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

Brighton_belle

That was me Siannielaz that mentioned the heated clothes airer -I'm really chuffed it has helped you as I only mentioned it in passing. That's what I love about this thread, is the unexpected tips you pick up. Not every idea suits everyone, but there's enough to find things that are right for you.

Had a good morning at mosaic class - the craic was particularly fun.

Best deal of the day - on the way hope I 'bought' a small folding stool to stand on in the kitchen to reach higher storage (about 1 ft high)- it folds up completely so can store neatly with the trays. It costs £16.63 in Lakeland :eek: but was £6.79 in Argos AND I paid for it entirely with nectar points earnt merely from entering my EDF meter readings online: another of Nyk's protege's coming along nicely:D

bails

Good one BB, I don't even do stuff like that yet :T I have Nect@r points languishing til I get round to working out the best way to spend them.

Back from a lovely long walk in the snow with a collie cross called Carter - he's obviously been trained (except on lead) and is a gorgeous dog who won't be around long. I gave him some freedom so he could really stretch his legs and he was over the moon, careering round and playing in the snow Definitely ticks the 'do something nice for me' and 'nice for someone else' boxes :T The puppy recognised me today which surprised me and was a lot friendlier.
OH keeps forgetting to tell me when he uses the last of something :rolleyes: so had to get butter from the local shop today. Also picked up some reduced teacakes as treat for Dad(only 10p off) but they were disgusting when he tried them so will take them back. No idea what had happened to them as packaging looked fine Also want to pick up some reduced cheese I spotted on way out so not a wasted journey but just need feet to warm up from walk first.

Off to hear how a guy cycled home from Siberia tonight, looking forward to it :j

SmlSave

Quote:
Originally Posted by SmlSave
Am very happy to hear about your gentleman friend Slowly Fading, just reading your ealier post made me smile Have you thought what you're going to do for Valentines?

He's said something about a meal he says I have to leave it to him!

Wish my OH would say this! I've told him that he has to cook me dinner for Valentines :rolleyes:

Savvy_sewing

Talking of nectar points I have just realised that Tesco never sent me any vouchers, and so I better get on to them and see if they sent them to my old address!! (Should have had them in November or december I think!!). I really am not on the ball, and now that my money is reduced to state benefits I really have to think better.!!

Savvy_sewing

Just rang Tesco, and yes I missed the points, and now I have just missed this lot that are going out in February so I wont get anything now until April!! That will teach me to forget to change my address with them!!.

shaz_mum_of__2

Shaz - I get a prepayment cert as I have tohave loads of prescriptions and they are well worth having (works outabout £8 a month). It also mean everytime you need a prescription youdon't feel resentful at the added expence: feels like adding insult oninjury sometimes doesn't it.:rolleyes:

Thanks BB Whats more annoying is i get this new sickness benefit ESA and am not entitled to free scripts definitely getting a pre pay though as doctor thinks i now have kidney stones on top of everything else ................off for an ultrasound on monday

Well done to those that have achieved something/moved/got engaged/got a new job and huggles to anyone who needs one (including me)

Janey- kedgeree is one of my faves .........could you pick out the eggs and freeze that way??

on the up side 4 days in bed meant no spends!!


leftover bolognese sauce with added kidney beans and chilli tonight with jackets and sour cream

Isom - will miss you but understand

Shaz

Frugaldom

Just a quickie whilst checking work-related emails. (This thread is too addictive! :rotfl: )

nickynoo08 - I need to G00gle 'fitflop billows', sorry, I haven't got a clue what they can be

Siannielaz - re the damp flat, I can highly recommend investing in a dehumidifier. Not only could it solve the dampness problem, it can also dry your clothes and costs not a lot to run - mine's on almost 24/7 and it's one of the best purchases I made last year.

EBidders and eBayers - I just got a fantastic suggestion emailed to me regarding packaging breakables for posting! I currently use polystyrene beads/nuts or whatever and someone has just told me about using POPCORN! Cheap bag of corn and a cheap pop-corn maker and hey presto - your own little production plant for edible, bio-degradeable and eco-friendly packaging! :T I think that's a brilliant idea! (Apologies if it's old news and everyone except me had heard about it already. ) I knew I should have bought that popcorn maker! :rolleyes:

In the garden - lettuces still looking good, rhubarb has definitely awoken and, to my amazement, when I uncovered the garlic planter to water it, there are about 10 plants in there already! My single potato I planted in the bucket has also started to grow! :j I was so excited that I'd to take piccies so I can update frugaldom site tonight. :j Must go bring in the washing now and then finish unpacking the last box of dishes.

lingojingo

Nyk, lucky you to be able to dry washing outside at the moment. My line has been frozen solid for 3 days, it was about an inch thick and it even had icicles hanging off it on Monday! :eek: the house is now festooned with various articles of clothing trying to dry, as we seem to have worn so much more with this weather :rotfl:

Sf, well done on being accepted for teacher training.:T

cw18

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Thanks BB Whats more annoying is i get this new sickness benefit ESA and am not entitled to free scripts

You didn't get free scripts on IB either -- it all hinges on your Tax Credits entitlement these days.

There's a flowchart to work out whether or not you're entitled to an exemption certificate or not here

Good news (for me) is that I'll be entitled to one from April :T It does annoy me that my weekly income won't be changing from what it is now, but as it's based on the full years income that they're using for TC calculations (in my case last tax year, as I had 7 months full salary this year) I'm actually £1,307 over the maximum income allowed to get one until this next tax year!! So 6th April will see me on the phone to them with an 'estimated income' for the 2009/10 tax year (much lower than the 2008/09 income), which will automatically get me one sent out.

kittiej

Talking of free scripts, I keep forgetting that you have to pay for them still in England.

We get them free here in Wales