Live on £4000 for a year - Part 3

Frugaldom

whitewing wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting DS an electric blanket for his birthday (to try to encourage him to stay in bed longer at the weekends). Are they a good investment?

YES, YES, YES! They are about the cheapest heating I have found and even a quick 10 minute blast before bed makes the difference between having a heater on in the room or not. They use so little electricity compared to heaters that mine has had virtually no impact on my meter readings. I'd get one that can be left on 'snooze control' as I call it - left on overnight at a very low setting. Just make sure to remember and turn it off if it isn't on a timer switch.

I just Googled 'Rupert Sanderson'...

bails

If it helps, I have no idea either Nyk
Lots of frugal busyness today, well done everyone! Marru, I can imagine your kitchen is piled high full of yummy food, how great! :T I do love how you write Janey, go on, give Poundwoman a run for her money
I've just got back from a couple of hours at the gym which was just what I needed - rather than swimming, I tried to take as long as possible to get from one end of the pool to the other Unfortunately OH has just upset me :rolleyes: I don't know what is going on at the mo but I really hope this phase passes soon.

Welcome Skint Lynne, are you Scottish by any chance? Learning our frugal ways will definitely help you get back on track and hopefully you'll have some fun along the way too!

BlueFleur

I'm so annoyed with myself. I had just made a pasta bake for dinner, and I dropped it taking it out of the oven when it was fully cooked :mad: Went all over the floor and I've just spent twenty minutes cleaning it up. Dinner ruined :mad:

Deep calming breaths. At least I haven't spent anything today, although we're now a meal out on the food plan. Not sure what to do for dinner tonight really.

I'd been including water and car expenses so far (I drive to work). My all in is £12,580 (challenge 4k + rent + council tax). Debt payments on top of that. I'd write more constructive things, but I'm in a bit of a sulk now about the pasta :rolleyes:

Skint_Lynne

bails wrote: »

If it helps, I have no idea either Nyk
Lots of frugal busyness today, well done everyone! Marru, I can imagine your kitchen is piled high full of yummy wood, how great! :T I do love how you write Janey, go on, give Poundwoman a run for her money
I've just got back from a couple of hours at the gym which was just what I needed - rather than swimming, I tried to take as long as possible to get from one end of the pool to the other Unfortunately OH has just upset me :rolleyes: I don't know what is going on at the mo but I really hope this phase passes soon.

Welcome Skint Lynne, are you Scottish by any chance? Learning our frugal ways will definitely help you get back on track and hopefully you'll have some fun along the way too!

Hi Bails,

Yes, I'm Scottish, how did you know, have you 'seen' me somewhere else? I'm looking forward to getting my head round the frugal stuff and getting started on 1st January.

I'll get some practice in beforehand, no doubt!! I try to be careful but it doesn't always work out that way. Practice makes perfect I suppose.

SL x

Frugaldom

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

Yes, I'm Scottish, how did you know, have you 'seen' me somewhere else? I'm looking forward to getting my head round the frugal stuff and getting started on 1st January.

:j Another frugal Scot! Don't suppose you're Dumfries & Galloway region are you?

Skint_Lynne

nykmedia wrote: »

:j Another frugal Scot! Don't suppose you're Dumfries & Galloway region are you?

No Nyk,

I'm from the Glasgow area, so a bit further north than you are. I've read 5 pages of this particular thread today and then I'll work my way back on parts 1 and 2. It looks like a real challenge but I'm getting more determined to do it by the minute. My big downfall is eating out, that will need to be cut to the bone if I am going to achieve this.

Look forward to the experience!!!!

SL x

Woodyrocks

nykmedia wrote: »

NYK has scuttled off to Google 'Rupert Sanderson', back in just a mo'! :rotfl:

Nyk, don't do it! Once you go down that road, it is very hard to turn back! Just repeat to self - Woodyrocks is a very bad influence that I shall not pay any mind to regardless of how many shoe designers she may drop into conversation. Furthermore, I shall pray for her to have the strenght of character to know that shoes are not needed on the sickest holiday spots

I have toyed with the idea of taking Woody and I off to Turks & Caicos for a couple of years now but the cost has been prohibitive to say the least but I know if I put my mind to it AND with the assistance of this challenge I can stash away the money needed. The thought of lounging on that beach is just such a great motivator and I think I might gather some pictures of said destination and create an incentive board to stick on my bedroom door (first thing I see in the morning!)

I like the idea of practicing in earnest for next year so consider me on board. I guess I better go get my tent and set up home in that case

bails

He he, haven't seen you around SL, this is how I knew:

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

37 just now

Welcome officially on board then SL and Woodyrocks :j Picture board sounds a great inspiration, ask Nyk about her Wishing Book Pitch your tent next to mine WR, I've got the best view
Sorry to hear about the pasta bake Bluefleur, wasting food is always hard but especially when you've prepared it as well. Hope you found a good alternative (sneak round Marru's, she's got something you can have, and Janey's got a nice apple crumble for afters )

Marru

bails wrote: »

If it helps, I have no idea either Nyk
Lots of frugal busyness today, well done everyone! Marru, I can imagine your kitchen is piled high full of yummy wood, how great! :T

Thanks Bails. At the moment it is piled up with lots of washing up. All the food has been tucked away into the freezer which is now full. I still have incredients in the fridge for 3 more main meals, 2 more soups and 1 more spread at least so bit annoying that can't get on with it. I had vote about the fish pie and unanomously I decided to stuff the fish into the freezer until I get my second wind (and more freezer space).

Being someone who hates shopping it is very easy to be in this challenge. When I went to visit my home country couple of years ago I bought two pairs of shoes from manufacturer that always manages to make shoes that fit me and as I normally trek either in trainers or wellies those shoes will last me for a long time.

I have couple of double chocolate chip cookies in the cupboard, I think I have deserved them.

Sophiesmum - I hope all is well

Night night everybody,

Marru

Skint_Lynne

bails wrote: »

He he, haven't seen you around SL, this is how I knew:

Welcome officially on board then SL and Woodyrocks :j Picture board sounds a great inspiration, ask Nyk about her Wishing Book Pitch your tent next to mine WR, I've got the best view
Sorry to hear about the pasta bake Bluefleur, wasting food is always hard but especially when you've prepared it as well. Hope you found a good alternative (sneak round Marru's, she's got something you can have, and Janey's got a nice apple crumble for afters )

:rotfl: :rotfl: Hoch aye the nooooooooo to you bails, well spotted!!!!

SL x