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

lyndasharp

I'm really behind and am too tired to catch up, sorry! Well done Marru though, and apologies to anyone who has news that I haven't read. I have been working in London all week on a course, really enjoyed it. I helped with some of the setting up and was presented with a book at the end. I was so surprised to get anything, but it really made my day. It's good news eleswhere too, as I have come back to find a cheque from Mazuma for the phone I sent, have been credited with a refererral fee from TCB that hadn't gone through before, and got a £10 lightspeed survey amazon voucher!

I only spent £5.75 during the course in London, as after discovering how much a SINGLE small glass of wine cost I stuck with the water....

Even better news - I should have a new house tomorrow! I'm really excited! I'm off to bed really early so it'll be tomorrow sooner, and after having a long day today I can't face continuing with the packing just yet.

candygirl

Hi everyone:hello:
Had a nightmare day today, as DD was told the baby was too small and at risk, so had to have a scan and luckily it's fine and medium sized:rolleyes: :rolleyes: Also it looks like she's prob gonna get the house near me so:j :j
Haven't spent much at all this week and nothing today so am still on target:D
Well done MARRU on the new job, and BAILS go for it with the doggy:D

bails

Just popping on to add my congratulations here too Marru, well done you!! :T
:rotfl:at the library fine dream Andro, sounds like something I might do!

He he, by the cunning power that is the internet I've just found out the last price paid for the house we're looking at Let's just say whatever she gets will be a huge profit. Getting a mortgage could be OH's massive stumbling block with this idea but you gotta try these things eh...
And I'm not planning on living in both houses Nyk :rotfl:although maybe OH would like us to - one for my clutter, one for his zen space - hmm, maybe this is his plan...:think: :eek::rotfl:(Don't worry peeps, he isn't going anywhere ) Their house is much nicer than ours though so maybe we'll both move in there!

Seems noone disapproves about the dog...:j:kisses3::rotfl:EDIT: ooh, and it's an affirmative from Candygirl :T Sorry you've had such a difficult day, glad everything's okay with the baby and hopefully the house too :T
Lynda, this time tomorrow you'll be in our own house, how exciting! :jHope you can sleep tonight
ISOM, I thought Weezl wasn't due til early March?

savingfortravel

congrats Marru!!
Well done ram-murdock on your weight loss.
Shelly-Hope your foot feels better.
Janey51-Good Luck with job!!
2TR-Thanks for your message.

Much better day at school-Kept distance but still very tired. Looking forward to sorting out finances at weekend.

SFT

whitewing

bails, give me a chance to say 'yes' about the dog! I've only just got in.

bails

He he, that's two 'yes's now, thanks Whitewing :T So who's going to work on the ever sensible boyfriend for me?
Well done for the reminder SFT - well done from me too Ram and fast foot healing vibes to you Shelley, sounds painful.
Speaking of feet, time to put yours up SFT x

skint_chick

MARRU CONGRATULATIONS on your new job and hope it goes really well:D

At my evening class tonight I volunteered to make the treats this term - so tomorrow I get to go and buy some ingredients to make lots of yummy cakes and biccies with the kitty money

My spend is a little higher than my average monthly £333 but I bought oil - which will last me to the end of summer, and I took my best friend out for dinner and a movie when she lost her job which wasn't planned. We have enough food to last most of next month so should be a minimal spend month, although it is TV licence month

I rang o2 today and I'm saving £5/month until the end of my contract. I picked Orange for PAYG, if I stop making calls during the day then I should spend about £6/mth. This will reduce the phone/internet section of my budget from £720 to £500. That's my courses almost paid for!

sophiesmum_2

Just got back from friend's birthday meal out at pizza hut, didn't overdo it though so feeling quite:A which is more than can be said for DD who managed to finish meal off with a hot cookie dough dessert with ice cream - which is supposed to be for sharing.:eek: Friend saved £43 on bill so was worth cutting out the voucher:j .

Congratulations on the job Marru
Hope it is the start of good things for 2009

Make that 3 for yes bails -

candygirl

BAILS what breed is the dog?and have you got a pic?

Vixstar

CONGRATULATIONS MARRU!

Just briefly delurking to update on my progress. Haven't yet been brave enough to attempt any sort of challenge. But thought a good way to start would be to work out what I did actually spend in an unlimited all in way. It's not pretty but it's within my means and I've saved a fair chunk this month. I'm going to try and drive down some of the really easy ones next month (clothes, presents etc) partly as they were mostly one off spends. But I will have a few new expenses creep in as well. In March I'll start putting real effort into driving down things like groceries which were shockingly high I think considering I'm only home at weekends and in theory have only bought soups for lunches during the week. Got a few renewals scheduled in other the next few months and have included them on my calendar so I can search for the best deal. Was also planning on treating myself to something out of the ordinary each month but have now decided to use cash back, vouchers etc to achieve those. Anyway back to learning hints and tips from you. Whitewing love the boxes meal planning idea, may give this ago in a modified way if I get round to monthly shops.