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

eilo1007

Oops! Have just realised what i have done!!!!!!!
I used the top line of my pay, not the bottom line. Forgot that i pay tax, National Insurance and Pension

Having recalculated, I should just about break even. I thought that seemed a bit too good to be true. I was a bit shocked that I had over spent quite so much. Anyway, now I am sorted, I am going to make it a live on £3500 per year.

Must be the Christmas spirit messing with my brain... sorry!:o

Masomnia

eilo1007 wrote: »

Must be the Christmas spirit messing with my brain... sorry!:o

Or Christmas spirits

Just kidding! Welcome to the challenge. You're right, there's no reason to struggle. Some simple lifestyle changes can make things much easier for you and I hope this thread helps.

Good luck!

Frugaldom

Hi guys! Everyone getting excited now? :j Welcome to Eilo1007

I've spent the afternoon in the garden, we have planted the 5 fruit trees and I've moved a few pots about to start making some space in the greehouse to begin planting things. I can hardly wait to get started in my new garden for 2009. :j I've just spent the past hour reading all the seed packs and making up a month by month schedule of planting what, where, how and when and was pleased to see that I can get started almost immediately. Regulars to the challenge will know that I've already planted my garlic and first batch of salad leaves seeds, so now have dozens of tiny lettuce seedlings in the tub outside the back door. As soon as I get the New Year celebrations past, I have the following seeds to plant in January:

Basil - into pots on window sill
Chives - into pots on window sill
Coriander - into pots on window sill
Peppers - into pots on window sill
Tomatoes - into pots on window sill
Salad Leaves - outdoors under polythene covers
Potatoes - 1 per week in individual buckets/tubs in greenhouse

I know the above won't keep us fed, but I just can't wait to get started. I only just found out that I can plant the potatoes and if I do them one or 2 per week right through the year then, at some point, we should become self sufficient in the spud department. Only managed to grow 6 months' supply in 2008, but didn't start planting until late spring and then moved house without digging all the potatoes, onions, leeks or beetroot.

sarahb123_3

Hi, please may I join the challenge? I have been lurking for the past few months and I am amazed at how well you have all done and would like to have a go myself. I am saving for a house so being able to live on 4k would really help with that. It's a brilliant thread and I have picked up so many tips from everyone, thanks to nykmedia for starting it.

sophiesmum_2

Welcome to the newbies:D Good luck for 2009, and can't wait for the new challenge to officially start on 1/1/09 as I 'm getting all dizzy switching between two threads all time, and remembering what I have written where....:rotfl:

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Goodmorning to everybody and especially the new members of the club. I wish you all the best for your personal 2009 challenges.;)

I have just now read an article which is so inspirational regarding the current economic climate but also about frugal living. I hope you enjoy too. I keep a folder titled Inspirational in my Favourites and every morning I read one quote or small passage which helps me through the day s challenges without complaining and thinking that I am the only one that is having a struggle. Life is a struggle most of the time for most of us, regardless of financial fortune or circumstances, I am afraid. BUT we have to keep going, somehow...:D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1102003/When-MAX-HASTINGS-contacted-reader-grown-grinding-poverty-went-meet--Kates-humbling-inspiring-story.html

angelatgraceland

It's easy enough to be pleasant
When life goes along with a song.
But the man that's worthwhile
Is the man who can smile
When everything goes wrong

Now that is something indeed! Makes us realises how well off we are today.
Even the poor live in luxury by those standards. Thank goodness! I was watching tv today and the rush for the sales-consumers gone mad! No material "things" are that important to me Im happy to say.

JAMIEDODGER

morning all:)

have just input my meter readings into i-measure, its my second week of entering and in a week I have used:

74 units of electricity
388 units of gas

by their calculations I have spent:

£13.58 on gas
£8.88 on electricity

considering this week contained xmas and the shortest day, further readings should show we have used less.

its quite interesting, will be finding other ways to reduce usage next week!!

moo2moo

Cat Lady have you considered installing an indoor loft ariel instead? Its fitted indoors in the loft with 4 screws into a wall or roof beam after that its just a case of point it in the right direction (trial and error works) and plug in the cables. You should be able to do that for under £50. Screwfix stock them with cashback via Quidco. Alternatively you can use your Sky set up to get freesat for free.

angelatgraceland

JAMIEDODGER wrote: »

morning all:)

have just input my meter readings into i-measure, its my second week of entering and in a week I have used:

74 units of electricity
388 units of gas

by their calculations I have spent:

£13.58 on gas
£8.88 on electricity

considering this week contained xmas and the shortest day, further readings should show we have used less.

its quite interesting, will be finding other ways to reduce usage next week!!

That sounds a good idea! Im off to investigate that one. Ive not been watching the meters lately-too busy and too cold but I know I must.