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

Frugaldom

Skint Lynne, The Telegraph is carrying the story, here's the link. Personally, I think it's all nonsense and don't care if folks think the Scots are mean but to draw up a list of what makes the difference between good and bad as far as wise spending is concerned (as in the p0pwallet article) then it's verging on the ridiculous. Having worked in Suffolk for 3 years I've had every 'jock' or 'mean Scot' joke thrown at me that anyone could possibly have thought up but didn't ever consider them threatening or offensive. Some were a little bit OTT when the people saying them actually believed what they were saying was true, but that was more funny for me. :rotfl:

Apart from that, I neither think it's mean nor think I'm inflicting suffering on my fellow housemates by purchasing cheap loo rolls. How ludicrous is that? :rolleyes:

With all of this in mind, should we maybe consider ourselves, if we aren't Scottish, as wannabe Scots and rename this frugal challenge?

If I'd to ask what stereotype represent the English or the Welsh, would that be wrong? We're referred to as mean and are represented by tartan, thistles, heather & haggis, the Irish are often the butt of jokes and associated with shamrocks and leprechauns, but what are the English and Welsh equivalents? Does everyone in Devon smell of violets and do Cornish pixies really exist? (I said PIXIES, NOT PASTIES) - if these things were assumed, would anyone be offended? I sure hope not, as we need some way of remembering where places are. :rotfl:

grandma247

Well nyk the scots can't be the only meanies in the world then. I have just downloaded an ebook and this is just a short quote from the beginning.
"

The problems of our economy stem from unchecked
consumerism – people buying houses too expensive for their
incomes, getting into too much debt by spending too much,
living a lifestyle of more and more with the idea that things will
only continue to get better. Unfortunately, this kind of
consumerism is unsustainable, both at a global and a personal

level. Eventually, the bills have to be paid and things will be corrected to a more sustainable level."

I don't have time to read it all at the minute but it looks interesting and mentions another book which I may already have in my files if anyone is interested. In fact I will post the link for the site I got it from later. I am going out in a minute for a couple of hours so will look when I get in.

edaniels1983

i think being thrifty is very sensible. and makes life more enjoyable.

anyone can go out and buy things(money permitting) but it takes a savvy individual to scrutinise and find the cheapest ways/alternatives. and it helps keep your mind active. not to mention, keeping your maths good and mental arithmatic. i mean we need to be able to work out those hidden bargains and price per kg lol

mama67

bails wrote: »

Welcome home SFT,we missed you! Glad you had a lovely time!

Nyk and Shaz, you're obviously doing a great job with your budgets, well done :T Hope you had a great hol too Shaz!

Welcome edaniels! Is that £10 a day for everything? Pull up a chair and tell us more...

Sorry to hear you got riled SL, hope you feel better today.

MS from this end - not so much to report, been a more expensive few days for various reasons (visa renewals for one :rolleyes:) and we're out to a Halloween party tonight but then OH goes away on retreat for 12 days so that should cut the food budget right down - him not being here to eat masses and me not eating because I miss him Not really, I'll eat I promise. It's strange, I know it's due in large part to the repercussions of my illness but I wouldn't have batted an eyelid about spending a whole year travelling by myself before, now 12 days seems forever! Maybe I just love being with him...

I have started a wedding dress fund though, so I can get something I will feel gorgeous in without feeling guilty at using lots of the budget if needs be. I've actually got over a £100 now with the scratchcard money but I've not withdrawn it yet.
Have a great time Blair! (did I somehow forget you live in Tavistock or did you only recently put that up?)

BB, is the credit score for what I think it's for??

Have I misread the t&c but I thought I read that you can't withdraw the scratchcard money.

Correct me if I'm wrong Nyk, and pls explain if poss how to tfr them from bonus to cash.
TIA

cw18

I'm with Aril on that news item - being careful with the pennies only becomes mean & nasty when you only look out for number 1.....

We all share hints and tips, share celebrations and upsets, and it appears more and more on here also share skills (whether it be via a LETS scheme, or something less formal) - so I don't see how we can possibly classify us as miserable old so-and-sos :mad:





And on the 'sharing celebrations and upsets' front.......





I got a phone call from Mr M just over 2 hours ago (funnily enough while I was standing in the store itself ) and.......



I got the job :T :T :T :T


Induction is this Friday (5:30pm-9pm) & Saturday (9am-5pm, but may finish earlier), and the job starts Monday.

I still can't figure how my hours make for a 27 hour contract though, but the lady today gave me the same info as the lady who interviewed me Apparently my contracted hours will be 1pm-5pm on Mon, Wed, Thur & Fri, and 7am-4pm on a Tues -- but I only make that 25 hours, and would expect there to be some breaks (at least a lunch break on Tues) to come out of that !!!!



DS is still waiting to hear from them

edaniels1983

Congrats!!!!

cheerfulness4

That's brilliant CW - so please for you. WELL DONE!:T:j:T:j:T:D

bails

Great news CW, well done! :T
Thanks Aril, I agree completely.

Unfortunately not Nyk, the account is closed and won't be reopened! :rolleyes: Still, good while it lasted eh? And I have a sneaky plan...;)

Frugaldom

Yeah CW! Way to go! Well done! I wouldn't worry about your contract, it probably allows for all those extra minutes that can clock up during change overs or else allows for time and a half if you go into unsociable hours. If you ask someone to explain it then they'll probably say it's a standardised contract. Hope your DS gets something soon, too.

Re the frugal, thrifty or mean debate, I don't believe we're mean, I think it's sensible to contemplate how best to spend your own money to help avoid debt. It's how we treat others that matters most and those 'others' should include the companies that are offering their goods and services. Their job is to get our money in exchange for their products and services but it's our job to consider all the options and get the best deal that we can afford. But let's face it - the news people need something to write about and the topic of the week seems to be about making everyone look like racists. It's nothing to do with spending, really.

Mama67, you can't withdraw the bonus money, you lose that when you withdraw your winnings if you haven't paid in real cash and played it through. I withdraw my accumulated winnings from playing the free scratchcards each day and forfeit their bonuses. You used to be able to withdraw the extra bonus as well but they stopped that earlier this year. They also cut the free scratchcards from 9 per week to 8 per week but you always need to have a credit balance in your account to be eligible to play the freebies, even if it is only 10p on occasions

sophiesmum_2

Well done Cheryl,:T hope your DS hears something soon.:D