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

jtb2412

Been trying to write this post for ages now but the words not flowing too good today (not enough sleep !)

NYK, you've failed no one - if you've only helped one person on this thread (e.g. me !) then you've achieved more than most ever will. Please don't get disheartened by it all, you're amazing and I'm sure everyone else will agree ! If I've misunderstood your post then kick me lol.

Marru - don't you disappear on us because you've had your wrists slapped for spending money ! We're all here for you in whatever way you want us to be, not just to tell you off once in a while. Please don't take this the wrong way but have you thought about seeking some help with your spending? I'm really sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick or spoken out of turn - just tell me to shut up if I have, I won't be offended ! I just think it sounds like you're spending is compensating for your worrying about money (been there, done that !). If you want to chat feel free to PM me.

Again, sorry if I've spoken out of turn, just my own humble opinion

[Deleted User]

Hello all

Just wanted to say that I dont think you have failed anyone Nyk.... I enjoy reading about how about how other people live. We're all so different, the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. I take differents peoples ideas and adapt them to my situation.

I lllloooovve this challenge, its made me realise how much I was spending before (it wasnt alot btw I just didnt write it all done and used to 'forget' some things!!)

I've LOVING maternity leave (altho still early days - first week!). Have enjoyed staying at home and pottering about. DH says he likes it when I'm at home, tea cooked, house clean and tidy (never used to be! :rolleyes: ) and me making him a cuppa tea! Very naughty of me really, making it nice for when he gets home and if I can make the money streeeetch further I can stay home with baby for abit longer.

I dont tend to post too much cos I just tend to waffle on about rubbish and dont want to bore everyone

xx

bails

I agree with you jtb, this thread is a real help to many, many people. And sometimes things you don't want to hear need to be said. I believe passionately that on this forum they are always said out of care and kindness for whoever it concerns (this time Marru, and others at other times).

slowlyfading

bails wrote: »

Nonsense SF, you're a valuable meber of our community so don't you be going anywhere! Really sorry to hear about your skid, hope you're okay and not too shaken up xx

Thanks sweetie xx

sophiesmum_2

nykmedia wrote: »

I saw it by highlighting the gap but assumed wellies were longterm workwear and the choice of brand/make/colour/style was an extravagance I shouldn't mention. Mine are bog standard green safety wellieswith steel toe caps and cost me less than £20 inc P&P several years ago, but some call me a mean and miserable Scot. :cool:

I have come to the conclusion that being part of something is sometimes far more important to some people than actually getting to grips with what it's supposed to be about and that there's nothing anyone else can say or do to make it easier for them to understand the real meaning or how they can benefit from it. Sadly, in that respect, I appear to be failing in running my 4k challenge on MSE and sometimes wonder if I should have left it where it was - elsewhere. Many of the things discussed on MSE forums are beyond my comprehension so I just have to shrug my shoulders and move on until I find something I can relate to.

No offence meant to anyone by any of the above. I have no debt, I live like this to avoid it.

Nyk - if you had left your challenge in it's previous home there are many of us who would never have focused our frugal endeavours to the extent that we are doing now. I can see where you are coming from though, partiularly when I read your blog and see the steps you are making to become self sufficient. I would love to be able to do the practical things that you are doing, like the poultry etc;) ,

the_cat

The surest sign of a true friend is someone who is prepared to put themselves in the firing line and tell you something which you would rather not hear in order to help you.

The fact that we have a little community in which total strangers fulfill this role makes it even more special

((((((hugs to Marru))))))))))) Hope you are OK

Frugaldom

Hello again, welcome back Beige, I'm pleased to see you are doing so well, too! :T

SF I hope you are ok, nerves not too shattered by the car spin! :eek: I'm a bit of a control freak in most things and even the thought of that gives me goosebumps. Lynda, I hope you are getting over your spin as well.

Everyone has something relevant to contribute to this challenge so please don't be thinking you don't. Even if it's just to say you found a penny in the street, it's all the different reactions that invokes that makes for the fantastic mix of people we have on here. :beer: Stay put, all of you, even if it's only to read and post occasionally whilst you have nothing more productive to do. Of course, this IS the most mportant thread on MSE, as far as I'm concerned, because it's about the only one that can make me feel rich on my 4k a year. :rotfl:

JTB, thank you for your kind words. So long as I am living in Frugaldom and helping just one other person then I'll be online posting whenever I can. I learned the hard way about debts, but once I grasped how simple it was to engineer my way back out and as far away from them as I can get, it made living in Frugaldom a very interesting and exciting place to be. It doesn't stop me being shocked now and again, though.

Sophiesmum - I have actually left the challenge in it's original form, it still is the 4k challenge It's just that so many have fallen under the spell of frugality without noticing how totally addictive it is. Together, we'll conquer the previously unconquerable. It's just a case of one step at a time. It's the magic of money (or lack of it) that makes earning or spending it such interesting topics of conversation.

Loopylou, spare a thought for one who has an avid interest in women in the workplace versus women in the home. If you want to be a SAHM then we all want to help you achieve that in whatever small way we can. Once baby comes along you may not have the time to post, so let's hear your frugalisation plans by the bucketload and ask anything you want, someone is bound to have a cost-cutting answer that fits your requirements. Frugality isn't a 'one size fits all' type of thing.

Off to peel some potatoes to go with the hm mince pie then I guess I'll make a start on the kitchen curtains tonight.

Later, Froogs :cool:

sophiesmum_2

Bails you need to clear some space in your in box

bails

Space is granted SM, had a sneaky message I hadn't spotted

skint_chick

Nyk - you can't even consider giving up this thread. You guys have all helped me so much to find ways to change things that were making me unhappy, debt ridden, and trapped.

It is difficult though to give up extravagances and if you get a bit out of sorts it's easy to slip back into bad habits. OH spent £70 on clothes today that was a bit :eek: for me but he finds it hard to get jeans to fit being such a giant AND he paid from his own money so that's a change for the better I'm finding it easier with time not to buy things, it helps that I know exactly what I have at home and that I'm working towards specific aims for the future rather than drifting aimlessly through a consumer bubble world.

Andromache congratulations getting paid to "test" out a job is fab news :beer: and it's great that you'll have the money for India.