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

Marru

Hello!

Yes I will definitely participate into the pony pool. And I don't need a certificate, have too much papers to file and sort out as it is. My tasks for 2009 are: sort out understairs cupboard, sort out wardrobe in DD's room, sort out wardrobe in my room, sort out garage. If I have all these sorted by New Year's eve next then I will spend money and buy a bottle of port to celebrate.

I have told college that I am ill, which is true as I still have my cold. Visited my GP this morning and he kindly gave me some drops for my eyes which I need to go and pick up from the chemist later. Tomorrow it is normal placement day and to warn them that I might not go back, Wednesday I have appointment with the careers advicer and that is then when I can finally start to put my job search into action.

So today I need to tidy the house as DD has spread all her toys all over the place, post one book I have sold, go to chemist and walk the dogs. Unfortunately not a NSD as need to get some stuff for DD's snacks for this week.

Have a great day everybody, catch up again later...

Marru

Edited: oops there is one cupboard in the kitchen needing attention too And woohoo, post two books :T

fizzel81

Nyk get the pony lol

fizzel81

ohhh just looked at the number doing this challenge this year 2 people off 250 taking part

JAMIEDODGER

back from Tescos after the first shop of the year:)

Spent
£30.51 food
£1.42 cleaning
£.90 entertainment (the times newspaper)
£.58 on a lighter which comes out of my tobacco budget
£1.00 swim hat for ds2

total - 34.41

will go and update.....

scrooge2008

I'd love to sponsor a pony too .. count me in! Not spent anything yet, but think I will have to venture out to the shops tomorrow. Been rummaging around drawers and pockets to find odd pennies to see if I can eke out one more day before I start my 2009 spending.

Frugaldom

Good afternoon ro all, sorry I'm so late on but am just trying to catch up with work after a few days off. Had run out of bread and none in shop yesterday, so 2 loaves have just gone into the oven. Washing is hanging out as it's sunny, no snow, and I have a pile of work to sort through so I can get it all posted away this afternoon. I'd really like to nip out and get the rhubarb crowns planted but they'll need to wait until later.

Now, about the itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny pony... sadly, I am not going to pursue it, as I really don't have a need for a tiny equine at the moment and I don't really think my landlord would appreciate it plodding about the garden or going in among his sheep. :rotfl: Sorry everyone, I need to be strong and only keep things that will grow fruit/veggies or lay eggs for eating/baking and a frugal manure production plant come lawnmower on legs doesn't fall into that category.

Will catch up with everyone again soon, off to check on the bread now

jtb2412

Afternoon fellow frugalists

Had to pop out this morning as DD1 decided she needed a new pair of school trousers - why is it they always tell you these things right at the last minute ! :rolleyes: She goes back on Weds so I had 2 days notice - I suppose I should be pleased :rotfl: . Am off helping out on DS school trip tomorrow so had to go today. However, we got them in the sale for £10 so pleased with that. I'm not taking it out of the £4k budget though as I class school uniform as essentials.

I did have to get some bits from superdrug but only bought what I needed (lady items and mouthwash) so very pleased with myself that I managed to resist all the sale bargains :T Also picked up 2 bottles of bleach (well known name) in the 99p shop - saved a bit there too.

Had to buy my dad a birthday card (his 60th tomorrow) but I did buy it from Card Factory which is much cheaper than other card shops. I've already given my mum his pressie (from Dec money so not out of this years budget).

My big bug-bear about today though is bus fare - cost me and DD £10.50 return :mad: - this is something I need to address because every time I want to go somewhere during the day I have to get the bus. I got rid of my car when we moved down here to save money (hubby has company car) but I do miss it when I just need to pop into the next town to get things like school trousers. I know i'm saving more money by not having a car but bus fares are so high ! They don't make it 'enticing' for people to use public transport do they ?? :rolleyes:

Sorry, rambled on a bit there didn't I?

Plans for the rest of today:-

Sort out washing - put a load on and hang up/iron what is dry
Post Dad's card
Change bed and put new quilt on (bought in the sales before Xmas)
Change DD1's bed
Post RM survey letters (free stamps with that one which come in very handy !)

We're eating from the freezer tonight (odds and ends) .... me and OH having beef curry (left over from a batch I cooked before Xmas), DS will have turkey curry (leftover from Xmas), DD1 having canelloni (again another bit of leftovers) and DD2 having sausages and jacket potatoes. Bit of a nightmare having separate meals but I need to use these little bits up to start to make room in the freezer ready for the summer months when we'll be inundated with home grown fruit and veg

Also got a Girl Guide meeting tonight so won't get much done this evening. I think a nice relax in the bath with a hot choc and hubby's H.F.Wittywhasisname's book will be in order when I get back

FrankieM

I've just done my online tesco shop. There seem to be no vouchers around anymore and I never get any sent to me either. It should be just over £50 with delivery. I don't think I'll manage to keep it that low every week. In fact I'll be surprised if I manage it again!
I may have to keep the children's allowance/ pocket money out of my budget after all. I'll give it a couple months before I start to panic.

cw18

jtb2412 wrote: »

My big bug-bear about today though is bus fare - cost me and DD £10.50 return :mad:

:eek: The highest fare around here is £4 for an adults daily ticket which covers getting on and off all services/operators within the Greater Manchester boundaries. Standard single for a child is 70p/bus.

I can do most trips (using a single operator) for a daily £3.50 maximum, though if I want to go to far towards Manchester it's £3.70. DD gets a monthly ticket for all operators (actually 4-weekly) for £56, and the same one for kids is £26.

jtb2412

CW ..... I have checked with the bus Co. and it is the cheapest fare. The day riders down this way are about £7.50ish if I remember rightly. It's because it's a coastliner and it goes right from Portsmouth to Brighton so quite a lot of mileage.

If I have to go into the town where we live then I always walk (about a mile and a half) but sometimes I just can't get what I want and have to go to either Bognor or Worthing so have to pay the bus fare.

Just wish I was an OAP and then I'd get it free ! lol