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

Marru

lilac lady, thank you so much, that was lovely!

Redglass, DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK, instead of doing my spreadsheets I have truly enjoyed myself by catching up on some educating programmes on my laptop. Really puts things in perspective. Ok, I admit I am hooked on this stuff

cha97michelle

Evening everyone.

I have been fairly frugal today, mainly because i have been awake so many hours as my DS2 has been quite poorly. He woke us up at 2am with a high temperature, and he has been very grotty all day. He's in bed now, so hopefully it will stay that way.

I found out my friends funeral is on Friday afternoon, so i have been arranging me being able to attend it, so a car share with a friend, and getting DH to take the afternoon off work to watch the boys. I hope something suitable to wear fits me. I bet one of my work suits will actually, but i should check that tonight incase something needs washing.



SF At least it was only one of your jobs. Hopefully something else will get sorted for you

janey i could send you my DS1. He is getting really good at learning songs at the minute, and is so cute when he sings jingle bells. It would make you smile.;)

It's interesting to see your budgets. I must look at mine again. Although it was nearly there ready.


Anyway, my frugalities:

• joined DS2 at the library so he can borrow books
• turned some leftover beef stew from yesterday into a pie
• made extra pastry so i have also made some mince pies and jam tarts for DS1
• got all the boys christmas presents in one place, and as i saw it all together realised it was definitely enough

Not got much time for nattering tonight as i have to get at least one, but preferably 2 washloads of clothes that DS2 was ill on washed so the house does not stink tomorrow. I'm praying he sleeps for me tonight as i am beyond past it, and don't feel fantastic myself to start with as i haven't fully recovered from being ill at the weekend.

Best get on then.

Michelle, x

Frugaldom

Sending extra specia hugs of support to those who need them.

SlowlyFading, perhaps the job situation will make the 'backstabber' realise what a hard worker you are! You've done a brilliant job of getting through uni, having your various jobs, working on your budget and having to put up with that carry-on a few months back. (Sorry, I can't remember when it was, I just remember being annoyed on your behalf. ). Hopefully, you'll can afford some time to reflect on things and decide what your next move should be and, hopefully, you'll get straight onto pursuing what you really, really want.

I had a look back at when this challenge thread first began, which was 18th December 2007. I think that sounds like a good date to start the new thread for 2009, don't you? It gives us just over a week to sort out our 2008 finances and then a fortnight to polish our 2009 budgets.

I have a confession to make - I am completely obsessed by my challenge (just in case you hadn't noticed) and have, YET AGAIN, closely inspected my overall 2008 spending diary. The way it stands right now is that I have spent £3,543.46 of my 4k budget on the cost of living and £344.75 on non-standard costs associated with the housemove. I feel like it's misleading to include costs that are not associated with the original challenge (moving house), so I'd like to remove the house-moving costs from this budget to allow me to complete it under 'normal' circumstances. I have more than enough in the various savings pots that I've accumulated and will transfer the £81 spent from 'Phil the Pig' to my 4k budget, just to make it fair. Does everyone agree with this? Please?

cw18

Ooooooooo!!! Not sure we should allow that Nyk !!!!!


But I guess that if we want to be welcome on the 2009 thread we probably should :rotfl:


Seriously -- sounds fair enough to me

Brighton_belle

sophiesmum wrote: »

Well I am looking for a new hobby actually I am thinking of finally getting round to renovating the pine chest of drawers in the bathroom after xmas and thought of mosaicing (is that a word?) the top - I have a pile of tiles left from kitchen in shades I would like - could I just break them into small pieces to use? nd if so what is best way?

