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

lingojingo

Nyk don't even think of giving up on this thread - we need you! I'm one you have helped so much just by starting the challenge on here - I'd never have got my spending under control without you and now my DD is learning it too.

Marru ((((hugs))))) to you, hope you're ok

Andromache congratulations on the placement!!!

Slowlyfading how scary for you, glad you're ok (((((hugs)))))

Still really cold here, lots of the white stuff hanging about and now black ice as well, very dangerous for pedestrians never mind car drivers!

mama67

Where would we be without Auntie Nyk.

Well we had a few wisps of snow in the wind at lunchtime by the time the boys came in at 5.30pm they had built a 5ft snowman, and it is still falling.

It seems to have stopped for a bit but we shall see what occurs there must be 3-4 inches on the roads here.

DS2 karate has been cancelled for safety later when it is home time.

Am just about to start cooking some of the fish DH brought home with some hm chips and hm mushy peas, and of course hm bread.

cw18

mama67 wrote: »

Where would we be without Auntie Nyk.

I dread to think :eek:

Without this challenge I wouldn't have considered splitting my budget up into categories like I have, but by doing so I reckon I have a LOT more chance at managing this year on my personal budget.

And if I can manage this year, then I reckon I have a lot more chance of managing thereafter -- whereas I was previously in a blind panic about where I'd be (in all terms, including actual address) in about 2 or 3 years time !!!!!!

2NDTIMEROUNDER

nykmedia wrote: »

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.

Dear NYK, even though I dont (know) you as long as some other people in here, allow me to say that you are an inspirational person who has spent time and effort to help others. In my book, that is exceptionally rare and you must be proud of yourself. There is no failing there, ONLY THE OPPOSITE.:T Keep up the good work please.
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Andromache, bravo! Well done. Pleased for you.:T

sophiesmum_2

andromache wrote: »

PS I don't think I do too badly with my f&v portions, but now I think you're just trying to make the rest of us look bad, sophiesmum

Nah, just making sure that all my whoopsie bargains from the other night get used up and not wasted.
Just chopped up some more of the peppers to bung in freezer, should have used it all by tomorrow.;)

Well done on the placement

[Deleted User]

nykmedia wrote: »

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.

You might regret saying that!! Okay, here goes. First question, how is the best way to see if we can 'cope' moneywise? Will be getting SMP now, which is £500 ish a month (am used to getting £920ish a month). This money stops end of November and what my work have proposed is me go back in November, work 2 days a week up until Christmas but them pay me for 5 days (because I will have accrued holiday). Thats seems good to me (I know its a long time away). But I'm never going to see if we can 'cope' am I? Unless I transfer £300 from my wages as soon as I get paid to a different account and try to make do without the money? Sorry if I've lost everyone now, just waffle on trying to work it out in my own head.

Silly things, like I know I wont be using the car so much to go to and from work, and I should be able to get a job a few hours a week doing cleaning/admin work for FIL etc. It seems to be one of those situations where people say 'oh you just cope/you make do/go without etc/you just find the money'. I'm just abit of a control freak who likes planning everything!!

Waffle over everyone x If you havent all fallen asleep, has anyone got any ideas/suggestions/or do you all think I'm a loon?!

Frugaldom

Umm.. sneaking back in to find out what's making anyone think I was even remotely considering giving up this thread or challenge? All I said was that I seemed to be failing in running this challenge on MSE, not that the challenge was a failure or that I would give up on it - ain't gettin' rid of me that easy. :rotfl: I've been living like this for years and will probably always do so. If my way of life inspires anyone else to move to Frugaldom in their quest for freedom from debt forever then I'm happy to have them join me in my challenge at whatever level they choose. However, I have taken the executive decision to introduce a further deterent to unjustified, rash spending, as Billy Can just isn't doing his job.

This is where naughty spenders get sent from now on:

The Frugaldom Dog House

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

bails

One thing I've learnt Loopy is that you can't plan everything (from one control freak to another) I'm not quite sure of your whole situation - are you saying you don't want to go back to work at all or go back 2 days a week? Can you take all the predicted earnings - child benefit and child tax credit etc - and spends and see how your budget would balance (or not!). Then reprioritise certain parts until you're happy? Braina bit fuddled tonight so this may be irrelevant - just shout again and I'll offer some more specific advice
:rotfl:loving the dog house Nyk - I shall be in it shortly

Frugaldom

Loopylou, if you are really serious about your plan for the future, then you'll need to reassess your entire budget and current state of financial affairs to see how much you actually have coming into the household without counting any of your income, then how much is needed to cover all essential costs - panic not, it gets easier after seeing it a few times. It will also depend on how much, if any, debt is involved. There is always a way to sort things out, that's the main thing.

bails

Well put Nyk, that's what I meant Loopy, we're hoping to be in a similar situation one day and my plan is to work out how much we need to live on, then our potential earnings vs childcare and work out a plan where we can both hopefully do work/childcare part-time, and also earn enough for the luxuries we want in life. I always do my budget in Martin's spreadsheet, especially now there are extras spaces for spends not covered :T