Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

curlygirl1971

Just wanted to say a huge 'good luck' and also 'well done' to you all for embarking on this challenge. :T

I won't be joining in because it scares the beejesus out of me :eek: - I've looked at my spending levels and I can't get anywhere near it, the £4k that is, (or even £5k, even when I exclude all bills and think of not going on holiday! Gulp) depsite having no children!! However I will be watching the thread with interest to get tips etc. and I will be looking to reduce my personal spending in 2010 - just won't achieve the levels you guys will

You're all fabulous

rozeepozee

My latest money saving tip! As I'm heavily pregnant with twins (still with 18 weeks to go :eek:) I'm trying to avoid the rip off that is Mothercare and other maternity shops. Instead of buying something with a maternity description which seems to be a licence to charge double, I'm buying anything i do need in size 18 (I was formerly a size 8 pre-pregnancy). Works a treat! I now have a set of warm "maternity" thermals. Great for this weather and only £10 in the clearance sale.

LilacPixie

Nyk i'm afewhours north east of you in Angus

Curleygirl come join in. I am aiming for 12k which is obviously 3 times the size of some peoples but thats what it takes a family my size living in the area I do without the ability or space to grow own veg, keep chickens, etc etc

cw18

Rozee Pozee : I did similar when expecting my youngest (now 18!).... I was a 12/14 pre-pregnancy, and ended up with several pairs of jog pants in a size 16/18. Saved me a fortune

Didn't actually need much though - when expecting my eldest (26) the Lady Di 'smock dresses' were all the rage, so I just wore those without a belt.... and I still had some of them. When I was expecting my middle one (almost 21) a neighbour passed me several pieces of maternity clothing she grabbed from a friend for me - very early Freecycle style I guess Some of these had given up the ghost, but I still had one or two pieces from then as well.

I think the only "maternity" dress I bought was one I wore to a couple of wedding receptions and a big 40th birthday bash while expecting my middle one. I looked at hiring something (they were all the same weekend), but it was dearer than buying the one I got as it was in the sales...... and it meant I still had it for the works Christmas bash the following month

Fishcake_Random

Hey all,
Just checking in to say welcome to all the new names and soak up a little of the frugal juices from this thread.
I have been having a conumdrum about wether to include our xmas gift money etc to our budget as it is extra money. I've decided not to but have stashed 90% of it in savings for the time being. My parents have also given me £100 to spend on the baby, I won't be including this either as I knew we were going to get it and it is for buying a cot matress and some bedding for said cot. I think that because it isnt "our" money but the babys money it shouldnt be in "our" budget. So next week I will spend almost £100 but it wont show up in our amounts.
Does this make sense???
x x x x

cw18

total sense to me

I got a cheque from my parents for Christmas which I intend to use to get a new (warm and waterproof) coat. If I end up spending more than the cheque, then I know I'll have another coming from them next month (birthday) - so can probably cover it from that. If I end up spending more than both cheques combined, then I shall account for the difference from my budget

Fishcake_Random

Just posted my first offered message on my local freecycle for some wool I don't want/need. I`m all excited.
x x x x

mooomin

Speaking of Freecycle, can someone give me an idiots guide as to how to use it? I seem to have signed up using my regular email address but can't access the group. Is it possible to be emailed when things are offered? This would make it more likely that I would remember to check it!

Would it be better to create a new email address and start from scratch? All advice will be appreciated as it will hopefully help me to declutter my house!

NualaBuala

ceridwen wrote: »

Wondering what MEGA cheapo things I can use instead of cosmetics - I've done a bit of experimenting with using sunflower oil as body lotion and vegetable shortening (cant remember what English brand name was?) as moisturiser - but little wary - as I dont want to smell like a chip shop:rotfl:

Hi Ceridwen, what kind of stuff are you making? I've got really interested in that kind of thing. I'd love to make my own soap but I won't as I have so much already stockpiled!

I use oils to clean my face - I discovered the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) on the health and beauty board here. A mix of castor and olive oil does the job of cleansing with no need for moisturiser afterwards. A drop of tea tree and lavender mixed in makes it smell nice and helps keep away spots. And I've stopped using shampoo and conditioner: bicarb, white vinegar, coconut oil and some Indian herbs like amla and shikakai do the job just fine. I've switched to henna for hair colour too. And I put a bit of honey in most of my concoctions and with good results - really makes my hair shiny.

My next experiment will be using left over coconut milk (the low fat one is meant to work best) as a hair protein treatment.

Right, I'll shut up now! Sorry for getting a bit carried away!

grandma247 wrote: »

Sausage trifle is good and before anyone reaches for the paper bag:rotfl:, it is Just a casserole of fried cut up sausages,tinned tomatoes,onions, seasoning and mixed herbs or chilli if you like and topped off with mashed potato.

Also bacon on top of layers of sliced onion and potatoes with oxo stock and seasonings. Cook in the oven on low for a few hours. Test with a fork.
the beef can be made into all kinds of meals with different ingredients and seasonings.

Sounds scrumptious and the name gave me a giggle/fright!

nykmedia wrote: »

:j For anyone who has been wondering, this is where we stay and this is where SM will be staying very soon. This also explains why things like supermarkets, High street sales, public transport and trips to the pub/cinema/gym don't feature very highly on my list of priorities. :rotfl:For a start, it's 1.25 miles to the wheelie bins and the nearest road.

Nyk, you have no idea how jealous I am! That looks idyllic! In fact your whole life sounds idyllic although I'm sure it's not easy. I've always wanted to live in Scotland, mainly because of the snow and the lovely accent!

JayJay14

flying_fresian wrote: »

Speaking of Freecycle, can someone give me an idiots guide as to how to use it? I seem to have signed up using my regular email address but can't access the group. Is it possible to be emailed when things are offered? This would make it more likely that I would remember to check it!

Would it be better to create a new email address and start from scratch? All advice will be appreciated as it will hopefully help me to declutter my house!

I set up a yahoo email address for freecycle, they are the only ones I use it for, so it doesn't get full of junk mail. I think f/c is a yahoo user group so it makes it easier.

I actually gave away my first items yesterday, (ours is freegle now) - 14 old PC games.