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

tryingtodobetter

Good Morning

Mooloo - I'm glad your landlord has finally replied to warm (why didn't he just do it earlier )

I thought I had finished my Christmas shopping only to discover Arg@s hadn't included something in my order :eek::eek:(but had charged me for it) and now it is out of stock. I now have only one of the item when I need one each for DS1 and DS2. I have tried all the stores near everyone I know but out of stock everywhere :mad::mad::mad:. Oh I am soooooo cross.

Got to take DS2 to the hospital today so that will cost me a fortune in petrol and parking, so definately not a NSD for me.

On a brighter note we have had a lovely weekend at the Woodland cutting back and generally having a good tidy up. Can't wait until the spring when we can start getting it ready for the chickens and maybe some sheep and goats.

Hope everyone has a good day

TTDB.x.

Savvy_sewing

I sometimes wonder what it takes to get something done simply, easily, and efficiently!? Doesnt seem to happen in my life, and many more of us I fear!.
Hope nothing serious with DS2 at the hospital. Hope the appointment was on time, then the parking may be a little less!.
Would be handy to have a wood nearby, just to forrage for sticks and cones etc for the fire!. Next year I will have to scavange more then I did from BF's tree.!
Think I am a bit lazy, or is it just too sore, to get out into the garden and start digging it over etc for the new year. I have a cold greenhouse available, but at the moment its redundant. I am not a natural gardener!.

Got a bit of peace as I have put DGD down for a sleep, she was yawning and grotty. We were up at 6.30 ish so I am not surprised she is tired.

grandma247

Mooloo don't dig. Lay wet newspapers over the ground and if you can get some straw put that over the top then when it is time for planting just scrape away a bit of any paper that is left to put your plants in. Get everyone you know to give you their papers.

You could also start your onions and some broad beans if you like them in little pots in the greenhouse and in a few weeks you can do the same with parsnips , beetroot and probably other stuff too.

Meter now in but was nearly a disaster as he was told to put a credit meter in. Fortunately he had a key meter in his van so put that in. I rang the people but they also had that I wanted a credit meter so they had the wrong details. Rang eon and they said it was ok not to worry it would sort itself out within two weeks anyway.

Also rang credit union and I can pay into my savings via standing order so I am going to set one up at the end of Jan. when the council tax last payment goes out. Then they will be paid also by standing order every week from beg march.

Frugaldom

tryingtodobetter wrote: »

On a brighter note we have had a lovely weekend at the Woodland cutting back and generally having a good tidy up. Can't wait until the spring when we can start getting it ready for the chickens and maybe some sheep and goats.

Hope everyone has a good day

TTDB.x.

Don't forget you need a CPH number for your land and to register the livestock before moving anything there, otherwise it's illegal. Chickens are ok if you're planning on keeping less than 50 DEFRA should be able to provide you with all the details. It's now illegal to keep even one single sheep/goat/pig/cow.

Just updated signature and it's easy to tell we're nearing the end of the year as I'm almost out of cash. :rotfl:My downfall is definitely gift spending as I've had to counteract overspends there with underspends elsewhere. Thankfully, I've spent less on electricity than I'd anticipated, but next year is going to be dedicated to LETS trading as a way of frugalising the budget further, it's the only thing I can think of nowadays that doesn't cost a fortune. :rolleyes: I'm not really worrying about VAT returning to 17.5% as we all knew it was only a temporary reduction. I suspect if it increases to 20%, as suggested, it will hardly affect us here as my grocery list contains very little that attracts VAT. But any further increases in fuel/power will seriously impact on my planned budget, that's for sure, as will the increase in council tax. My gifts buying will need to be curtailed and a more concious effort put into handmaking more.

Logman says seasoned log prices will be increasing.
Coalman says coal prices will be increasing.
We all know food prices fluctuate, so the diet reflects those trends.
Grain prices continue to rise, so egg & meat prices probably will, too.

I have £203.44 left out of my £4,000 budget and I haven't got a turkey for Christmas dinner yet. I WILL succeed with my 2009 challenge!

Savvy_sewing

I have decided not to get a turkey as such, having a Turkey breast instead. There is only going to be me, and the twins, with their toddlers so I doubt they will worry much.
Can hear DGD, so I better go and get her.

taka

Wow... almost the end of the year! So far I've spent £3698.73 out of a possible £5000 so will definitely come in under budget! :j It'd be fab to come in at or under £4k which would mean I have £301.27 left for the year.

All monthly bills are already included so left to buy/spend for the year...

• Hairdressers - £30 including Xmas tip
• Xmas and December birthday presents - £167.81 (I have bought some of this but not counted in the budget yet as I've completely confused myself as to who is getting what so some may be being returned ) It may not all be spent.
• Food - £43.92 left in the yearly budget and only need ~£20 to £25 worth to do me the rest of this year so will probably spend the remainder stocking up for next year.

That would leave me with £59.54 to cover my work Xmas meal extras (ticket paid for already and it includes wine) + possibly buying a new warm winter hat! :rotfl: Should be do-able...

Famous last words... :rolleyes: :rotfl:

Does anyone know what sorts of food will increase with the VAT increase? I'm presuming the very basics of veg / flour/ pasta /rice etc will not be affected but what will?

grandma247

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/30/peter-preston-food-vat
Interesting article

Frugaldom

taka wrote: »

Does anyone know what sorts of food will increase with the VAT increase? I'm presuming the very basics of veg / flour/ pasta /rice etc will not be affected but what will?

List of how VAT affects foodstuffs is here
I try to avoid standard rated items as much as possible but find it impossible to avoid all, especially as certain toiletries/sanitary products are standard rated! :mad:

grandma247

I can't remember if I said or not but a few weeks ago we bought a kilo of sunflower seeds peeled for about £1.65 for our own consumption and they are very nice. The owner also told us he does some beans etc. too so will be going back for them soon. So if you want to save a little money talk to your local pet shop owner. There is nothing wrong with the food and the only thing he said he would probably not recommend for humans was peanuts. Something about them being grade 2? Anyway I know some are bad for you if they have mould on them.

Frugaldom

Grandma247, having worked in the wholesale and retail sides of the pet trade, I wouldn't recommend eating pet products of any description - your pet shop owner has no accountability for these products and cannot guarantee they have been in suitable, safe storage. Most of the bulk seeds & grains are shipped loose then packed in hessian or paper sacks that may have no regulated protective measures in force to prevent contamination from rodents and/or other pests. This is why many breeders of expensive exotics prefer to pay extra for human consumption quality control. I think it's mainly to do with differing levels of health & hygiene measures that are in place.