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

Skint_Lynne

Evening all,

Another night has been spent as a removal man:rolleyes: . It's nearing it's end now though, the loft has been emptied, all the bedrooms are empty, so upstairs is more or less complete - just a couple of boxes of christmas deccies to come down from the upstairs landing. Downstairs, the cloakroom from hell is empty, (it was meant to be for coats and shoes, but was used as a dumping ground), the kitchen is more or less empty, just a couple of boxes of unused saucepans for the car boot in there, the utility room has just some bits and bobs to be cleared, the downstairs bedroom has a vax machine in it that I am bringing here and that's it.

The living room has my sis's silver cross toy prams in which I am going to store in my loft. They are really pretty and in pristine condition. They are now 21 and 19, but mum does not want to sell the prams, so up to the loft they go, along with their communion dresses.

The fridge freezer and big range cooker are going to be sold as the new house has built in stuff in it. I would love that fridge, I'm not sure if it would fit in here though, it is one of those big american jobs with the ice machine and stuff. My cousin might take it, if he doesn't, out with the measuring tape I go. They are going to store the dining room table in my brother's storage unit.

However, my living room is now like a dumping ground, I hope you don't take offence Marru, but take comfort in the fact that my place is 100 times worse than yours could ever be now.:o It is full of car boot sale stuff, I will need to sort it out into, car boot, amazon or bin. Then, I'll store it in the loft/shed until the better weather comes in. I can't wait for car boot season to start. Nosy old dad is coming along to see how I do it.:p I love car boot sales, the haggling is fantastic!!

I'll get this all sorted out on Wednesday, after I have been to the dump, (taking the last of the rubbish away, hopefully).

On a more frugal note, I have spent zero today:T :T . That's 6 NSD's this month so far.

Speak later, xx

sophiesmum_2

bails wrote: »

Oh yes it is! :T Thanks for the hugs Lingo and the well wishes Nyk.

Frugalitis alert - I'm just sitting here with OH making a menu plan and we've agreed to do a stocktake of the freezers together tomorrow - I think he's at the next stage of infection :j
A point I meant to make the other day and forgot: be careful when buying value ranges as they are not always the cheapest product in the line :eek: In Mr S the other day they had value houmous added to their range but per gram it was more expensive than their lower fat version (even without the additional 25% off they're currently running on the healthy one). It was only a penny dearer (26p cheaper with the offer) but it made me question how other lines compared. Remember, Value ranges are big business these days - they were promoting it at the front of the store and over the tannoy constantly - so just be careful you don't get stung. I'd be interested to hear of any other incidents like this too.

Right, night all, see you tomorrow x

Noticed something similar the other day in asda which made me go they has sp beans for 29p a tin, but sp beans and sausages were only 27p
There was something else where the sp one was dearer than the asda brand but cant think off hand what it was. I was shopping for oldies at time so didn't have my price book to hand.

sophiesmum_2

SL - I have one of the big american fridge freezers a silver one - it is great, filtered cold water on tap and crushed or cubed ice whenever you need it, Mine takes a large space up in my narrow kitchen but worth every inch. And the freezer never needs defrosting either:j

Re the silvercross dolls prams, last Oct I got DD's out of my mums loft (she is 17) had a look on ebay - same ones were selling in region of £400 in good condition with bag and accessories which this was. Got a bit sentimental about it but thought it was a shame to just be stuck in a bin bag in loft. While we had it out giving it a polish my cousin arrived with her little girl who is 5 and she was absolutely besotted with the pram. She enjoyed it so much and reminded me of how my DD used to be with it that I gave it to her to take home, when we go to cousins house now it always has pride of place in lounge with current favourite doll in it. Stuff e bay making that little girl happy was much more fun:D

Qype - now up to £40 33 firsts and 14 others - another £10 to go but think I have done most local stuff now:rolleyes:

Just checked my e mails and got this earlier so looks like the vouchers are okay :

We just wanted to let you know that you've reached the half way point! Only a few more reviews until you've secured your voucher.

To make sure you receive your voucher, you'll need to complete all your reviews by January 31st.

We'll email you again when you hit the target.

slowlyfading

Evening everyone

I've been babysitting this evening, and the gorgeous little boy (18 months) had a cold, so kept sneezing over the monitor. I thought it was so cute! I swear I'm getting broody :rolleyes: :eek: and I just found out one of my friend's is pregnant so that's even worse! I have to keep telling myself I'm only 22, I have plenty of time for that later on in life

Another NSD for me also, as I've been in most of the day. Had a piano lesson this afternoon and then taught a lesson, and then babysitting this evening, so no room for spending! The next few days are hopefully going to be NSDs, otherwise I wont reach Jan's target, and that simply wont do! Plus, its not like I have lots of money at the moment, so I'm trying to be more careful anyway.

