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

Frugaldom

Good afternoon to all

I decided to leave the thread where it was as postng has slowed down a little bit now - I have no idea how many of us are left in at this stage but will leave the original challenger list in place for now.

The sky is blue and the sun is shining here, so more washing got hung out in the icy blast this morning. I HOPE it all stays put, as the winds are still very high and some of the items very small. :rotfl:
Don't you just love free drying? :T

Everyone is doing really well in recording their spends and it's good to keep in mind that knowing where every penny goes is a huge help, and the first real step in knowing how, where and when to save money or rein in on overspends. Keep up the good work and let's hope everyone can keep up the momentum for month 2.

Brunch here was hm seeded loaf with whatever and I'm defrosting (leftover) mince to have with veggies and the remainder of the puff pastry from pie-making day. I still haven't tried making the bean pate despite having about [STRIKE]8[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]7[/STRIKE] 6 (pumpkin seed & oat ones are very 'moreish') packs of crackers in stock, so I may have a go at that this afternoon. Electricity spending will possibly go over £30 this week as the oven has been on nearly every day, but what's an extra couple of £s when compared to what it would cost to buy the equivalent from a shop, even if it was all on offer. :cool:

Catch up again later, hope you are all having a good weekend and that the weather isn't too bad wherever you are.

Marru

Hello!

Managed to have a little extra sleep this morning before DD started teasing The Dog and I had to come to the rescue. I would love to have a puppy but 1. I want a specific breed puppy and I can't afford it 2. I live in rented house and can't face the prospect of puppy wee on the carpets 3. I am starting new job so would not have time for it 4. it is enough stress when DD is manhandling The Dog and stopping her to over love the puppy would just be too much. Sighs... One day!

This is the first year ever that the apporaching Valentines day is bothering me. Every time I go into the shops and see the cards, choccies etc I feel like I am getting a physical blow. Last year my separation was still so new that I hardly noticed Valentines day but this year it is really getting to me. On that note there is someone I would like to know if he has a special other in his life but how do you go about it? Do you just ask bluntly? Or perhaps I find him cute because of the approaching Valentine. Oh dear...

Anyway, back to frugalising. I will come back with my numbers as soon as I have checked online banking today. Also I want to play a bit more with my Other budget as now I will have £12.5 per week to pay towards park and ride but on the other hand I should be driving lot less as I am not going to college anymore. I was playing with it on Thursday and it looks like I am just about to break even instead of having £1.4k deficit plus the tax rebate so relieved with that.

When spending I have to keep reminding myself that I still have the same budget only thing that has changed is that I actually know where the money to fund it comes from, doesn't mean that I have more money. But i did treat us this weekend with apple pie and ice cream and thought that I could have every end of month weekend a little treat weekend - sensibly, not going over the board with it.

Have read all posts but can't remember what I was supposed to say except:

BB: Respect to your DIY skills

Redglass: Hope you feel better soon, just give yourself a rest.

As I said, back later with my numbers. Have a great day.

Marru

purplevamp

:mad: Forgot to add overdraft interest of £22.59 :eek:

I really need to get that sorted. Have just put in an online shop for Mr S and it's just over £100, but it should last us at least 2 weeks, and I had a £10 voucher plus free delivery so not all bad

Good luck everyone for February - it's shorter :j

mumzyof2

Good Morning

Today I woke up late again so not got anything done.
Yesterday I mentioned i had sore ribs..well this morning my ribs aint hurting anymore but my left side of my neck hurts and i cant move it or my left arm. Bending town to pick things up i can hardly do. It hurts more than my ribs did yesterday.

Im having to go to a play centre with kids this afternoon as i promised them yesterday but told them i couldnt manage it because of my ribs today its my neck and im going to feel awful if i dont take DD for her birthday.

Im going to do a pincnic tea with the children with the goodies that sophiesmum gave me

What would you do about being unwell an promising the kids they could go today as you was ill yesterday? I have thought about taking DS and DD after DS finsished school on wednesday (DD actual birthday). I have just asked the kids if they minded but they did not reply.

I have just asked my mum what she thinks and she said not to go because she knows my kids will want me to play with them in th play centre and il make it worste :rolleyes:

Its just started snowing here :T Only a little bit though I want it to snow lots!!!

sophiesmum_2

Costco run for the oldies now out the way and managed not to spend anything myself:D Just popping round now to see my mum and especially my poorly dad for a little while, OH in bed after nights and DD out on a hack with frugal pony so on my own here anyway and can't put sausage machine on until later as will wake OH up:rolleyes:

Interesting reading everyone's end of month summaries - looks like we' re doing okay though overall:T :T Well done everyone:D

Nyk - hope the washing stays put - would be more likely to freeze here it is so icy today - think we will have snow soon.

Brighton_belle

well done lilac lady:T & lots of other good budgets coming in.
I'm so excited at a brand new month's budget to play with and retry to keep spends as low as possible.
Nyk - I've been busy cutting up plastic milk bottles left right and center today for various storage things in the kitchen thanks to you mentioning it the other day: reckon I've saved myself at least £20 (and more if I'd gone to lakeland for things to do the same job;) ) .

Also been hunting down old screw-in hooks to hang mugs, utensils and dustpan&brush (been meaning to hang that up for 6 yrs:D ) so haven't had to go out and buy more which has saved another £5 in frittering.

Just asked for a folding dining table on freecycle as his would really help save space as non one eats on the current table anyway. It's used once a week by one of my lodgers and for the entire month of May for the other when marking SATS papers.
I've been changing how I see the dining room, as it isn't used for eating and has become a glorified clothes drying room and dumping ground. I'm now officially turning it in to a giant pantry/store room with more shelving etc and better layout for drying clothes. There are 4 of us here (2 couples) and each pair have a bedsit, and share kitchen, bathoom and the (former) dining room so it is much needed space. My OH & I also have a single bedroom for wardrobe and loads of shelves for storage. Much paring down still to do:o .

sophiesmum_2

Mumzy - If you aren't feeling well postpone the trip till DD's brthday. Get the kids involved in doing something fun in the house instead they will soon get absorbed and won't bother about going out.
How about helping you make jelly, sandwiches for the party tea, or give them some paper/crayons and get them to draw a placemat each which they can use for tea.
Watch a nice dvd with them or stick them in the bath with lots of bubbles/toys/jugs etc for pouring - that will occupy them for a while.

whitewing

mumzy,

Definitely don't go out if you're not feeling well.

mumzyof2

sophiesmum wrote: »

Mumzy - If you aren't feeling well postpone the trip till DD's brthday. Get the kids involved in doing something fun in the house instead they will soon get absorbed and won't bother about going out.
How about helping you make jelly, sandwiches for the party tea, or give them some paper/crayons and get them to draw a placemat each which they can use for tea.
Watch a nice dvd with them or stick them in the bath with lots of bubbles/toys/jugs etc for pouring - that will occupy them for a while.

Yes that sounds like a good idea.. Im sure they will watch charlottes web as they watched it all day yesterday on and off. Iam going to do the placemats wit them and if im ok later i will do the party tea if not its a frozen lasagne and party tea on wendnesday
Just feel like iver lt DD down in a way but i know she might not:D remember and will have a fun time on wednesday he actual birthday

bails

Hi everyone, I'll ba back to catch up soon but just a quick question - I have 350g of soya mince and want to bulk it out with lentils, what ratio can I use? I don't need to 'hide' them as we both love them I'm making a cottage pie for this evening and can either freeze extra ones or trun the mince into something else as well, any ideas?

Thanks x