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

JennyBee_2

Pips_Mum wrote: »

I bought some Pampers disposable changing mats to sleep on. They are absorbant and waterproof and cost £4 odd for 12.
Not frugal in the real sense but may turn out to be more cost effective in long run if bed is expensive and you can always use them as changing mats when your out and about when frugal teeny arrives!!.

:rotfl: Maybe I could just lash together some of the free sample nappies I've got!! Bit of double sided sticky tape and an empty washing up bottle and it could be just like Blue Peter!!!!

skint_chick

angelatgraceland wrote: »

Oh I'm just a beginner! Level 1a is hard enough for me. Ive been doing the BBC course a vous la france and I have the book and vids too. Spent 2 years studying and the last year not. I will never be great at it I accept but Id love to be able to go over for a weekend or something and just "get by". Any help appreciated!!! Im guessing Im sort of low GSCE but unsure-deg beginner status.
Id also like to improve as my DDs boyfirend is French and one never knows-it could be a lasting thing!

http://www.learnitlists.com/
it has a handy daily word learning thingy - you can usually download basic listening podcasts off itunes for free in the podcast section to give you listening practice

http://www.nacell.org.uk/resources/online_res_fr.htm

this site has children's books in French - the language used is usually easier than trying to read French newspapers online.

I did my Italian GCSE last year and when I started the course I knew about 3 words, the others had been studying basic conversation etc for a couple of years. I had to put time outside of the class into it - about 2/3 hours a week extra but I got an A* and I'm doing my A level now. HTH - if you want to PM me with attempts at writing stuff in French I'm more than happy to correct it and return it to you - I've taught French and German in the past and am seriously considering tutoring schoolkids for GCSEs to make a bit of extra cash.

Vixstar

I'd really love to join you guys but I think it's too much at once. So I've decided to start recording my spending and continue to get inspiration from everyone in this challenge. Hopefully that'll help me reduce my outgoings so I can save for a house deposit. I'll try and be a contributer rather than a lurker.

fizzel81

evening all

woohoo ive done it i scraped in under budget for 2008, here is too a frugal 2009, im not at home right now im at a friends going out for a bit but not planning to drink more than a few.

anyway happy new year to all and here is to frugal 2009:beer: this will be my second year and i can honestly say im very much looking forward to it

BigSpender2_2

Please count me in. I will work out the figures another night!!

kizzie01

Thanks for the welcome Nykmedia and I'm all set to start this challenge in a few hours time!

I've stocked up on food and the freezer is full of meals in bite size portions to get me started in January.

I've a lot to learn though as money has been slipping through my fingers this last week whilst I have been off work and family have been staying! I need to stop all that and fast!

I thought I did quite well at resisting the sales though, would normally go mad! I only bought 2 blouses in Monsoon for £12.00 each and these are for work as I need to look smart. I intend to keep away from the shops to resist temptation.

Happy New Year to everyone and here's to 2009!

Bonaventure_babes

Hi everyone:A
Im keen to make a start on the challenge.;)
Happy New Year to everyone:j

candygirl

Bonaventure_babes wrote: »

Hi everyone:A
Im keen to make a start on the challenge.;)
Happy New Year to everyone:j

Hi Bonnie
I'm buzzin to start too, have a fab NYE hun:A

Annie021063

Right - what an eye opener.
I've done my budget on a spreadsheet and if careful will be able to survive on £6k.
However what I did find was several payments that go out of my account and I don't know where to - so it's a big banking sort out for me over the weekend.
More importantly I have discovered we have more each month than I thought and hopefully will be able to focus this on getting rid of last few debts asap.
Feel really focused now - thanks guys.

MRSMCAWBER

Evening everyone..not long now :j

Happy new year everyone

Here is to a frugal 2009 :T