Frugal Living 2010 -The Cost of Living Challenge, INTRO

bails

Hi everyone, just popping in to wish you all the best of luck for the challenge in 2010. I'll pop in when I can from over here and then be properly on board from May when we're back. I know in the meantime all the newbies will receive fantastic support from all the lovely people who make this thread so special and who I'm proud to call my friends.

Now, let the frugal games begin! xx

trex170104

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
I know it's a bit early but the liklihood i I won't be on here at midnight!
So excited for this challenge to start now - I've signed up to a few more this week [sealed pot, nsd, £100 clothes challenge] to keep me inspired and motivated!
Have the most amazing New Years news - last night OH and I found out we were pregnant again!!!!! Only 4 weeks so it's all hush hush at the mo but seeing as I don't actually know any of you personally [I don't think, it's hard to tell with ncknames!] I can spill!! It's been killing me all day not to be able to tell my famly but we're going to wait a few weeks and keep it just for us [and you lot now!!] Our gorgeous little DS is 2 now and will be nearly 3 when the new bubba arrives which will be a fab age gap I think, it just makes me all the more determined to make this a very frugal year seeing as come 2011 there will be four of us to feed!! Not really sure how the clothes budget will be managed as I grow, as I didn't keep much stuff from last time, but I'm hoping to get the bump bands or pregnancy belts that you just put on your own jeans etc to make them last longer. Also I mostly live in dreses and leggings which stretch so should do me for quite a while. I'm only little [5'2", and 7 1/2 stone] but last time I put on nearly 4 stone:eek: so maybe I'll try and eat a bit less icecream this time!!
Well I'm off to do the last few bits of preparing for 2010, so I hope you all have a fab night - see you in 2010 :beer:

Ches

Congratulations and a Happy New Year.

stitching_witch

Please add the Stitching Witch to the list. I'll have to work out a budget and post it later as I'm supposed to be making a fancy dress costume for DS to wear when he goes out in 4 hours time :eek:

knithappens

trex170104
congrats

Brighton_belle

BB tentitively dips a toe in the new thread. Hello lovely 4k peeps:hello:. Wow, newbie city:D

Granny - how lovely to see you here:j. You can definitely join in - most of us on the 4k had a trial run for the first 6 month/year getting to grips with how and what we spend and learn more each year. It does take time and you need to get some good record keeping habits going before you can really start making a budget.
JBt - no shooting down for your presents budget - this thread is about cutting back where we individually can so we can spend our spare cash where we want to.

savingfortravel

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

Morning, well ok Afternoon.


I want to get rid of the debts so I can leave my job which is making me, well frankly depressed. I have been to the doctors but know the answer is to leave. Eventually I want to save enough to buy a house (we are talking in 1/2 years) and rent it out whilst working part time.

Well that's all for now.

thanks, I am only up to page 21, I never knew you could dehydrate vegetables!!

Happy New Year

Buffyxx

Just want to say welcome to all our new frugallers, particularly Buffy..I sympathize with you about how your job is making you feel.. I am on a similiar mission to leave my teaching position (love teaching its the politics I can't stand) hence my 40 2 go challenge in my sig..this shows the no. of months I have to work before i can leave. This number will come down as time progresses and push me on (to rise above all the cr*p).

I'll be taking a special interest in your quest.

sft

ChinaTea

NYK I read the Low Cost Living book and thought pretty much the same, even the recipes for making catfood looked expensive.

I have finalised my budget for 2010 at 4300 for the challenge. There are some things I am aiming to reduce, contents insurance is up for renewal at the end of Jan and the phone/broadband contract on the 19th jan so want to get these as low as possible. I haven't included rent, council tax, water, debt repayments but even with an all in budget I should have a surplus of 3000, where did it go last year? This will go to pay extra towards debts and savings.

rozeepozee

nykmedia wrote: »

Hope everyone is well prepared for the new year and the new challenge. Don't forget to plant your garlic for next year and I believe it's almost time to start planting the fruit bushes & trees. I have my fingers crossed that Ald! will have their special offer again as the £7 ish I have remaining from this year's challenge could be enough for 2 more apple trees!

Please say some more, nyk. We planted quite a bit of veg last year and were mainly self sufficient in salad! But not to be sniffed at as sald can be an expensive buy at the shops and we were harvesting a bucket a day and eating very healthily. Also, DP bought two fruit trees last year for £20 each :eek: (he is not a bargain hunter) so please let us know if Aldi repeat this offer.

Bookwise, the book that made me sit up and think was http://www.yourmoneyoryourlife.org/ the one marketed here. I've got the old version for 50p at a car boot but am very tempted to buy the updated version - of course the budget doesn't allow for it - one of my real weaknesses is buying books (I frequently only read the first chapter....). It's the library for me this year!

Happy New Year everyone!

R x

knithappens

savingfortravel wrote: »

Just want to say welcome to all our new frugallers, particularly Buffy..I sympathize with you about how your job is making you feel.. I am on a similiar mission to leave my teaching position (love teaching its the politics I can't stand) hence my 40 2 go challenge in my sig..this shows the no. of months I have to work before i can leave. This number will come down as time progresses and push me on (to rise above all the cr*p).

I'll be taking a special interest in your quest.

sft

teacher here too, so totally understand, will be teaching 3 days per week but even dont want to do this but needs must, cant wait to be more debt free then hopfully a change of direction