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

redglass_2

BB, where did you see me walking my naughty old dog? :rotfl::rotfl:
I just adore that clock! :smileyhea You must, must do more creative stuff. You are obviously meant to make beautiful things that gladden people's hearts.

Skint_Lynne

I have just remembered something re: home made presents: sophiesmum, remember I got the butterfly moulds for the chocolate butterflies, well I made one each for the 2 young sisters. They were thrilled with them. They said that the inside of the butterfly was like an aero bar?? They liked them anyway, and I gave 2 of my brothers and mum and dad my tablet in the santa claus tins from morrisons.

I got a good supply of these half price in the sale for next year:D .

I would have never have done this sort of thing if it wasn't for people sharing their tips on this thread. xx

sophiesmum_2

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

I have just remembered something re: home made presents: sophiesmum, remember I got the butterfly moulds for the chocolate butterflies, well I made one each for the 2 young sisters. They were thrilled with them. They said that the inside of the butterfly was like an aero bar?? They liked them anyway, and I gave 2 of my brothers and mum and dad my tablet in the santa claus tins from morrisons.

I got a good supply of these half price in the sale for next year:D .

I would have never have done this sort of thing if it wasn't for people sharing their tips on this thread. xx

Just air bubbles in the choc SL, I usually tap the mould a few times on the worktop so the bubbles pop on the surface.:D

BB - those clocks are fab, I would be so happy to be able to do something like that.

Nyk - As our resident poultry expert , what do you think about this:
http://www.henhouseworld.co.uk/ch101n.htm

Looks adequate to me for 2-3 chooks, IF i get permission, and price seems okay, manufacturers are just a few miles away - like the idea of supporting local businesses too. I have enough xms money in my sealed pot to cover one of these

Frugaldom

Ooh, Sophiesmum, wot a tease you are! A SALE on chicken runs!
If I was in your situation, I'd just have to have one of those, especially if I had the cash, the space and whatever permission I needed, you just KNOW I would! I'm excited for you, now! Please find out about permission, I reckon the oldies would love to be able to visit the chickens and think of all the crumbs and scraps they'd save for you, and the subtle hints you could drop to friends and family for 'chicken feed' presents.

bails

I reckon the chickens are a'coming... :j

Janey51

Good morning frugalites.

It is very frosty today (-5 at the moment) but I only have to go out to retrieve the wheelie bin from the end of the drive.

I am trying to get myself sorted after my holiday as I have a load of people arriving tomorrow and staying for a few days.
I spent yesterday cooking a big pan of Bolognese sauce as I am making lasagne...traditional and vegetarian. I had most of the stuff in the freezer and cupboards but did treat us to some Mozzarella and fresh basil.
I have loads of reduced garlic bread in the freezer picked up over the last few months so that will be getting used up.

I finally got round to putting marzipan on the Christmas Cake. I never needed it until now as I wasn't here. I am cooking a belated Christmas Dinner on Sunday for my sons and DILs so I still haven't finished with the festivities

I have skim read back through both threads but it will take me forever to reply to everyone.
Thank you to those who sent me hugs....they kept me warm.
Love the:T crafty things.
I am going to try and do more next year. I have a few unfinished quilts which will be good as presents.

I would love to have chickens but I can't commit myself to anything at the moment as I don't know what life has in store.

Some of my temporary (for over a year) porch had blown away in the same gales as felled the tree by the garden. I still need to ask the owner if I can have some logs off it. I noticed the branches have already been removed and just the huge trunk (s) reamin....it was a double trunked ancient pine. Not the best for burning but free

I am hoping to get back to work at the end of January. I need to try and get some kind of normality on the go.

Today I will transfer money into my "Budget 2009" account and start afresh on Thursday.
I should have a few NSDs as I still have a lot left from my stockpiling efforts at the end of October.
Still need fruit and fresh veg.

Have a great day

sophiesmum_2

Welcome back janey:j
Great to have you home again, hope you have a lovely time with your family extending the festivities:D

I'm off out today to nearby town to visit one of my oldest friends, will be having lunch at hers and spending the day catching up:D Lovely having the time to go and spend with her.

Nyk I m so tempted to order the chicken house even before I get permission as it is a good price - reckon I could always sell it on if for some reason I didn't get prmission for my chooks.

sophiesmum_2

Okay I hve done it:j :j
Now if i can't have the chicks I will just have to have some guinea pigs in a luxury run:D or sell it on. Anyway it is on it's way:o

shaz_mum_of__2

Sophiesmum I have been eyeing the chicken sheds up too theres a shop called "The Range" near me thats been selling them for £199 i am tempted by your mail order offer !!!

Janey welcome back i guess -5 here is warmer than where you were ??

BB love the clocks and the mosaics i bought a mosic kit once and really enjoyed it i always said i would do an outdoor table top but never got round to it

Stocked up yesterday at mr T got chappatti flour for breadmaking 10kg £4.99 and the 5kg sack rice for the same price as well as 5 litres olive oil for £7 only need fruit and milk for january now and maybe some fresh mushrooms and celery

Have a great day

Shaz

bails

Welcome home Janey, great to have you back! Enjoy your Christmas dinner, I'm about ready for another one actually!
:rotfl:Sophiesmum, I'm so like that sometimes. I hope you get permission to have them - as much as guinea pigs are great, they still don't lay eggs...
Nyk, I keep forgetting to say, we do Lovefilm and it's perfect for us, and much cheaper than normal rental.

Still poorly land here, I'm getting worse, OH is still as bad, but I'm going to upload my brand new spanking spreadsheet later (thanks Marru :T) and have a play.

Have a lovely day all x

Ps This is actually the final day of my 2008 challenge as I started on December 31st and as I'm not planning to spend anything today, I thought I'd just do a little summary. I know I haven't kept records for every single penny this last half of the year but I'm 95% certain we've managed the 4k, for essentials at least. I'm sort of frustrated with myself for not having exact figures but have to console myself that I did the best I could in the circumstances. The point is that we have spent even more wisely this year and our money has streeeeeetched so much further that I can't be anything but happy with my efforts :jI have saved us over 5k by buying carefully and this has helped give me the space to keep recovering. With the new drop in income I do feel the pressure again to return to work asap but I hope that another year on the challenge will help me to eek things out as much as possible. As you know I can't wait to go back to work and yet I can't imagine anything worse than having to give up again because I can't sustain it. With your help and support my dream of teaching again will become a reality so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart :iloveyou: xxxxx