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

Marru

Uuuh,

Just waived DD off with her dad about 20 mins ago. Blimey it is hard work with them two, now I know were DD got that trait of not listening :rolleyes:. I hope he won't get lost and start calling me to help him find the play centre. So I shall watch my DVD Earth, the Power of the Planet for half an hour while munching chocolate and then go and clean my lovely ratties.

Nyk, you have just given me the needed kick bottom to get my numbers organised. Watch this space.

Skint_Lynne

whitewing wrote: »

Hi SL

I have got my email through now. And uploaded my profile picture, which I hadn't realised was part of it. I'm wondering if there were any other guidelines I missed. I think perhaps my reviews may not be long enough? There's only so much you can say about each branch of Tesco, lol...

I am definitely going for ninja. I'd forgotten about the ipod, so cute is the little fella.

Oh thanks for that whitewing,

I didn't know that you needed a profile picture, I'm not keen on putting my own picture up, I usually put a photo of sam, my mum's dog on. Do you think that will be okay?

whitewing

yes, I put a flower on as my photo. It said in my email that I had to put the picture on, but I don't remember seeing that previously. It is more interesting I suppose.

Brighton_belle

That's really great Marru. Now she's a little older, maybe he'll find he can engage a little more with her. Have a good chill time.
Well done WW & sl on your reviews. Respect! Decided to avoid that one dfor the sake of my sanity:D
Can I have a standing ovation please.. I have just listed 3 things on ebay.
I have now also photographed and up loaded the remaining things I may or may not gradually ebay. Pretty chuffed with myself.

purplevamp

:grouphug: Firstly, hugs to anyone who needs them (I've got loads so they won't run out).

I've had a a good taste of frugalness (a real word? ). Bought some DVD's and games on Amazon at very low prices and used my Amazon vouchers from surveys to pay for them, so 2 DVD's and 2 new release Xbox games for about £5 :j

I've been trying to tidy up in preparation for the decs to go up next week but I've found having a bad cold has hindered me slightly :rotfl: . Got my payslips yesterday and had some o/t on it which I'd forgotten about, which is nice .

Off to finish the housework.

Frugaldom

Hi Loopylou, your budget is looking good but I would completely remove the costs of the car, as these have no impact whatsoever on the actual cost of living. A car is either an essential for work purposes, therefore classed as a work expense, or else it's a luxury item that you pay for with your savings. You could, if you wanted, just deduct travel costs if it was essential travel, that's what I do. I don't own a car, but DS and OH each has their own and pay for them themselves. It costs OH £400 per year for tax, insurance, MOT, servicing, so that's about £1.10 per day. Petrol is between £4.30 and £4.50 per gallon, so I allow 10p per mile. If I need to go anywhere, I'll pay £1.10 plus 10p per mile I clock up from my 4k budget. A trip to mum's costs me £20.10 but I never pay the 10p :rotfl: (I'm trying to talk him into getting a more economical car, one that'll only cost a maximum £35 per year to tax and will do closer to 100 miles to the gallon )

Whitewing - I'm in training to become an old eccentric who is hooked on frugality, so I'm not expecting to have a fortune stashed in the bank for my kids to inherit. I have a savings policy with life assurance attached that's ear-tagged as a funeral plan and, if I ever have enough extra money, I would sooner share it with my children now, hoping I won't be leaving them in debt. It's then up to them if they choose to spend it wisely. The generations don't automatically follow a set pattern and parents can outlive their children, for whatever reason. After the sudden death of my 29 y-o landlord a fortnight ago, it kind of puts other things into perspective. I would hate to think of my parents scrimping, scraping and going without just so I had something to inherit. As long as they don't leave me a pile of debt then I won't miss what I never had. (This, I tell them often )

BrightonBelle - You got some eBay listings done! I think that deserves a cheer!

sophiesmum_2

Back from town, used my free m&s voucher to buy some tins of shortbread which are shaped like old buses. They were £6,50 each and on 3 for 2 so added £3 to my voucher and bought 3 of them:T, I think they are really nice for a little pressie. Going to give my dad one and OH one and keep one in stock.
Went to boots and stocked up with shower gels 20 at 59p £11.80 worth of points used for those. Still got lots of points left.:D but couldn't carry any more.
Had a peek in the new Wilkinsons store just opened and spent £4 on bits and pieces.
Also picked up some lemsips in £1 shop for OH who is coming down with man flu:rolleyes:
Went to macdonalds and had a free latte and friend had free hot choc, then came home.

Quite a successful trip:D Off now to update my totals.

sophiesmum_2

Brighton_belle wrote: »

That's really great Marru. Now she's a little older, maybe he'll find he can engage a little more with her. Have a good chill time.
Well done WW & sl on your reviews. Respect! Decided to avoid that one dfor the sake of my sanity:D
Can I have a standing ovation please.. I have just listed 3 things on ebay.
I have now also photographed and up loaded the remaining things I may or may not gradually ebay. Pretty chuffed with myself.

Well done on tackling e bay BB, :T :T

Brighton_belle

Many thanks sophiesmum & Nyk:D . It feels great that this will be the last stuff i do for ebay:j with an option to do the few other bits I have photographed (the bit I hate most now done)over the next week. Otherwise, all going to charity shops by Monday week. I wish we all lived near each other and we could do a great freecycle swap between us all:rotfl: .
Freecycle shelves now up in attic plus another pair from my parents on Thursday yet to put up. Between now and the New Year I would like to do a slow but steady clear out of the attic.
In fact, I think I'll go and compile a list of things I have changed and /or achieved since coming on board in July and afew goals for next year - I can see it is a good way to record things Nyk.
Rolled breast of lamb (3 for £5 , local sheep from local butcher) and roasties in the remoska. Another round of seeds sprouting away, will be ready to add to packed lentil lunches Tues & Wed. I've been given 2kg of tomatoes free (from local greengrocer) so need to batch make soup methinks this evening.

Frugaldom

Forgot to say! When I ordered my items from Te$co D!rect, the summer weight double duvets were only £4 each! They're priced at £8, but the discount shows up when you reach checkout. I bought a couple of them - much cheaper than throws for extra warmth in winter.