I can't remember if I've said this already, but I have an interview for a secondary pgce next wednesday (the 28th) and there's a million and one things I have to do for it :eek: as well as all the obvious stuff, I have to prepare an audition as its for music, and I can't find enough pieces i can play to fill the time. ARGH! So I'm stressing slightly. Just got to focus and get it sorted, asap!

Hope everyone is okay this evening, and (((HUGS))) to those who want/need one.

sf xx

glendam

sophiesmum- i am interested in large fridge freezer when the kitchen is remodelled this year. What make is yours.(hope that's not cheeky)
Glenda

cw18

slowlyfading wrote: »

I swear I'm getting broody :rolleyes: :eek: I have to keep telling myself I'm only 22, I have plenty of time for that later on in life

By the time I was 22 I had a 4 year-old daughter, and by the time I was 23 I was 6.5 months 'gone' with elder DS. I completed my family when I was 25.5 :eek:

My DD had 2 DD's of her own (28 months and 8 months) by her 22nd birthday!!

There's a lot to be said for having a family when young (hopefully time to enjoy life when they leave home, and still be young enough to enjoy the grandchildren) -- and equally a lot to be said for having a family later in life (more patience and - hopefully - more financially secure).

The biggest issue I've seen with work colleagues having children when older (ie. early 30's) is that they've been used to holidays in far flung places and replacing cars every couple of years, and have a really hard time giving them up!!

Me? I plan to travel in my retirement, and take the time to enjoy the culture with no pressure to 'enjoy' the sun, sea, and .........

andromache_2

slowlyfading wrote: »

Evening everyone

I've been babysitting this evening, and the gorgeous little boy (18 months) had a cold, so kept sneezing over the monitor. I thought it was so cute! I swear I'm getting broody :rolleyes: :eek: and I just found out one of my friend's is pregnant so that's even worse! I have to keep telling myself I'm only 22, I have plenty of time for that later on in life

lol, me too sf!! OH thinks it's cute as he's always going on about wanting kids :rolleyes: bit depressing that I have to wait about 8 years or so till it will be possible (takes a long time to qualify for the job I want to do) but as you say, plenty of time...

Spent £7.50 today on a bike repair. I'm aiming for a NSW for the rest of the week as I have loads of food in and am very busy with work so no excuse for going out spending!

Hugs to Marru and anyone else who's having a tough time xxx oh and hope Aidan's doing well, Pip's Mum

sophiesmum_2

cw18 wrote: »

By the time I was 22 I had a 4 year-old daughter, and by the time I was 23 I was 6.5 months 'gone' with elder DS. I completed my family when I was 25.5 :eek:.

Snap:rotfl: , 4 under fives ( one with disability) one miscarriage, and a sterilisation by the time I was 25.5.

OMG I must have been completely out of my mind:eek: :eek: Now you know how and when I developed my organisational skills
Nice though now, one DD left to leave home, financially okay and still young enough to enjoy life before the grandkids arrive.

liloandstitch

To all those leaving their childbearing years until slightly later in life, do so in the knowledge that it is not always that easy to fall pregnant when you want to. I thought I had all the time in the world - it took me two years to fall pregnant with DS at the age of 34, and have been trying to add a second for 5 years. This is where the not moneysaving bit comes in, I have had 4 attempts at IVF, at a cost (of course I am ineligible for NHS!!!) of over £12000 and have now been diagnosed with cervical cancer, so have not even a baby to show for the massive spend (although I have to be fair and say that it has prob saved my life, as it was the IVF that identified the cancer rather than the smear, that said I was fine !?!)

What I am trying to say is that we all take our fertility for granted, and there is always a reason to delay or wait, money, circumstances etc. And I had valid reasons as well. But if it is what you really want find a way to make it happen when you want them within reason.

Anyhow, I am doing okay with the challenge, my version is to live on £70 per week for all my living expenses. But I have to say, with prescription charges and hospital parking, its a good job we all have a reduced appetite at the moment, as there isnt much left after paying for the above!!!

Night Lilo

sophiesmum_2

glendam wrote: »

sophiesmum- i am interested in large fridge freezer when the kitchen is remodelled this year. What make is yours.(hope that's not cheeky)
Glenda

Mine is like this
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.202-2713.aspx

These big fridge freezers get mixed reviews but mine has been great not had a bit of trouble with it and had it about 3 years now. I love it - seems to keep food much fresher than my old fridge,