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

taka

Horribly wet and windy here... Yuck!

Frankie... You definitely aren't the only one! I lurked on the 2008 challenge for the first 3 months then finally joined properly at the start of April. I then went AWOL from MSE completely for 3+ months from mid may - autumn 2008. I joined in again when I returned and this year I seem to have stuck with it all year so far! Its only really this year (particularly the 2nd half) I've managed to make any major changes. It looks likely that I'll come in under £4k (and my budget was £5k for the year) this year so I'm really pleased. :j I still waste waaaaaaay too much money on food though... :rolleyes:

I can't decide whether to do an all in budget next year or not... :think: It just looks like a depressingly large number by the time I add in the mortgage, council tax, bus fares to work etc. If I do it'll exclude any mortgage overpayments though - I want those to increase and not feel guilty for them bumping up my year total! :rotfl:

I have quicken plus a stupidly complicated spreadsheet which tracks everything but it needs redesigning as bits of it really annoy me. I also have a stray 1p that doesn't like to be assigned to anything which bugs me no end - it doesn't always add up correctly (sometimes 1p out) but I can't work out where the error is! :eek: :rotfl: Now I have my netbook I'm going to get MS office put on it (free licence for 1 home computer through work) and move all my money stuff onto that computer so I'm more likely to update it every day.

Mooloo - ((((hugs)))) You do so well (even if you don't always believe it) trying to balance the needs of your family but sometimes you need to think of you and your health too. I wish it was easier for you... you sound so lovely. :grouphug:

Now that you are having your DGD once a week regularly can the social worker sort out some kind of help with the petrol/transport? Does she(?) know that you are on a low income due to your health and exactly how much it costs you financially AND physically to drive backwards and forwards so much? Could they not arrange some kind of transport (or at least petrol costs) for you/DGD on the day she is with you?

Everyone else - :hello::grouphug::coffee::doh::kisses3::(:D:p etc as appropriate ... :rotfl:

Kerfuffle

[QUOTE=nykmedia;27020945 * Snip
Next year's challenge will begin with a bew list of challengees as there are so many on the current list that have disappeared. But I;ll wait until closer to New Year before getting the names in order. [/QUOTE]

Hi nykmedia,

I've been reading and lurking on your thread for some time and have been toying with the idea of joining you, please could you bear me in mind when you start to do your list.

Thankyou, have a good day.

XSpender

Kerfuffle wrote: »

Hi nykmedia,

I've been reading and lurking on your thread for some time and have been toying with the idea of joining you, please could you bear me in mind when you start to do your list.

Thankyou, have a good day.

Me too!:o I have also been lurking, reading the previous parts of 2009 challenge (my you guys can 'talk') and beavering away working on my budget for . Can't make up my mind between an 'all in' or a '£6k' budget.

I have already picked up lots of great tips from you all:T

XS

ETA: Oooo I have got 2 stars!

taka

:hello: Welcome! Nyk will be along soon to add you... thats if she hasn't been blown away - her corner of Scotland is supposed to be the worst hit with the story weather! :eek:

Congrats on your 2nd star XSpender! :j

bails

Had a 40-min very serious 'informal chat' with the Head tonight, and have been offered an interview :eek::j

taka

bails wrote: »

Had a 40-min very serious 'informal chat' with the Head tonight, and have been offered an interview :eek::j

:j:beer: Woohoo! :beer::j Will you have to have the interview by video/tv conference somehow or when you are back?

slowlyfading

bails wrote: »

Had a 40-min very serious 'informal chat' with the Head tonight, and have been offered an interview :eek::j

Yay! :j :j :j

thriftylass

Hi Frankie, don't give up yet. I started with good intentions on a 4k budget which will be more a 7k budget now because I had unrealistic expectations of what changes I'd pull through, practicalities, life style changes I was willing to accept etc. We learn all the time and then do better next year. My challenge didn't quite go as planned but I'll try and do better. I just have to find out what works for me. Can't wait for next year.

Vixstar

:j Yay Bails

:eek: to six weeks till next year's challenge starting. I'll definitely be joining in properly (though possibly failing a little) as I need to save more and want to make mortgage overpayments on my new place asap.

I think I'll be doing a modified to meet my needs 4k budget as I want to move house at some point in the year (and even if I don't my mortgage deal ends) and the payments will rise a lot. Number crunching to be done I think.

Off to try an online shop for the months needs - to see if I save anything by advanced planning and to avoid a weekend trip to A$da!

shaz_mum_of__2

Well done bails ....................

Shame about the washer grandma

welcome to all newbies

Can't remember anyone elses news so hugs etc as appropriate .....................got brain freeze due to essay writing and looking forward to my continental break next week!

nice to see you whitewing has hubby had his citizenship thing yet?