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

fizzel81

thank you

im hopeing to rope my brother into helping sort it as im a little naff on the digging front, i was thinking back of the garden for growing and then fence off a section for the boys, i am lucky as in a have a very nice sized garden (its over 10mtrs long and approx 7 mtrs wide) so it would be wrong to not attempt to start growing anything, once ll has sorted the damp i have no plans to move for a good few years

this comeing year i really want to sort it and grow some simple things or at least get th garden full sorted ready to grow

redglass_2

fizzel81 wrote: »

can anyone recommed a book/site that can help me overhall my garden?

Fizzel, I'm a very new allotment owner and have found there are loads of good books available from the public library. I like Andi (Andy?) Cleveley's best but there really are lots. There's one by Lia Lendeertz (Leendertz?) called 'The Half-Hour Allotment'. Her approach isn't 100% frugal (for example she sometimes uses plug plants instead of seed) but the idea is to get a good payoff with minimum time put in, rather than total cheapness and working 24/7. I've read reviews that say her methods do work. Good luck whichever method you choose....

blondemuppet

Hello all,

Can I join please? This challenge sounds like its just what I need to help me really get a grip of my overspending and start making some headway into my debt repayments. I'm off to do the maths and get a budget sorted. Reading all the other posts has made me feel more motivated and optimistic that I can sort my self out than I ever felt before so here goes...

JAMIEDODGER

NYK - thanks! will have a look on ebay and see whats about... Cant wait to see what you start growing!:)

Mah jong - well done on your progress so far and be watching for your mortgage free post!!!

fizzel - I invested in a chest freezer a couple of years ago and it was an excellent move! I can honestly say it was one of my most useful purchases!

fizzel81

i need to start looking into them so i know how much im looking at spending, at the moment i cannot really batchcook as the lack of freezing space means its not worth me doing so as ive nowhere to put it, id love to get enough space to say spend one weekend cooking possibly for the month and then using just microwave, slow cooker and remoska for the rest of the month

space a slight issue freezer would have to go in utility room by window ok not a huge problem as i dont have a few big buggies anymore (just 1 to find a home for)

i would like an energy efficiant one but im not big into white goods iykwim o know a good from a bad or not so good one

JAMIEDODGER

just had a look on ebay, how secure are they? i would worry about winds, do you secure them to the ground?

sophiesmum_2

fizzel81 wrote: »

i need to start looking into them so i know how much im looking at spending, at the moment i cannot really batchcook as the lack of freezing space means its not worth me doing so as ive nowhere to put it, id love to get enough space to say spend one weekend cooking possibly for the month and then using just microwave, slow cooker and remoska for the rest of the month

space a slight issue freezer would have to go in utility room by window ok not a huge problem as i dont have a few big buggies anymore (just 1 to find a home for)

i would like an energy efficiant one but im not big into white goods iykwim o know a good from a bad or not so good one

Fizz i got a chest freezer, A rated for efficiency from Argos last year for about £100 - great for batch cooking. Just made some stuff for mine - pic on other thread. Would pay for itself in no time with your three boys:D

Frugaldom

This is brilliant, a new year approaching and a load of new people joining us for 2009. :T I've just added BlondeMuppet to the challenger list, so we are well over the 200 mark now. Don't forhet that there are no challenger numbers this year, it's all alphabetical so it's quicker for checking usernames when it comes to 'checking in'.

I have decided that I am going to run my spreadsheets in reverse this year. Each spending category/column will begin with the total amount budgeted then I'll deduct spends as they occur and add in residual income (free money) as it arrives. This way, I'll know how far off I am from my longterm goal - being debt free and financially self-sufficient. Every single penny extra will be siphoned into my house fund, as I have no intentions of paying rent or a mortgage when I retire, nor have I any intentions of working until I am 67. I want 'the good life' if it's still possible.

Frugaldom

JAMIEDODGER wrote: »

just had a look on ebay, how secure are they? i would worry about winds, do you secure them to the ground?

Mine's staked into the ground, surrounded by bricks and planters and has 2 guy ropes thrown over the top and staked either side. It was exposed on 3 sides at the last house, this time it's only fully exposed on 2, so it will cut down on the sunlight but should improve stability. I'll need to tape the 'window vents' closed, though, as the nylon interior mesh is beginning to fray. These should be easily fixed in spring using an old net curtain or similar. I've got a tarpaulin to use as a ground sheet (one I clear the space) and hope to be able to get some free slabs or gravel for over the top.

If you have access to suitable transport, a good solid ground base and a couple of able bodies to help, you could try advertising on Freecycle with an offer to rehome a greenhouse from someone else. Link is in post one.

fizzel81

sophiesmum wrote: »

Fizz i got a chest freezer, A rated for efficiency from Argos last year for about £100 - great for batch cooking. Just made some stuff for mine - pic on other thread. Would pay for itself in no time with your three boys:D

is that one of the smaller ones they sell? whats its like size wise ie would it store enough meals for 4 for a month plus a few extra bits and bobs, the cheapest one on argos at the mo is £97.89 and around £103 with the delivery which is not bad? c rateing

there is an a rateing one for £117.49 would the a be a better option and the engery saving pay for itself or is there really not that much difference once there filled?