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

kayharcombe

I am sooo excited, have been looking at www.bhwt.org.uk, and found out that they are doing a battery hen rescue near me soon, so have asked if i could have some please, should keep us in eggs easily for next year, plus extra for pin money. should really compliment the allotment that i really must get round to sorting out.

I used to keep chickens before and miss having them soooo much, so do the kids.

kay

JAMIEDODGER

have had a fairly busy day, beginning to clear out cupboard for stockpiling, made a loaf in the BM, made fairy cakes in the remy.

ive also been doing some sanding today in preparation for more painting in the new year!

Started to make a list of veggies I want to grow next year once i get my new greenhouse....was talking to my dad earlier and he has some slabs i can have:j

have a friend round this evening so that will be nice:)

Boomdocker

Hi Nyk,

I had decided to lurk again but after some thought and spreadsheet tinkering I have decided to jump in head first and join properly!! Woo hoo!!

I have decided to go all in though and include my rent, household bills and savings so I can properly track eveything. It had put me off trying to work out what to include/exclude. I flat share so split some bills and take whole responsibility for others again which made it difficlut to split, my flatmate pays a higher portion of the rent/insurance etc and I pay gas/elec/water but essentially we break even between us.

I am going all in for £10k as follows:

Rent - £150 a month - £1800 annual
Council Tax - £96 a month - £1152 annual
Anglain Water - £23.87 a month - £286.44 annual
E&S Water - £14.41 a month - £172.92 annual
Gas - £60 a month - £720 annual
Electric - £30 a month - £360 annual
Media Package - £85 a month - £1020 annual
Food - £100 a month - £1200 annual
TV License -£11.64 a month - £140 annual
Elite Racing - £10.00 a month - £120 annual
Ground Rent - £30 a month - £360 annual
Hair - £17.50 a month - £210 annual
Gifts - £29.17 a month - £350 annual
Savings - £50 a month - £600 annual
Holiday - £83.35 a month - £1000 annual
Clothing/Footwear - £10 a month - £120 annual
Misc/Entertainment - £22.39 a month - £268.64 annual

Total - £833.33 a month - £10000 annually

Pips_Mum

Heres a random question for you all that I never thought I would ask!!!

Can I freeze mushrooms? And if so do I need to cook them first?

I have a whole tub that will probably go off whilst I am away for xmas as they are on the turn now.

the_cat

Yes, you can freeze them. Just chop up and put in freezer bag raw, no other prep necessary. I often do this when I get lucky in the reduced veg section!!

cw18

No probs freezering mushrooms -- I have several bags in my freezer. Some are sliced (for pizza), some chunked (spag bol and casseroles) and some whole (braised steak and mushroom).

Pips_Mum

:TThanks guys x x x:T

fizzel81

what an afternoon baby fizzel (well not so much a baby but my baby) has a bug

2 extra loads of washing and its gotta be tumble dryed as the airers are full , hopeing the other 2 dont get it being so close to xmas, if i end up staying at home i have nothing in

andan

Happy birthday Mrs Macawber.

Not much to report from me, just wanted to say thanks though for all the advice regarding what you can freeze etc. I think for this challenge i need to get more food savvy, especially with using things up and making greater concoctions!!

Purple_Sparkles

Nyk - could you put me down for 2009 please?

I've worked out my budget and think it's doable. I've already said that I won't buy anything new for me for the next year as I've got way to much in the way of clothes, shoes etc... and I don't need to buy anything that I can think of like that, my son is pretty sorted in that department too!

TVL 140.00
Gas 520.00
Elec 780.00
Water 260.00
Food 1560.00
Pets 520.00
Phone/Internet 520.00
Anything else 216.00
Sons Allowance 260.00
Sons Clothes 120.00
Presents 60.00
Contents Ins 84.00
Total 5040 (4,000 + CB)

I've not included rent & council tax nor my car or mobile which I use for work so the expenses for those come out of my business budget, (not the rent or CT).

I'll make most of the gifts for next year and have a load of stuff already towards birthdays!
I'm looking forward to the challenge :beer: