FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE 2010, part 1. (Living on £4,000 a year)

Frugaldom

Catz, my DD got married last year and, between us, we managed to budget for everything she could possibly have wanted. There are also a few people on here who are getting married this year, so I'm sure there'll be a frugal wedding thread as well. I had a quick look through your budget but you don't seem to have included things like electricity, heating, TV, Internet, landline or any insurance payments.

Pippilongstocking

NYK - out of interest - how much did you do her wedding for - I've costed mine so far and with celebrants, legal stuff its over £300 already without even travelling to get there or having anyone come!

Any tips much appreciated we're thinking outdoors, bring your wellies and a plate and just a house type celebration....xx If you can help work a budget be much appreciated!

Ches

NSD for me today. Mainly because the weather is so awful I didn't venture out in it. We had battered fish and HM chips for dinner tonight. I don't have a deep fat fryer as we rarely eat fried food so I cooked chips in the wok and they turned out well.

larmy16

I have just spent about an hour and a half reading that MeanQueen blog. It is so fascinating. Those bags she makes are really quite awesome. I hope I am like her when I retire. I wish I was even a tiny bit like her now. I am such a procrastinator. This is my wish for this year, to get on and do stuff.

LilacPixie

Fay - where are you getting married? I did it in 2007 for 4.5k but it was a huge white affair with 200+ guests at a large hotel. Pretty goot going for what we had TBH

LilacPixie

Nyk you are tempting me with an approved foods order. I think i may pick up some UHT milk tomorrow just in cse.

xnatalie81x

so you are on facebook nyk - snap i am on the approved foods group you mentioned natalie pryor if you wanted to add me! Placed order early today £21 - bought similar items to you = the Tec*co value rice is excellent! i bought 3 last week thos grrrrrrr - still 30 more to come now lol!! Bit odd but have some scholl gel things showing on my order summary - no cost so hoping its a free gift - will come in handy for my juicy couture stilletos (i sold about 8 juicy tracksuits and a ton of other juicy stuff on ebay last year but kept a few items)

Skint_Lynne

I saw mean queen when she was on the telly, I think it was last year. I have read her blog in the past. there's a few good tips on there, but the one that makes me laugh is where she recommends buying boy's pants because they last longer.:rotfl: She spoke about the pants on the telly as well.

She seems like a really nice lady and each to their own, but the pants idea is a bit too much for me.:p

I have £15 left in my purse tonight, so this will carry over into next week, my purse will get replenished in the morning. I don't think I will spend nearly as much next week as DH will not be home, so I will not need a lot of shopping.

I am defo going to change gas and leccy, after further inspections of previous bills, they have quietly hiked the prices up without me noticing. I have taken my eye off the ball in that department, but I will redeem myself!;)

Speak later. xx

NualaBuala

slowlyfading wrote: »

I live with 6 other people but they're all just in their rooms - I'm sure I'm okay thanks for caring though x

Aw shucks! Hope you're all tucked up nice and warm and minding yourself.



I was pretty good when shopping today. Got what was needed and that's all. Came home with more cash in my wallet than when I went out because I returned clothes that I would have kept in the past. Not now though! :A

But now I find myself really tempted to buy this crochet magazine they're advertising on telly. I've been wanting to learn and feel myself being sucked in by their nice throw which would cost hundreds as there are 120 issues. :eek: What's funny is I haven't even touched my knitting in ages so don't know why I want this - but will start again tomorrow, too tired now.

loopychriss

catznine wrote: »

Big problem is that I haven't made any nat ins contributions towards my pension since giving up work a few years ago and the last statement asked for over £1000 to make up the shortfall!:eek:

I had a statement that said I needed to pay about £800 to cover the shortfall in my pension... I haven't worked since 1984 except for some casual temp work, when I did pay contributions for about 8 weeks a year. I applied for a pension forecast and that tells me I have enough qualifying years and don't need to pay any more!

So it might be worth you getting a pension forecast (you can apply online) just to see what your situation is.