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

Penny2myName

Good to see you back bails, and I think you should be resting up aswell. So get a cuppa, tin of biscuits and quilt, then enjoy a relaxing day.

MRSMCAWBER

Afternoon all

Bails -glad you are out of hospital :T I know how you feel -I spent all last week in hospital with lots of tests -then I escaped for the weekend, but had to be back early monday morning.. 9am 1 x 5min appointment with the opthalmologist..that was it was told they wanted to keep me until they had some more results from a different hospital 5 years ago that were being posted :eek: ..I managed to convince them to let me out late Tuesday afternoon ..I will get an out patients appointment once they have decided if I need the surgery.. I get more rest and sleep, and eat better at home too:D...

Anyway...in anticipation of the new challenge starting I have just ordered some more Veggie seeds ...I know I have a lot allready -but these are different varieties etc :A :rotfl: ..... Im determined to grow LOADS

We have just found out that its just me n hubby for xmas -I'm kind of glad as Im not feeling to great just lately -so a lazy, chilled and frugal xmas for us this year :j . Hubby breaks up today -until the 12 of January :eek: ..can see me [strike]sending[/strike] encouraging him to play lots of golf
I have been chatting to mum on the phone again today..and she has had her 1st gas statement since she started using blankies in the evening, wearing thermals etc..and they estimated it at £175... she phoned through the reading and believe it or not her gas for the last quarter has come to just over £40 :j she is most impressed.. and they haven't really noticed any great difference in the temp as she has it on just befor they get up for an hour and then just before my brother gets home from work for a couple of hours :T

Right I will get off and get a cuppa and finish tweaking my budget figures for next year

the_cat

_pale_ _pale_ _pale_ _pale_ :mad: :mad:

OH has just received a tax demand for £687.24. He is on PAYE and I have no idea how he can owe this. He has only been given until 31st Jan to cough up or overdue charges will be applied.:mad:

I was all ready with my figures and plans for next year. Looks like it's back to the drawing board. Feel like giving up (but I won't, please don't shout!)

sophiesmum_2

Went to costco earlier for oldies. Have noticed price of sugar creeping up in supermarkets so decided to stock up ready for next year while it is still quite good value- £7.95 for 15 2lb bags so 53p a bag:D
I use a lot of sugar in baking and jam making so have stocked up with 30 bags which will do the whole of next year. £15.90 to come out of budget for that.

bails

Sorry to hear that the Cat, unexpected payments like that are a nightmare! I'm sure someone on here can help you check it's correct and then, if it is, we can all help you find some extra money in your budget.
MrsM and BB, hope you both feel better soon xx
Talking of budgets, I would like to try and get both mine (England and India) sorted asap. I'm feeling rubbish though so may have to be content with putting it off for now :rolleyes: I've probably missed this in my recent absences but are some people still doing all in budgets too? I'm thinking of running a 4k version and an all-in budget alongside each other.
Having thought I was pretty up together for Christmas I'm now having a slight panic that I don't have much time to get things completed! :eek: I think I'll try and have a stab at it tomorrow...
OH is away to Prague now, feels like I haven't seen him properly in ages I definitely want to spend some decent time with him before Christmas as once we get to his mum's I won't get a look in :rolleyes:
Roll on the start of the new challenge I say! :j Penny2myname, I may just take on your idea and hobble to the shop for some biccies (currently in bed ). Trying to be positive but TBH feeling a little sorry for myself and a bit overwhelmed at mo

Marru

Bails, lovely to have you back. :j My offer of those chocolate biccies is still valid if you are feeling better later. DD wanted to go to nursery so I took her there at lunch time and as they haven't called me back everything should be ok.

There is new challenge called "virtual sealed pot challenge" for next year. I will put it on next year's challenge list but will give you a heads up, it is here...

bails

Thanks Marru. I do a similar thing to this now, I move the oddses out of my accounts at the end of each day, it's amazing how quickly it builds up. I do it on our joint accounts too and hope to surprise OH with it one day - keep flitting between saving it for a dream holiday (a year driving round Africa, or maybe a honeymoon ) or saving for the cob house build I only have £191.65 so far though :rotfl:I might go add it to my sig to inspire me...
grr, it says 'BB code size value is too big' when I try to change my sig, what does that mean? I've tried cutting out lots of info etc but no joy.

Janey51

Hi bails glad you are OK.

Hello to all the novitiate frunchkins :santa2: I have nearly graduated from my first year with a lower third and "could do better":o :rotfl:
I think you all have the right idea.

Today, I have been to local Building Society and opened bog standard passbook account with £1 paying miniscule amount of interest :rolleyes:
Much hilarity from the counter staff...with whom I am on very good terms. They are used to me going in with bags of change and getting really excited when interest is added to my account
I love my local branch. Might not have the best interest rates around but they are wonderful :T

I will pay in my housekeeping for Jan-March 09 on Dec 31.
Let the challenge begin :j

the_cat

Thanks for the support Bails (and welcome back!). Tax issue is a long and very confusing mess due to employee share scheme, which we at present have large debts held with OH employers (therefore attracting tax ) and no way of selling the shares. Currently holding our breath and hoping that we do not make a collossal loss. OH will try and sort it out with HR on Monday, but I'm not holding out much hope:o

In happier news managed to snag a fair few whoopsies last night and should have enough of most things to last till Christmas so will use rest of budget for Christmas dinner and LOTS of stockpiling

Just completed order at approved foods as they have now got some jars of pasta sauce at very cheap price (6 jars of 200g kiddies pasta sauce for 50p) if anyone is interested. Felt obliged to try several packets of the pringles too!!!;)

Hugs to all

Brighton_belle

bails wrote: »

grr, it says 'BB code size value is too big' when I try to change my sig, what does that mean? I've tried cutting out lots of info etc but no joy.

I think this just mean's I'm great value for money:D ...or does it mean actually I need to lose weight:rotfl: .
Great to have you back bails - I woz right worried knowing your body could be knocked for 6 by something like this. Do not over do it over xmas stuff tomorrow .
Hope you make it it brighton. You can escape to mine for a bit if you need sanctury:D .My services include collection and delivery.
Still a bit weebly today but have just picked up supplies of colourful tiles for latest mosaic project:j . Oh and another cutting tool - this one more useful for shapes (Pics in due course sm, honest).I now have £12 in the bank to last til the end of the month:eek: .But I got money off the tool as it was the last one,without packaging and very dirty: a bargai at £4.
Finding myfeet - I joined in July and gradually got to to grips with the challenge over the last 6 month. So try not to feel overwhelmed but perhaps tackle one thing at a time (I started mainly with my grocery bill)and it all gradually snowballs and you get hooked.