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

Masomnia

Nykmedia, here's to your garden's fertility!

Slowlyfading, hope you have a lovely time! I know exactly how you feel, really looking forward to seeing my family at easter.

Remember everyone, you're statistically more likely to win if you switch after Monty Hall shows you the first rubbish prize

I'm sorry I haven't been around here more! I guess I'm a little ashamed of my overspending recently. Still, I'm accounting for every penny spent. Spent very nearly a third of my budget for the year. On the other hand, I'm at home for the first month of the second quarter where I have much less expense, and at home for all of the third quarter, so it should work itself out!

Frugaldom

Another update - The latest from the garden of Frugaldom

Mr Hedgehog arrived for supper around 8.30pm and I actually had batteries charged for the camera, although my neighbours are now probably totally convinced that we are 100% balmy, outside in slippers after dark participating in flash photography at ground level!! :rotfl:

I gave our no-longer-hibernating hog some leftover pasta and chicken soup.

Brighton_belle

figures looking interesting Nyk. But as you say, your spending is not spread equally over the year so plenty of time to balance up. Lets hope the garden come good this year!
I've been looking at my March accounts and bank accounts and I'm just so excited at how little I have spent this month and now I have set myself the challenge spending no more than £80 for the rest of the month on everything, in the challenge and outside of it for the rest of the month. This would give me £400 left over to add to my emergency fund which would be stunning given my low income. This is also the first year I have saved the 'extra' from no C Tax and water out goings. It feels really important now to create a buffer in case of redundancy etc in the current climate.

I've pretty well finished the kitchen project now: just need to get some new vinyl flooring sometime (and a couple of cut off bits of skirting board - will try freecycle for those), & I do want to do some tiling behind the sink but it isn't urgent. I love being in the kitchen now. Apart from it's warm cheerful orangyness, it is now much simpler to use and keep clean.
Storage in the walk-in pantry/laundry is working so well - I love being able to walk in and take one thing from is own little space on a shelf and have maximised space for a small amount of stock piling. I think I could improve the drying facilities but don't want to spend any money. More thought required.

Tomorrow will be a bit different as we have to be at the hospital by 7.15a.m :eek: (I'm not usually an early riser),as OH is having keyhole surgery. He isn't allowed breakfast & probably won't feel like dinner so that's money saved:rotfl: .
SF - I really pleased that you are having a break and change of scene. Sometimes being taken out of your usual environment can shift all sorts of stuff. And how lovely to see your dad - it was so hard for you when he went.

Shaz - I'm sorry you have so much going on health wise - I'm in a similar position myself, though with different conditions and it certainly challenges me in how to live the life I want. I regularly review what I want and how I can get a taste of it, if not all of it. It makes the good days so extra special and simple pleasures a delight. Can be very 'challenging' though:rolleyes: .
MrDT - :eek: I've just finished my kitchen: hope this doesn't mean an unscheduled move is on the horizon:D .

Frugaldom

BB, Best wishes to your OH, hope he recovers quickly from his surgery. Well done on getting so far with the kitchen project and managing to save money, too. :T

Assuming the Council still offers a 3.5% discount for paying Council Tax in a lump sum, this is what we'll be doing in April/May as it's no longer worthwhile saving it in the bank. It means that all we have to pay is everything I've included in my challenge plus the rent. My spending amount for miscellaneous (as detailed above) does include a small payment each month to a tax free savings bond plus everything we needed to do the kitchen, including units. Anything that's coming in over and above what I'm spending is going straight into savings. :j

ram_murdock

16 days before my trip of a lifetime and i cant find my passport! Ah i could cry! I only renewed it last year and now i'm gonna have to do it again and pay extra to get it asap...just my luck!

Frugaldom

ram_murdock wrote: »

16 days before my trip of a lifetime and i cant find my passport! Ah i could cry!

Stay calm and work methodically starting with where you last used it then go through all the bags you had with you. Then start from top and work to bottom of every drawer, unit, cupboard and wardrobe, plus down the backs, underneath and wedged alongside anything that's within reach of a passport sized document. It can't vanish, it has to be there unless you were robbed or lost it outside the house... calm... deep breaths... good luck.

angelatgraceland

Check your suitcases-backpacks-bumbags-amazing what turns up in them! Good luck!

angela110660

nykmedia wrote: »

I watched the Monty Hall programme last night and wondered why he hadn't sat his barrel of shower water in the sun all day to heat it up a bit. As already said, certainly not MSE, but the place will probably be worth a fortune by the time he's finished with it. I wonder what it costs to hire a unit with solar panels, wind turbine and battery store? That was quite a nifty piece of equipment and looks similar to the set up my across the field neighbours has. Must find out now. :rotfl:

We have been watching it too - don't you think it is a cross between Hugh Fearnley River Cottage and Ben Fogle on Castaway - especially the black dog. We don't think he is actually sleeping in that place though even if it seems so. Def think that kind of thing has been done better before - while on the subject anyone watching Coal House on BBC4 on Tuesday evenings? Really enjoy that show.

[Deleted User]

Morning all!

I'm still here :rolleyes: waiting for baby! Had midwife appt yesterday, will have 'stretch and sweep' on Mon and then on Weds then if that doesnt work am booked in to be induced on 20th. So by the 21st I will have the baby :j :j

At least I've got a date in my head now! Just fed up with hanging about (sorry to be a moaner, I know people have alot worse problems than me). Note to self - snap out of it!!

Hope everyones okay xx

shaz_mum_of__2

angela110660 wrote: »

We have been watching it too - don't you think it is a cross between Hugh Fearnley River Cottage and Ben Fogle on Castaway - especially the black dog. We don't think he is actually sleeping in that place though even if it seems so. Def think that kind of thing has been done better before - while on the subject anyone watching Coal House on BBC4 on Tuesday evenings? Really enjoy that show.

I loved the original coal house and have missed the others from this new series but will be watching tonight i would love to go on a go back in time and live show.............and wartime home front is my fave period!!


Busy day at uni so not be around much but have done a packed lunch and a flask so hopefully a nsd

have a good day all

Shaz