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

cw18

:rotfl: and guess what kind of college course my DS is on :rotfl:

lilac_lady

Good to see so many keen to join in this year's challenge. I lurked abit, posted a bit last year and didn't think I could do it. I thought I had had an "okay" year spending wise but was appalled when I looked over the receipts I'd kept for 2008. There were so many and when I checked some of them, I wouldn't have bought the goods again IYSWIM.

It's a good way to get into training so if you're thinking that you'd like to join - but not yet - keep EVERY receipt you get for at least a month then just look over them. We don't realise how much money slips through our fingers unless we stick to a budget.

I'm going to try and limit myself to 3 days maximum spending per week instead of counting NSDs. By the time I allow myself to enter a shop, I hope I'll know what I NEED to buy instead of WANT to buy.

Let's go!

Bonaventure_babes

Boo Hoo!!!
I have to go to town today...hope im good!!:p :rolleyes:
Hope everyone is ok!!
I'll post the damages later:p

glendam

cw my husband learned to drive in a small town at 17. We could never afford a car but with 3 children to transport we got one when he was 30. He booked 3 lessons as we then lived in a city but after 1 the guy told him he was fine and just needed practice.
I know you cant make people learn when they are young my daughter decided she was ready at 20. I didnt learn till I was 33 and it was much more difficult and I am still over cautious sometimes.

Glenda

In_Search_Of_Me

Well my first money spent was a whopping 19.50 for a library fine...not a good start Other than that a nsd as mum getting night nurse, milk & bread...cant seem to shift this cold and will make some nice soup in a attempt to get shot...

FrankieM

Morning everyone..

Another day slobbing at home here. So no money spent should be the order of the day.
I've got to get cracking with some clothes washing and find some food to eat for the day. I also want to take the Christmas tree down either today or tomorrow.
The more I think, te more 'to do's' I can think of, I'm going to have to write a list and prise myself away from the pc!

cw18

:T I've just paid off the third of four credit card debts :T

I've been hanging onto the equivalent amount in cash (plus some) while all my incomings get sorted -- as I can't use plastic to pay Direct Debits while I'm waiting for various places to start paying me what I'm due.

But my CB kicked in on Tuesday (at last - this is from September), so I know that one's OK now (they had to check DS's college course was the approved type), and I have confirmation from the Occupational Pension scheme (following a phone call on Wednesday) that this will start paying at the end of January.

Even without the back-pay owed from the pension, the income over 2009 from these two things just about covers the c/card balance (there's going to be an issue on tax being deducted from the Occ Pension, but it's not going to be much after April), so I figured it was better to "loan" myself the money to pay it off now, as it means I'm not paying interest at a higher rate than I can earn on savings.

(It also means it's no longer capital that has to be declared at Tax Credits renewal time - as I'll be wanting them to recalcute on my 2009-10 income which will be considerably lower than my final 2008-09 figures )


Just need to get my backside in gear and sort out the probate/IHT issues next week, then I can pay off the last card and decide what I'm doing with regards to putting money in a cash ISA (or not!)

Then I need to have what could be a lengthy chat with my mortgage provider to see what (if anything) they'll allow me to leave on that , and how easy it would be to claw back some of the 'overpayment' if it's still an active mortgage -- which is what will provide the money for essential work round the house if go ahead and try registering as a child-minder.

nickynoo08

Hiya everyone, picked up a few bits n pieces while they were on offer at work today. I'm trying to hold off doing my main shop for as long as possible.
Managed to get most of my house sorted yesterday, all up to date with washing, ironing etc...
Still have lots to do tho
I must get myself a spending diary sorted, for now i'm using the back of my old diary but i dont want to confuse myself (easily done:rolleyes: )
I must do a full inventory of my cupboards and freezer so i can attempt to meal plan for next week.
I must take our old clothes to charity shop - been meaning to do this for ages now but always get to town then remember:o

Have a good day everyone

LollopyBear

Good morning fellow frugalites!

Yesterday was a NSD!

Today two DDs came out: Healthy Pets @ 8.99 (a monthly amount to my local vets that covers my cat for all her vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, weight checks etc. for the year. It isn't a great saving but it's good to spread it out over the year). TV Licence @ 11.45.

Total of: £20.44

As this means today is definitely not a NSD we're going to go to Mr Ts to get some needed supplies (cat food, milk etc.). Still haven't done a meal plan for the week/month yet.

Yesterday I was proud of myself for using white vinegar to descale the kettle. I used 100ml of vinegar to 150ml of water, boiled it in the kettle and rinsed well. I was staggered at how clean it became! After rinsing I boiled and emptied the kettle once more to make sure I wasn't going to have vinegar tea.

I also sorted out the linen and mended a tear in a sheet. My sewing (apart from cross-stitch) is normally dreadful, but this worked quite well.

Happy bear today

fallen_angel_shelley

Well done cw18 :T