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

cw18

and dental checks, and eye tests !!

my last dental check-up (November) had to be paid for, but the previous one last May was just before my last exemption cert ran out. Next check-up due early May -- which is why I need to kick-start my exemption cert ASAP after tax year change over....

also due my next eye test at the back end of this year - having had my last one free (and only paid the extra for tinted lenses on the glasses I got). The staff weren't impressed though, as I wanted some with larger lenses (previous ones were much 'squatter' and gave me major problems flicking from VDU to keyboard/paperwork) - and there were none like this in the ladies NHS section. They tried to push me towards some I'd have had to pay about £30 for, but instead I went and picked some from the gents NHS section :rolleyes2

MrDT

I'm loving February so far!

On the 1st I put some money in the electric meter, paid the monthly TV license direct debit, and took the ladyfriend out for a meal. £52.85 spent in one day - but the first two can't be helped, and the meal was great and well worth it so not complaining one bit there.

Then had three consecutive NSDs

Even better, quidco money appeared in my bank account today - £111.17! Well over the target of £40 extra income a month (aiming for money neutral gifts in 2009)

Best of all - just got notification that I've won free flights in the jet2 .com competition, so looks like we may well be jetting off for a cheapo holiday this year afterall - especially if LF gets confirmation of a win too, we'll just have to pay for food and board somewhere





ps:
pps: valentines day expenditures are incoming soon, but I can live with that!

redglass_2

Sophiesmum, Purplevamp, (edited in: and Loveday69)
Many thanks for the link! :T I now have to confess that the one I have is the IC450 (I got the model number wrong). :o:o From the pix it looks as if mine is even older than the model on that site, and from the instructions leaflet it also looks like more fuss than I can be doing with, TBH....think I might be Freecycling it soon...!

It certainly is good to read so much happy news recently along with the sadder items. I like hearing all of it even though I sometimes forget who said what.

Went a bit wild today as a friend is coming round for dinner tomorrow and I really look forward to these occasions - tend to be a bit extravagant but I don't regret it. Besides, I might not be able to get to the shops if we have as much snow as is forecast so better stock up now. Well, that;s my excuse. Off to catch up on the rest of the posts...

slowlyfading

lingojingo wrote: »

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

Thank you!!

LollopyBear

Big congrats SF! That's excellent news :T

LollopyBear

Good to see February seems rather positive for most people at the moment

A NSD for me today, which was very much needed as I was a bit naughty yesterday and spent £24.98 on fancy dress bits for a pirate-themed hen party this weekend. The really naughty bit is that I already have lots of pirate type clothes that could have done but I wanted something a bit more special as we're going to the Electric Ballroom. This weekend is going to be rather pricey - hostel, entry fares, drinks, food and train fare - Eep! I'll do my best though.

On another note, a teacher who lives close to me has been driving the 15 miles to school since Christmas instead of getting the train. As it has been crazily cold I have been going in with her (for her company as well - we have a lot of fun) and if we leave early enough it is fairly quick. I want to give her some money if we are going to do this regularly during the cold weather, especially as I'll be saving a lot on train fares. I broached it today and she said "just bung me some every now and then as I'm going to be spending the same anyway." As a frugalist, budget-maker and spreadsheet enthusiast this isn't specific enough for me! So my question is: How much do you think I should give her per week? I was thinking somewhere between £10-15, or is that too cheap (especially as monthly season ticket has risen to £90)? I don't drive myself and have no clue about petrol costs etc.

slowlyfading

LollopyBear wrote: »

Big congrats SF! That's excellent news :T

Thank you

Blairweech

Hello all,

I am still on page 84 so have not quite caught up yet.

Have been stranded for the past few days - I live in a particularly hilly area and decided to stay at a friends during the snow in case I could not get to work. Course then I could not get home again because of the ice, Anyway, it is all sorted now.

Got my new slow cooker today Very excited

Did not have to transfer ANY money over to cover rent/bills this month AND I have quite a lot left in bank account .Not sorted out the Feb spending yet, will try and do it in a minute. I have offered to work on Saturday, need to build up my emergency account ready for leaner times.

redglass_2

Well done Slowlyfading! :j

SiannieLaz, I would second what Nyk said about dehumidifiers - I borrow one from my neighbour and it's really useful. A heated drier might give you more problems as it would be sending the damp into the atmosphere of your home, whereas the dehumidifier would take it out.

Mumzy, you can ask to see a physio. Sometimes doctors act as though you can't have a referral until you've been suffering a long time, which can of course make the problem a lot worse. Try being awkward!

candygirl

Hi peeps:hello:
Had a fab day today as DD got the keys to her new house near me.We went round to sort it with the letting agent, and it's soo nice, but v expensive:eek: :eek: :eek: Anyway i'll be in hand for babysitting
Glad to see all the frugal successes in here today, and MUMZY i'm glad you're necks a bit better and hope DD'S enjoyed her bday
SF well done on getting into TT, I remember how hard it was for me all those years ago;)