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

cw18

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

That's brilliant Cheryl,

You seem to have good luck with the whoopsies, do you have a strategy or is it just a case of being in the right place at the right time?

A case of being there at the right time really

I know roughly when C00p & S'flds do their various reductions, and it's always worth C00p just before it closes -- so out of the house around 7:20pm to be there just after 7:30pm as they close at 8pm (or there for 3:15-3:30pm on a Sunday as both stores close at 4pm). I then wander round to S'fld who close at 8pm, but I get the best selection from them at around 6pm (75% reduction about then, so shelves often pretty clear by 7:30)

sophiesmum_2

gillst wrote: »

I'd really like to try growing some sprouts, but before investing in a sprouter I would like to see how I get on and if we actually like the sprouts. Can someone tell me how to do it using jars. Sorry if someone has already posted this but I am still a day behind in catching up with this thread.

I've not known whether to laugh or cry with the posts this last couple of days - such mixed emotions. Hugs to everyone who needs them, and to all that have made me laugh - a big thank you.

http://www.btinternet.com/~bury_rd/sprout.htm

some basic info on here:D

Skint_Lynne

whitewing wrote: »

SL,

I got 3 emails today saying that my Qype goodies have been despatched.

Nothing for me yet whitewing,

I'll keep my eyes peeled for the email coming through. If it wasn't for you the last time, my amazon voucher would have ended up being deleted in the trash bin.:eek:

Thanks for letting me know xx

mama67

nykmedia wrote: »

Thanks MrsM, I know this thread is becoming really busy but I don't envy you the grocery challenge thread! :eek: I have no hope of keeping up with MSE forums plus work and homelife, but I do try to pop in there most days and certainly any time I spend anything or do anything regarding my participation in the monthly GC.

My delivery of shoes arrived and what a fab buy! I am really pleased with my 4 pairs of rubber cloggs. They are in perfect condition, so my guess is that they have been slashed in price because of a misprint on the labels. For anyone that hasn't a clue what I'm talking about, I wear 'mock cr0cs' both as indoor shoes instead of slippers and as gardening shoes because they can be washed under the tap. Underfivepounds.com have them in their sale, so I ordered 4 pairs - 2 for me, 2 for adding into gardening associated gift baskets. 4 pairs cost me £10.33 inc P&P, childrens' sizes are even cheaper. I got different colours so I won't confuse my indoor pair with outdoor pair.

I've also treated myself to a proper .co .uk domain name for my 2009 frugal project, but have classed it as a business expense, as I'll be using it to record what I manage to sell throughout the year, as part of the start a cottage industry challenge on MSE. It's all part of (hopefully) eventually becoming money neutral. I've masked it over my blog pages.:j

Nyk my order arrived today just in time for DS2 to go to karate in them.

He is more than thrilled.

Thanks for posting the link for this.

Sarah147

Evening fellow frunchkins (love that phrase :rotfl: ).

Busy day here, had loads on in work with meetings etc. but the baby group was in which was lovely. Was very naughty at work buying a Greggs cheese and onion pasty, a can of Sprite, a Boost bar AND some crisps. I felt so yuk afterwards, the detox (both money and boby!) starts on Monday!

After work I did a bit of shopping as i was looking for a swimming costume. Sadly not for an exotic holiday, but a friend and I are going to go swimming at a local pool. The choice was not great (not a surprise considering the weather!) but I managed to find a really nice two parter from M&S (one of those top and shorts sets, not a bikini, I'm not that bloomin daft :rotfl: ). Only trouble was it was £30! Although in my defense (starts grovelling...) it does look nice and if I had bought a cheaper, normal swimsuit I would never end up swimming at all as I would be scared to come out the changing room. I think swimming costumes just look so awful!!

Then went to a free preview screening of Bride Wars. I was not expecting much as it only got one star in the Metro newspaper but I was pleasantly surprised, it was very funny and a lovely feel good film.

Skint_Lynne

cw18 wrote: »

A case of being there at the right time really

I know roughly when C00p & S'flds do their various reductions, and it's always worth C00p just before it closes -- so out of the house around 7:20pm to be there just after 7:30pm as they close at 8pm (or there for 3:15-3:30pm on a Sunday as both stores close at 4pm). I then wander round to S'fld who close at 8pm, but I get the best selection from them at around 6pm (75% reduction about then, so shelves often pretty clear by 7:30)

I might try my local c00p, I don't go in there often. I go to a big T's which is open 24 hours, so that's maybe why I don't get a lot of luck. It's always full of angry whoopsie hunters as well, so you've got to be careful:D .

Sarah147

Just remembered, heard today our M&S Food shop is going to be closing, as well as a stationary (yes, stationary!!) shop that is a tradition in the town and has been there for decades. A very sad day I think

cw18

Doesn't cost me anything except a bit of 'shoe leather' to check the two stores I go Whoopsie hunting at, so given I need the exercise for my back condition (and required weight loss) it's great to have a reason to go for a walk -- and I don't feel like I've lost out if there's nothing there.....

Nyk -- the two items you mentioned wanting from S'flds are in plentiful supply at my local store. They were even restocking the loo rolls on the biiiiiig display at the entry (which wasn't empty anyway) while I was there tonight. Not a brand I ever use though (have blocked the WCs more than once with it :eek: ), and I already have about 4 packs of cheese in the fridge so not worth stocking up on that either at the moment!! Seems DS isn't in one of his 'cheese-chomping' moods at the moment

Sarah147

skint_chick wrote: »

Lemurs are lovely - I went to see them in Stockholm zoo and you walk around the enclosure and can stroke them - very fluffy - and they were all huddled up together on a platform sleeping. How do you put pics up on here?

They have an enclosure like that at Blackpool Zoo too, it is lovely but I got the shock of my life when I was leaning against a wall then suddenly felt one of them pawing at my sleeve :rotfl:

cha97michelle

Hello everyone,

My 1st post of the new year, as we were away and then i felt i should catch up, so happy frugal new year.

I thought i was being good, and i have been, but we have spent a lot this week as both of our cars have had their MOT's done, and DH's needed a small amount of work, so that was £150 gone. I've also ordered nappies online to get some points plus a couple of presents, and did an approved foods order, seems though i noticed it first but never got round to using it. :rotfl:I hope they have some of the curry sauces left. I was another one sat jigging with amounts to save postage, then realised i am a local delivery charge, i couln't even drive there and back for that much.

I think i have spent least on food, as we have a lot of turkey and bacon in the freezer, and lots of staples in the storecupboard. I am really scratching my head and thinking about what to cook. DH bought me a notebook to copy my recipes into for xmas, so i have been looking around my scraps of paper. Tonights tea was a chickpea, spinach and chorizo stew. No real recipe to follow (there is a nice one on Mr A website though), but i have made one with chicken before. I served it with mash. Tomorrow i am going to do a turkey curry with the excess chickpeas i had soaked and cooked. I am going to have to go to the shop tomorrow though i think, as i started to make a banana loaf to use up my manky bananas, and realised i needed an egg and didn't have one, so i have left the dried ingredients mixed and covered in a bowl, but should get back to it tomorrow before it needs throwing away.

Enough from me anyway. Nothing exciting really. Trying not to do much, not to spend much, and to feed DH as well as i can so he doesn't get disheartened with it. It's rubbish being skint and needing to do it, although i am proud i now have a budget and not just a spending diary.;)

Night all.
Michelle x