000
014. 87p - £4000
015. Cranky40 - £5000
016. Bluesteel705 - £4000
017. Chewits - £4000
018. Prudent - £5500
019. Shell37 - £4000
020. Juliejay - £5000
021. Azjh77 - £4650
022. Nicola1982 - £4000
023. Rachyp - £4000
024. Kiki - £5300
025. McSaver - £3000
026. Pollydaydream - £4000
027. Maverickangel - £4000
028. Loadedlaura - £4000
029. Kayharcombe - £4000
030. Buffythedebtslayer - £4560
031. Flowerofthewest - £4000
032. Mollymop5 - £4000 + Child Benefit
033. DdraigGoch - £4000
034. Shazrobo - £5000
035. 1274 - £4000
036. Always_amazed - £4000
037. Protogenia - £4500
038. Georgiasmum - £5200
039. Chaddee - £4000
040. Chriz1000 - £4000
041. Bigbullyweedave - £6000
042. Affordmylife - £5000
043. Liuhut - £6000
044. Cumbrianmum - £4000
045. Che75 - £4000
046. Sweetpea03 - £4900
047. Scorpio04 - £4000
048. Broke mum of three - £5200
049. Artnoble - £4000
050. Barole - £4000
051. Ephemera - £4000
052. Liloandstitch - £4000
053. LyndaSharp - £3500
054. Sassamac - £4000 + Child Benefit
055. Sue09 - £6000
056. Don't want to be in debt - £6760
057. Princess Leia - £6200
058. Saverram - £4000
059. Sashacat - £4000
060. Whiskylizzie - £4000
061. Slackster - £4000
062. Jamiedodger - £4000
063. Whitevanwoman - £4000
064. Skintwellie - £5000
065. Fairywings - £5000
066. Sos999 - £4000
067. Mumzyof2 - practicing for 2009
068. Keren29 - £4000
069. OldMcDonald - £4000 + Child Benefit
070. Mah_Jong - £3500
071. Hardup Hester - £4000
072. Miss_Pink - £4000
073. Grunnie - £4000
074. Rafiki - £4000
075. Catzine - £5000
076. Andromache - £2700 (student)
077. Doom_and_Gloom - £3000
078. Tracey04 - £4000
079. Wherediditallgo - £4000
080. Sallyrsm - £4000
081. Wornoutmumoftwo - £4000 + Child Benefit
082. Lexxi - £4000
083. NEGirl - £5000
084. Wendyw1947 - £4000
085. Truthseeker - £1500 (a teenage budget - I am most impressed!)
086. FrankieM - £4000 + Child Benefit
087. JustKeepSwimming - £4000 + Child Benefit
088. RedMel1621 - £5200
089. Blackfairykitten - £5000
090. Funkyfunkymonkey - £4000
091. Carlsberg - £4000
092. Nate123 - £4000
093. DJenks - £4000 + Child Benefit
094. Miss Empty Piggy - £4000
095. Micron - £4000
096. Hopeless_Spendthrift - £4000
097. The_Cat - £5800 inc Child Benefit
098. LilyBee - £3000 from 01/04/08
099. Carolinabirichina - £5000
100. Bails - £4000
101. Debrag - £3000
102. LittleMissClimsy - £5000
103. Gem2509 - £4000
104. LMac - £4000
105. LollopyBear - £4000
106. Slowlyfading - £4000
107. IHateDebt - £4000
108. Frugal Fox - £4000
109. Looby-Loo - £4000 + Child Benefit
110. LingoJingo - £5000 inc Child Benefit
111. Fizzel81 - £4000 + Child Benefit
112. Summertea - £4000
113. Jammiejen - £4000
114. Jay1 - £4000
115. Yoshimi2306 - £5720
116. Janey51 - £4000
117. Freyaluck - £4000
118. DJJoJoJuice - £4000 (£3836.07 from start date 15/01/08)
