Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

redglass_2

Thanks, Grandma. I like the idea of being a cheerleader at the age of 53!

Dorastar

Have been on a budget since dh lost his job earlier this year so think we can probably join in here but can't get it down to £4k! Will post budget on here once I've figured everything in!

cw18

Dorastar - it doesn't have to be £4k. Through 2009 we've had loads of different budgets, and lots of different things included in the budgets.....

I personally do an 'all in' for £8k - and can only keep it that low as I've no rent or mortgage (well, I do have a small mortgage kept on as a personal choice - but I actually exclude that as I could clear it if interest rates went too high for me to afford to run it any more)

eco

can I join eco please

Daisy_Steiner

I'd like to join too please. Got a few days off work between Christmas and New Year so will work on my budget then. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you and to getting to grips with this challenge. :j

DAISY STEINER

Ches

I keep looking at my spreadsheet and I can't believe how much I could save by being careful. I haven't itemised my cash spends as most of you seem to have done. I am going to work on the principal that if I have an expense from my £80 a week such as a birthday then we will live out of the freezer/storecupboard that week and restock on food in the weeks I don't have extra expense. In fact I think I have already said this either on this thread or the old one but I can't stop going over and over it in my head. I have had a trial run this month and its not been too bad. I have gone over a bit but considering some was Christmas food shopping I am quite pleased with the way things have gone. I have certainly spent less than I usually do so thats a good result. I must keep the motivation going as I have a lot to gain from this challenge.

looby-loo_2

raebhoop wrote: »

One vets bill will screw up your budget....period

I agree

I think I might have to take Jin-G tomorrow. At tea time I noticed his eye was 1/2 closed, well he came to show me. He had something that looked like thick hairs or cotton threads in it. He let me remove them with the corner of a kitchen towel but the conjunctiva looks very red. I saved them to show the vet. I'm hoping now the irritation is gone it will settle down on its own.

I'm doing a budget based on the things I have control over.

LilacPixie

i'm reading along and so tempted to join in. We have too much debt, too small a home and spend to much. Currently attacking utilities and food bills but wondering if i could feesably live on less than my aims. I need to get out the pad and paper and work on budget and realistic targets.

andrinaperry

Me please

andrinaperry

ceridwen

grandma247 wrote: »

Hello redglass nice to see you back. You could always be a cheerleader:)
I used a dehydrator and I think SM has one. Mine is just a cheapie from westfalia (actually it is 2 as I got another and used just the trays to make it a ten tray). It works fine but it has to be babysat because the trays have to be rotated to get even drying.
I would love an excalibur and a couple of the groups i am on recommend it as the rolls royce of dehydrators. I don't think there is an alternative to it but I could be wrong.

There are Stockli dehydrators as well at least - thats the one I have actually - but it also needs "babysitting" to change the trays round. If I were to get one again though it would be the Excalibur - as I gather one doesnt need to do that tray swopping-round with that and the only dehydrator liner sheets for the trays that I have come across are cut to the shape of Excalibur trays - ie rectangular (my Stockli is a round one). Theres also the point that - with limited kitchen worksurface space - one needs appliances with straight lines, rather than round ones, in order to make best use of all worksurface space (Duh! - shoulda thought of that first too....).