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

skint_chick

Thanks everyone for all your comments I appreciate the support - it's such a difficult choice because I've been through such a nightmare few months. I was so about the new job because it's something I'm really interested in rather than something that makes me a lot of money.

So new job it is I'm officially frugaltastic now! £500 a week drop in income is scary but with this challenge I worked out I'm saving about £200 a week in groceries, clothes, petrol, car wear and tear, food I don't need etc. If I aim to make another £100 or so a month from mystery shopping then I can afford more holidays - and I'll have the time to actually go on holiday!

Telling my parents tomorrow is going to be interesting. I think my mum understands that I was miserable and have been treated badly but my dad is stuck in the mindset that it's a good career and he didn't pay for me to go to university to not have a "career" job.

Off for the weekend now to spend quality time with my family so catch up on Monday - have a good weekend everyone - Sophiesmum hope you feel better soon

lyndasharp

Skint chick, hope telling your parents goes well.

The cost of raising a child is scary... that's more than my parents ever earned over 21 years, and they managed!

Got my first pay cheque in my new job, but have been stung for extra tax as I'm on an emergency tax code, does anyone know whether they pay that back automatically next month when they get my P45, or do I have to claim it in April?

dND

Skint_chick: I'm in agreement with the new job too. Nothing is certain in the job world at the moment and your health and happiness is the most important thing. Good luck with the parents tomorrow.

Sophiesmum: I do hope yo are feeling better soon, it's so hard to relax and let yourself get well when you know others are depending on you but taking it easy for a day or so now could prevent you feeling below par for a much longer time.

Andromanche: You only live once and you'll make the money back somewhere:D

Lyndasharp: It sounds a bit like a dream job you have now. Have you been to see Tyntesfield yet? I sadly didn't manage to get there before I moved. I hope the MOT goes well.

Hug and congratulations as required to anyone I've missed.

Now off to feed chickens, muck out alpacas and then off to the big town :rotfl:for an interview for an intensive French course.

I finally decided that I can find excuses all the time not to do a course, the main one being time, closely followed by seeing how little people I know have learnt during their weekly 20€+lessons that they've been doing for years.
These lessons are 2 x 3hr per week :eek: for about 6 months and I think they count if I want to take out French citizenship in 3 years. They are apparently a government initiative and I've heard that even if I do have to pay for them they are 4€ per lesson and they also cover the French way of life too.

Skint_Lynne

sophiesmum wrote: »

Basic ranges I will buy are baked beans, tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit, kidney beans, porridge oats, biscuits occasionally, pickles, sauces,pasta, uht milk etc
I buy meat/fish in costco - very good quality - not cheap but good value for money and just use less
I will also buy joints etc whoopsied at asda
I make my own sausages so know exactly what goes into them
I buy free range eggs from farm

Even when cooking for oldies I buy very good quality meat from costco and stretch it within the meal with lots of veggies etc.For example a £14 pack of best Scottish beef mince from costco will make enough shepherds pie for 25 oldies (large portions) and still be enough cooked mince mixture (mince,carrots, mushrooms, onions,stock) to freeze to form the basis for next Fridays tea of mince and veg and potato pie with crust for 25, which they will have with veggies. That way they are eating very good quality food but it's not costing them a fortune.

Funny, I thought of you when I saw them make the sausages on the programme. I would like to do that, but it is getting the time to do it, and would I make them right? There must be a knack to making them, it looks scary but fun at the same time. The butchers are very good, I can taste the difference straight away if they have come from the supermarket.

Hope you are feeling better today. I woke up to find my annual coldsore that comes under my nose. It is very glamourous.:rotfl:

angelatgraceland

fizzel81 wrote: »

morning all
need to find a way for the mince to defrost, got it out last night and its still frozen in the fridge, but the utlity room is quite cold, cottage pie again for dinner cooked in the remoska

Have you got a microwave? Defrost it in there on a low setting-power 2 or 3 if its numbered one to ten.

cw18

lyndasharp wrote: »

Got my first pay cheque in my new job, but have been stung for extra tax as I'm on an emergency tax code, does anyone know whether they pay that back automatically next month when they get my P45, or do I have to claim it in April?