119. Frugalmum - £4000 (£3836.07 from start date 15/01/08)
120. Lysasparkles - £3,500 (from 16/01/08)
121. Shelovestobuystuff - £3,700
122. Angelofthenorth - £4000 (from 17/01/08)
123. Mama67 - £3661 + child benefit (from 01/02/08)
124. BigEars - £3661 (from 01/02/08)
125. Paul Varjak - £3661 plus disabled vehicle expenses (from 01/02/08)
126. Stefejb - £3661 (from 01/02/08)
127. Laurabelle - £4000 (from 20/01/08)
128. MSHAWX - £3661 (from 01/02/08)
129. Hansolo81 - £3661 (from 01/02/08)
130. Jumble-Bee - £1600 (FRUNCHKIN POWER!)
131. Nimbo - £3661 (from 01/02/08)
132. GemGems - £3661 (from 01/02/08)
133. DFW844 - £4000
134. Elantan - £80/week (from 08/02/08)
135. Marru - £3345 + nursery fees (starting 1/3/08)
136. Alli_Baba2 - £3388 (from 25/02/08)
137. SophiesMum - £3388 + child Benefit (from 25/02/08)
138. Charlies Angel - Living on under £1000 a year
139. Tigwell - £3333 (from 25/02/08)
140. Headofsteam - £2983.50 (from 01/04/08)
141. Bleufleur - £3158 (from 17/03/08)
142. All_hours - £80 per week
143. Kittikins - £3000 from 01/04/08
144. Taka - £3000 from 01/04/08
145. MrDT - £3000 from 01/04/08
146. Sukielou75 - £2678 from 01/05/08
147. Whowants2brich - £2513.66 from 15/05/08
148. Wendywitch - £2000 from 01/07/08
149. Barefootlinzi - £2000 + child benefit from 01/07/08
150. The_Cat - £2900 from 01/07/08
151. InTheRed - £3300 from 01/07/08
152. Ani*fan - awaiting confirmation
153. Smart21 - awaiting confirmation
154. Brighton Belle - £2000 from 01/07/08
155. Milliemonster - Average £76.50 per week from 10/07/08 - 31/12/08
156. EagerLearner - £3100 for 2
157. KBarty - £1850 from 01/09/08
158. OptimisticPair - £3000/yr
159. Skint Lynne - practicing for 2009
160. Trex170104 - practicing for 2009
161. CW18 - practicing for 2009
162. SiannieLaz - practicing for 2009
163. Cha97Michelle - practicing for 2009
164. ThriftyLass - practicing for 2009
165. RebekahR - practicing for 2009
166. Paulgonnabedebtfree - practicing for 2009
167. Purplevamp - practicing for 2009
168. Cornishinfens - practicing for 2009
169. Little_Miss_Moneysaver - practicing for 2009
170. Loopylou21 - practicing for 2009
171. Twinkle_Star - practicing for 2009
172. IGiveUp - practicing for 2009
173. CarolBee - practicing for 2009
174. Savingfortravel - preparing for 2009
175. Kayleighj - preparing for 2009
176. Sam79 - preparing for 2009
177. Blissfullydebtfreewannabe - preparing for 2009
178. Candygirl - preparing for 2009
179. SmlSave - preparing for 2009
180. Blairweech - preparing for 2009
181. Macwah97 - preparing for 2009
182. Lilac_Lady - preparing for 2009
183. Findingmyfeet - preparing for 2009
184. Junglegirl - preparing for 2009
185. Mrsmcawber - preparing for 2009
186. Shaz_mum_of_2 - preparing for 2009
187. Zelie - preparing for 2009
188. JennyBee - preparing for 2009
189. MK Wotsit - preparing for 2009

Please let me know if your details need updated on the above list, thank you.

HANDY LINKS

Hundreds of recipes - thanks to Rosieben.
Nutrition and diet info, an excellent thread - thanks to Weezl74.
Remoska discussion - everything you need to know about Remoska ovens
Electricity savings & the MoneySaving Carbon Club
Start a cottage industry - the official MSE discussion
Free crafts ideas - papier mache banks etc
Selling on eBid - decluttering and recycling for cash with no listing fees
Spending Diary - excellent free resource for recording your spends
Approved Foods - amazing bargains if you don't mind short dates

During the last quarter of 2008 we are also doing a challenge to raise/save an extra £1000 so we can get ahead of the game in 2009. To avoid confusion, this has been split into a seperate challenge and can be found here - Make £1000 in 100 Days before 2009. We also have an Interest Beater challenge.

[Price Charles]

I hereby declare this thread OPEN!

[lilac_lady]

Thank you so much for continuing with your "crusade". Although I didn't join, it helped me keep focused on what's important. Every time I read the posts I feel renewed and happy that there's a lot of like-minded people out there.

[Skint Lynne]

Thanks Nyk,

As you know, I am still in training and will start with my £4000 amount on 1st January. I am a keen observer for now.

SL x

[nykmedia]

Hi Skint Lynne, I added your name to the challenger list so it's all there for the start of 2009 but I'll be starting a new list then as well, as there appears to be quite a few have disappeared over the months. But I'm delighted by how many are still here and still going strong, despite the number of life-altering events that have taken place since we first began our financial adventure.

Lilac_Lady, I'm glad you enjoy being a part of this and hope there's plenty more to come that can help benefit anyone who chooses to follow our 'crusade' - love that term! Hadn't thought of this as a crusade before you mentioned it, thanks

The final run-in to 2009 will be the last chance we all have to assess our overall spending habits. I'm hoping that by the start of the 2009 challenge that we'll all have a good idea of what our own strengths and weaknesses are, as far as spending habits go. I know my weaknesses are trying to do too many things and ending up not getting any of them done, and obsessing about unneccessary spending, even when it isn't mine!

Even if you have not managed to stay within your initial budget, if you can make it to 2009 with slightly less debt than you began the year, then it is a start in the right direction. If you have managed to clear any debts, that is great, if you have managed to obliterate debt, that is brilliant and if you have already managed to start saving and the only debt left is a mortgage then stick with the 'programme' as my ultimate longterm goal is debt free / mortgage free / rent free living and balancing my own books as self-sufficiently as possible. I have the advantage as I practiced this challenge for a couple of years before starting it here. I had to first practice what I preached and produce evidence that it can be done and that it does work when give the chance

[Skint Lynne]

Originally Posted by nykmedia

Hi Skint Lynne, I added your name to the challenger list so it's all there for the start of 2009 but I'll be starting a new list then as well, as there appears to be quite a few have disappeared over the months. But I'm delighted by how many are still here and still going strong, despite the number of life-altering events that have taken place since we first began our financial adventure.

Thanks Nyk,

I was thrilled to see my name up there all the same, because it makes me feel as if i 'belong' to the group. i'm looking forward to the challenge starting. I can defo see the weather changing so it won't be long until winter is here and the new year starts.

SL x

[trex170104]

Hiya
Would it be possibel for me to be a practicing member for the last quarter of 2008 and then I will start properly in 2009?

[mumzyof2]

Originally Posted by trex170104

Hiya
Would it be possibel for me to be a practicing member for the last quarter of 2008 and then I will start properly in 2009?

Could i do the same? So i can practice again for 2009

[cw18]

I'm self monitoring until the end of the year..... partly 'cos our major changes kick in late November, so I'm juggling money around as much as possible until then without specific budgets (pay everything I have to, blow saving for annual bills, throw as much as possible at the c/cards!)

[Skint Lynne]

1. Working out what I need to survive every month.
2. Reading through old threads.
3. Switching off all electrical appliances when not in use.
4. Starting to declutter my house.
5. Really watching what I am spending.
6. Beginning to think about next year already.
7. Beginning to look at what I pay for things.

This is all useful and will help me shift my debts. I am very excited at the prospect that one day, I will have some savings and not just think about debt all the time. This is defo work in progress and I'll continue to post and try out new ideas.

Speak to you later,

SL x

[cw18]

1. done (ish)
2. work in progress
3. getting better -- just need to convince hubby it's worth turning the TV off instead of using standby.... and that's when he goes out as well as just when he changes to reading a book for a while
4. something I need to do (and loft, and garage, and parents garage.....)
5. yep! kept a complete spreadsheet for September of every single little penny that I was responsible for leaving our house/bank
6. Hmmm.... sort of. If only to figure out how I can cut back to reduce how much we spend from capital over and above what the benefits office say we should be doing!
7. the number of things I now look at and visibly react to the price of, I'd say this is deffo being done

[dfw844]

Yay I'm on the first page!!

I haven't totalled up September yet (still too many hours and temptations left until the end of the day!), but I think I'm doing OK. Definitely had a better month than last month. I'll update later in the week.

Hi to everyone, and good luck for the final quarter of our challenge (can you believe how the time has flown?)

xx

[nykmedia]

I've completed my budget/spending diary right up to date and it is looking quite good for today. That's until tomorrow, 1st of the month, and I have the electricity bill coming off the account, our NTS membership dd and the start of October's grocery budget. Eugh! Then mid month, I'll have the debit for the dehumidifier, so that should put paid to anything I had remaining of my 'everything else' fund. Still haven't touched the contingency fund, thank goodness!

I've just finished chopping up all the tomatoes and they are now in the slow cooker so I can stew them and then strain & freeze them for bolognese sauce. I didn't try the green tomato chutney as I didn't feel confident that it was saving me any money, as we don't eat much chutney, besides, the tomtoes all went red whilst sitting on the windowsill. I had forgotten how much better homegrown tomatoes tasted when compared to supermarket bought ones; yum, I think I must have eaten 2 or 3 of them whilst chopping! Now I need to try to get the next lot of potatoes boiled & mashed plus there's ANOTHER bucket of apples to stew and freeze! If I need to move house soon I'm going to HAVE to borrow another freezer as I'll never get mine emptied, defrosted and moved in time to refill it.

[bails]

Woo hoo, Part 4 of the challenge, I've been looking forward to this
Aah Lilaclady, your comment gave me a warm glow, thanks! It's been so wonderful to 'meet' so many great friends on here and to know people will be around supporting each other next year too is fantastic! I for one find it hard to cope when I think of my longterm future and coming on here is a wonderful tonic to reinspire me and remind me that I can still be in control of the financial side of my life to a large extent.
My hope is that I can keep track of all spends for this final 3 months and then work out an overall yearly spend from those figures and the months I've managed to keep all totals. I'm still pondering the best way to do my target for 2009 but all in good time
CW and SkintLynne, you're both doing really well already

I thought it might be nice to remind ourselves (and others) of why we're doing this challenge and what we hope to achieve...

I signed up after losing a well-paid job through ill health (with OH a student) and wanted to eek out my money as long as possible to give myself the time and space to recover as fully as I can. I thought I would have been forced back into work a long time ago but I am constantly amazed at how elastic my money is What I didn't anticipate is the superb group of friends and support network we have built along the way; I can't tell you how much this thread has improved my quality of life and saved me from going doolally stuck under the duvet, so THANKYOU everyone

[Optimisticpair]

Originally Posted by cw18

3. getting better -- just need to convince hubby it's worth turning the TV off instead of using standby.... and that's when he goes out as well as just when he changes to reading a book for a while

Hi Cw18,


I think a way to get family more on board the MS train is to be able to show how much all the small spends or savings add up to and that added together they aren’t chicken feed. I know if it came out of my pocket as a lump sum I would think “WHAT?" followed by " HOW MUCH!”. Possibly one of those energy monitors will be much more accurate but if you enter figures on here can give you a calculation of running costs of say a medium size tv.
.

http://www.ukpower.co.uk/running-costs-elec.asp


Hope this is of some use to you. Will look for the other uk one

[lyndasharp]

Congratulations to everyone who has made it this far into the challenge, and welcome to the new people

Hope everyone has a fantastic final 3 months of the year.

Thanks to a mega underspend in September my budget is now back on track, though that is partly due to not getting a veg box bill (didn't get many boxes delivered in Aug as I was away a lot) and not visiting family (adds on about £40 for petrol).

[cw18]

Have no fear -- I'm working on the standby issue. I was buying the Daily Mail for the 1980's CDs (I know - not very MSE, but gave hubby a paper and me a CD for 50p/day). But at the same time they had vouchers for an energy monitor -- and if you're a BG customer they were also offering an extension socket that when you turn the TV onto standby turns everything off (tv / dvd / freeview / VCR). As my daughter is a BG customer she's sending off for them for us

[bails]

I've decided to sign up to my local Letts scheme in order to 'earn' some more cash. I've already signed up to a couple but they aren't very good so, as I can't find it online , I'm going into town tomorrow to get the contact number. This means I can home tutor in exchange for car servicing, house improvements etc that I would normally need to pay for How exciting, I hope it works!

[Marru]

Originally Posted by bails

(put the pen down Marru)

Moi! Use pens? No way when email is free.

I have not got a reply for my enrollment on the correspondence course and if I can pay in installments and also I sent an enquiry to take weekend course and decided to spend what I have put into ISA for that as it is more important when it comes to my future earning ability.

Got my tooth sorted today. Thank you so much everybody giving me the "kick bottom". I had been putting it off as I thought I can't afford it and in the end I got it sorted for free. So on that note it was NSD today. Now just keeping fingers crossed that I have enough petrol to get me to the petrol station tomorrow morning that I know has the cheapest petrol in the area.

I am trying to get DD to bed so that I can go and have my Tuesday evening bath. I got thoroughly soaked while walking the dogs so hot bath is just the thing.

Bails - good luck on your pledge!!

Have a great evening.

Marru

[cw18]

Glad to hear your tooth is sorted Marru