Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

Always

Hi

I'd like to join, haven't done my budget yet, but kept a spending diary this year... am quite shocked by how much i spend - especially on eating out :eek: anyway please can you add me... budget to follow,

Always

XSpender

My 2010 budget had gone through yet more changes having reduced my hairdressing/wax budget from £578 :eek:this year to £90 for the challenge. We have also agreed to cut the wheely bin cleaner out saving £52 p.a. and I have moved some of DH car costs to the essentials bit as although this is our 2nd car because I get a co car he needs it for work when I am working away. I had also forgot to add in prescription costs for DH and I must look into one of those pre payment things to see if it is worth it.

I have done a rough calculation of how much I could save next year by sticking to my budget and I nearly passed out! If I ever needed another good reason to do this challenge that's the one!:T

I am hoping to have finalised the budget this week and will post it as soon as it's done.

Ches

I am having a dummy run this month. First week has been a photo finish!!!

mardatha

I was having a dummy run this month too. And I lost count already !

the_cat

I've been a dummy this month.... does that count!:rotfl:

Christmas shopping is going well and on budget, but food spends have been horrendous. I got tempted by the money off vouchers that I have been sent and the MrM £25 free offer and have spent LOADS. On the plus side, my food spends for the first few months of 2010 should be lower as I already have enough laundry,cleaning, toiletries and most basic cupboard foods for at least 6 months! It feels a bit like cheating in advance of the start of the challenge but I will try to keep aside some funds for a big stock up next year again to take advantage of the special offers that always seem to be around at this time of the year. Hopefully that will compensate for 'cheating' now!

skintbint_2

splashed out yesterday bought a slicer for my homemade bread and also for the christmas joint - in argos sale for £20, brilliant wish i'd bought one months ago. bread will go twice as far now and so will the joint and all the lemon drizzle and banana loafs (mmm i'm hungry). does anyone have a vaccuum packer thingy - is it worth investing in?

wornoutmumoftwo

WORNOUTMUMOFTWO

Right, I've fallen off the wagon for the last two years, but please may I join again?

Will start work on my budget straightaway.:whistle:

poorbutrich

Hi everyone!
Thanks NYK for adding me to next year's challenge! I have just found the scrap of paper that I scribbled all my figures on (I will lay out my calculations next year-teehee!). We are meant to be getting married next year, so my huge figure of £8,000 will hopefully include a wedding of sorts.

I am about to start working from home, so my massive petrol bill should come down quite sharply too. It is currently rivalling my monthly mortgage payments - shocking!

I spent all of 2009 lurking on this challenge and was stunned by the support and friendship and am very excited about being a part of that for 2010. The rest of 2009 will be spent preparing for the challenge ie planting some veg, getting rid of unwanted subscriptions to unions and groups and eBaying some of my clutter.

Good luck everyone!

looby-loo_2

skintbint wrote: »

splashed out yesterday bought a slicer for my homemade bread and also for the christmas joint - in argos sale for £20, brilliant wish i'd bought one months ago. bread will go twice as far now and so will the joint and all the lemon drizzle and banana loafs (mmm i'm hungry). does anyone have a vaccuum packer thingy - is it worth investing in?

I bought my slicer from Lidl and I agree, it's worth it just for slicing h/m bread. The next best thing I use it for is slicing a gammon or bacon joint. I cook one in the pressure cooker eyery two weeks and next day it slices so well in the slicer. This saves a fortune on buying sliced ham.

I did have one problem:o I had to make a cover for it as the cat thought it was her new 'bed' and would sit on the flat bit as soon as she could:rolleyes:

maz1964

skintbint wrote: »

splashed out yesterday bought a slicer for my homemade bread and also for the christmas joint - in argos sale for £20, brilliant wish i'd bought one months ago. bread will go twice as far now and so will the joint and all the lemon drizzle and banana loafs (mmm i'm hungry). does anyone have a vaccuum packer thingy - is it worth investing in?

hiya skintbint,,, that is a fab idea, not thought to buy a slicer, thanks for the tip

i have a vaccuum packer did get it from lidl some time ago, always keep an eye on lidl have some good stuff there, i find it really works for me, we put our cured meat sausages in for transporting and keeping so can use it for lots of other stuff too im sure

good luck maz