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

MSHAWX

Lost the keys to the landrover over a week ago, such a pain as I use it all the time, rang AA but apparently because I've lost the keys I have to pay for the locksmith. It's now been 7 days in the mend, the locksmith couldn't get the new remote to talk to the engine so it's gone to the main dealer. Not looking forward to the bill. Sorry for the moan, I'm fed up at having to use a wheelbarrow to get 4x20 kg bags of food to the hens every day , it's such hard work and takes ages as I'm no spring chicken myself.
Back to the money side. Spent £88.14 at Sainbury's (sorry no Mr T or Asda nearby), Having home delivery tomorrow, hopefully what I have spent on delivery will be offset against diesel and impulse buys. Should be ok until the end of the month with food. Also, just heard the price of oil has risen, so went onto the Boilerjuice website and got a really good deal at 38.78p per litre with a possibility of it being cheaper if more people from this postcode order in the next couple of days. Ordered 1000 litres to top the tank up and it came in at just under £400.00 pounds compared with £756 for the same amount when I last ordered it in July 2008, Hopefully, it should last 12 months as we only have it on for 2 hrs a day as background heat mainly for uptairs, plus it heats the water. I use the woodburner during the day as wood doesn't cost us anything and wear thermals. Gosh, isn't this weather cold.
The OH isn't too well at the moment, he's got a stomach virus and is looking rather grey (yes, he has a grey beard and grey hair as well so it doesn't help) He must be bad as he took me up on my offer to check all the animals at 11pm tonight - it's usually his job. However, I tripped and fell over in the dark - stupid me, I think I'm ok, I'll know more when I thaw out. Here I am moaning again, it must be the weather, roll on the summer.
Must go to bed as it's almost 1.45am

fallen_angel_shelley

OMG it's so cold here, -5, and I know that its even colder for some of you. I have decided to give DS money for lunch so he can get something hot for lunch, i'm just a big softy.

I don't think I need to venture out for anything today, I should of been going out tonight but I think I will give it as miss with it been so cold.

DS will be 18 this year and I realised last night as I was faaling asleep that I haven't accounted for any sort of celebration for him :rolleyes:

Anyone that has to go out take care :wave:

Shelley x

Janey51

It is Brass Monkeys here this morning. No snow but hard frost....-7C.
Luckily, I remembered to cover the windscreen so I don't have to waste diesel de-frosting the car before tootling off to an appointment.

I put my electric readings into imeasure and, following the invasion of the non-frugal hordes, my usage has doubled last week :eek:
And they had the oil heating on constant so used as much oil in 2 days as I would use in over a week.
Still, they had a good time and I shall just have to be extra frugal to compensate :rolleyes:

I am reading all these posts but I can't make comments on everyone. I love hearing everyone's news and celebrate all the successes but please don't be offended if I miss a question directed at me

I confess. I, too, am addicted to stationery. I love opening a brand new notepad. Ooooooh, almost better than chocolate.
Well, maybe not :rotfl: And, as chocolate is good for you I should concentrate on improving my health.

Thanks to everyone for the links which I will investigate later.

Will see about changing this font to make it easier to read later as well.


sophiesmum Janey sandwich very cosy. Has thumbs up from old cat as well.

FrankieM

Morning everyone,
I thought I had to go out this morning but thankfully not..its tomorrow. Its still white here and very cold and I'm still struggling with early mornings. I quite like the idea of getting up at 6-6:30ish so I could have a bit of time to myself but I just don't think I can get out of bed! and anyway the children have all left for school by 8:45am so I can't really complain.

So today my plan is:

Meals:
Breakfast: Weetabix and banana
Lunch: Soup and sandwich
Tea:
Bubble & squeak burgers and beans

To Do's:
Room to clean: Lounge, conservatory, porch
Work
Check out the rest of the leftovers in the freezer and see what meals I can make.

Not adding too much to my list today cause I've no idea if this will work but I really have to get routined/ organised...I'm getting fed up of managing one thing but everything else going to pot. Of course it could just be good , old fashioned laziness!

Hope you all have a good day, I'll catch up later...

savingfortravel

Hi Everyone...Much better sleep..meant to say it was Iceland the country Bails, not the store, which made that dream so wierd. Last night I slept much better.
Aims for today are

1. Positive Mental Attitude..Remember my motto!
2. Sort out more clutter from 2nd bedroom. OH is going to do a bit today too.
3. Fitter not fatter-Could it be a 3rd Non-Chocolate Day
4. Fitter not fatter-Exercise bike/sit-ups/arm lifts
5. Evening bath to relax before going to bed.
6. OH is cooking me lots of soup-tomato, spicy parsnip and stilton and brocolli today. Lucky me.

Menu: Breakfast: Muesli Lunch: Tomato Soup in a flask at school Dinner: Deep fried Camembert with roast potatoes, carrots and peas.

