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

angelatgraceland

kittiej wrote: »

I was just about to post about not needing to spend any money but then I realised we need milk (sigh).

I've just been looking at Asda and Tesco sites and Asda seems to be the cheapest and they are committed to keeping prices lower for longer.

I'm so glad I halted at the price increase for laundry tabs in Lidl's because Asda are doing 2 boxes of their own brand for a tenner, so that's 100 washes, or they are doing Surf for £3 per box and that's 30 washes.

They've also got 4xtins HP beans for a quid. HTH somebody out there!

Do be brave sometime and try Tesco value washing powder which is I think 3kg for approx £1.49. Ive been using this for years and very happy with it. A relative has also been converted to it instead of Persil! They sell a small box also for approx 50p so its got to be worth a try. The expensive ones may contain a nice perfume but it doesnt make them wash better!

glodh1973

fallen_angel_shelley wrote: »

Edit- forgot to ask, I once saw someone on t.v talking about a web site where you enter what food ingredients you have and it comes up with a recipe for you, do any of you know use it, I have forgot the name of it.

i think you might mean
http://www.cookingbynumbers.com/search.html

glo

sophiesmum_2

My main storecupboard currently looks like this;:eek: and that is before the approved foods order lands.:o Not a clue where that will have to go



Off to check how strong the under bed drawers are

angelatgraceland

nykmedia wrote: »

Same here. I was almost tempted out to town until I did my list of freezer contents; that stopped me in my tracks! I now need to do the same with cupboards to ensure I don't double up on stuff I don't need.

Going to chop up the meat from turkey leg now so I can get stock into sc tonight. So long as there's soup, DS no longer minds not having sandwiches or rolls for packed lunch. I think it was a case of 'not wanting to be different' at the start, but now I reckon his workmates are getting fed up with their boring rolls or sannies when they smell hm soup. :rotfl: I'll bet he's also happy he can just ladle it straight from slow cooker to flask, fresh made in the morning! Extra 5 mins in his bed, methinks!

SEE WHAT YOU HAVE ALL DONE TO ME?
I am becoming far more domesticated doing this challenge with like-minded company! :beer:

Is he "posing" with his homemade goodies like DH accuses me of?
Well done!

sophiesmum-oh Id LOVE acupoard like that! What a lovely size!
Now I don't know where my AF order is going to go yet either!
Did my shopping in Mr M todayand got some goodies. Didnt buy the paper for the freebies-a pack of 4 toms and a yoghurt I think.Decided not to bother. Got 2 packs of green lentils and some split peas and soupmix to topup stores-apart from everything else. also picked up a timer for the fire we put on in our conservatory at night(as its all glass)for £1.99. Its a mechanical one-I tried the latest digital ones from Argos and they are a real pain to set so for £1.99 I couldnt go wrong.
Got some "free" undies in the week with vouchers I was given at work for opening store accounts.
Still got nearly full tank-only done approx 55 miles in 2 weeks but DH needs his car topping up tomorrow.
Total shop today under £65 and Ive got loads of milk and bread so it will last.
Collected a replacement microwave from a Freecycle member as mine had broken. Very thankful for that as Im quite happy with using a used item rather than new everything.
A friend tells me that Argos have George forman grills for £6 something? Not checked that yet.

**there are a few guys but we have to share them fallen angel**

Brighton_belle

General frugal/simplifying goals for the day: 10thJan

1. continue mosaic project
2. prep dinner in slow cooker done
3. Start putting stuff for charity shop in a bag in one place (been on the list for 3 days done)
4. finish hand cleaning 'outdoor working' coat
5. declutter one shelf in study done
6. spend half an hr on writing project

Bit of a fragmented day due to half the kitchen being dismantled for new worktop & sink.I would like to formally apologise to all the women I thought in my 20's must be very dull to get excited over a kitchen make over:o . I am now one of those women

Fallen angel -other website is this one - supposed you help you use up leftovers:
http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
Sophiesmum, that is a delectable food store:T
Sold a cardie on ebay for 6.50. The other 2 things didn't sell, will keep one I think for a pressie next xmas. Another will go tomorrow as there is bid on it.

savingfortravel

Hi Everyone!!
Aims for today:

