Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

Frugaldom

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

Hey all,
Just a quick one to ask your collective minds. What can I do with a bar of soap other than use it tradtionally. I've been given a lovely bar of christmassy soap but I don't really like to use soap to wash with as I prefer shower gels, can I turn this soap into a shower gel? or are there any other funky frugal uses?
x x x x x

Could you melt the soap with just enough water added to turn it into shower gel/liquid soap? I believe you need to add some form of salt or something to raise the pH a little to help prevent bacteria from developing in the mix, though. It may be just as easy to use the soap with a sponge or similar to lather it up or else gift it to someone else?

Shaz, on the caravan parking issue, it's best not to keep caravans or campervans parked up outside of a house as it means that opportunist burglars can easily tell when you're on holiday - it, the caravan or camper van isn't parked up so they assume house empty - so I'd guess that a couple of hundred pounds paid out to cover insurance, parking fees and peace of mind is money well spent. Until they got burgled, my parents had never thought about this aspect of it, having only ever thought about the convenience of storing their caravan alongside the house. Well done on the bb/telephone savings! You should do the free scratchcards and a few clicks/searches and cashback because you could possibly gain enough from that to neutralise the cost of keeping the caravan.

Going to try contacting my Internet provider today again and if they don't offer me a better deal then I'm going elsewhere. I hate calling them, last week I was on hold for almost 45 miniutes between transfers to the relevant departments and it isn't a freefone number! :mad: No point by-passing their local rate number as I don't have free calls on my phoneline package.

Welcome onboard Tesco Points Addict and welcome back Paulgonnabedebtfree

shaz_mum_of__2

cw18 wrote: »

Shaz - you'll also need to check MIL's deeds to see if keeping a caravan on the property is allowed. I'm in my third house, and none of them have allowed the keeping of a caravan, boat or work vehicle (though they clearly can't tell unless it carries company livery). I've seen people keep them on their property for longer than loading/unloading before, but just 'cos they get away with it for a short while doesn't mean they won't get in trouble in the future.... especially if someone reports them.

Hmm best check her tenancy .......i could always look for a cheaper storage place the farm we use at the minute is a 2 min drive away so handy when packing but a bit muddy at times

XSpender

Morning All

I am raring to go with the 2010 challenge having just completed my final (fingers crossed) spend of 2009.

This spend included a page a day diary and a project note pad to use for recording my spends and planning my frugalness throughout the year. I would have loved to have used a copy of Cheryl's spreadsheet but our personal lap top went kaput a few months ago and I have to give my work one in when I go on Mat leave so it's back to good old paper and pencil for me until we save enough to buy a new lap top in April.

I have set myself some tasks before the 1st to get me organised:

• create an up to date store cupboard and freezer list
• list my scuba gear for sale
• load all my paperbacks on green met
• sell all my unwanted CDs to Mus1c MagpIe
• meal plan for Jan including a couple of new bean based recipes
• withdraw first week's £60 grocery budget in cash
• try and find Weezel's 50p thread. I have been trying all week and just can't find it:o

The sales are to raise money to pay for all the baby stuff we need as I have not budgeted for this to give us an incentive to raise the money to pay for it through sales and savings.

I recently borrowed the £1/day book from the library. I enjoyed it, a very easy read, but I feel it would be difficult for many to achieve or sustain.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.:xmassign:

XS

the_cat

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1157641&highlight=

Linky to weezl!

Frugaldom

Weezl74's 50p per person per day link included in the handy links section of post 1. I tend to base mine on £1 per person per day as we don't live in a suitable enough location with regards to having access to 'bargain' foods, which is paramount to the success of such a tight food budget.

BigMummaF

findingmyfeet wrote: »

....Try try try again!!! I will improve year on year, but am not GOING to give up trying.
good luck to all and see you all shortly

My sentiments exactly FMF :T..I look at people's budget's & wonder where I could begin with mine but I will NOT let it stop me Very best of Luck to you too & look forward to comparing notes throughout the new Challenge

Dorastar wrote: »

....do any of you share this with your other halves? Mine is completely useless when it comes to money....

I don't have an 'OH' but I do have grown children who have inherited their father's attitude to money in variable degrees I do try to explain what I am trying to achieve for our household & it is beginning to filter through, but I guess it's more like volcanic mineral water & will take some time :undecided Someone once said that you spend a lifetime developing bad habits so don't expect to change them overnight..only too true

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

.... What can I do with a bar of soap other than use it tradtionally. I've been given a lovely bar of christmassy soap.... x x x x x

When I've received soap as gifts that I can't use, I put them in my drawers :rotfl: Either there or the airing cupboard & even made a little bag from one of those nets you get fruit in & hung it in my wardrobe. The perfume doesn't seem to penetrate the clothes, but you get a lovely waft when you open the drawer or door. If it is to go directly onto clothing I keep it loosely wrapped in a bit of tissue so as not to stain the t-shirt, tablecloth etc.

slowlyfading

Can't remember if I've posted on here, but COUNT ME IN! :j just working out a budget...

Frugaldom

You're already on my list, SlowlyFading, no worries. Hope you're looking forward to the new year, new challenges and new career it may bring for you! You've been doing incredibly well these past few months, so I hope everything keeps going in the right direction for you.

mambury

:xmastree:mambury:xmastree:

Add me to the list too! I can't give you a budget at the mo as I am staying at MIL's but I will provide one in time for the new year......

Happy Christmas

mambury

forgot to subscribe!! LOL!