Catch up with you all later.
SFT

fizzel81

FrankieM wrote: »

fizzel:Is there not someone you can tell...I'm afraid I have no personal experience but my thoughts would be to gather written/ printed proof of what he hasn't paid and then show however is dealing with the financial side of things...sorry if that comepletly unhelpful and niave...
quote]

i think i can, and he is now worrying from me texting him last night, we well he had the written agreement to pay under half what he should in child support due to paying everything off, which he has not done. i do have my own soliciter (he knowsthis) but he doesnt know about the financial order thing (and im not telling him yet) when all the boys are at pre school/school which will be next monday will ring her and see if i can go down

th other part of me whants to tell him to shove it and carry on sortin by myself

anyway good morning all

its freezing here today ds3 eye is still bad so him and ds2 didnt return to preschool today, ds1 i due back at school tomorrow so im going back to every 2 hours with the eye drops like yesterday (oh what a joy)

no real plans for today, house is tidy (bar ironing it and putting it all away) will have beds to make, no plans to use washing machine today which makes a change

Lilo they dont have this at ds school or not to my knowledge which is a shame, didnt think to try next for school uniform, adams in sevenoaks is staying open i beleave (and thats now my nearest and only one in west kent i beleav) so will have to go down there also.

breakfst toda is weetabix or shreddies (well asda brands of them both)
lunch left over vegtable rice
dinner breaded chicken, home made chips and beans

cutting down on snacks in this house so not sure what they will be today, once its all used up im not buying it anymore.

also must put the bread machine on and try making abigger loaf, im currantly making the smaller ones but te boys are eating it a bit too quickly

must get that pork out to work cooking times out and what im then going to do with it, i also have 4 packs of woopsied wraps to use up that are in freezer, the rest of it is all there for other meals

best go get dressed
speak soon

dND

It might be a spend day here today :eek: although I think I've done well not spending anything since the 24th - amazing what a bit of stockpiling can do :rotfl:

Woke up this morning to quiet due to 2"s of snow :j so any thought of working outside today has been shelved (apart from the animals that is). I've a 10% off voucher that goes out of date on the 13th so I might venture out this afternoon and spend that. Hopefully the shop, (a sort of farming supplies place) will still have the shower I want - maybe I should describe it better as a cross between a farming supplies and B & Q) along with potting compost, metaposts and cat flea treatment.

It could be quite an expensive day although most should come out of the farm budget but...it's those impulse purchases I'm also hoping that the stores advertising blurb gets delivered today so I can see what the offers are, that way it's only one trip to town, about 15 to 20 miles each way.

I hope everyone has a good and safe day - the temp is hovering around 0 here so the risk of ice is low but I've been reading about the minus temperatures in the UK so do take care everone.

nickynoo08

Morning peeps,
Well yesterday did go according to plan:rolleyes:, got nothing done. I was really poorly, managed to make it to work tho (just). OH decided to make tea for us. He decided from the meals i'd planned (i decided it would be easier to list the meals i want us to have then he can pick what he wants that way he cant scupper my plan!)he fancied curry. Due to me being poorly (thats what i'm blaming anyway;) ), i'd miss read the jars in the cupboard so OH took it upon himself to go to sainsbugs to pick up some more curry paste plus extras. He must be learning coz he only spent £6.09 on curry paste, naan breads, single cream and tom sauce x 3 (on offer) and he remembered to use nectar card too.
Good thing is i think i'm now on the mend:j so here's todays plan....

• tidy kitchen AGAIN. was a bombsite after OH made tea, still i smiled and said thankyou while screaming inside:rolleyes:
• sort little un's bedroom, its totally overflowing with toys and other gubbins from xmas
• put last of xmas stuff away
• whizz round with hoover and duster (little un will prob do that, he loves dusting)
• do a proper list of my freezer and cupboards (think i've said i'm gonna do that every day so far but i WILL do it today.) Promise;)
• Go on my wii fit for half hr

Have a good day everyone

mumzyof2

Good morning all,
I got up late so no college for me today but DD at nursery till 12.30 and DS at school so going to pop into town with my mum, as its her last day here in the UK she goes back tomorrow morning at 9.30am. Does anyone know why adams has shut down without reducing all thier stock like woolworths did? Going to pay rent today also (2days early) and need to buy some storage boxes for rice n pasta, flour etc. Also maybe a bread bin. Still dont know if i should touch this free £65 a got lol, incase they take it back off me lol.
Have a good day everyone x
Need to update sig too as spent £11 odd in Mr M yesterday. Im not including cigs in my budget as im hoping to quit soon - sure i said that last year. But if i dont im not going to be able to afford to live!!

shaz_mum_of__2

In_Search_Of_Me wrote: »

Shaz what were you doing crafty? Have my craft group on sat which am looking forward to - cheap n cheerful and we do all sorts while chatting, eating cake and drinking tea! Anyway off to watch thriller on itv...hugs those that need them...slightly confused why nyk proud of sf...did she teach her the piano?!

I was knitting with my mum and recycling christmas cards and cutting out patchwork bits



Would love a proper group to share with most of my family don't get the craft thing t all??


Shaz