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

Marru

Hello everybody!

The night did end in tears with me. It wasn't because ex we were very civil and friendly and he did a great job of buying DD two pairs of shoes, two pyjamas and some fruit, juice and rice cakes. And then they went for fish and chips supper and DD had practically polished all the food off so she has finally got out of her cold.

The tears came when I went to feed my rats and realised that I hadn't seen one of them for awhile. Further investigation and I found him dead in one of the little houses in the cage. I have spent plenty of time beating myself over it last night and today. Anyway, he is now in shoe box in my fridge waiting for his burial later today. DD's dad is coming back today to take her to the zoo so that gives me the opportunity to say goodbye to my beautiful ratty boy.

I have been thinking about the stockpiling and what I think I might do is when I buy thigs like animal food, animal bedding, toiletteries etc I start making a list and make a note of the date when I opened the item in question to get some kind of idea how long it takes me to get through the stuff. Just to give me idea and be able to budget better and if I sometimes in the future I can stockpile I know more about the quantities.

I am going to have a day off today. Just have a bath, clean my animals and then take The Dog for a walk.

Sunny day here, hopefully also where you are,

Marru

bails

Yae, welcome aboard dND! :T It's amazing how any effort makes a real difference - even though I haven't been able to keep up with everything from this thread the way I would have liked, I've still managed to achieve lots of great things with the help of the lovely people on here. Next year I'll be consolidating and adding in more things, and the following year etc etc until I'm happy with how things are running. This thread has helped me cope with what has been a scary financial situation for me and trust that things will be okay.
Thanks for the support BB in sharing how you're doing things, I feel better now. The clothes thing for me is more about being able to declutter what I don't need/wear any more and gradually replacing it with things I love. As such, I'm going to carry on with my plan to offset clothing costs with selling on my old stuff. I'm also going to work on reducing my pressie budget too - although I don't have your creative skills I'm sure I can be more creative about what I give people. I put together one of my hampers last night with bits picked up over the year, all reduced (some free) and it still came to £24 :rolleyes:
We won't just be European but global next year Sophiesmum - the 4K takes on the world! :T
My parents are popping in in a minute to see how I'm doing and then I'm going to spend the day reflecting on where I am, where I want to be and how to get there
That's a good idea about making a note of when you start and finish things Marru, I've planned to do the same! When people say they've got enough shampoo for the year etc I don't know if I have or not! Thinking of you for the burial xxx

sophiesmum_2

Bails - oops sorry forgot about the possibility of Indian branch of the £4000 challenge:o
Glad you got strted on your hampers - bskets one of main costs with those, I look out in charity shop through year or watch for specil offers on sets. I haven't paid full price for any of mine. If you haven't got around to wrapping them yet - a tip for easy cello wrapping is fold cello in half making piece big enough for width of basket, staple along two sides and make a sort of bag with one side open, hold open and get someone to lower basket in for you then gather top together and fasten add bows etc.
If you add the cost of what items would have cost full price you will probably be amazed;)
Marru - sorry about your ratty:sad: , glad you had a more civil time with ex though and nice that he has bought DD's shoes etc about time you didn't have to do everything yourself:A

Edited to add this missing A key is driving me batty!!!!!! My posts look like norman collier has written them - if you remember him you are as old as me ...lol

DdraigGoch

sophiesmum, just a quick question - how DO you manage to get all the As into your posts since you don't have an A key?! It's been intriguing me for a while ...

MRSMCAWBER

sophiesmum wrote: »

Edited to add this missing A key is driving me batty!!!!!! My posts look like norman collier has written them - if you remember him you are as old as me ...lol

:rotfl: that made me chuckle... My dad used to love him..guess I MUST be as old as you as I remember him well:p ..mind thats coming from an avid Steptoe n son fan

I have been sat this morning making up a list of everything I generally buy in the line of groceries, cleaning, toiletries etc ..I am doing it on a spreadsheet .. breaking it up into stuff I buy weekly, monthly and less frequently... It seems a bit OTT at the moment..but once its set it will be quick for me to type in what I buy and when..Im determined to get the budget as low as possible..

sophiesmum_2

DdraigGoch wrote: »

sophiesmum, just a quick question - how DO you manage to get all the As into your posts since you don't have an A key?! It's been intriguing me for a while ...

Well the key has fallen off but the sensor underneath is still there.

It is just temperamental - sometimes registers the letter and sometimes doesn't:mad: , I do go back and persevere with some of them but just spend ages editing so sometimes don't bother:o .nd of course it was just out of warranty when it fell off!!

lilac_lady

I'm just catching up with the last couple of day's posts and can feel the exictement mounting as we all want to get started on the 2009 challenge.

Nyk has committed so much of her time and energy to organising this so a big cheer for her from us all.......

Even if you've decided to lurk instead of joining, it will rub off on you and you'll think twice about what you spend.

sophiesmum_2

lilac_lady wrote: »

I'm just catching up with the last couple of day's posts and can feel the exictement mounting as we all want to get started on the 2009 challenge.

Nyk has committed so much of her time and energy to organising this so a big cheer for her from us all.......

Even if you've decided to lurk instead of joining, it will rub off on you and you'll think twice about what you spend.

Yes thanks Nyk -
I was aready doing lots of the frugal stuff but this challenege has pulled it all together for me with more structure. Lots of great tips picked up along the way and a lovely online community developed too. Still lots to learn and challenges to meet but can't wait to join in again with everyone next year.
Everyone on here has been amazing this year, and support has been freely given whatever issues people have been dealing with. I know that during some of my lowest times it was this thread that kept me going when I couldn't cope with dealing with people face to face. A little safe haven where I knew I could always drop in and be cheered up just by reading everyone elses day to day progress. Thanks everyone-

DdraigGoch

Here, here!

bails

Aah SM, you made me blub! It has been a wonderful year with you guys and I feel exacly the same - being able to come to this thread has helped me through some really tough times so thankyou everyone, and especially Nyk, for starting it :T :kisses3:(STILL haven't got cool smileys yet, I'll put it on next year's 'to do' list :rotfl:) xxx

Thanks for the tip about wrapping the hampers, I'm just waiting on one more thing and then I'll have a go. Great idea to add up how much it would've been, I'll do that later and it'll make me feel much better no doubt! It's no good, I'm off to put the heating on as I'm freeeeeeeeeezing!