Hi SM - great link from Marru. I am totally loving doing mosaics. Yes you can just cut up the tiles with tile nippers(about 5.99 from any DIY place). You can also use broken crockery if something takes your fancy. You could borrow a few books from the local library to inspire and reinforce the 'how too' as a beginner. If you are starting with a standard tile of about 15cm sq, then it is a good idea to cut it into at least quarters using a tile cutter before then breaking them into smaller pieces. Also, break up a small pile of bits at a time - then you have loads of shapes to choose from to build up your pattern, rather than trying to fit the few you do at a time to how you want them in your piece
I've just tried to post a photo of my last project but it came out massive and I don't now how to make it smaller.

Shaz - don't do anything that feels stressful: you are doing very very well as a stockpiler. And in the eyes of a lot of people, all of us on here are barking in one way or another:D

Skint_Lynne

Evening all,

Well, I have been out shopping with the sisters 'again', so they are nearly finished now. I got a birthday present for my brother tonight in time for the big day on Friday. My birthday is on Sunday, mums is exactly a week later and DH is the 22nd. So, we are busy for birthdays this month, (as well as Christmas). I only have 4 presents to get now, and these can all be bought online I think, I'll need to get on the case!!!

I am looking forward to 1st January, a new year, a new challenge (I can't wait). Next year, I will get a good job and be a lot better off for money than I have been. I have had a rough ride this year, but I'll come through the other end. I feel bad complaining when some of us have lost loved ones, when my only worry is money.

BB, you have made me laugh for finding the dentistry book, I still have a big black hole where a bit of my tooth should be. I went for a check up last week and they don't have any appointments until mid January:eek: . Perhaps you and sophiesmum can mosaic a bit of tile into it. I am hoping that DH will not notice when he comes back. My family did not notice it until I pointed it out.:D (my smile)..............

Hugs to Janey, slowly fading and anyone else that needs one. xx

I am looking forward to the money neutral challenge as well, as this will help me with my 4K budget. Onwards and upwards, next year will be fantastic. Thanks everyone for your hints and tips, I am learning something new every day. xxx:A

sophiesmum_2

redglass wrote: »

Janey, hugs to you. :grouphug:
SF, I'm so sorry to hear about your job, you seem to be taking it calmly but still....horrible. :eek: Hope something much better comes up for you in the near future.
Marru, wish you hadn't included that link about mosaics, I lose hours of my life following up links from this thread and getting all interested when I haven't time to follow through!

I went mad tonight in Mr M's and bought loads of creamy blue cheese, gorgonzola and other kinds, because it was all whoopsied. I assumed I could freeze it, but now I'm beginning to think I made a mistake - and there's LOTS of it. :eek: Has anyone here frozen one of these creamy blue cheeses? I love 'em but I can't eat this much.

Freezing cheeses is fine, I'm only just getting to the end of the 48 blocks I bought last xmas eve for 10p ech, including stiltons and creamy,and fruity ones

sophiesmum_2

BB

Post your pic then when we have had peep you could delete it:rolleyes: I'd love to see one of your projects:D

Frugaldom

Brighton_belle wrote: »

...And in the eyes of a lot of people, all of us on here are barking in one way or another:D

:T :beer: Glad you see it that way too! :rotfl:You simply can't follow an alternative lifestyle, such as this, without someone, somewhere, thinking you're a little bit mad. In fact, that deserves a very special

I have updated my signature but didn't deduct all the house-move costs; I left in the carpet cleaner (as I'd have bought that eventually), coal and logs, as these are part of heating budget. I have also included a total of my money-neutral amount without counting any savings pots. I'm not that far off neutralising my entire grocery challenge amount! :T I have to admit to the fact that I could have tried much harder at making those extras and hope to try much narder next year!

Today's slow cooker meal turned out OK - mince, sausages, carrots, onions, chick peas and a tin of tomatoes spiced up with some hot peppers. Served it with mash, but will serve up the next lot with rice, I think. Made enough for 2 meals, so half now ready to go in the freezer.

Janey51

oh Michelle thanks

janey i could send you my DS1. He is getting really good at learning songs at the minute, and is so cute when he sings jingle bells. It would make you smile.;)





I wonder if I could teach the cats to sing :rotfl: