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

rozeepozee

Hello everyone. Will check out that halfcost ewbsite - though may encourage me to spend!

A NSD today and nearly 25 weeks pregnant so my Mid wife filled in my Health in Pregnancy grant - think that's about £200 - will pay for a pram!

Is it just me or anyone else not get Approved Foods? There's absolutely nothing I would buy there...

Think I'm gonna have to spend tomorrow as we're all out of wholemeal flour (and i have a craving for Chicken Tikka Masala from the curry house )

XSpender

Meg so sorry to hear your sad news

SF I hope the test went well

Candygirl Ouch! glad you are OK

BB I hear congratulations are in order!

I am just popping in with a frugal up date before logging off for the night as I use my work lap top until we replace our personal one and I don't want the boss thinking I am too keen;)

My friend has said she will lend me her sewing machine and it is not as fancy as I thought which is good news:T However, my stepdad's sister offered me her all signing all dancing one but my Mum said it would be too complicated so didn't take it last time she saw her!:mad: It comes with a DVD and everything. Thing is she lives miles away so it is unlikely I will get it now.

Took my meter readings and loaded into imeasure. Gas and elec is one thing I think I can reduce drastically this year what with cutting back on usage and also changing supplier. Our heating is a bit dicky and hasn't been on all day although it should have been so it has been freezing in here. Saved a few bob though.;)

Stuck to my plan of only shopping once a week and went to Mr S today as I needed spuds for tea as BIL coming over. They have S1mple and Rad0x shower gels, the 2 we use at half price. I got 2 Rad0x for DH but no simple for me as I have 3 in cupboard. I will need to go to Mr S tomorrow to get DH prescription so I think I may have to stock up. I can't use anything but simple and this is even cheaper than Mr T own brand.

£43.65 spent in Mr S, £3.00 to bin cleaner and this now cancelled and £1.99 on some stationary to keep me organised.

I was really pleased with my spag pol pasta bake concoction last night and will make it again. We didn't even have garlic bread with it.

Also cancelled the DD for the gym as my contract expires on the 8th. I have hardly used it this year what with training for a marathon, IVF and now been almost 6 months pregnant. It is a lovely gym but I have more important things to spend my money on (or not as the case may be) this year. The local leisure centre and pool will reopen shortly after a major refurb so I will use that in the future. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare though.

glendam

Nualab where did you get the vinegar from in that quantity I do go through quite a bit with washing and can only find the small bottles in Mr T or A.

Thanks
Glenda

slowlyfading

I passed :j :j 1 down, 2 to go!

Sending big (((HUGS))) to Edaniels and Meg, these things can seem so unfair take care xx

I haven't had a NSD today as when I got up this morning my milk was off... so I couldn't have my cereal or a cuppa, so when I got to school I treated myself to a large tea and a sausage sandwich for £1.40. Was nice but not doing anything for my waist line.. :rotfl:

So, as I've already spent today, I'm going to go to A$da in a bit and put some petrol in the car, and get some milk and fruit&veg. Means I don't have to spend anything tomorrow

Have a good evening everyone

NualaBuala

glendam wrote: »

Nualab where did you get the vinegar from in that quantity I do go through quite a bit with washing and can only find the small bottles in Mr T or A.

Thanks
Glenda

Hi Glenda, I got it in my chinese supermarket - they have a little alcove at the back with bulk packs of loads of stuff mainly for the restaurant and takeaways I think. I'd never have found it but I asked about large bottles of vinegar and they showed me!

XSpender

rozeepozee wrote: »

A NSD today and nearly 25 weeks pregnant so my Mid wife filled in my Health in Pregnancy grant - think that's about £200 - will pay for a pram!

)

rozeepozee You must be due around the same time as me, 2nd May, as I am 25 weeks on Sunday and see the midwife for the grant next Tuesday. It's £190 I think and we are using it for half the nursery furniture, cot and mattress, Mum is paying for the other half.

I have also looked at Approved Foods but not bought as I would be buying just for the sake of it and probably wouldn't use it.

XS

NualaBuala

Hooray SF! :j:j:j Fantastic news!

And congratulations to BB although I don't know what I'm congratulating you for!;)

taka

slowlyfading wrote: »

I passed :j :j 1 down, 2 to go!

Well done SF! :T

cw18

rozeepozee wrote: »

Is it just me or anyone else not get Approved Foods? There's absolutely nothing I would buy there...

I had a couple of orders from them in the early part of last year - but was shocked when it arrived to discover just how much of I'd ordered was sweets, cakes and biscuits.

I've been through the site making up an order a couple of times since (Oct/Nov time), but having been through everything (what a way to spend an evening!) I looked at my cart and discovered I was still ending up with a cart full of !!!! to justify the postage cost - so I didn't place the order either time.

Have to admit I've stopped looking now, as I don't think it works for me

But I think I'd be more likely to use it if I lived in a more remote location (or out-in-the-sticks like Nyk ) , as the main thing I find is that the useful bits I'd probably order can often be picked up locally for not much more (but that's due to living locally enough to supermarkets for regular Whoopsie hunts) - and if I order from AF then I have to find space to store it all too

loopychriss

Edaniels and Meg, was so sorry to hear the news of your losses. Just hope that the love and comfort of friends and family can help you through this difficult time.

Love Chris
xx