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

redglass_2

sophiesmum wrote: »

Still hanging on for guy to clear his stuff from allotment so I can get stuck in - if he takes much longer I will miss the chance of winter crops

Hi Sophiesmum, I've had to lay off the allotment in the last couple of weeks (pressure of work) but I hope to get digging again tomorrow. Like you I inherited from someone else and at the minute it's basically weed and grass except where I've cleared a little patch. What winter crops are you thinking of putting in? I ought to do likewise, if I can just get it organised. :rolleyes:I now have some freecycled rugs to put down to keep off weeds, but they've been in the foraged wood store for about a month. Got to get my a** into gear.

Nyk, the idea of you carrying around fuel from house to house had me in stitches...:rotfl:That's the essence of frugality, methinks....

sophiesmum_2

hi redglass,
I was planning to put in early potatoes. early cabbage, calabrese, onions, spring onions, garlic, brussel sprouts and jerusalem artichoke, oh and some more rhubarb. Apparently now is a good time to put in fruit bushes etc.

I can't get on there until he digs up his current stuff and also removes some building supplies he is currently storing on there. He is letting me have half of plot as he hasn't got time to do it - therein lies the problem - he hasn't had time to shift his stuff yet either:rolleyes: Be next summer at this rate:rolleyes:

Frugaldom

Just a quick update about spends etc

If I can't get it free, I tend to pay for everything out of my 4k budget and have acquired all of the following from my 4k budget during 2008:

3 x oil-filled radiators
DVD
Electric handheld blender
Cake icing set
Electric timer switch
2-ring cooker
Dress for party
5 x Demi-johns for winemaking
Skirt & top
Umbrella
Measuring jug
Iron
Kettle
Toaster
1L flask
Whisk
Membership to National Trust (paid for 12 months, got 18 months)
2 x cardigans
Electric 3-tier steamer
Plastic greenhouse, plants & seeds (paid with £2 coin savings)
Garden planters
Plant pots, plants & seeds
Barbie bicycle for DGD
Bathroom suite
Clothes airer
Dehumidifier
2 x aprons (for baking)
Baking rack
Sweeping brush
Carpet shampooer
Wall Hanging Thermometer
Galvanised coal bunker
DVD Box Set (The Good Life)
Mini Oven / Grill
2 prs Curtains & throw
Shower curtain
3 Arm Rotary Airer (whirly-gig)
Kitchen / butcher's Trolley
Cupboard shelf unit
Kitchen bin
Non-stretch rope for repairing pulley/clothes maid.
9' x 5' wool rug for livingroom

Blue text = freecycle or free from friends/relatives

I very rarely pay full price for anything (to the point of embarrassing friends & family ) and we're now awaiting return of deposit on previous house to cover cost of removal van, a cooker and a washing machine.

Skint_Lynne

nykmedia wrote: »

Just a quick update about spends etc

If I can't get it free, I tend to pay for everything out of my 4k budget and have acquired all of the following from my 4k budget during 2008:

3 x oil-filled radiators
DVD
Electric handheld blender
Cake icing set
Electric timer switch
2-ring cooker
Dress for party
5 x Demi-johns for winemaking
Skirt & top
Umbrella
Measuring jug
Iron
Kettle
Toaster
1L flask
Whisk
Membership to National Trust (paid for 12 months, got 18 months)
2 x cardigans
Electric 3-tier steamer
Plastic greenhouse, plants & seeds (paid with £2 coin savings)
Garden planters
Plant pots, plants & seeds
Barbie bicycle for DGD
Bathroom suite
Clothes airer
Dehumidifier
2 x aprons (for baking)
Baking rack
Sweeping brush
Carpet shampooer
Wall Hanging Thermometer
Galvanised coal bunker
DVD Box Set (The Good Life)
Mini Oven / Grill
2 prs Curtains & throw
Shower curtain
3 Arm Rotary Airer (whirly-gig)
Kitchen / butcher's Trolley
Cupboard shelf unit
Kitchen bin
Non-stretch rope for repairing pulley/clothes maid.
9' x 5' wool rug for livingroom

Blue text = freecycle or free from friends/relatives

I very rarely pay full price for anything (to the point of embarrassing friends & family ) and we're now awaiting return of deposit on previous house to cover cost of removal van, a cooker and a washing machine.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: ,

Imagine getting all of this off of the 4K, I am not worthy to be sharing a thread with you!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Methinks that I have a lot to learn so I will hang around if that is okay:o .

Frugaldom

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: ,

Imagine getting all of this off of the 4K, I am not worthy to be sharing a thread with you!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Methinks that I have a lot to learn so I will hang around if that is okay:o .

Two words - Clearance and Sales :rotfl:

Then there's eBid and eBay
Then there's Freecycle and Freeshare
Then there's vouchers and loyalty points (mainly used for gift shopping)
Then there's 'ask a friend, relative or colleague'.

Skint_Lynne

I tried to join freecycle before, but I couldn't get it to work, I'll maybe try again tomorrow and have a look at it. I know I'll get there in the end, but that is an impressive list of things on there, then you feed 3 people and heat a house and allsorts on 4K. You are all amazing at making things streeeeeeeettttttttttttttttccccccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

redglass_2

sophiesmum wrote: »

hi redglass,
I was planning to put in early potatoes. early cabbage, calabrese, onions, spring onions, garlic, brussel sprouts and jerusalem artichoke, oh and some more rhubarb. Apparently now is a good time to put in fruit bushes etc.

Thanks, I'm printing out your list to take down to Mr L's for the seed packets!

Marru

Good morning!!

A bit of a turnaround here. Just when I thought that DD's dad will never come and take her out he called yesterday and is coming today at lunchtime. He thinks I will send them to the nearby playground but as it has been so wet I will send them to soft play area about 15-20 miles away. He won't be happy but I know DD will have a ball.

So I have now 3 hours to: [strike]get dressed, wash DD, feed my rodents (dog has been fed), tidy up[/strike][STRIKE], feed Bails' cats[/STRIKE], put chicken in slowcooker with some tomato sauce. Except he is always late so I am not holding my breath. If he does come in time to go to the play centre then I will have time to: clean my ratties and do some college work. Fingers crossed.

Time for a round of scratch cards and curly quizzes before I get going.

Have a great day everybody!!!!

Marru

PS apologies for possible missing letters but I have a monkey climbing on my back;)

sophiesmum_2

:j That is a turn around Marru, hope he lands in time for the soft play centre, monkey will love that, be nice couple of hours free time for you;)
Hope he doesn't expect you to go with them!!

Just about to leave for costco to possibly pick up my turkey crown/duck/salmon not decided properly yet. Have to go for stuff for work so making most of it as petrol will be on expenses:D also need to put some petrol in at cheap garage on way.

Brighton_belle

Nyk: I'm going to print off thse two post and stick them on my wall as my guidinglight fir next years challenge:D .
SkintLynne, definitely stick around - it's just as much fun experiencing your enthusisam and frugal turnaround, and I am still a learner myself.

After the stress of sorting hse insurance yesterday I'm begining to feel a vitruous glow at saving £180 this year. I've paid it all upfront, as this policy would cost to do it monthly, so I guess for next years challenge, I need to allocate a monthly amount to an account to cover paying it Dec 09.

Hope DD's father does a good job and you get some quality time to yourslef and she has fun.
Janey - thinking of you and hope yesterdays visitors helped you get through yesterday (((Hugs))). Cheryl - also thinking of your and your boys. I hope you are able to gets to grips with the finances at your own pace over the next few months.

Aiming to take it easy today. Need to type up more of my mum's memoirs and would love to take some ebay photos for the few things I think I need to sell.