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

Frugaldom

:rotfl:I think I just lost the pantry, too. I've been out moving the surplus logs that were lying about the place and have now stacked them in the walk-in cupboard. I have been juggling all sorts of figures, aided and abeited by a fellow frugaler of the red dragon variety, and I'm now carrying out my own little feasibility study into electric versus coal versus logs for winter heating.

Stats elsewhere are showing that open fires are as little as 10% efficient, but I want to opt for carbon neutral wherever I can, so local logs are the easiest option. I'd rather not buy coal at all, despite it producing twice as much heat, so what I have is going to be made last until next year. It costs less to fill the log store than the coal bunker.

Experimenting today with fire lit. It has already raised the temperature by 5 degrees to 21C in the livingroom despite the door being left open and we're all too warm! I've now closed the door so you'll know I have completely melted if there's no further updates. :rotfl: Either that or it'll be heart failure with the jets blasting overhead! They certainly look like we're their targets!

SFT, that's really bad news about the roof - is there any way you could add it on to the mortgage temporarily to soften the blow? Then again, interest free from family always better, I guess. Make the most of the holiday either way and don't forget to get loads of pics for your blog.

lingojingo

Loving your travelblog sft, it sounds awesome! And well done on the savings, but :eek: about the wet rot - fingers crossed here that it's not any worse.

Nyk I did week 2 day 1 this morning, and it was so much harder (well, of course it must be, so we can progress, but OMG I ache now).

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:at your letter to Santa and the reply from SM - frugal entertainment at the click of a mouse!

SFT_2

Thanks for the messages Nyk/LJ
You're absolutely right-planning to enjoy our trip even more!

Just got back from our walk to the waterfall. The butterflies were tremendous, including a blue morpho! We also saw a pair of white throated magpie jays.

Did I mention that we spotted Resplendent Quetzals a few days ago? These are the most beautiful green, red and white birds. And very rare. We had a brilliant spotter with us.

Now going for a dip in the pool. Nicargua will be a bit of a shock after the luxury of Costa Rica but we're looking forward to it. Might not be so much free internet so may not be able to post for a while from tomorrow.


Take care

SFT

Boomdocker

Hi SFT, I googled the Quetzals when you mentioned them the other day, they look stunning. Glad you have a great time, lovely to get your updates. Enjoy!

When do you get to see the Toucans?

Skint_Lynne

Hi all,

Sorry I've not posted much, but I am still reading. I've started afresh with writing down all spends. I have taken a different approach this time though, and decided to write down everything, ie, dd's from the bank whether they are household or shop stuff, and even if they are not challenge related. I feel that I can keep a better track of where the money actually goes to then.

My mum is going in for an operation at the end of the week, so hopefully she will be up and about again in no time.

I lost 2lbs tonight, so that's a total of 6 and I was one of the slimmers of the week, so that's a nice boost.

I should try out the fitness challenge some of you are doing, but I think it would be a bit too much for me to cope with, so I'll just cheer you on from the sidelines.

Hugs to everyone, will check in later. xx

Frugaldom

Well done with the weightloss SL, you're doing really well - careful you don't lose too much, though. Hope your mum is OK and recovers quickly from her op.

Boomdocker, SFT already spotted 2 toucans, you must have missed that post. Can't wait to see all the piccies once she gets back, it's exciting reading the updates.

Tomorrow is show day here, so I'm meeting SM in the morning and making a day of it. Don't care if it's raining, I'm well used to getting soaked, plus I have the waterproofs to help combat it. Exception to the spending rule - anything I buy will be from savings, even lunch. Fingers crossed for a good day. It's dry here and was quite nice when we went walking tonight. Moon looks full despite being a couple of days off it yet, the sky was shades of purple and pink but the low flyng clouds were scudding along at some rate. Hopefully, the wind will blow away the chance of rain.

Didn't win the premium bonds this month so the wish list remains intact.

SFT_2

Hi Everyone!
Making the most of the free internet. My 3rd post today (although its technically tomorrow for you).
We spent $ 6 each this afternoon going to the most relaxing hot pools. They were of varying temperatures. One even too hot for me. They were outside, either side of a river/waterfall and the most beautiful butterflies were all around us. It was so relaxing and you'd pay much more in England without the stunning scenary.
We've been hoping for a view of the volcano near where we are staying but it has been cloaked in mist all day. Very eerie looking. Mind you Nicaragua is the place for volcano and the island on which we are staying has 2!
Tonight we have 3660 colons to spend (the currency of Costa Rica) which is about $7, as we won't be able to spend it as of tomorrow and they won't take it back at the banks. I've found here that you pay in American $ and all your change is in local currency.
Met some lovely people so far, including some Aussies who are really on a budget. Hoping to get so MS tips from them.

Hope everyone is well.
Glad you googled the Quetzals Boomdocker-yes saw a pair of Chestnut-Mandibled Toucans calling to each other at dusk one evening. Also around was a Collared Aracari (Aracari's are a smaller member of the toucan group).

Take care. How are Bails' plans going? Does she leave on the 8th?

sft

Herewegoagain

Hiya nyk,

I've not been around for ages, I went awol, but am over that now:o, I have loads to catch up on , Whats this 25k challenge your all on about, hope things are going ok with you and yours hon

SFT,

So glad you made it to Costa Rica, can't wait to catch up on all that, have fun while you can, you can worry about the rot when you come back hon

Mr and mrs have kept me awake all night so still lucking around on here

Hiya to everyone else, will catch up with you later, just off to read all that I've missed, if I can remember where I left off last time:rotfl::rotfl:


Hwga xx

Frugaldom

Good morning and welcome back, HWGA

It's showday, the sky is blue and the sun is shining! :j

Our new $ainsbury store opens this morning, so I'm going to get work done as quickly as possible and go see what's in store before heading to the show. (Also need to go collect hen feeding again :rolleyes:).

Hope everyone has a good day and I'll catch up later this afternoon once we all get back.

Morning SM! Saw those curtains twitch when I was out feeding the livestock earlier, I just KNOW you're seeing if your Internet's connected now. :rotfl:

Savvy_sewing

Just thought I would say morning, as I have been lurking reading again.! Really should be up and moving now. Had cup of tea and brought it up to bed!! Terrible.
Its still raining here in Northamptonshire, so the garden will have to wait. I havent got any waterproofs to put on. ONly wellies.!
Plan to sew today. Have a good day everyone