Live on £4000 for a Year, 2009 Challenge, part 2

Frugaldom

Live on £4,000 for a Year - 2009 Challenge
Part 2, April - June 2009

Part 1 - January to March 2009

Part 1 - January to March 2008
Part 2 - April to June 2008
Part 3 - July to September 2008
Part 4 - October to December 2008


====================================
Please read the MSE forum rules and help us to keep this challenge on track, thank you.
If you have any questions about this challenge, feel free to PM me.
The following is taken from the official MSE forum rules section:

KEEPING THREADS ON-TOPIC

Please try not to take threads off-topic. This can be confusing for new users and makes it especially difficult for people ... Where requests from Board Guides for threads to be brought back on track have not been followed off-topic posts may be removed. We encourage community, but not thread derailment.

Please bear in mind the main purpose of the site is to save money. The forum team has therefore been instructed to prioritise its time on the MoneySaving forums.

KEEPING TOPICS RELEVANT TO THE BOARD

There are two boards provided for off-topic chat and discussion. The MoneySavers Arms has been set up for fun, more lighter-hearted chat (although do still remember this is a family forum – keep it clean please). Discussion Time is for discussion of current issues (read Martin’s description).

If you post a topic that does not relate to the board it’s posted on it will be moved to a more relevant MoneySaving board or to Discussion Time/The MoneySavers Arms.
===================================

This challenge is about paying for needs so we can afford to pay debts and save for wants. It runs from 1st January to 31st December 2009. The links will give you an idea of how the 2008 challenge went.

To help work out your personal budget amount, you can try the following method:

1. Add up entire annual income, all sources
2. Deduct entire year's rent or mortgage payments
3. Deduct the entire year's Council Tax & water
4. Deduct essential annual property insurance and maintenance fees if relevant,
5. Deduct ALL costs associated with work (travel, childcare, lunches)
6. Deduct ALL regular debt repayments
7. Deduct annual essential health-related costs

The amount you have left should be your disposable income to cover the cost of living plus all other extras & savings. The following is my £4,000 budget for Q2 of 2009. Please note that slight alterations are made according to inflation and price fluctuations, such as energy prices.

Groceries - £1,200 (includes food for 3 adults, toiletries, cleaning & laundry products)
Electricity - £1,200
Coal - £240
Logs - £240
Internet - £240
Mobiles - £40
Telephone - £160
Clothing & Footwear - £100
Gifts etc - £350
Extras - £20
Essential travel - £150
Insurance - £50
Misc - £10
Total = £4,000

The above are all basics plus things I choose to include within my £4,000 budget. Some people may choose not to have TV, telephones or Internet at home, as they are not essential. How you prepare your 2009 budget is up to you. Whatever you include in this challenge, the choice is yours. 2009 will be my 3rd year on a budget of £4,000 and I have no intentions of heading back down the road to debt. Feel free to join us all here on our frugal adventures, where every little really does help.

There have been many different variations introduced by different people according to their individual lifestyles, so I will not be including individual challenge amounts in the 2009 list.

Anyone is welcome to join in at any time as this challenge is mainly about household budgets with regards to the cost of living. Frugality is our watchword. Welcome to Frugaldom.

HANDY LINKS
I am not endorsing or recommending any of the links provided here, I have simply found them to contain helpful information.

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Approved Food[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - amazing bargains if you don't mind short dates or past sell by – save a fortune whilst saving it from landfill![/FONT]
Bite Card - 20% off food at train stations
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Complete (MSE) cooking collection[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - Loads and loads and loads of recipes[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Electricity & Gas savings[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - monitor your electricity & gas with the MoneySaving Carbon Club[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Free crafts ideas[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - how to make papier mache banks etc[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Freecycle[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (UK) - don't bin it, rehome it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Greenfingered money saving[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - Gardening & growing your own food[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Grocery bargains[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - Supermarket price reduction times[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hunger Site[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - Charity site where every click counts[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]i-Measure[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - log your meter readings and try to reduce your carbon footprint[/FONT]
Martin's mad moneysaver ads - a surprising new addition to the site - advertising offers!
Martin's current offers & discount codes - updated daily
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Menu Planning[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - hundreds of options and suggestions[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nutrition and diet info[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif], an excellent thread - thanks to Weezl74[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Old Style indexed collection[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - Indexed collection of links, hints and tips for anything old style, moneysaving and frugal.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Recipes part 1[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - thanks to Rosieben on the Grocery Challenge[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Recipes part 2[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - thanks, again, to Rosieben[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Remoska discussion[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - everything you need to know about Remoska ovens[/FONT]
Rural Moneysaving Hunt - official MSE discussion
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Selling on eBid[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - decluttering and recycling for cash with no listing fees[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Soapnuts[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - The frugal, eco-friendly alternative to soap powder or detergents[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Soapnuts thread on MSE[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - discuss, ask questions here[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Spending Diary[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - excellent free resource for recording your spends[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Start a cottage industry[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - the official MSE discussion[/FONT]
Will Power & Billy Can - part 1, part 2, part 3

This post will be updated regularly

Frugaldom

NYK'S CHALLENGER LIST FOR 2009





Please note that there are NO challenger numbers for 2009, any numbers that may appear here are for the purposes of counting how many people we have participating. The list will be kept in alphabetical order to make it quicker for finding names. This is the list from January 2009, many names have, since, disappeared but there are many who have been here since the start of January 2008, so there's always someone around to answer any questions

1. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]*Mari*[/FONT]
2. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1274[/FONT]
3. 1st Time Mum
4. 2ndTimeRounder
5. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]87p[/FONT]
6. Aeb
7. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Affordmylife[/FONT]
8. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]All_hours[/FONT]
9. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Alli_Baba2[/FONT]
10. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Always_amazed[/FONT]
11. Andan
12. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Andromache[/FONT]
13. AngelatGraceland
14. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Angelofthenorth[/FONT]
15. Angelwings
16. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Angie_baby[/FONT]
17. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ani*fan[/FONT]
18. Annie021063
19. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Artnoble[/FONT]
20. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Azjh77[/FONT]
21. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bails[/FONT]
22. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Barefootlinzi[/FONT]
23. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Barole[/FONT]
24. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bigbullyweedave[/FONT]
25. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]BigEars[/FONT]
26. BigSpender2
27. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Blackfairykitten[/FONT]
28. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Blairweech[/FONT]
29. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bleufleur[/FONT]
30. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Blissfullydebtfreewannabe[/FONT]
31. BlondeMuppet
32. Blueberrypie
33. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bluesteel705[/FONT]
34. Bonaventure Babes
35. Boomdocker
36. Boring Beige
37. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Brighton Belle[/FONT]
38. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Broke mum of three[/FONT]
39. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Buffythedebtslayer[/FONT]
40. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Candygirl[/FONT]
41. CannyClaire
42. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Carlsberg[/FONT]
43. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]CarolBee[/FONT]
44. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Carolinabirichina[/FONT]
45. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Catzine[/FONT]
46. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Cha97Michelle[/FONT]
47. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Chaddee[/FONT]
48. CharlieDavis
49. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Charlies Angel[/FONT]
50. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Che75[/FONT]
51. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Chewits[/FONT]
52. Chika (from 23/02/09)
53. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Chriz1000[/FONT]
54. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Cornishinfens[/FONT]
55. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Cranky40[/FONT]
56. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Cumbrianmum[/FONT]
57. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]CW18[/FONT]
58. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]DdraigGoch[/FONT]
59. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Debrag[/FONT]
60. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]DFW844[/FONT]
61. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Djenks[/FONT]
62. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]DJJoJoJuice[/FONT]
63. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]DND[/FONT]
64. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Don't want to be in debt[/FONT]
65. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Doom_and_Gloom[/FONT]
66. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]EagerLearner[/FONT]
67. Eilo1007
68. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Elantan[/FONT]
69. Enjoyfinancialchallenges
70. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ephemera[/FONT]
71. Esthomizzy
72. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Fairywings[/FONT]
73. Fallen Angel Shelley
74. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Findingmyfeet[/FONT]
75. Fireangel
76. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Fizzel81[/FONT]
77. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Flowerofthewest[/FONT]
78. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]FrankieM[/FONT]
79. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Freyaluck[/FONT]
80. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frugal Fox[/FONT]
81. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frugalmum[/FONT]
82. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Funbrum[/FONT]
83. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Funkyfunkymonkey[/FONT]
84. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Gem2509[/FONT]
85. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]GemGems[/FONT]
86. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Georgiasmum[/FONT]
87. Gillst
88. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]GlendaM[/FONT]
89. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Grandma247[/FONT]
90. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Grunnie[/FONT]
91. Guesty6
92. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hansolo81[/FONT]
93. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hardup Hester[/FONT]
94. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Headofsteam[/FONT]
95. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]HH62[/FONT]
96. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hopeless_Spendthrift[/FONT]
97. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hypno06[/FONT]
98. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]IGiveUp[/FONT]
99. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]IhateDebt[/FONT]
100. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ilovetea[/FONT]
101. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Impomdasp[/FONT]
102. In Search of Me
103. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]InTheRed[/FONT]
104. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Jamiedodger[/FONT]
105. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Jammiejen[/FONT]
106. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Janey51[/FONT]
107. January20
108. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Jay1[/FONT]
109. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]JennyBee[/FONT]
110. JennyShrew
111. JTB2412
112. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Juliejay[/FONT]
113. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Jumble-Bee[/FONT]
114. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Junglegirl[/FONT]
115. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]JustKeepSwimming[/FONT]
116. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Kayharcombe[/FONT]
117. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Kayleighj[/FONT]
118. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Kbarty[/FONT]
119. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Keren29[/FONT]
120. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Kerron7[/FONT]
121. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Kiki[/FONT]
122. KittieJ
123. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Kittikins[/FONT]
124. KiwiGirl
125. Kizzie01
126. Ladymoon
127. LadyRoughneck
128. Lalaladybird
129. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Laurabelle[/FONT]
130. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lexxi[/FONT]
131. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lilac_Lady[/FONT]
132. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Liloandstitch[/FONT]
133. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LilyBee[/FONT]
134. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LingoJingo[/FONT]
135. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Little_Miss_Moneysaver[/FONT]
136. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LittleMissClimsy[/FONT]
137. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Liuhut[/FONT]
138. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lmac[/FONT]
139. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LoadedIWish[/FONT]
140. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Loadedlaura[/FONT]
141. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LollopyBear[/FONT]
142. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Looby-Loo[/FONT]
143. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Deleted_User[/FONT]
144. Loveday69
145. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LyndaSharp[/FONT]
146. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lysasparkles[/FONT]
147. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Macwah97[/FONT]
148. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Mah_Jong[/FONT]
149. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Mama67[/FONT]
150. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Marru[/FONT]
151. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Masomnia[/FONT]
152. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Maverickangel[/FONT]
153. Mbaz
154. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]McSaver[/FONT]
155. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Micron[/FONT]
156. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Milliemonster[/FONT]
157. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Mini_huny_money[/FONT]
158. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Miss Empty Piggy[/FONT]
159. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Miss_Pink[/FONT]
160. Miss R
161. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]MK Wotsit[/FONT]
162. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Mollymop5[/FONT]
163. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]MrDT[/FONT]
164. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]MSHAWX[/FONT]
165. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Mumzyof2[/FONT]
166. Naomim
167. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nate123[/FONT]
168. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]NEGirl[/FONT]
169. Nickynoo08
170. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nicola1982[/FONT]
171. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nimbo[/FONT]
172. Nodebtdiva
173. Nonstepfordwife
174. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Notanothergreyhair[/FONT]
175. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nykmedia[/FONT]
176. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]OldMcDonald[/FONT]
177. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Oliveoyl[/FONT]
178. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]OptimisticPair[/FONT]
179. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Paul Varjak[/FONT]
180. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Paulgonnabedebtfree[/FONT]
181. Pauper1
182. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Penny2myname[/FONT]
183. Penny54
184. PetitePeche
185. Pip's Mum
186. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Pollydaydream[/FONT]
187. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Princess Leia[/FONT]
188. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Protogenia[/FONT]
189. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Prudent[/FONT]
190. Purple_Sparkles
191. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Purplevamp[/FONT]
192. Puss14
193. Queen_B
194. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Rachyp[/FONT]
195. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Rafiki[/FONT]
196. Ram_murdock
197. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Raychee[/FONT]
198. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]RebekahR[/FONT]
199. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Redglass[/FONT]
200. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]RedMel1621[/FONT]
201. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sallyrsm[/FONT]
202. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sam79[/FONT]
203. Sammey90
204. Sarah147
205. SarahB123
206. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sashacat[/FONT]
207. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sassamac[/FONT]
208. Save-a-holic
209. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Saverram[/FONT]
210. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Savingfortravel[/FONT]
211. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Scorpio04[/FONT]
212. Scrooge2008
213. Sewbocushions
214. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Shaz_mum_of_2[/FONT]
215. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Shazrobo[/FONT]
216. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Shell37[/FONT]
217. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Shelovestobuystuff[/FONT]
218. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Shorelines[/FONT]
219. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]SiannieLaz[/FONT]
220. Silkbeast
221. Sillylittlejill
222. SixteenthofJune
223. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Skint Lynne[/FONT]
224. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Skint_Chick[/FONT]
225. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Skintwellie[/FONT]
226. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Slackster[/FONT]
227. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Slowlyfading[/FONT]
228. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Smart21[/FONT]
229. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]SmlSave[/FONT]
230. Snow White
231. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]SophiesMum[/FONT]
232. Sorting Out
233. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sos999[/FONT]
234. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Stefejb[/FONT]
235. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sue09[/FONT]
236. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sukielou75[/FONT]
237. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Summertea[/FONT]
238. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sweetpea03[/FONT]
239. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Taka[/FONT]
240. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The_Cat[/FONT]
241. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]ThriftyLass[/FONT]
242. ThriftyScotsLass
243. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tigerseye[/FONT]
244. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tigwell[/FONT]
245. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tracey04[/FONT]
246. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Trex170104[/FONT]
247. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Truthseeker[/FONT]
248. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tryingtodobetter[/FONT]
249. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Twinkle_Star[/FONT]
250. Vixstar
251. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Wendyw1947[/FONT]
252. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Wendywitch[/FONT]
253. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Wherediditallgo[/FONT]
254. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whiskylizzie[/FONT]
255. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whitetigeress333[/FONT]
256. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whitevanwoman[/FONT]
257. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whitewing[/FONT]
258. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whowants2brich[/FONT]
259. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Wornoutmumoftwo[/FONT]
260. XNatalie81X
261. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Yoshimi2306[/FONT]
262. [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelie[/FONT]
263. Zoe260373

Frugaldom

Hello:hello:

I sneaked this new thread on while nobody was looking. The old thread will be closed very soon, but each is linked up to the other, so no reason for getting lost.

Newcomers always welcome and the list of challengers is in alphabetical order this year, so there are no numbers associated with the names.

mama67

Just popped in to say hello!! caught the link on the first quarters thread.

kindofagilr

nykmedia wrote: »

OK, here are my Frugaldom figures for the first quarter:

Groceries - £442.64/£1095
Toiletries - £14.53/£50
Cleaning products - £5.67/£20
Electricity - £350/£1000
Coal - £61.60/£200
Logs - £80/£240
Internet - ££59.97/£240
Mobile - £5/£40
Telephone - £12.88/£160
TV license - £0/£145
Clothing & footwear - £3.20/£100
Gifts - £55.56/£300
NTS membership - £19.50/£78
Travel - £32.50/£180
Insurance - £47.50/£47.50
Contingency - £0/£104.50

Total spent during first quarter = £1,190.65
Balance remaining for remainder of 2009 = £2,809.35

Over average by £190.65 to reflect extra costs of electricity, coal and logs for winter heating.

On my cash neutral mini-challenge for all other spending, including on DD's wedding plans, I have spent a grand total of £890.47 and recouped £453.93 of that so far. If I can neutralise all the extra spending during 2009 then I'd have met another of my targets!

Welcome to the thread, Kindofagilr. Setting your budget is a bit of an eye-opener for most people when they find out just how much goes on non-essentials. LOL You'll soon get the hang of it and have your debts paid and ISA filled. New thread started for part 2 here, nobody's noticed it yet

Thank you

I think its insane lol, I cant believe how much money we waste!

I will def start doing this once we are in the house for a few months and know how much bills are etc

I may be able to join in on the 1st July if thats ok? second half of the year then do the full one from 2010

andromache_2

New thread thanks, nyk.

My free haircut yesterday was brilliant - I'm really happy with it! I tipped the stylist £4 so now I have an extra £21 to play with since I've saved that amount on my hairdressing budget, which was originally £25

Spending today at home working, so not spending money

purplevamp

This is my third attempt to post, fingers crossed...

:j Nice shiny new thread, thanks Nyk. I'm in again. I'll post my March spends on the old thread, then pop back here.



Edit: The post worked!! Finally...

taka

Will this work??

Edited: Yipee it did!! (Anyone else unable to click on links/smilies/submit buttons etc earlier today???)

Ooooops almost forgot... Happy new thread - my 1/4 summary will have to wait a bit as my home computer is not speaking to me at the mo since I updated my firewall! Eeeeek!!

blueberrypie

Can I join in? Am I right that it's not so much a £4k challenge this year as a budget-tight-and-stick-to-it? Can I join with a single figure for everything except mortgage, rates and insurance? (If so, I'm going for £700/month for a family of eight.)

SmlSave

Oh my gosh Part 2 already - where does time go?

taka

:hello: Hiya kindofagilr and blueberrypie! Welcome to the challenge!

Blueberrypie - I don't see why not... there are quite a few of us on differing budgets for a whole heap of differing reasons! I'm going for a 5k challenge - but that only covers the bits I can work on/ lower/adjust/look for better deals/ aren't necessary but I would like to stick to a budget on. I found an all in budget (~11.5k) depressing to see every day (mainly due to cursing getting a fixed rate mortgage instead of a tracker - I would be saving ~£170pcm+ :rolleyes: had I chosen to go for that.)! Everyone is different!

I dare say Nyk will be along shortly to add you to the list... :T You do realise there is no escape from frugalitis don't you... :rotfl: Its very contagious... :T