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

slowlyfading

Oh gosh, am sending positive thoughts to that little boy and I hope he pulls through xx

lilac_lady

sfortravel, everything gets put in perspective when a dreadful accident like the oil tanker one occurs. We've nothing to moan about really.

Sophiesmum - your Dad is doing the right thing for his family. The main reason I try to cut back is to help my family out. I pay into my DGCs child trust funds, help buy their shoes and generally keep an eye and an ear open to find out when things get a bit tight so that I can ease their paths a little bit. I just wish that I could do more to help out.

When I watch my DGS this week, I plan to bake a cake with him. I've discovered Mr T's value sponge mix @ 33p does the job (almost) as well as a true home baked one. Most small children are more interested in decorating the cake rather than making it anyhow. It's a cheap way of entertaining children when the weather's bad and they're alway so pleased with the result.

sophiesmum_2

Still snowing here, have just dropped DD off at stable to see to frugal pony as farm lane unpassable on her scooter:rolleyes: will have to pick her up later but at least I know she is safe. Farm is only 10 minutes away from here and saw three road accidents on way home:eek: mostly black ice I think as not much actual snow on roads.

Hope everyone is okay especially those who live in remote places.

Janey keep warm,you'd best snuggle up with a few cats tonight for extra tog value;) - keep meaning to ask how mum is doing now- has she settled a bit more? Missing mum's memories.

Aching arms tonight from lugging 18 large pictures across town to car park for oldies. Even doing 3 journeys of 6 pics was hard work:rolleyes:

Looking forward to going to gym later but seems a bit weird thinking about sitting in a sauna when it is snowy outside

skint_chick

Slowlyfading good news about the new man - good luck with it and keep us updated

SFT - thats terrible about the oil tanker - hope the little boy is ok

mumzy -good work on the f&f settlement - you are doing such a good job with your debts I'm really pleased you're getting sorted

My first day at new job went really well and I'm really excited about the opportunity and soooo glad I went for it. Definitely the right decision and I feel like myself again going out to work. Small mortgage overpayment made last night and OH sold stuff on ebay so we use this to plan a holiday for our anniversary. NSD as lunch was provided and walking to the library tonight to get new books. NSD planned for tomorrow too as after work I have my evening class so dinner will be from freezer.

Frugaldom

nykmedia wrote: »

Hello everyone, sorry I haven't had time to read any of the posts yet, will catch up as soon as I finish work. Hope everyone is OK, will read the posts as soon as I can

Hello again, I have just finished work and managed to catch up with the posts.

Mumzy, the link to spending diary is in the handy links in post 1 of this thread. Glad your neck is getting better

Sorry to read about the tanker accident, it's events like these that show us how petty / pathetic some our so-called news stories can be.

I haven't kept tabs on all that's been said today but I have read all the posts and appropropriate responses where due.

I'm beginning to think we live on a different planet to everyone else as we have no snow here and it was dry & sunny enough for HS to get out into the garden and build 2 raised beds from salvaged wood. I've been stuck at the computer all day and haven't had the chance to get near the kitchen, so nothing done in that department - bagels will need to wait a little bit longer and I haven't even started making dinner yet! :rolleyes:

DD out bank for my assurance/savings bond, not technically included in the challenge but included in my figures as I'm offsetting my 'misc' column against extra free income. Interest added, pittance that it was, and I am still waiting for A$da insurance cashback to become payable from October!! :mad:

Off to make some food, tuna & pasta sounds good & quick to me, then I'll get back to catching up on here again so you all know I do pay attention.

purplevamp

SFT - That is really awful news, I'll be sending out my good thoughts for everyone involved. It really does make you stop and think about how insignificant our problems are. xxx

Very snowy here . Got myself and the little ones bundled up in thermals and longjohns, scarves, hats, etc and started walking up the road to get the bus, then my neighbour informed us that all the schools were closed and there were no buses. I had checked the websites before we left and they were all ok. Later found out that as so many people were trying to log on to them they couldn't update it, hmph any excuse :rolleyes: . DH did have to trek to C0-0P to get milk and bread, ran out of both, but they had none, then went to Te$c0 and they only had 2 loaves of bread left :eek: , he grabbed one. Then walked all the way back to our local but really expensive corner shop and got the last 2 pt milk. So that was £5, as he did get some badly needed chocolate :rotfl: . We're meant to be having our shopping delivered tomorrow, fingers crossed it comes as we have an empty freezer and bare cupboards. Bad timing!!

In_Search_Of_Me

Not much to report this end...snowing so, like many it would seem, went to get some new tyres to be safe. Also ordered tiles for next week but nowt out of my day to day spends...taken things back so will update figs tom. Feeling a bit fluey...
Incident with tanker, two brothers dying on a mountain etc certainly puts things into perspective...hope people will be sensible with driving as roads will be icey but know some will continue to drive as if its a sunny day...
lol re the raised beds...snow started here at about lunchtime and still falling...beautiful...
congrats re the new man sf and hugs those that would like one!

Marru

Hello,

What a day, took the hire car back in the morning :j after dropping DD off to nursery and walking The Dog and then rushed to work. Everybody was really nice but will get the proper tour and introductions tomorrow. Just had IT and HR induction today and then inputted some sales invoices into the system. Rushed to pick up my car, got home to get changed and pick up The Dog, skidded down the hill with my car (lucky nobody was coming to the other direction) to pick up my client dog, walked them, had so much fun that lost track of time , was late to pick up DD from nursery, came home, DD exhausted, straight to bed, no snack or story. I am cold and hungry and filthy (and soaked) and wondering should I a) do some yoga, go have shower and then have a meal or b) have meal, stuff the yoga and have a shower.

All in all very successfull day, lucky tomorrow not quite so busy.

SF: Excellent news!! Go girl!!

Bails: You big teaser! I am so jealous and I didn't get to see cutie today. :rolleyes:

Shaz: Hope you feel better soon!

I am so cold that decided to get myself warm before supper so option a it is.

Catch up later,

Marru

sophiesmum_2

Glad you had a good first day Marru - now go and get warmed up and fed:D

slowlyfading

skint_chick wrote: »

Slowlyfading good news about the new man - good luck with it and keep us updated

Thanks - I will

Marru wrote: »

SF: Excellent news!! Go girl!!

Thanks

In other news, we've just heard two bad things. First, that my Grandpa has been taken into hospital with heart problems. Second, that my dad's cousin has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, and has to start treatment, including the removal of the bladder, immediately. So, please send a kind thought for them xx