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

blueberrypie

Already went over our budget goal this month, but we were on track to keep it less than 10% over...until the last 24 hours, when we've blown it completely by buying three netbooks. It wasn't exactly an impulse buy; we'd been looking out for a bargain for a while and they were definitely a bargain - and they will get used a *lot* here (there are eight of us, and they'll be shared between six), but all the same, the April goal is well and truly fried.

Am hoping May will be substantially better - no £300 leccy bill and no buying computers for a start! Our rates go out early in May, but the budget is for everything except mortgage and rates, so that's okay. Our biggest spend for May will be a weekend away (unavoidable), which is costing a lot even with staying at Travelodge, because we have to book two rooms, but May shouldn't be nearly as expensive as April has been. I am thinking I should revise the budget to £800/month (currently £700) in order to give us more hope of staying within it!

Skint_Lynne

BigMummaF wrote: »

:eek: Don't think Nyk would be very welcoming......

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:I see what u mean Mumma!!! No birdies are going into the pot, that has been made clear!!

I promise that I will behave Nyk, I won't harm the chickadees!!

savingfortravel

Hi Everyone!

SM/NYK-Wow, what incredible news! I was only explaining to Mr SFT the other day that despite SM's amazing gardening achievements she still hadn't achieved her chicken goal and then magic happens. I will have everything crossed for you on Monday and ask all my class to cross their fingers too (it worked with the cottage-well so far). Live the dream SM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nyk-Loving the hatching updates and all that you're achieving. It sounds like my sister's offer to sell me her paper log maker for £5 is pretty good. We dug out an strong basket to put by the multi-fuel burner for logs (like you suggested).

Bails-So excited for you and OH. Can't wait to hear the news! Laos, Nepal I would love either...

Andromache-You sound so sensible about your revision but when I was taking my finals I did make sure I had proper breaks which took me right away from my studies (I loved going on walks/hanging out in Oxford pubs/classical concerts). Make sure you do too...It won't be long before you and BF are in Mumbai, traveling together.

CW-Without sounding political, the new system of placing children in primary schools is extremely stressful and in many cases very unsuccessful. So glad its worked out for your family. I bet your DD is very relieved.

Well we've been on a 4 mile walk through fields, by woods and a very pretty local village. Seen clusters of bluebells, cowslips, primroses and greater stitchwort. Spotted Orange tips and Speckled wood butterflies. The weather, although windy has been sunny and fine.
About to pop to Waitrose to spend some Wedding Vouchers.
Been very lucky, got £100 worth of Waitrose and £20 M and S vouchers which we will spend on food. 2 bottles of Champagne (from Class parents) and the most beautiful bouquet of flowers (Mr SFT does treat me to the occasional bunch of tulips). Must get married again some time. :rotfl:

Have a great day everyone.

SFT

savingfortravel

Andromache-At least if your studying hard you won't be tempted by men like your Greek Mythological namesake (Just goggle Andromache if you don't believe me!):eek:

Waitrose experience: No one is in a hurry. We spent £40.64, so just 64p, the rest paid for in vouchers. Felt a bit guilty as what we bought didn't look much, especially compared to what others had in their trolleys. Going to try one of their recipes tonight: Salmon Layer Bake..if we like it we'll replace items with more affordable ones from Mr T.
Popped into Boots, topped up phones and used a 150 points voucher, got 234 in total so we are now up to £6.92. Thanks SM.

sft

bails

Hi all, just back from my Masters and had a very fulfilling and interesting day. It's really helped reaffirm my career goals for the future so I'm very excited!
The plastering is taking longer than anticipated due to the number of corners so the boys are planning to finish the actual room, then we'll do the stairs and tiny landing when we do the porch (whenever that is). They ran out of plaster :rolleyes: so I went to H0mebase to get some more and negotiated a 10% discount as they only had small (more expensive) bags. Although more expensive than them getting enough in initially this is still something I would never have done before and saved me a fiver so thanks 4Kers! :T (I also found a fiver when I was decluttering my books this week )
Sorry you're snowed under with revision Andromache, I really hope it all goes well when the time comes. And as SFT says, you've got the wonders of India to look forward to! :T
How's the poorly chick Nyk?
:rotfl:at getting married again SFT; make room for some of us who are still waiting...;)
Blueberry, revise your budget for the year to one you feel comfortable with, as there's no point feeling as if you're constantly failing. I hope May is better for you and well done for sticking with us! :T
Hi to everyone else, hope you're having a lovely Saturday x

candygirl

Hi peeps, hope you're all ok:D
Soz I haven't been around due to the arrival of my gorg DGD Layla at the end of March:D:DI will do an update on my spends when i've calculated it all, but think i'll be ok.;)

savingfortravel

candygirl wrote: »

hi peeps, hope you're all ok:d
soz i haven't been around due to the arrival of my gorg dgd layla at the end of march:d:di will do an update on my spends when i've calculated it all, but think i'll be ok.;)

congratulations candygirl!!!!!!!!!!!

bails

Congratulations on the birth of Layla Candygirl, nice to see you! x

redglass_2

I dip in and out and try to remember what's going on. My abject apologies if I forget anything important!
Congratulations, Candygirl! :j
Nyk, your chicks are soooo lovely,:smileyhea I can see why you'd never want to eat them. But when are we going to get a picture of Bails's dog? Have I missed one?

Sophiesmum, what an exciting thing to be happening! I really hope you get what you want. :T

Re blackthorn: you can make sloe jelly as well as sloe gin. You make it like crabapple jelly and it has a sharp sweet-sour flavour, or you can mix sloes with crabapples or other stuff to make jelly (I use japonica quinces as well - anything that comes my way).

Shaz: how do you make rhubarb schnapps? I have some nice rhubarb coming up.

skint_chick

Hi everyone

Keep meaning to post and then getting caught up in other stuff. Had an ok week with 2 visits to the gym and chat with boss about future prospects at work which has confirmed my decision about taking the job and looking after myself. Bought a new digital camera too so expect lots more pics on here Feeling in a hair rut- I've had the same hair for 15years - shoulder length straight bob - although I have naturally wavy rebellious hair. I'm bored with it and considering a short flippy number, but as I have a round face I'm just not sure. I want to spend less time drying, straightening and stressing out over my hair so I need something low maintenance - I don't mind a couple of mins of straightening in the mornings

http://www.easy-hairstyles.com/images/short-round1.jpg

something like this! So if I don't like it it won't take long to grow out and if I do I can go a bit shorter. Haven't updated my totals as I've been very lazy:o. Going to gym tomorrow - 7 stone to lose, 7 months of 2009 left :eek::eek: