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

Blairweech

Brighton_belle wrote: »

watched the ec0nomy gastr0nomy prog last night - I thought it was very good and should help many families who have lost there way and have no concept on planning meals or budgeting. I was certainly reminded of a ew things to re introduce or try harder at. But of course it is way off the astonishing achievements of many on this thread, but was still a great intro to the subject for the completely terrified/clueless but wanting to change. Next week's family of 5 (3 kids) spend £17,000 on food a year:eek:[/QUOTE]

WHAT??????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *passes out*

How the other half live I guess.

Just wanted to wish bails a fantastic trip :T

SFT - Loving the updates, that story about the luggage made me laugh Glad you have sorted out your roof problem

I have been reading, just worgot to take notes again :rolleyes:

Not much happening with me, am waaaaay behind with everything.


Hope everyone is well

cw18

SFT - loving the updates (almost) makes up for me not having a holiday of any description Glad you're coping with all things financial while away :T

Bails - hope you feel better and get away as expected, and look forward to any updates you manage to give us

Nyk and SM - still waiting on latest chicken news.


Looks like I may have another large (!) spend coming up. I use my combi oven as a conventional oven more than I use my built in oven, but it's now decided to give up the ghost on that side of things (still works OK as a microwave though). Not sure if I can get it fixed with it having the micro in it (or what it would cost - it's either an element or the thermostat that's gone), but to replace it with one the same size (couldn't do half the things I use it for if I 'downsize') is around £180 :mad: I do have one of those mini-oven things I can use in the mean-time, but again it's not big enough for half the stuff I want it for - plus I don't have enough worksurface to have both the combi and the mini-oven left out

Skint_Lynne

My internet is now working. When I came home, it wasn't and I had to call up again. However, this time I got the most fantastic girl, she spoke perfect english and was very clever, I knew she was when she done the remote thingy, ie, she controls your laptop.

She had it fixed in 5 minutes and could not understand what I had to go through yesterday. If all the operators were like her, there would be no problems, alas, they are not.:rolleyes:

It's the same the world over really, if you can be ar**d, you do a good job, if you can't, you won't.:rotfl:

I told her that she was fantastic and you could just tell that that comment made her day, they probably get loads of abuse. I could not take the pressure of doing call centre work, my brother used to do it, he says it can get a bit personal with folk swearing at you. I would get the sack for swearing back.:rotfl:

I watched the gastro programme tonight, I had recorded it. I thought that it was really good, it's amazing what you can save if you just think about what you spend.

I am interested to see what the people who spend £17k on food actually buy. Is it top notch stuff or just too much grub for one family to handle. Will need to wait until next week to see.

I hope that the chicken folk got back from Lanark ok, Nyk, next time you are up that way you should let me know and I'll try and come over, it's not that far from me.

Will check in later. xx

xnatalie81x

Hi all

Am still following challenge and this is my very rare update. I do read and catch up with all and am very jealous of all the holidays. Not enough money here for that - plus with 3 children i would need a holiday after the holiday to get over them!!!!!

I am going ok on the budget. Not much left for the year but i do have my peppers, broccoli, leeks, xmas tatties, autumn cabbage, cucumber and more lettuce than i can eat ready to keep me going over Autumn/winter. Have a ton of carrots and runners in the freezer thanks to a generous lottie neighbour! This should all help me to reduce my grocery spend for the next 5mths.

No more clothes for me - am well over budget NAUGHTY NAUGHTY - on plus side all unifomrs sorted. Even for dd who doesn't start till Jan lol!

Have changed gas and leccy supplier and waiting to see results of my serious reduced usage. Hoping to be in credit and have a payment free couple mths...... Internet/phones all on budget but tv licence and pet insurance have both gone up arghhhhhhhh

Car insurance is payment free now for July/Aug/Sept as it is a 9mth thing. Deposit due in Oct and now i have to decide whether to insure both cars at 700 yr or just one at £252 (frontera) or £450 (fiesta) i could always swop them when i need to OMG this is hard lol

I have done all birthdays for this year although youngest son's i have yet to buy for nov and have spent just 160/240 for that. Say £15 for son and that is done! YAY me!!! I love ministryofdeals!!!!

Xmas is almos sorted. Just the kids to buy for now and OH and so far 80/180 - will spend that 100 easily on kids and OH but keeping eyes peeled for bargains!

Petrol slightly under so far but grocery well over for some reason! I just hope the chickens start laying soon and we will be living on omlettes and home-grown veg he he. I cannot afford to up my budget to live on so i HAVE to live on 11k. I do not want to eat into my savings!

I am really loving the growing own veg though and the allotment will be heaving next year. 2010 will be a low grocery spend yr - and my 5 yr old has declared that killing animals is wrong and he is vegetarian. As mum and dad bought us chinese last night and his revelation came at dinner time i told him whisper*grandad got him vegetarian chicken* - i know i know!!!!!!! mean mummy lol

Off topic is my debt payments as they are not included in the 11k - but as per signature and very pleased to see them reducing! YAY ME

thanks to this thread i am doing much much better - i would still be living on loans.

Did get a speeding ticket so £60 fine to pay but made £45 on the paydayuk loans thingy on quidco so only need to find another £15 - am hoping can recoup at car insurance time by going through topcashback...... Any other ways to make back £15 to make a money neutral speeding ticket much appreciated

Frugaldom

Good morning!

Frugaldom checking in at last.

Bails, have a fabulous time, I can't believe it's already time for you to leave and that SFT is already halfway through her holiday. Us skint frugallers can really enjoy virtual travel, especially now the world has wireless Internet everywhere.

No more chickens here, I was reducing the numbers, not increasing them. Not sure what would have happened if we'de registered SM for a bidding number though! :eek::rotfl: We certainly packed as much into the day as possible.

