Live on £4000 for a Year, 2009 Challenge, part 1

broke_mum_of_three

Just home from a week in Donegal and 3 1/2 hour car journey. Starting challenge today, have brought bits and pieces home from the week and shouldn't need any groceries till Monday when the kids are back to school.
Have got the fire lit, have plenty of coal and logs as I have been burning someone else's for a week, back to being frugal again!
My mum was giving me stick as I only allow her to use 1 cube of firelighter to light the fire. She says my granny will never be dead while I am alive!
Back to basics eh??
1st time mum, I'm just off to get my jammies on!

Brighton_belle

sophiesmum wrote: »

Good price for your worktops BB,:T , and great that your lodger can do the work for you.
Hope you aren't over tiring yourself decorating;)

Not too bad thanks SM,(you've sussed me out very quickly:D ) but I have started a chest infection today which is a right pain as I'm on mega immune suppresants and these things can hang on forever. So no more painting today but small bouts of decluttering.

A good fitter not fatter carrot sweet treat recipe based on a slimming world recipe:
5oz grated carrots,
50g bran (not flakes, actual bran)
2 tbsp mincemeat
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp mixed spice,cinnamon,nutmeg
2 eggs
Cut into 9 slices after cooking
If you double the quantity, this cooks on the bottom of the grande remoska in 40 mins (line with baking parchment first. Really sweet and tasty but low on fat. Non remoska users, this quantoy lines a 7inch qusare or round tin. Cook in oven but you may need to cover after 15 mins.
2 eggs

Andromache - delighted I've inspired your creative juices, thanks for saying so/giving me that pleasure Look forward to hearing what you get down to.
Another NSD for me today and hopefully tomorrow too. 4 more things on ebay:j .
I bought a gorgeous cosy dalmation pattern dressing gown with hood in Primark 7 yrs ago and it still looks good as new

1st_time_mum

lol!!!.....If I had my way I'd go to mums still in my PJ's...however OH is home at 6pm and he will be disgusted with me....

sophiesmum_2

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Not too bad thanks SM,(you've sussed me out very quickly:D ) but I have started a chest infection today which is a right pain as I'm on mega immune suppresants and these things can hang on forever. So no more painting today but small bouts of decluttering.

A good fitter not fatter carrot sweet treat recipe based on a slimming world recipe:
5oz grated carrots,
50g bran (not flakes, actual bran)
2 tbsp mincemeat
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp mixed spice,cinnamon,nutmeg
2 eggs
Cut into 9 slices after cooking
If you double the quantity, this cooks on the bottom of the grande remoska in 40 mins (line with baking parchment first. Really sweet and tasty but low on fat. Non remoska users, this quantoy lines a 7inch qusare or round tin. Cook in oven but you may need to cover after 15 mins.
2 eggs
Skintc - delighted I've inspired your creative juices. Look forward to hearing what you get down too.
Another NSD for me today and hopefully tomorrow too. 4 more things on ebay:j .
I bought a gorgeous cosy dalmation pattern dressing gown with hood in Primark 7 yrs ago and it still looks good as new

Thanks BB will try that one out tomorrow:D just happen to have all those ingredients in my cupboard:D

fizzel81

well i went to asda before we had dinner, not a bottle of activfizz in sight may try again tomorrow,it would be nice to get some if i dont good old stardrops will still do (if anyone wants some of the 50p off vouchers pm me)

all i brought was a bottle of comfort for £1 i dont use it in everywash so that will last a good 2 months.

tea/dinner went down well chicken soup with fresh made bread got half the crockpot left and no freezer space would it be wrong for tomorrows dinner lol (i will find room however for the rest of the chicken thats unused as there is 2 meals worth) 5 meals for 4 from one chicken im a bit chuffed with that

breakfast was weetabix for them and a slice of toast for me

Lunch was a sandwich and crisps

Tea was soup and bread and we are shortly going to have sponge and custard

fizzel81

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1104262/He-uses-teabags-times-hes-getting-married-500--Meet-Britains-meanest-man.html

just found this via money saving old style................

lingojingo

Well I've finally sorted my budget, I think.

Spurred on by Eilo :A i've reduced our virgin package, as we don't need mega fast broadband now DS not here all the time playing his video games, and DD says if we don't have all the TV channels she won't be distracted from working for her A levels, and I've decided we can manage on just evening and weekend phone. Yesterday I spoke to a really unhelpful lady who said it would cost us more (due to losing a discount) but today a nice man sorted it all out and we'll get a refund of £21 on our next bill! :j

2009 budget (preliminary)

Buildings and contents insurance £250
TV licence £145
Gas & Electricity £1008 (might reduce, we are using less)
TV/phone/broadband (virgin) £345.40 (just changed, includes £21 refund!)
Mobile (contract) £180 (might reduce or PAYG when contract up)
Groceries £1500 (£300 stockpiling and £100 per month)
Presents (21xbirthday(4x50th:eek:),18xXmas) £[strike]400[/strike] 350 (already sorted 4 Jan, including a 50th, and 1 Feb birthday with vouchers from last year)
DS will be 21, but I already have money put aside to cover that
Haircuts £100 (might reduce)
Clothes & shoes £150 (losing weight, so will need new clothes!)
Travel (visiting family) £150
Cat (food, meds & insurance) £200
Window cleaner (plus gutters) £60 (v necessary, all windows v tall + attic)
Other (going out etc.) £511.60

Total £5000


Walked down to Somerfields to stock up on 1/2 price Charmin loo rolls, but they had sold out :mad: and it's all uphill to get home (good for getting fitter not fatter). Got carrots, onions, tomatoes, spinach and parsnips all £1 per bag, that should see us through the week with what we already have, unless I do a stockpile shop.

dND

fizzel81 wrote: »

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1104262/He-uses-teabags-times-hes-getting-married-500--Meet-Britains-meanest-man.html

just found this via money saving old style................

I don't think I'd want him as a friend - he's not just money saving but quite happy to use other peoples money without any form of return. Well that's how it came over to me in the article

JAMIEDODGER

not a NSD for me today, spent £1.50 on The Times newspaper for the voucher! Will be taking out of entertainment budget and adjusting signature:)

JennyBee_2

dND wrote: »

I don't think I'd want him as a friend - he's not just money saving but quite happy to use other peoples money without any form of return. Well that's how it came over to me in the article

I think she's a very brave woman to be marrying him....sounds like a bundle of laughs doesn't he....and he'd rather use his son's mobile phone? I have to agree dND, not my type of person...