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

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Hi guys. I have decided that I will not be posting any figures every month but at the end of the year for the whole lot. I keep spending records religiously though.Overall I have kept expenses to the absolute minimum and I think many times beforehand whether I truly need something and then and only then does the wallet open these days. So taking everything into account, including unexpected medical expenses, January was ok for me. Even better than ok, now that I think about it. My personal life is a different story but I am working at it. Well done to everybody that is within budget and dont despair for everyone that perhaps fell a little behind or not feel on top of everything.

I am still cycling - well sort of, pushing a bike more like it - to work but during the last few days I regret selling the car before Spring at least.:mad: Last night it was freezing, had to put a scarf and dressing gown on, hot water bottle, socks plus the usual mix of pyjamas and long sleeved t shirt. Im turning into an old man fast, I think.:)

Marru thank you for the info re MB. I will have a look on the Boards and see if I can crack it. Hope you dont need a very big float though as I am very stretched financially at the moment. - Glad you liked your new job.

Nyk, just my luck. I open my mouth on Scottish weather, next thing that happens is worst snowfalls for the whole of England and Wales for 20 years.:rolleyes: Have not had much snow here but plenty of cold, fog and wind. Snow is forecast for coming Friday, so lets see.

SFT, any impovement with the boy s health?

Mumzyof2, well done on the exam. Hope the next one goes just as well for you.

Lynda, very good and happy news from you. Congratulations!

InSearchOfMe, brave of you to admit it. I am sure you have thought it through.I have felt like this many times so I understand. Dont give up on the challenge though and drop us a line every now and then. All the best with the 10,000 Pounds target!

Pipsmum, if your husband is ok dont worry about the car or the excess. Metal or money are worthless.

Take care everybody and be good.:)

HH62

Morning everyone.
Today should be a NSD.
Yesterday I went through my CC bill to analyse last month's spending. I reckon I spent £200 more than I actually needed to. Hopefully will do better this month - after all it only has 28 days!!
I was doing well keeping up to date with spending diary.com but I haven't logged in for a couple of weeks, so I'll start that again.
Also want to start a price book for food shopping but that's not likely to happen any time soon !

Hope everyone has a good day.

skint_chick

SFT - You lucky thing! He sounds lovely to already be planning Valentines Day - and of course you deserve it!

Janey - good luck with going back to work - starting off slowly like you've planned will help. I've been off for 5mths now and it's not the same situation but I went back to work this week and although I'm exhausted I'm enjoying the human contact and having something else to focus on.

Mumzy - congrats on the exam results - and I hope you keep going with it to increase your confidence.

I finalised my plans for my mobile from April - Quidco are doing a £60 cashback on a Vodafone 12mth sim only contract @ £10mth. For that I'll get 500 texts and 100mins and because of the cashback it works out at £5/mth so it's best solution for me- I can still call ppl but won't need to keep topping up. And I still have enough credit on my Orange PAYG sim for the rest of the year's Orange Weds (from last Oct's £10 top up). Off to mystery shop now - burger for lunch and chicken for dinner (but I'll be healthy tomorrow!)

kittiej

Yes SFT you are so lucky to have found someone so considerate.

I'm expecting Valentines's Day to be as uneventful as my birthday was 10 days ago.

No card, no present, in fact he forgot for the second year running!

That's where this MSE stuff is back firing on me because he uses the excuse that he's being 'money saving'!

What's everyone else going to be doing on the 14th Feb?

cw18

kittiej wrote: »

What's everyone else going to be doing on the 14th Feb?

Just had to check what day of the week it is.....

As it's a Saturday I won't have to run around after my GDs/school, and it's the one day in a week I get a lie-in (sometimes). And it will then continue like any other..... cooking, cleaning and web surfing, possibly with a walk to the shops to get milk (if needed) and check Whoopsies :rolleyes2

xnatalie81x

Heya just catching up - haven't been around much for 3 reasons

1. eldest of school 'i'm bored i'm bored i'm bored'
2. Other 2 have turned into whingy moaners arghhhhhhhh and all were up at 3am this morning oooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvertired -youngest currently on my lap and touch touch touch lol - this message so far has taken 4mins!!!!
3. I am absolutely addicted to dooyoo so instead of coming here at naptime i am there making som money! Joined 1st feb and have 15,000 pts (£15) wahooo and i get quite good feedback for my reviews. Could just be all the mse's recognising my name and being nice, but i like to think not lol

Spends are brilliant so far and ordered argos vouchers for ds b'day march 10th £100 worth for £92 (work discount thingy) and also bulk bought pampers nappies for 5.98 pack ish!!!! (with adv. pts and cashback TCB) so chuffy chuffed! (posted on spend board)0

Right i'm off this boy is fidgeting like a fish out of it's tank. Currently hanging over my left arm.arghhhhhi need sleep

bails

Morning all. Sorry to hear you're leaving ISOM, you know what works best for you though. I can't keep up with several threads so prioritise too. Keep popping in to post updates though, always nice to see you x
Good luck with going back to work Janey, I hope it's not too daunting and you can ease yourself back in gently. I'm really enjoying being back at work, mine is very gradual though so different.
Hope your boys get some sleep soon Natalie!
Sorry to hear about your neck Mumzy, hope it gets better soon.
Really happy for you SF, he sounds lovely!
Valentine's Day, I'll be spending with the MiL and a group of 20-something lads :rotfl:One of OH's mates is home from America for a couple of weeks so we'll be in Brighton seeing him and the outlaws. We don't really do V Day as prices get hiked so we celebrate on a different day. TBH, I'm happy not to have a special day at all as I get a lot of loveliness every day but OH wants to take me out for a special meal ie not with vouchers :rotfl:next Tuesday. I don't know where we're going...:smileyhea
The big news here is that OH may be going away...to Sierra Leone...very soon!! An urgent placement came up last night that would be perfect for him and he was so excited about the idea! He may not get the chance as the closing date was Monday but we'll see. He'd probably be going in the next week or two it seems, for 4 months. If it happens it'll be a little scary (he's my main carer) and amazing too :jI'd have to go out and visit him of course Early days though yet...
I'm having a frugal day today - off dog walking then to the gym for a sauna I'll need to get milk and tomatoes for my dad but that's remarkably cheap for a day's labour so not complaining in the slightest
Have a lovely day peeps x

slowlyfading

They've offered me a place to do teacher training! :j :j :j

I've just pressed accept

bails

Congratulations SF, you're having a fantastic week! Hope your grandad improves soon xx

slowlyfading

bails wrote: »

Congratulations SF, you're having a fantastic week! Hope your grandad improves soon xx

I am having a great week and he's back at home now, they're trying to figure out whats wrong x