• F not fitter-Exercise bike, sit ups, arm lifts-Still might do this!
• F not fitter-Non choc day 1 again-I’m afraid I did eat 2 and half mint matchsticks at the Murder Evening!! I did guess the murderer and some of her motive however- So far so good.
• Declutter box and cupboard.-No time.
• Tidy house/Washing/Ironing-Washing on and a little bit of tidying done. Ironing left for tomorrow.
• 1 thing for fun-Go to the pub with OH for a drink and cosy chat-No time or energy but I am enjoying a nice glass of New Zealand white.
• Lots and Lots of School work!!!-Yes worked from 10.30 until 8pm. I feel exhausted but I was so determined to have tomorrow off.

Lots of you, having NSDs..we’d like to but still stockpiling those beans. Nearly got 100 cans!
Get well Skintwellie!
Fizzel81-Glad Remoska is on its way.
Brighton Belle-Glad the mosaic project is on its way. I also like setting goals each day.
Skint-Lynne-I’ve also heard a few comments from my sister about my frugal ways..which is annoying as I don’t often treat myself but I do treat her and her children (especially at birthdays) but wouldn’t dream of asking for the same amount spent on me or OH (despite him being redundant) as she works up to her benefits level so doesn’t have much money. From what I read we are frugal with our own needs not others. But I actually think that people like that admire us secretly and she has changed a lot of her ways to MS ways. We are investing in our future by our actions now.
Masomnia-I also agree. Its about appreciating the value of things. We are so lucky in this country. Why waste when so many live in need.
2nd Time Rounder-You are sooooo wise. Live and let live..I like myself just the way I am with money and my lifestyle is excellent.
Trying to do better-Happy Birthday to you!!
Sarah147-Enjoy your weekend.
CW18-Hope your computer’s ok.
Bails-Hope your having a super weekend.
Sorry for the long post..SFT

cw18

savingfortravel wrote: »

CW18-Hope your computer’s ok.

Everything's fine and dandy thanks

Hooked straight on to my wireless network without any bother when I got home (knew it should, but with it being a new ISP -- and the same one at both houses -- you never know what will really happen)

The really good news is that I can actually run wireless at home today. Yesterday morning it was paaaiiinnnfffuuulllllyyyy slow -- to the point I'd tell it to refresh a page, go off and let the dogs out, make a brew, fetch the dogs in, come back to my laptop, and find it still refreshing the page :eek:

But since I came back from DD's (where I got my normal wireless speed) it's been fine -- so I don't know whether my switch was still bedding in yesterday morning, or whether one of my settings got changed fractionally when setting up to use DD's (the software "fine tunes" to optimise settings, and even though it did my laptop when I set up for home it did it again setting up for DD's).

fallen_angel_shelley

glodh1973 wrote: »

i think you might mean
http://www.cookingbynumbers.com/search.html

glo

Thats the one, thanks :beer: I have just put in what I have in my cupboards and it came up with loads of ideas, one of the suggestions was moussaka so im going to make that next week, just need some lamb and an onion, the rest of the ingredients i already have, plus it will do use 2 nights. :j

Shelley x

Frugaldom

Sophiesmum, if you ordered any L0yd Gr0ssman Tikka Massala sauce, I'm doing that with turkey tomorrow, so will let you know what it's like. I know you said you didn't like curry but wasn't sure if you ate any of the milder varieties.
Impressive stash you have there! Did you get around to totalling your entire 2008 grocery spend? I must check back and see how current prices are comparing to this time last year. I know firelighters have gone up from 59p or 2 for £1 to 75p for the same pack. (I know I could do without them but it's a convenient luxury I allow myself )

lingojingo

redglass wrote: »

I'm wondering if I could fund an OU course with what I would have paid in Council Tax (I am single/sole earner).

Hi Redglass
have you checked the financial help section of the OU site? If you don't earn tooo much you can do up to 60 points free, or if you earn a bit more you can get a partial grant. Mine is free, plus I get a grant from the student loans company of £250/year to help with costs associated with the course. I'm just looking into help with internet connection as it's essential for the course.

edited to say OU doesn't stop you paying council tax, as they presume you will be working as well.