SL - SM actually mentioned you yesterday, asking how far you stayed from my parents, I reckoned about 20 mins if avoiding rush hour traffic.

Appropriate responses to all, apologies for the short and constantly edited post, I'm still catching up.

Been out and got all the outside jobs done, washing going out soon and then I'll pop round and beg a cuppa from the neighbour who is pronanly on here reading this now - Get the kettle on, SM! :rotfl:

lyndasharp

Grr, I had to order the PVC roofing for the carport on the internet and they haven't sent the flashing, the part that joins the roof to the side of the garage wall. I was hoping to get it all finished the weekend, while my Dad is still around for some slave labour, but it looks like we'll have to wait until they send the missing bits.

Dad's taking us out for a nice meal tonight, I'm looking forward to that!

I saved £1.70 this morning - not much but it all helps! I'd left my bike at work as it was so wet last night, and got a lift home. Instead of getting the bus in, I decided to walk to work, it only took 40 mins and I had a lovely walk.

SFT, thanks for the updates, sounds great!

xNatalie81x, have you asked about getting insurance for both cars? It can be cheaper if you can put two on the same policy.

Savvy_sewing

I am reading, and absorbing.. I still need to be more on top of the spends, not just the groceries! Still havent had the car fixed, so I am managing on whats here in the storecupboards, freezer and fridge, with the odd thing from the travelling butcher. But he is expensive.

jtb2412

Morning all xx

SFT loving the updates :j

Natalie lovely to hear from you, glad the growing is coming along and you're still on top of everything :T.

NYK weather awful here yesterday evening and pretty cloudy this morning but I've heard that Mr Weather is going to give us lovely holiday sun next week Have a good week xx

Had a busy week here flyladying and the house is now sparkling clean. Just today to get through but I've not much of the list to tick off as I've already completed most of it.

Off on holiday here tomorrow, courtesy of Mr T and his clubcard vouchers. Managed to save enough in one quarter for a week in Weymouth - been booked since last year and I have enough toiletries to keep me going for about 5 years :eek: .

I know it's a holiday and we should be enjoying it but it's going to be a fairly frugal holiday - I've mealplanned and done a shopping list, going to be spending lots of time beachcombing for fossils, visiting local tourist places etc. I think most of our money will go on petrol and food but I'm taking a fair bit of grub with us. Part of me thinks s*d it, but if I let go of the reigns just a little bit then I know my bank balance will plummet :rolleyes:.

Made some more soup yesterday - if anyone wants something very prolific to grow, I can recommend the patty pan squashes. I've had about 50 off 3 plants so far and they're still coming ! :eek: Makes lovely soup and I think once I've portioned up the lot I did last night, my freezer will mostly consist of soup and runner beans :rotfl:.

We have MIL and FIL coming today (house and dog sitting which saves us a fortune in kennel fees :T). Having chicken chasseur for dinner (going in SC in about 10 mins ).

Right better go and get dressed . Have a great week everyone, look forward to catching up when we get back.

aeb_2

I'm still here and following, I'm especially enjoying following SFT holiday and am Googling all the places and wildlife. Oh, to do that one day but it may be a long time.

Also, I'm looking forward to hearing about Grandma's canning. I remember learning about that at school and being warned by the teacher about how it can be dangerous, especially for vegetables when toxins can be fatal! Please be careful although I expect things have moved on by now and it is probably very safe - and the techer was very old. I have done fruit bottling just using ordinary jars and that has been successful and easy. And yes, it does save space in the freezer and keeps the colour of plums which come out of the freezer black.

I spent a lot of time round the house - luckily for me (but not everyone else) the weather has not entised us out and the children are happy enough to stay about the house and village.

Am still trying to find a 7 seater car/van. I have no idea (or money) and wanted to get it all sorted but am running out of time fast. I will be trapped! Still in a bit of denial and must admitt to being scared to death if I give myself time to think for too long.

MSE things
Picking things from garden - luckily children are still excited about digging potatoes and picking beans. I hadn't realized how long French beans went on for if you keep picking them. Beetroot like cricket balls, not quite babybeet but they taste good fresh and pickled - so easy. Radish are a disaster - I thought that is the crop for children to grow, being almost instant but mine just failed to plump up before bolting - nothing to eat at all.

Big news - I decided that B&B would be out of the question for several years to come. I need the spce and who in their right mind would stay in a B&B with 6 children under 6 running round? So I have divided up the house. Well not me, the workmen. I cut my loses and spent ALL the rest of my savings, and some extra, on splitting the house into two. A huge decision but I decided all by myself (I was pleased because deciding is my worse fault and what I miss most in my DH). Anyway, the diningroom on the right side (looking at the property from the front) used to be a garage but had been converted but still had an outside door. So this is the entrance. The utility behind it is the kitchen. The units rearranged and new doors. The main expence was stairs up to two bedrooms. One bedroom has stayed the same and the other, at the back, is now a bathroom. Quite a bit of that still to do. I couldn't believe how much it was to get separate meters and council tax etc done. No change from £1000 but I got everything done properly. I just have to find someone mad enough to live next door to me and my brood.:rotfl:

Feeling like a ballon all I do is let it happen - I wish I could get up that ladder - and pay the workmen. Never mind, it's all in lifesplan.

Sorry this is so long, thanks for reading

Savvy_sewing

I thought it was tough having the Three under 3, then a 4th four years later!.
I am not sure of your exact situation. (Sorry if its been posted before and I have missed it).
I hope you find your car.
I am in a similar situation that I need to change my car (when I get the brakes sorted out, its due its MOT) but I dont have enough money to get another one.
I currently have a 6 seater car, but really cannot justify having it now as there is really only me, and occasionally one of the twins and thier babies). Most of the time its me trundling about in a huge car on my own.