Live on £4000 for a year - part 4 (Oct - Dec 2008)

thriftylass

Taking an involuntary break from making hamper fillers. Made nine bars of soap (with irsh moss&flower petal, rose and honey&milk) but ran out of soap base now, I'll get more tomorrow. Made quite a few sheets of paper but ran out of space to dry more. Only 4 candles so far because they take ages to set.

Glad we had the talk about different circumstances. Felt initially a bit odd being better off than others here (not anymore though now )but as someone else said earlier the mix of different people is great because that we way we get the best tips from each other.

sophiesmum_2

Forgot to add I spent £3 today on veggies at the market, and £8 on sarnies for lunch for me and friend.I also bought two £1 scratch cards to put in pot of gold gifts for DD and OH stocking fillers. Will update my sig in a minute.:D

Off in a minute to prepare trifles for a party that I am doing for oldies tonight it's a pre christmas bash, from now to 7th january we have somethng every few days, it's the busiest time of year socially here.They are having hot pot supper tonight and entertainment by a guitar/singing duo - they are quite good have been here before. Still have some of the police alcohol left yet so should be a good night, have about 40 attending so far.

OH will have to record X factor for me, he is at work tonight so won't be partying.

Frugaldom

Hi fruguys and gals!
My Internet connection speed is an amazing 33.6kbs today! :T I even managed to get on to the free scratchcard sites and got 25p from each.

Thanks to everyone for joining in the financial circumstances conversation. I felt a bit of a fraud in the beginning for starting this challenge in the dfw forum as I don't actually have any debt, but that's only because it all got cleared in 2004 and I have been living the frugal life since then. But I remain a debt free wannabe - I wannabe debt free forever, which is why I am also a mortgage free wannabe but don't actually have a mortgage. :rotfl: Instead of having a mortgage, I pay monthly rent and monthly savings and hope that, one day, I'll have enough to buy a property outright. It'll be slightly easier now that I have OH signed up as a fully fledged frugalite! :j

Today has been a glorious day - sunny and breezy - perfect for drying. I had all the washing out by about 9am this morning before heading off to the old house to do more packing. Whilst there, I lifted the remaining dozen leeks and now have them topped, tailed, bagged and in the freezer for winter soup-making. I also pulled up a couple of beetroots but they will need to be baby-beets when cooked, as they are still rather small. Slow cooker has been simmering away with minced beef and bolognese sauce, enough for 2 meals, and I have rescued some thin strips of wood for repairing the old clothes pulley that's going in the kitchen. All in all, it's been quite a good day for frugalising. The house is warm because of the south facing windows and all the sunshine we've had today, I haven't needed to kindle the fire, and I got given a free bag of washing soda. Off now to boil up some spaghetti and then I'll get some more unpacking done after dinner. As we've no TV reception at the mment, I'll probably pop back here later. Fingers are crossed that tomorrow is just as good a day as today, as I'd really like to go a walk down the woodland track to see where it goes.

PS: I managed to load the first of the photographs onto my homepage, so you are all welcome to take a peek and see where the new frugalife is beginning for 2009.

redglass_2

Nyk, you seem to be getting as energetic as Sophiesmum! I don't know how you people do it all, but it's great to see the new house and get a glimpse of where you're heading. :j I was very undisciplined today - ate out, bought things I didn't need, and was generally a Bad Frugalist, but I feel better for it.

Brighton_belle

redglass wrote: »

I was very undisciplined today - ate out, bought things I didn't need, and was generally a Bad Frugalist, but I feel better for it.

Good, that's all that matters today redglass.
Ditto Nyk - I love heering about your new place: it sounds so much snugger, & frugalicous potentialis that the last place.
Thanks for the fizz keeper idea cat. The downside it I would probably do this recipe one a month and I share a fridge with another couple, so just don't have the room to store large bottle long term in it... though come to think of it, would it need to be kept in a fridge, and would the fizz keeper work over a couple of month's?

Old freecycle shelves now sanded and de-nailed so tools down today on that project. Next step is to cut 3 inches off the length so it fits the 6ftx 5ft space. Another day.
Just off to reorganise the 'study' (We have a bedsitting room and a small bedroom for 'everything else'.

cw18

Nyk : looks a lovely place

Redglass :

[Deleted User]

Hello all

I do like hearing other peoples plans and what their aims are, please keep us updated Shaz and Sophiesmum - I am a nosey girl and I like seeing how other people live. Find it so interesting! Btw, Nyk I've now got your blog as one of my favourites - I'm not a stalker tho - honest!! This thread is so friendly, makes you feel like you're getting to know people if that makes sense - I'm really starting to feel at home

Our aim is to be able to survive on DH's wages and hopefully i'll be able to go part-time unless I can get away with being a stay at home mum when baby's born in March.

Had a good day today went and bought some nappy wraps (with voucher from council) they give £30 voucher to those who apply so that was good. All saves money...

Nothing else exciting to say x

thriftylass

Nyk, the new place looks great. Loads of space for growing things and keeping hens. Will check regularly and watch your progress of turning that garden into one that puts the one in "The Good Life" to shame

P.S. Been a bit naughty and treated myself to a pizza, some crisps and a bottle of coke. Seems like the temptations is bigger when BF is not here. Och, well it's the weekend after all . But have to be a bit more careful now. Just updated my spreadsheets and signature and noticed I might not make my test run budget

Only 4 days to holiday

shaz_mum_of__2

Nyk love the new place it has a lovely outlook,and by having to start from scratch is good as you get things how you want them and don't compromise

We are adding a decorative veg patch to our front garden




we are keeping the gravel but getting rid of(moving ) the shrubs and putting 5 raised beds in 1 in each corner and a diamond shape one in the middle a potager is the word i think ,the plan is to use decorative vegetables ,i have some red kale in the garden at the mo and it's dead pretty as are bean and pea flowers and frilly lettuces etc

Hubby prepared the timber today and we will be doing it over winter ready for spring

I have an ulterior motive ,the village runs a best front garden competition i think our uniqueness might help.......................................the prizes are £500, £300,£150


More pics as we go and perhaps a blog..............



Shaz

taka

Wow everyone has been so chatty today!

the_cat - thats a similar figure to me too! I am also hoping to be mortgage free sooner rather than later only there is no way it'll be by next year! I wish! :rolleyes: I've started a diary on mortgage free wannabe about it! Mind you I still haven't actually ever made an overpayment - next year hopefully :rotfl: Doing this challenge means that I should be able to do this! Realistically my career/job in its current form is not going to be forever as there is not really a career structure I can follow without a PhD and I've decided against that so far. Chances are I'll have to take a pay cut when my funding runs out just to have a job so I want to get rid of as much of my mortgage while I can.

Nyk - the new place looks good! A bit of work to do in the garden though to fulfill your plans! Will you be able to get anything set up soon and planted for next year?

Shaz - good luck with your garden plans!

Right... off to return some of my parents clutter to them :rotfl: ... and swipe their drill if my brother hasn't beaten me to it :whistle: I could do with putting up some more shelves. Have a good evening all!