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

scrooge2008

Can I join too please? I have worked out a budget and the goal is £4,000 + CB.

Wishing everybody success in the New Year.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

2NDTIMEROUNDER wrote: »

Hey Paul. Sorry for burning up your ears today.:)

From what I read you are ahead of the pack; you are dealing with the situation as best as you can with well defined time limits, you are on your way to success... I am sure. With the usual ups and downs like most of us but we shall succeed in the end.

Take care and all the best.

==========================================================

We are 2 now....he he :T ( Only joking ladies BUT had I been the odd one out I would have been really scared...honest!):eek:

Well you only have to be half as scared now. I don't think these women things bite usually so we should be OK.

Also, I don't drink, don't smoke and I don't eat meat or fish. None of those decisions were ever made with moneysaving in mind but they will stand me in good stead as I shed my debts. Nothing particularly virtuous about the above as I understand that Adolf Hitler was also a teetotal, non-smoking vegetarian. I'm pleased to say though that that is where the similarity ends.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

savingfortravel wrote: »

My sister gave her sloe gin as Christmas presents this year and everyone loved the idea.
Still not heard about blackberry vodka recipe but i'm sure its just what nykmedia described. Like you we have a glut in the summer.
Starting to think about who I could give it to! Never tried home made Christmas presents before yet I love receiving them as they as special and personal.
SFT
Just received text...
Blackberry Vodka
8 oz blackberries
half bottle of vodka
8oz sugar
Shake it all about
Store in dark place
(same recipe for sloe gin)

Shouldn't it be
8 oz blackberries
half bottle of vodka
8 oz sugar

Throw blackberries and sugar away.
Drink vodka.

bails

Paulgonnabedebtfree wrote: »

I'm pleased to say though that that is where the similarity ends.

I'm glad you added this last line in Paul, would've been quite ominous otherwise! :rotfl:

I'm also struggling waiting for the new challenge to start - my spreadsheet and diary are all shiny and new, ready to go; now I just want to start writing in them! Come on 2009, where are you?...:D

LollopyBear

I'm also now longing for the "off". I keep thinking it is the 31st today, getting excited, then grumbling about it only being the 30th

My spreadsheets are all set up, formula entered, and ready for numbers.

I'm already a little worried about Feb and March. One of my best friends is getting married in March and I have a hen party in London to go to in Feb (staying in a hostel as we're all a bit short on pennies) followed by an expensive hotel stay for the wedding in March. I don't begrudge it, but I am trying to think of ways to save money in other areas during those months!

Brighton_belle

blondemuppet wrote: »

One thing I find difficult is that making changes in the house costs is kind of tricky with having a lodger. For example I wouldnt have the virgin tv channels if she wasnt here but because I sit in the lounge with her whilst she watches things I feel that I should contribute to the cost as I end up watching it by proxy. She also likes the house to be really warm and it seems really petty to split the bills anything other than 50/50. If she moved out Id be absolutely stuffed so am working on the idea that its better to pay a few extra quid here and there than loose a big chunk of income. Does anyone else have this situation? Apologies for the lengthy post! Any suggestions, helpfull criticism gratefully recieved.[/quote]
Hi bm, I have lodgers too so relate to your dilemma. I agree with the heating - mine like it much warmer than me & OH would have it, but I figure I would be much poorer without their overall contribution so let it lie. Also, they are really nice and we have a good relationship and I don't want that to become awkward between us: I'd hate them not to feel at home here. As for the tv - I bought the hse I did with lodgers in mind, so got the right layout so that we use our upstairs front bedroom as a bedsit so we don't share a living room: that was an important boundary for me. We have a lovely sunny light room and the 'price' we pay is having to out the bed up every night. My lodgers have opted for cable tv but pay separately for that as they only have it in their room. I haven't gone on to a water metre so that every time they have a shower, I'm not looking at my watch and counting the minutes:rotfl: . With the heating, is there anyway you can surrupticiously turn it down 1 or 2 degrees?

bails

This may make some people go :eek: but hopefully not as you're all practising frugallers When we go to an expensive wedding Lollopy, we take G&T and refill our glasses either in our room or in the car! Obviously you can do this with whatever your tipple is and it saves on the bar prices at least. Is the hotel already booked I assume? If not, cheaper B&Bs nearby or even renting a cottage with friends can be much cheaper than staying at the venue. Hope that helps a little.

carolbee

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Evening everyone


I need to think of more ways to put my bead collection to use ... I can't be bothered with the faff of selling via ebay from out here... so Im thinking decorated candles, handbag charms etc so far.....

Right I will get off..ooooh its nearly time

Hi MrsMcawber

we make jewellery too, have you thought about wine glass charms for presents? very well received. also mobile phone charms as well?

Frugaldom

Good afternoon fellow frugallers, I'm glad to see everyone's getting so excited about not spending money next year! :beer:

Only today and tomorrow to go and then we ate off on our merry frugalling way, pocketing the pennies to make the poinds that make our frugal lifestyles all worthwhile.

Welcome back oldMcDonald and welcome on board, scrooge2008

I'm still tinkering with my budget but have stubmled upon a very slight problem! The more frugally I live, the more of my £4000 I have 'spare' and, therefore, available for non-essential wants, as opposed to real needs. I KNOW that my primary aim now is to save for the future, so I SHOULD stick to my budget and save every available extra penny, but where's the fun in that when the debts are cleared? :rotfl: I'll be back soon with the 2009 'target figure' for essentials and a corresponding amount that will be frittered away on 'wants'. :eek:

fallen_angel_shelley

Hi. i'm gona give this ago again, i did try last year but didn't do to well, think i made it to about march. i will work out our budget over the next couple of days and sort out a note book for recording every penny i spend and keeping receipts in, this was my down fall last year, not keeping track of my spending.

Good luck everyone, Shelley