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

thriftylass

Hellooooo:D

I saw a few people mention a possible name change for this challenge (couldn't find the original post though ).

I think we should leave the name :T because we all know what it means and the newbies get instantly an idea what it is about. I reckon it'd be quite difficult to find a new suitable name. We all come from different circumstances and do the challenge slightly different or for different reasons yet sticking to general rules. Theoretically I'm cheating since my 4k is only for me and 1/2 BF whereas others make that stretch for four. But we all have the same spirit and idea. It's almost a brand name already, I vote for keeping it

[Deleted User]

Hello all

I vote for keeping the name the same, the budget figure is flexible because everyones situtation is so different. I'm doing 4.5k next year so I think thats more achievable for me.

Thats just my opinion

xx

bails

The '4k brand', I love it Thrifty and especially the irony! :T I'm happy if everyone else is happy.
Good idea about the freezer meals Grandma :T
Welcome mk wotsit, that's impressive that you've been lurking all year and haven't posted! I wonder how many others there might be? Please pop in and say hello, even if you don't want to join up! Good luck with The Big Plan MK, hopefully we can help you achieve it

Frugaldom

Welcome MK Wotsit, I have now added your name as a challenger to post 1. Hope you have frugal fun and we look forward to reading your contributions

cw - I used to look after my DGD whilst DD worked (and tried to pay off debts), so was feeding everyone quite often. However, DD and DGD ended up moving in with us, as it was much cheaper (and easier) than her paying a full set of household bills on her own plus all the running up and down that had to be done. We'd to give up having a livingroom during that time, but she saw off her debts much quicker and was able to spend far more time with DGD. I think it is down to quality of life as a family unit; is your DD's current job exactly what she wants to be doing or is it something she feels she has to do? It doesn't sound an ideal situation to be earning less than it costs her and the kids to live (living in a constant overdraft situation), so perhaps you could ask her what she'd do if she had absolutely no debts, and see what sort of response you got. There are alternatives to every situation, we just need to look for them, and you sound like the kind of mum who would prefer to see her children happy and settled.

Frugally confusing muddlement here, as I'm trying to work out how best this challenge can serve as many people as possible next year. I've concluded the following:

1. This challenge needs to stay here, in the debtfree wannabe forum, as that's what we all want. Whether we have existing debts or not, we all want to get and/or remain debtfree for all time.
2. On the names front, I do like it known as the 4k challenge, because that is the essence of what it has always been about - beating inflation and managing to stick to a minimal budget that points us in the direction of a debtfree lifestyle, albeit some may call it alternative, eccentric or just plain mad. :rotfl:
3. This challenge is not about work, it's more about lifestyle. Employment and the costs involved in having a specific job do not feature strongly in this challenge, it's more about how we spend our basic household budgets. The more frugal we are in this department, the sooner we can become (and remain) debt free, accrue savings and afford luxuries.
4. Nobody needs to account for their spending habits on anything that isn't a basic necessity. These 'extras' are what we have earned, extra benefits as a result of budgeting wisely.

Still contemplating my own budget, still making changes, still looking forward to starting it all over again in 2009 Going for beans on toast now! :rotfl:

grandma247

Bails I tried to send you a couple of links in a pm but your inbox is full
Grandma 247

bails

Mm, beans on toast Nyk, you may just have solved my lunch dilemma! See how great we are at helping each other out :rotfl:
I can't wait til next year either! :j Right, really must get up and do a little wrapping before Strictly, catch you later peeps.

redglass_2

Hi
I want to be in for the 4k challenge next year (and I also think we should keep that name) but I've just received some news that means I might find myself in a totally different financial position from where I am now. I can't go into detail here but it's work-related. If things turn out the way I want (this is by no means guaranteed) I'll have a lot more cash to play with but will also find myself having to pay out a lot more in work expenses, and maybe need a cleaner; since I don't have a OH or kids I was originally hoping to include all my work expenses in the 4k. I'm wondering if I can make myself a 4k budget for the way I am now, but then make adjustments if everything turns upside down? Nyk, can you still add my name to the list?
Very pleased with recent forays into B&Kyoo and W**lworth's. Still quite a lot of stuff worth picking up even if not much is 50%, and thanks to Sophiesmum I now understand the value of stockpiling....:T

Janey51

Here's my twopennyworth...

CW I would have loved to have someone cook meals for my kids when I was working. I know they lived on cheese sandwiches because I was too tired to cook when I was doing my nurse training. And, whatever you decide to charge, it's still going to be way cheaper than takeaways...plus your DD has no washing up to do.
You can be my Mum if you like

Nyk I agree with keeping the challenge name as it is :T

mk wotsit hello, good afternoon and welcome to the most addictive forum on MSE. It does help to be slightly mad to belong here. There must be a lot of mad people about because have you seen how many people have viewed it?

It is miserable, wet and cold here today but I have resisted putting the heating on and stayed in the kitchen with multi-fleece layers on.

Could someone please tell me why my cat has come into the kitchen, soaking wet as he has been out all day, jumped into Old Cat's litter tray and proceeded to have the squits :mad: :rotfl:

Marru

Hello,

Just waived DD off with her dad. Sent them to get her new shoes, pyjamas and some fruit . He did bring me unexpected house guest but I don't really mind as he is a dog.

Now I have all this afternoon free to do what I want and I don't know what to do with myself. Perhaps have a cup of tea with some yummy chocolate biscuits and then call my mum (free on Skype) to thank her for the parcel.

Bails - don't even think about all the things you should be doing, stay put or I will drive there, squeeze through the cat flap and sit on you!!!!!

Have very enjoyable Saturday evening where ever you are!!

Marru

Marru

Janey51 wrote: »

Could someone please tell me why my cat has come into the kitchen, soaking wet as he has been out all day, jumped into Old Cat's litter tray and proceeded to have the squits :mad: :rotfl:

The ground outside is too wet for him to scratch it to cover his deposit, much nicer doing it inside where there is nice and dry cat litter available.:rotfl: