Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 3

cw18

Well, I've decided the rest of the year will have to be about 'damage limitation' - and I'm just thanking my lucky stars that the £8k I set myself is a little bit below what I actually had coming in (and the contribution DD is now making towards the costs of having GDs round school will certainly help - that's an extra £260 from the start of this month to the end of the year).

Given we're almost 75% though the year - yes Nyk, I had realised we're heading for the new thread which will be the last of 2009 - I doubt any of us could suddenly reallocate 6.5% of our budget for an emergency with ease...... and that's what the £520 vets bill works out at. I dread to think how much extra the dog food may be, but it wouldn't suprise me if I end up having to 'find' a total of 8% of my budget by the time I add the cost of that into my spends !!!!!

I've also remembered I still need to address the issue of getting my combi-oven looked at - and that (at a very rough 'guesstimate' over the phone) could be another £40-60 !!!

I had plans to do some major housework this week, but (between school this morning and again on Wednesday morning, the trips to the vet, hopefully the 'working with children' course on Thursday afternoon - didn't make it last week, as staff shortage meant there could have been trouble if younger GD was found in with pre-school - and 'house-sitting' at DDs on Friday morning while the council replace a radiator), I don't seem to have more than a couple of hours in any one stretch......

So I'm going to ditch all the major cleaning plans and try pulling together ALL the food I have in the house and see how many meals I can make up for the rest of the year by being a little creative with minimal additional spends. If I start cooking that way for a couple of days this week it means I can spread out the 'weird' combinations over the next 15 weeks, instead of living on them for the entire month of December :rolleyes2


SM - when the vet realised the cost of the food could possibly be a major issue for me in the 'not so distant' future, he did suggest I consider not taking the treatment any further (clearly suggesting I have him put down now). I said there was no way I was taking 'the cheap and easy way out just because something might be a problem in 12 months time'.

slowlyfading

Hope the dog is feeling better Cheryl, its expensive but I hope he feels better soon, and I'm sure you'll figure something out xx

whitewing

Hello peeps,

Having been reading occasional posts (sm - very sorry to hear your sad news), but not had a chance to read them all, so get a little confused, and keep thinking I'll catch up and then post properly but it never happens.

Been busy lately. Had our 12 week scan and all ok. Next scan is in half term so DS can come to that one too. So far we think it's a boy but that is based on a fortune teller my sister went to see and various other bits of superstitious nonsense. Due to a combination of factors, we also have a scan just before Xmas, and then in Jan & Feb as well. DH is like a cheshire cat, bless him. We were in our last appointment and the doctor was reading my notes and said, 'It's not your first pregnancy then?' as I was shaking my head, a delighted voice pipes up: 'It's MY first.'

I am thrilled with my dishwasher. Best thing I have ever bought. (Well, not ever, but nearly).

Sent off DH's paperwork for citizenship; hopefully that'll be granted. It costs a fortune. He has also registered for his OU degree (history, in the end). That starts the month before the baby is due; lol, he hasn't got a clue how his life is going to change. Never mind.

We have spent a fortune. All on planned stuff (although not particularly planned for happening at the same time), but no mortgage overpayments this month so I'm feeling tetchy that it's on a slippery slope!

Now DS is back in school, things seem a bit more routine and should calm down a bit.

Love to all of you - each and every one.

sophiesmum_2

Whitewing - Happy things are going so well for you:D those first 3 months have passed so quickly it won't seem any time at all until baby arrives. OH sounds thrilled.

Skint_Lynne

I feel rotten for you cheryl,

I would say that you are one of the people who tries the hardest out of all of us, but needs must, your pets are part of your family.

The good thing about it is that if you hadn't been careful, then the situation would have been a whole lot worse, so I guess that it's best to look on the bright side.

I hope that your pooch makes a speedy recovery. xx

Skint_Lynne

:TGood to hear from you whitewing, I'm glad that it's all going well. xx

aeb_2

The babies birthday is 8th September. All is well, we came home this afternoon.

Two girls and a boy, born naturally so no c-section. No time for details but all over 4lbs 14oz - go me!

My mum is staying a while until they get the hang of this breastfeeding lark.

Thanks for all the good wishes

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Congratulations aeb.....how wonderful and welcome to the little people, well done to you also.:j

I havn't been around for ages but am still doing all I can to be frugal and to increase my income.....since about May time I have earnt £824 72 by cooking and selling scones, biscuits and shortbread. Its been hard work as I now make about 160 scones in one major baking marathon each week and sell them at 50p each. I have to buy more supplies for the next week out of my earnings but it seems to be worth while as my pot of money is growing....when I get fed up I will just stop it and do something else.

I havnt been keeping up to date but have just read the last page only when I learnt about the birth of the frugalmites to aeb.

sophiesmum_2

EFC - nice little baking earner you have going there:T:T well done on your little venture ,and as you say if you get fed up and it becomes a chore you can just stop:D in the meantime hope you are planning something special with your extra cash:D

aeb - Congratulations and welcome to the frugalbabies :j hope they are being good for you.

enjoyfinancialchallenges

I have not even thought about what I'm going to do with the money I'm earning sophiesmum, I shall probably just put it into an ISA until an emergency occurs. For me the baking venture has been all about me using my somewhat rusty skills to increase my income... just enjoying the journey and not the arrival. Ive always said that I will never starve as I can do anything once I set my mind to it.....

Oh dear, that sounds very bold doesnt it?