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

grandma247

A question for the vegetarians on here. Can you get a rice milk plain live yoghurt? If so what is it called,how much is it and which shops carry it?

lyndasharp

BigMummaF, we had a problem with the roof of the carport missing the roof edging, they gave us a refund eventually after I put in a paypal claim... There was a problem with the guttering too, but only 'cos the slope wasn't enough and the water didn't drain out. H2B fixed that one with extra bits of wood.

Very excited about the wedding! I'm seeing the hairdresser tomorrow to talk about styles, so I'm going to have a look for ideas on the internet now.

slowlyfading

Well, gone over my aim for the year. Current total stands at £3020.37

FrankieM

Hi everyone,
Still doing family things here so not much time to post. I've bought some reduced food items, some trainers for my DS and DH is buying a present for his sister. These will all be coiming out of January's budget as I have nothing left in December.
DH's Gran gave me some petrol money, though, but I'm going to try not to add that in unless I have to.

Hoe you are all enjoying this time of year. Not getting too stressed about budgets.Only 2 days until next years challenge....!

skint_chick

I've just finished doing my figures while my final batch of cooking finishes off. I now have loads of turkey and veg soup/bacon and lentil soup/potato, leek, cabbage and sprout stew/turkey and lentil soup/potato and carrot mash/bacon, potato, sprout and cabbage stir fry made to last the whole of January's lunches at work and most of my dinners too. I should win a prize for largest collection of small plastic tubs squeezed in a freezer:D

So this year I've spent a grand total of £3425.89 I've everything ready for NYE party I'm going to so no more spending in 2009:D. I've managed to repay an astounding £23,019 of debt and now only have £5,500 of family loan and £143,785 of mortgage to go:j

I'm so glad I found this challenge and still amazed at how well I've done and how easily I've adapted to this challenge - although given that my mum has enough stockpiled to survive a decade it's maybe not that surprising:rolleyes:

I've included a lot more in my budget for next year and will be using CW's fab spreadsheet to keep closer track of my food purchasing for more efficient stockpiling. Next year's main focus is to commit more time to creative pursuits and outdoor activities while strengthening friendships and family relationships.

Bails - I hope you get your flight situation sorted in the most money efficient way possible

CW - I'm really pleased for you that work is going so well - fab news about the NVQ I've got my fingers crossed for you

ceridwen

grandma247 wrote: »

A question for the vegetarians on here. Can you get a rice milk plain live yoghurt? If so what is it called,how much is it and which shops carry it?

I've never heard of anything like it myself.

What I am assuming you want is something similar to standard live cows milk yogurt - ie with the beneficial bacteria etc of cows milk yogurt.

In which case - kefir is much the same thing. I have never seen kefir on sale anywhere either. But - you can make your own kefir once you get hold of some kefir grains (try googling on MSE for the thread about kefir for possible sources).

Look up:

http://users.sa.chariotnet.au/~dna/MakeKefir.html

which is a site about kefir specifically. Kefir can also be made with other liquids besides cows milk.

EDIT: Dont understand problem in getting that link to work - but just try googling "kefir" and its Dom's Kefir in-site.

Brighton_belle

I'm afraid my record keeping has fallen apart these last few months. I have most of the paperwork but I haven't logged it into my system, so I won't beable to give a final account.
However, this doen't mean I have gone mad with spending or anything.
I need to get myself together for the New Year, new challenge but energy is low at the mo and it is taking my all just to get the basics done and get dinner and finish off OH's house for rental.
Ordered vinyl flooring for 3 rooms today and it came in at bang on what I had estimated and budgeted for:D

I also am very excited at my new sooper dooper paper shredder: I got vouchers for £20 for being a volunteer in medic exams earlier in the year and together with a £5 off coupon I bought it from a well know stationers..The cheapest in stock was £29.99 so I only had to pay £5 in cash, except the box was very very battered and I cheekily asked for money off because of that and they knocked £4.50 off!!! Wouldn't have done that before:D. So, paid 50p for a £29.99 shredder. Have a huge backlog of stuff to shredd so that's our NY's entertainment sorted:rotfl:

Some great continuing stories of home produce and great savings made over the year.
SF - you have still done very very well even if you are over your target.

Next year see some changes for us and more of a shared income and expediture responsibilty, which is(very) good, but won't be finally settled until Feb i should think so can't do a definitve budget yet, but at least need to return to proper record keeping.

Skint_Lynne

Evening all,

I have a cooking related question. DH wants a steak and kidney pudding instead of steak pie on New Years Day. Do you think that I could make it as normal and then put it into the slow cooker instead of boiling in a pot?

If so, how long should I cook it for?

Thanks in advance. xx

Merle

This is the last time I will be able to post before we see in the new year so I would like to wish all you frugal revellers :beer:out there a very happy and properous New Year. I am keen to take up the challenge and try to live on 4k in 2010. My frugal efforts this year have already shown me that it can be done and I have so enjoyed reading all your posts. So well done everyone and keep the faith in 2010 :j.
Merle x

Blairweech

CW - Good luck on the NVQ - they do them at my workplace but I am overqualified apparently (already have a BTEC in Electronics Engineering, which is obviously exactly like Warehousing :rolleyes: )

SF - Do not worry about only being £20 over your target, you have still done soooooooo so so so so well to live on even close to £3000!!!! Think how many other people of our age could do that? Especially considering you have started your PGCE and are travelling to see your BF. I know I'm impressed!

SFT - What a lovely post. Three cheers for those three incredible women! And of course, everyone else on here is fabulous and awesome as well :A

I am worn out, done 2 12 hour days. Lie in tomorrow though as not starting until 12 :cool:

I received my passport today :beer: :j :T Can't believe how quickly it came through, considering I had my interview on Thursday morning, and Friday-Monday were not working days!!

WOAH! I'M GOING TO SRI LANKA!!!!! LALALALALA