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

cw18

((hugs)) for Lilo.

How frightening that it would have been missed if left to smears alone!! Definitely makes it money worth spent, even if not the end result you were hoping for :eek:

angelatgraceland

liloandstitch wrote: »

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

I agree-don't leave it too late-you will always wonder if you can afford it or not! My first was at 25 and we were rather skint and that took 2 years to happen. 2nd at 29-no idea why it took 4 years. Third at 34-got there in the end! Glad I hadnt waited until 34 though!
And there was "nothing" wrong with us! It just didnt happen.
Whatever your income-you mnage-its about priorities sometimes. In saying that I do believe in being responsible and not having a huge family and expecting everyone else to apy for it. We worked-no benefits-it was very hard at times but we managed.

sophiesmum_2

((( Hugs))) Lilo, hope everything goes well for you.

sophiesmum_2

Woo Hoo have finished my qype stuff, 43 first reviews, 21 others so finished the virgin challenge and I'm now a ninja :rotfl: :rotfl: mind think I have reviewed everything except my mums shed.:rolleyes:

JAMIEDODGER

Hello frugalies:)

Spent most of yesterday in the kitchen again, made my first ever stirfry! It was lovely and so easy I dont know why I waited until now to try and make one!!! Also made up 18 burgers which are all now wrapped in clingfilm in the freezer, worked out that they cost me 53p each to make which may sound a lot to some people but I know exactly what went in them and they are really tasty, you would spend a lot more buying equivalent in supermarket. I do not like frozen ones you find in tescos etc, dont know whats in them so dont want to give them to the kids!!! In any case, the burger, slice of cheese, ketchup, bun and a few HM chips worked out at about 90p for each meal for the kids......much, much cheaper than taking them to M*D*****s etc and the boys said they were 'lush' which means they approved :rotfl:

Lasagne for dinner this evening. Already cooked this on Sunday so nice and easy dinner for tonight!:D

jtb2412

Morning everyone

My day off work today so going to try and do a bit more decluttering. Other than that, not much planned really (trying to have some NSDs which means not going into town :rolleyes: ). Phone bill added to sig and my DDs will be coming out next Monday so i'll add them on when they come out.

Looked at the skype thing but the word 'competition' put me off - i'm never that lucky :rolleyes: . I think i'll just stick to the survey sites I know for now.

lilo sorry to hear about your diagnosis - I can't believe it wasn't picked up on a smear :mad: . I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery xx

On the children subject, I had my first when I was 3 weeks off my 19th birthday, my second came along when I was 22 and I had my son when I was 24 - would I change how I did things? Not for a second ! My mum had me when she was 20 so was a bit flabbergasted when I presented her with her first grandchild at 38 :eek: . I've really enjoyed being a 'young mum' - my DD1 is now 15 and we're good friends as well as mum and daughter (I sometimes do have to remind her that I'm her mum though :rolleyes: ).

I think you know when the time is right for you and I can see pro's and con's of having children young and in the later years. But I do have to agree with lilo, don't leave it until later if you want them now. Someone once said to me "if you wait until you can afford kids, you'll never have them" which I think is very true !

Right, off for brekkie ! Have a nice day everyone, hope the weather is kind to you !

xnatalie81x

Hi

I was working yesterday as a cover and working again today. Have secured some more cover in June and my total additional income earned after tax is 400 summit for the first 6mths of the year - very chuffed. Also looking at securing a sat morning teaching slot so income details may need to be amended for this challenge. Frees up more for debts!

Am doing well on living on my 8k. Although no real major bills out yet. Want to change pet insurance as 13 is a lot for basic and argos do 6.91 with £20 cashback on TCB.........

Not liking this weather as it is cold here and we are using blankets to keep warm. For some reason the cold also makes the kids eat loads so plenty of 10p packs of noodles cooked in microwave for snacks. All 3 of them are constantly eating!!!!!!!!!

cw18

xnatalie81x wrote: »

Want to change pet insurance as 13 is a lot for basic and argos do 6.91 with £20 cashback on TCB.........

Do check the smallprint carefully....

If your pet is diagnosed with a 'rest of life' condition such as diabetes or epilepsy (or even something that runs over a change of policy year), some will only pay out during the current policy year and then exclude it. Others (normally the dearer ones) will cover the condition for 'rest of life' providing you stay with them and always pay your premiums on time.

So savings on premiums now could turn out to be false economy.

sophiesmum_2

jtb2412 wrote: »

Looked at the skype thing but the word 'competition' put me off - i'm never that lucky :rolleyes: . I think i'll just stick to the survey sites I know for now.

It looks okay to me I got this earlier:

Congratulations

You have successfully completed the Qype Virgin Challenge.

Our quality control team will now check your reviews to make sure they're up to scratch and we'll be sending you your voucher by post in February. Keep your eyes peeled for a £50 voucher popping through the letterbox in early Feb!

Well done and tell your friends!

The Qype team --

xnatalie81x

I have 1.50 to make an i should get my email, and vouch feb................