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

cw18

My first job (Oct '84) I was paid weekly, then a promotion (July '85) moved me onto monthly (middle of month - two weeks in advance, two in arrears), then they moved us to end of month (month in arrears) a couple of years later or thereabouts.

When I resigned and started at another company in September '98 I went back onto weekly pay...... but after a few years that changed to 4 weekly (which out of all the payrolls I've had was the worst!), and early in 2008 (with our TUPE) it changed to end of every calendar month again !!!

Ever since I went back to weekly in Sept '98 I've had one account for incomings, and one for regular outgoings. The intial 'build up the capital' so that there was always enough in was a bit awkward, but it was much easier to budget that way. (DH was always weekly paid - which meant I got 'housekeeping' from him each week to get me from one pay month to the next )

I'm now on a mix of incomings !! CB, CTC and WPA are weekly, but the company widows pension is calendar monthly As such I'm retaining both bank accounts, otherwise I'll never remember how much I need in from one day to the next

lingojingo

Just had an email to say my approved foods order has been delivered - well I know that, I signed for it :rotfl:

I also find monthly dd can be awkward as I'm paid 4 weekly, so the amount I have at any part of the month varies enormously through the year. I've found it so much easier to keep track since getting my internet bank account, can't imagine how I managed before!

Sorry to hear about your car Marru, but I agree it could be a blessing in disguise.

£30 of vouchers arrived from iponts, had added them in last year's totals, as I ordered them near the beginning of December, but have adjusted signature to put them in this year, as it's only now that I've actually got them iyswim.

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Evening to all ladies and gentlemen of the frugal living species.:)

My regular spending is going more or less according to plan. My bills have come through from the hospital though for the tests I had to have last week. It was quite unexpected so blood tests and a liver ultrasound had to be done really quickly,hence resorted to a private hospital. Overall it has come to around 500.00 on top of what the insurance company will pay. I was in a bit of a daze while in hospital that I just gave out my credit card without thinking.:o Now I i will have to find a way of paying it back asap.

Cycling to work during the past 10 days with this cold has been really tough going. I am still trying to decide whether I should upgrade to an electric scooter I have found for between 300-400 Pounds on ebay or upgrade my bike to electric. I will give it a bit more time I think.

Keep up the good work everybody, even though its quite tough at times, especially keeping records of spending. I have decided to write more sparingly in the thread as I dont feel I have much to add/contribute. You are not getting rid of me though, I will still be around.:D

glendam

A couple of people have mentioned "billy can" what is this and is there a link.
TIA
Glenda

grandma247

billy can

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=8496837&postcount=3178

Frugaldom

glendam wrote: »

A couple of people have mentioned "billy can" what is this and is there a link.
TIA
Glenda

Billy Can part 1

Billy Can Part 2

Billy Can Part 3

I'll copy the link into post one.
Sit tight and be brave when reading part 3 :rotfl:

Guesty6

No spend day again today (getting good at this), won a bottle of wine at work so that will get some browny points!

Got my first Mystery Shop tomorrow, then going out for a mates birthday but plan to drink before I go out so that it doesnt hit the wallet too much, budgetting £20

candygirl

Been shopping again and spent £29.44 on v shaped pillow, some A5 pads for budgeting, a baby mat, a dolls highchair for nieces bday, and a few bits from ALDI:D Was getting out of the car and dropped the pillow in the mud:mad: :mad: :mad:
Anyway hope you've all had fab and frugal days:D

sophiesmum_2

2NDTIMEROUNDER wrote: »

Evening to all ladies and gentlemen of the frugal living species.:)

My regular spending is going more or less according to plan. My bills have come through from the hospital though for the tests I had to have last week. It was quite unexpected so blood tests and a liver ultrasound had to be done really quickly,hence resorted to a private hospital. Overall it has come to around 500.00 on top of what the insurance company will pay. I was in a bit of a daze while in hospital that I just gave out my credit card without thinking.:o Now I i will have to find a way of paying it back asap.

Cycling to work during the past 10 days with this cold has been really tough going. I am still trying to decide whether I should upgrade to an electric scooter I have found for between 300-400 Pounds on ebay or upgrade my bike to electric. I will give it a bit more time I think.

Keep up the good work everybody, even though its quite tough at times, especially keeping records of spending. I have decided to write more sparingly in the thread as I dont feel I have much to add/contribute. You are not getting rid of me though, I will still be around.:D

Firstly hope everything is okay healthwise -- any money spent looking after your health in my opinion is well spent,being in good health is worth far more than money, and there are others on this thread who can appreciate that on a very personal level.
Secondly everyone has something to contribute to the thread,it is great to have lots of different perspectives and lifestyles to read about, plus we need to keep the male frunchkins represented;)
Stick around:D

savingfortravel

Positives:

• Kept Positive all day.
• OH took first raincheck voucher to Mr T to honour Branston Beans offer. Firstly the offer’s still on. Secondly the cashier called the supervisor over who told OH the beans were free. I’ve no idea why!! But we’re £4 better off. We would have mentioned mistake if it had been a sole trader but T£SCO won’t notice it.
• OH picked up a late Christmas present from his cousin-a £20 M and S voucher-which brings our total to £60!!
• Free lunch at school-Pizza, salad and a few chips. No pudding.
• Meal at a pupil’s house tonight. Looking forward to that.

Have a great evening everyone!! See you tomorrow.

Candygirl-I love carnations..thinking of you..parents are so special and it sounds like you had a very special relationship with your dad.
I do love my job but like many others its time consuming in the evenings and I often just have one day off at the weekend. But then of course I do get long hols so I don’t do too badly. I just find it hard to say no and being Head of the lower school brings lots of management demands.
Fizzel81-Hope the remoska is going well.
WOMOT-Debt free by end of year-That’s amazing!
2nd Time Rounder-Keep your posts coming
Skint_Lynne-Forgive me for being nosey but where is your OH working at mo.. just dreaming about the holiday possibilities for you..did I dream it was somewhere in Africa. I also went to see U2 when younger, my sister was unemployed at the time and the lovely band were giving tickets out for free to people out of work so I went for free. I was a student with no money at the time…not heard of any other band doing that.
Nyk-You are so encouraging, like a wise sage, the message about he 3 weeks/3 months is spot on.
Mumzy-Keep up the good work!!
CW18-Sounds like you’re doing a great job on the house and it must be very difficult at times. Big Hugs
Skint-Chick-Wow, things are really going well for you.
Grandma-Hugs to you..hope you feel more energised soon.
Bails-Hope you work out the money situation.