Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

knithappens

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

I have found knitting a fantastic way to save some money and enjoyable to. As I am getting bigger and less mobile with this baby I have been knocking out booties and clothes and socks(for adults) and currently working on a baby blanket. I`m planning on making some baby toys as soon as I can source some stuffing for them. I really want to make some knitted balls and maybe a knitted bear for her.
x x x x

apart from the charity shop, kemps wool is a great cheap place to get wool http://www.kempswoolshop.com/wool_specials.aspx

i love knitting, am starting a local group in my area in the new year at my local library, just a couple of hours a week to meet up with others, and do something for myself. I love ravelry, we should start a moneysaving expert group on there to share ideas.

At the moment i am in the middle of a pair of mittens for my dauhter inspired by the ones Bella wore in Twilight. - she wanted them for her birthday

http://subliminalrabbit.blogspot.com/2008/12/bellas-mittens-updated-pattern.html

thriftylass

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

I`m planning on making some baby toys as soon as I can source some stuffing for them. I really want to make some knitted balls and maybe a knitted bear for her.
x x x x

I got my stuffing here

knithappens

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

I`m planning on making some baby toys as soon as I can source some stuffing for them. I really want to make some knitted balls and maybe a knitted bear for her.
x x x x

try here http://www.abakhanfabrics.co.uk/

wornoutmumoftwo

I've decided to base my budget on the 2009 budget, live on £4K although mine works out over that. So i'm looking at it as a daily living budget.

Christmas Vouchers 595
Food 1820
B/band,tv,tel 660
Electric 1040
Vouchers for xmas 2010 595
Gifts 500
Toiletries 40
Cleaning 30
Clothing 300
Gardening 100
TV Licence 145
Pocket Money (2 boys) 520

6345

Everything else will go on our holiday, wedding down London in March, debts that need repaying and then savings. But if i can stick to the above I'll be laughing all the way to the bank (she says hopefully).

Putting the boys on pocket money at £5 each, this alone will save a forune. The gardening is for growing, as I have a small allotment and I think the above includes all necessities though no doubt I'll have to make changes as we go.

I'm not including the cat in the grocery budget as he's a bit of a pensioners and his stomach can't handle cheaper meat so I tend to buy expensive for him.

#May be a little ott on the gifts but my husband has a large close family so buying vouchers this year to ward off the costs of christmas.

Think that's all. Raring to go.

XSpender

I thought my 2010 budget was sorted but things have changed a bit. I have found the reusable nappies I want to get for when the frugalmite is born in May but am now considering returning to work 1/1/11 so will have more funds avaialble but I think I won't know what I will want to do until he arrives and I know how I feel. I do not want to stop working as I love my job, get a fantastic package ane frankly we need the money.

We have made some great headway with the budget reducing personal grooming and baby categories but the biggest problem I have is with the food/toiletries/cleaning categories. It is just too high for 2 of us and I am at a loss to how I can cut back and stop spending. I have been doing the GC for over a year and I am still not down to where I want to be. I want to reduce it by £100 month but how I dont know

shaz_mum_of__2

Xspender

are you sure it is possible to bring it down further ,maybe your goal is unrealistic?

Is it food budget or takeaway budget that can't be cut down? we used to have a takeaway every friday and go out for sunday lunch every week approx £40 week just there.

Why don't you tell us what you eat/ cook/ buy now and we can make suggestions for alternatives. I am not a batch cooker i am a stockpiler which works for me as i always have the makings of a meal or hundred in my food storage. Cutting portion sizes and meat has been our biggest saving so far (we only eat meat 4 days a week now)

I always cook an extra portion and hubby takes for lunch the next day , i buy only value cleaning stuff and i stockpile toiletries when they are on offer i currently have 12 bottles bubblebath,6 tubes of toothpaste and 6 dove solid deodorants under my bed along with 6 months of personal hygiene products and 144 toilet rolls

For me staying out of the shops is key i get too seduced

Rambled a bit but hope it gives you some clues

knithappens

hi Shaz, i am a stockpiler too, and a batch cooker, I only stockpile things i would normally buy , thus saving money in the long run.

shaz_mum_of__2

Knithappens

I think of it as buy now don't pay(full price) later!

trex170104

Kellylea wrote: »

I just have to say.....

I went and got the marks hamper catalogue the other day to get ideas to make my own for all the couples next christmas.

x x x

What a good idea - very clever!
I'm the same as you absolutely mad over xmas but completely can't wait for 2010 my OH thinks I'm mad but he's getting on board the frugal train slowly - luckily I am the Finance Minister in our house so he only gets his own cash to play with - ha ha I sound like a dictator!!

Benn udating the blog more than on here [otherwise I'd be on here all day] but love finding out what everyone else is doing - it's very inspiring! xxx

skintjenny

Hi All,
Would really like to join in this challenge, but as I have no idea how much I will be earning over the next year and where I will end up, I think for now I will have to sign up as a cheerleader! But good luck to all, and hopefully I can put all of your fantastic tips to use, saving lots of money!
Jenny x