HUGE challenge for you all!

Edinburghlass_2

First up I think you need to realise the challenge is yours and not the users of OS

MSE is a big place with loads of boards giving a wide range of advice and its up to you to use it to its fullest. The OS'ers are good but I think you'll find that most of them will say they have found the best advice for specific things on the other boards of MSE.

First off your holiday sounds pretty expensive to me for the time of year you have booked. The Travel Board has an great thread with Disneyland Paris enthusiasts posting daily with loads of top tips for the cheapest and best deals.

As regards your shopping bill then you should join the Grocery Challenge with your target for each months shopping and check out the many, many threads on OS that give terrific recipes for whats in your store cupboard. Debt Free Wanna is good for overall budgeting and you'll find Martin's Budget planner there.

The Family Board has loads of threads on nappies, potty training etc, the Telephone Boards will help with home phones, internet and mobile usage and of course the Insurance Board deals with insurance. You'll find all the shopping bargains on the Shopping Boards including Boots/Tesco bargain threads, freebies and all manner of shopping bargains/tips such as the £5 off a £30 spend in the NOTW tomorrow.

As your parents are paying most other bills then perhaps you should get them to sign up to Martin's email and they can have a read of all the articles and perhaps reduce their telephony, electricity/gas bills etc. All you need to do to sign up for the email is put an email address in the box on the right hand side >>>>>>

No-one ever said money saving is easy so its up to you to utilise Martin's email, his articles and the boards to your greatest advantage and for everything you need to research, research, research

Rowan9

Beki wrote: »

I think i've kind of learnt my lesson now. I'm going to go on this holiday, then start paing back my parents before even thinking about another one.

Just read your thread and want to say - stop explaining. You have already explained.
I am a Disney fan. If it works for you, go for it and I'm sure you'll manage to fill your time
You have a great supply of food and have had some really good suggestions. I'm sure you'll do it
w

SmlSave

Beki - where are you?

I was hoping to hear how things were going on with you?

ubamother

At least you can pat yourself on the back as you are still going, not like those poor souls who have booked with an xl company for their holiday-of-a-lifetime for two weeks in a Florida villa in January - having saved and saved for it for the last two years, and bought their dollars the night before xl went bust and now have to claim any money back they can along with 60,000 other claims that will go in at the same time and rebooking will cost more and and and - does this sound personal - it's 59,995 people plus my lot!!

Beki

Awww no! I really feel for you!!!!! (((big hugs))) - my neice and nephew were supposed to be going to tenerife on thursday and they had booked (with their dad) through xl and are devastated they can't go now

Smlslave - thanks for asking! i'm doing fine thanks. am saving manically! lol. managed to conjour up and unexpected £30 today so went shopping and bought lots of essentials which was great!

also, the OH did 6 hours overtime last week at double time and that will be going straight into the pot.

ds is loving the Kandoo that miemie sent us! methinks it might turn into an expensive habit of his! LOL

take care! xxxx

gilly1964

Hi Beki,

Just wondering how you are doing in your quest to save?

Not too long to go now.

Gilly