It ordinarily adjusts itself once Inland Revenue confirm your correct tax code with your new employer -- but as we're so close to the end of the tax year it depends on how quickly they action it. I assume you'll have 2 more pay cheques before April 5th/6th, so there's a pretty good chance it'll be done. But if it doesn't, then you just need to contact the correct IR office (dependant on your employer, not your home address -- mine's going to be in Scotland as that's where the Occupational Pension operates from!!) and ask for a refund. They may ask you to complete a Tax Return though

Janey51

DdraigGoch wrote: »

What temperature do you keep/manage to get up to in your homes? Currently our main living room is, 3' away from the fire, 11.9'C [53.42'F]. This is with a half filled wood burner burning all day, although the room is huge, I'll confess. I just wondered what other people regard as acceptable as I know the government seems to think we should all be wandering around in T-shirts and shorts most days ......

My kitchen is usually about 15/16 C with the Rayburn on 24/7
The living room gets to 16C with log burner on and 18C if I have the heating on as well.
My bedroom is usually about 8C because the heating is still iffy but has been as low as 6C.

We are a hardy lot around here

Janey51

We have snow here today and a bitingly cold wind.
I have developed a bad tum and headache as the day has passed so think I will be retiring to the sofa with cats, hot water bottle and DVD to watch while I feel sorry for myself.

There is a sheep in my garden. The pheasants have already eaten my new bulbs and the sheep is starting on the snowdrops.

Re my cheap Evap milk search. It is 50p in Aldi which is a saving of 8p a tin on Mr A and Mr T so not to be sniffed at.
I have evap in my coffee as I need the extra calories at the moment. But upset tum is heaving at the thought.

I cleared out the freezer and took stock yesterday and don't think I need to buy anything for at least a week.
Budget review at the end of next week.

candygirl

Hi everyone:hello:
Just been to withdraw most of my money from LLOYDS before HBOS realise it's there:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: I'm way ahead of their game;) Then went to the charity shop and got a few bits for DGD to be, inc a t shirt saying "Mummy's little angel" which DD loves.Met her for dinner in Morrisons, then went round and got a few bits, and spent £20.They have the brill lock n seal tupperware boxes for 97p at the mo, so got a few:D
The 2 bed house DD likes near me was advertised as available from May, which is when DD's lease runs out on her flat.I rang today and it is actually ready from tomoz:mad: :mad: so will have to keep looking:o
SKINTCHICK don't worry too much about telling your parents.I'm sure your mental health is a priority for them, as I know my DD's is for me:D
LYNDA I love your car.We used to have a navy one in the 80's, and when ex oh sold it I cried:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Have a fab day everyone x:A

mumzyof2

Afternoon all,
I have cleaned my whole house this morning and feel so much better for doing it even tho DD is still in her PJ's.
There was a warehouse of fire from 3.30am this morning at end of my road and fire birgade was still there at 9am! I think it was the local teenagers as 2 weeks ago they smashed all the windows. Im thinking of moving as its just getting rough round here and never use to be.
I am now doing avon, she came round this morning andgave me all i need but not going to do house to house as its on a rough estate where my area is and i dont like being out in the dark at night as it is! So im trying to get family and friends to buy stuff from avon. Just dont know how i can get more people thats all. and dont know who would buy avon.
heading over to my BF aunties after school i think or might just come home and chill.
Took my DS tv/dvd out of his room today for not tidying his room when asked and back chatting me. I told him at school this morning that it would be gone by time he comes home...he went in to school crying!
Im actually going to go to Mr M after school and get a few bits as i need cereal and milk and then may pop into town and cash my cheque in.