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

Brighton_belle

Just done an interesting experiment. It's 6 months since we decided to buy our meat from our local butcher, who sources locally reared 'happy' meat.
Through him we have learnt a lot more about cheap cuts of meat that we had never tried before as well as ordinary things like chicken. The flavour of everything is really great so we have gradually reduced our meat portion sizes I think.
So, yesterday we spent £30 on our month's supply of meat (which roughly works out £1 a day for the 2 of us.) I have just gone on line to check my last couple of sainsbury orders from when I used to shop there online. Our average monthly meat spends there would now cost £41 and if I upgraded some of the order to free range it would cost us £49.69. So it brilliant to see we have considerably reduced our costs by buying locally and supporting a local shop. (I know this can't compare to some of you who get great whoopsied bargains, but we are happy with this choice for us).

Got half of 2 jobs on my list for the weekend done so far but did cook 2 cakes in the remoska(at the same time), one for a friend I am visiting tomorrow afternoon for a cuppa and catchup. Mght try and finish one more half done job now before going to bed.

Skint_Lynne

I'm back in from my meal, it was okay, I just made the wrong choices. My friend's looked really nice. I spent £25:eek: , she likes wine and had 3 glasses. I'll need to make sure that I order steak the next time so that I get my moneys worth.

I'm off to bed, need to get up early to start getting things sorted out, and I am still feeling a bit rough, but you just get on with things, nothing else for it.

I see that my last post was removed, cause I quoted that the spammer was daft, I won't do that again!!!:cool: xx

sophiesmum_2

JUst off for a shower and then to bed. One of oldies decided to set fire to her flat tonight - smoking in bed:eek: , two engines , ten hunky firemen, ambulance and two paramedics later and everyone is okay:D Thank goodness for fire alarms, fire men and rapid response paramedics with oxygen:T :T :T Off for my shower now as I smell like something that fell off the bonfire:p

JAMIEDODGER

Only just caught up again!

Hugs to everyone who needs them and well done to those who deserve congrats!!!

Total spending for February so far is: £170.22
Total spending for 2009 so far is: £833.63

Total remaining for year: £6265.57
Total remaining for February: £414.85

Doing really well with the challenge so far. Plenty of stock in foodwise, freezers and cupboards full.

Spending most of my time decorating. Have started on the front room this week and have done one coat out of three! Everywhere is looking so fresh and clean!!:)

This coming weeks plans are to finish front room/hall and kitchen, and to finish stripping wallpaper in ds1&2 bedroom, and paint in there next week.

BF is going away on a work course for 3 weeks! so I will have plenty of time on my own to get all I want done.

I am going to the Ikea Southampton opening day on thursday:D I will be getting my new bed!!!!!:D:D:D:T Very excited cant you tell!!!

the_cat

Hi everyone

Have just skimmed through the posts since I last posted. Lots of news but as usual I can't remember who said what so will just have to say (((hugs)) to those that need it and 'well done' to those that deserve it

Not been doing much this week due to the snow. Starting to get cabin fever now to be honest as due my to storecupboard I haven't needed to fight my way anywhere and have stayed at home far more than normal.

Started the week well with decluttering/ebaying and getting some jobs done but as the week has progressed I have become lazy In good news I have managed to liberate £51 in coin from OH's (well both of ours really, but I only seem to take money out since starting this challenge:rotfl: ) coin jar to pay in which was mostly there from last year. Will try to be good now and let it build up for Christmas.

Not much planned for today, but must try to get out for a proper walk or something to get some exercise. Hopefully that will shake me out of this lazy mood.

Cat

xnatalie81x

I really need to update my totals but i don't have a calculator and there isn't one on the computer (i have looked) so i have to do it on paper and it is doing my brain in!!! Anyone wants to donate me a calculator i will send you a stamped envelope lol (free stamps from royal mail thingy)

I received my avon order so pressies now put in box in bedroom ready for xmas. Also received a mailer from vertbaudet for £15 off if you spend £20 and a free computer thingy which i will be saving for daughter's b'day in July. Have ordered 3 t-shirts for dd and some vests and shorts for ds2 and total £5.00 and 3.99 delivery. Not bad for 8.99 total - that is going on clothes budget which is below target for Feb (even with son's new school shoes!) - am doing very very well

Debt payments are high for feb but low for jan so need to try and balance that all out but not part of the challene. However, grocery budget has been well under in Jan and will be in Feb too so will claw some of that for the additional f&f payments i have made this mth (rbs and lloyds current account)

Right am off to sit with some paper and work out total spends to update later today. £21.40 in dooyoo account so far and really enjoying it. £2.67 in search engine site so getting there with additional income which will go straight to debts

tiff

Do you have a calculator on your mobile?

savingfortravel

i'll send you one of my spare calculators Natalie but I also think you have one on your mobile phone SFT

HH62

I'm still here, trying to keep up with the posts. Have lost track of spending for Feb so far but today's a brand new day so I'm starting right now.:D

Today will be a NSD. I'll be venturing out for a walk later, if it stays dry. I've been trying to sort my finances out this morning so I'll continue with that, then I'll be doing a meal plan for the week ahead. Grocery shopping tomorrow probably.
I need to up my income as I lost the part time job I had. So I'll spend some time on that part of the forum and learn about clicks and ebay etc today!!
Looking ahead to the rest of the month, I don't see it needing to be particularly spendy, except I still haven't renewed my ***@@@!!! passport. I don't pay council tax in March so I decided I'd pay for it out of that. Will go and get the forms this week.

Hope everyone is ok.

Kittikins

Nat - further to the mobile idea, there's also a calculator on your computer (I find it easier to use that than my mobile, fingers like sausages at times, lol).

Do START - PROGRAMMES - ACCESSORIES then the calculator is there

Or use Excel...

Save your stamps