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

Frugaldom

wornoutmumoftwo wrote: »

Think I'm coming down off my motivational high that has lasted since I rejoined at the start of the year, feel tired tonight so beans on toast all round for dinner!

The path of frugaldom is never smooth but it can be fun avoiding the slippery slopes, dodging the potholes and, at worst, dusting ourselves down after any slips, falls or 'I got lost' diversions. These are all allowed so long as they eventually lead us in the right direction - to the land of NoDebts and beyond.:D Chin up, I love beans on toast and sometimes stick it under the grill with a slice of corned beef or cheese & tomato to melt over the top - how decadent is that? :beer:

angelatgraceland

sophiesmum wrote: »

Well mamma mia went down well with the oldies, lots of singing along and laughing through it all. They scoffed all the huge box of Thorntons I took down so tht will save me eating them;)

Had first lot of sprouted seeds(mung and green lentils) at lunchtime with some houmous on bread, lovely and crunchy and tasty - def another cheap way of supplementing the fruit and veg intake and very nutritious. Think I will just keep rotating the seeds now so that there will alwys be something ready to eat, great that it is so quick to grow them.The chickpea sprouts are taking a little longer.
The chives I planted last week are also sprouting now in kitchen - lovely that things are starting to grow.:D

Do tell me more about the chickpea sprouts please? How did you do those? Was it just ordinary dried chickpeas?

Janey51

Oh dear. Feeling sad

Skip this if you don't want to be depressed

Well into bottle of wine left by visitors at New Year and listening to "Adiemus" by Karl Jenkins. I don't know if anyone knows this composer but I think he is brilliant.
Trouble is, I listened to his music a lot immediately after DH died in June so it is tied up with so many memories.
I know the logical explanation is to turn it off and listen to something else but I really don't want to.
I saw a counsellor for the first time yesterday and she was spot on when she homed in on how I felt about my DH and what life may, or may not, hold for me in the future.

Please note, I have a considerable amount of alcohol in my system (for me+ 2 glasses wine) and I start thinking about things

What I need is a big big hug from a real live person and preferably DH but definitely :male:

I appreciate it's a bit early in the evening to be heading for hitting the wine, but needs must sometimes
I have just remembered there is a big bag of M&S biscuits in the cupboard......

MrDT

Just fed the leccy meter monster - £20 in one week. That'd be over a grand a year if I always used the heating so much. Hoping we get some warmer weather soon lol! Budget for the year is what I first thought of as a rather generous £600.

Last year I averaged around £40 a month I think, though I did conveniently miss out January through March from my records! Hrmph, hopefully the summer months will help balance out my usage.

cw18

((((((huge hugs)))))) for Janey -- you've had one heck of a year in 2008, and I can't blame you for feeling how you do.

Elder DS has said he'll never again be able to listen to the music that was played at the end of DH's funeral -- and thinks I'm wierd that the thought of being able to do so actually feels right and good to me

Janey51

Thanks CW I will struggle to listen to the music from "Highlander" and "Gladiator" because it was played at DH's funeral. When they used the Highlander music in Strictly Come Dancing, I was in bits.
Music has such a powerful effect on me now.
DH loved music.

Cat_Addict

Oh Janey I'm so sorry you're struggling tonight. I have bad nights (including the wine) too since losing my Dad in November so I can only imagine how it feels losing DH.

The music that gets me is Leona Lewis's Run, the line where she says "even if you cannot hear my voice, I'll be right beside you dear..." - because that is word for word what I said to my Dad as he lay dying. Music is a powerful trigger and my guess is that it does you good to allow yourself to wallow in it now and then, allow the grieving. It's just bad for me when they play the darn thing on the radio when I'm driving and suddenly I can't see!!

Big hug to you and sorry I'm not male!

shaz_mum_of__2

Oh Janey


I cant find a smiley hug thats big enough my heart goes out to you love

My song is Alexander o neal "dance with my father again" My dad had a stroke 5 years ago hes ok but has a stick and impaired mobility .....................he and my mum used to jive together it was great to watch them spinning around on the dancefloor and now he can't do it at all

Music is a powerful medium and sometimes catches people off guard you do what you need to to get through the day

Take care

Shaz

Marru

Good evening all,

Janey, hugs from me too. I hope the wine and the biscuits will aid at least little bit.

Mr DT: I have spent just under twenty for gas in the week as well but then I have to remind myself that during the three summer months last year I only spent £26.- in total.

SM: huge admirations to you again! :T

Sorry for not mentioning others but my brain is refusing to co-operate. Just hoping everybody have had the best day possible.

I have been in two meetings today and am no wiser. The next step is to talk to the head of our unit to ask if I can do my studies part time which would allow me to get a part time job and still get my qualification. I will have this appointment on Friday. I will try to get my CV together and couple of cover letters drafted as our careers advicer has promised to have a look at them for me. I will need a job even if I can't carry on studying so that won't change by the meeting on Friday.

I actually managed to get some paid work today and will hopefully have some more tomorrow. Can't add to the budget before it is invoiced and received. But I will get paid for dog walking tomorrow which will help.

Off now to get DD her snack. It will be sausages and chips from the freezer for me later.

Have a relaxing evening all,

Marru

dND

Janey - Sending you hugs too. Music and lyrics can really trigger emotions, there are songs that bring tears to my eyes because something in them triggers a memory of my father. It was tough at first but now I welcome the memory, the music in many ways keeps him alive to me. :grouphug: