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

Brighton_belle

Snap Vixstar:D
Finally caught up with my accounts tonight - I hang my head in shame that I've got behind this month from the very beginning.
I'm glad to have done it though as it shows I must really pull my horns in for May if I want that bike (had a second trial ride today :j- need to find the right one for my frame/ arthritic joints and not quite there yet). But it makes it worth while if I cut back on absolutely all unessential spending for May if I can just about afford the bike.
I've upped my food annual budget as I need to spend a little more than I originally planned as I have returned to eating more protein, less carbs to help keep my weight down, which is essential for my health/joints etc. I also find we are spending more on phonecalls than I planned, so I have upped the budget a little, but also been reminded to keep all non essential calls to the free weekends as we had slipped a bit on that. The exception is our elderly parents: we will never wait to talk to them.

To offset some of the raised budget both our gas and elec ddm's have been reduced . So my new projections at the moment mean by the end of the year I will be £250 over my 4k. There is time to reign this in, though I am not sure what I can cut at the mo other than food and I am choosing not to, but there may be fluidity in my 'presents' budget, bus fares budget and such like. I just need to keep monitoring over the coming months, which is where it is fantastic to have a budget and spending forecast.

Purple Vamp - I think it is worth trying with shreddies definitely. I collect the crumbs from everytme I use the weetabix in a plastic tub until I can use it.

Blairweech

Hi folks,

Had another NSD today - was not going to be as my Internet DD should have been taken out today, but as it was not taken out and I only need milk, I decided to make what milk I had last and have another NSD

And I banked a cheque for £100, this plus my wages might just see me still in credit when my rent is taken out at the beginning of May....:D

On another frugal note, I used the boiling water from my spuds tonight to add to the washing up bowl - 'free' hot water

I did have another food waste though - made Jamie's Hot Cross Bun Bread and Butter and that went in the bin - pretty sure it was the way I made it, not the recipe. Not too bothered though as Hot Cross Buns were only 30p, marmalade was a (seemingly inexhaustible) supply from Mum and custard was free from work. Shame it did not work though.

I put a dress on Ebay tonight and it already has a bid! Only 99p but better than nothing

So all in all....a good day :j

redglass_2

Blairweech wrote: »

I am considering going to the Bath and West Show this year, but at £17 a ticket plus £5.50 for the programme, it is not exactly frugal. Has anyone been and can tell me what its like please? Will I find it inspirational to a would be smallholder?

The people round here (Somerset) seem to like it a lot and some go every year. I'm told it's interesting but I don't know if it's all that frugal. Sorry, but I've never been myself, even though I live not far away - I'm always working at the time it's on! Is there a website where you can get a look at what's on offer?
:eek: RED FOR DANGER :eek:
Is there anyone here who doesn't eat rhubarb after June? Allegedly the oxalic acid starts to get into the stems then...

purplevamp

Nyk - Most of the budget has gone on gas/elec which was £92 per month, but they've just cut it down to £72. My grocery bill goes up and down, it was £385 in Feb :eek:. I had to get the telly fixed this month which was £70, much cheaper than a new one. And we're still paying off DFS @ £42 until July. I'm just glad I'm not including the rent, c.tax and water!!!

buzzbox - My pepper seeds are indoors, but I may put some cling film over them (no clear lids). It has only been a week so this may give them a kick up the bum . Last year I managed to grow some even though they only managed to get to about the size of a 10p piece.

blairweech - Good use of water! I used my potato water tonight to cook the carrots and peas, while I mashed them for shepherds pie, then used the carrot water for the gravy! I even thought about putting the remaining water in the freezer for use in a soup, but stopped myself. That may be a step too far...:rolleyes: Bummer about your hot x bun pud though.

enjoyfinancialchallenges

fmf I sell plants outside my home, I live in rural Suffolk and done get much traffic passing by but somwhow my plants sell. I also sell at car boot sales and usually do quite well. At the moment I'm concentrating on selling my biscuits etc at the car boot. When I have combined the two found it complicated because obviously need to set up two different tables and I do the selling on my own. Did a sale last Sunday and sold practically all my baking, it started to get a bit warm so must work out how to keep my small cakes cool for next weekend, assuming it not going to rain. Anyway why not give it a try every little helps in the frugal life and I love growing flowers and baking.

Have thought about asking before does anybody else live in Suffolk?

shaz_mum_of__2

sophiesmum wrote: »

Yes it's real malt vinegar and it is 5 litres (just been and checked):D

Have seen some pickled onions and pickled eggs in shops in non brewed condiment so it must work okay.

Thats good news for me i must start stocking up on pickling and jam makin supplies homebargains and poundstretcher both have sugar on offer( 69p bag at hb 3 for £2 p/s) i need a few homebrew bits too


Shaz

shaz_mum_of__2

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

must work out how to keep my small cakes cool for next weekend,

At our farmers market one stall has a load of cool box ice packs laid on the table and covered with a cloth instaed of a fridge a patio umbrella would help provide shade for cakes and customers too

what kind of stuff sells well??

Shaz

shaz_mum_of__2

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Not much to report, I was in Workington today,

I love the wind farm on the coast there

lyndasharp

Blairweech, I've never been to the Bath and West show, but it looks fun. I've been to the East of England show, and to one near Lincoln, and found them good value for money, given how much there was to do and see there. It's just when we get back from holiday, otherwise I'd consider going to the Bath show this year!

Congratulations Mumzy!

I'm waiting to hear back from the conference office but as long as 13th March next year is still available, that will be our wedding day sorted :j Just lots and lots of arrangements to sort out after that...

H2B has volunteered us to look after his niece and two nephews next Sunday / Monday. Age 13 down to 9... eek. I'm not really used to entertaining children, don't have any close family that kind of age!

cw18

lyndasharp wrote: »

I'm waiting to hear back from the conference office but as long as 13th March next year is still available, that will be our wedding day sorted :j

That's my elder son's 21st Birthday