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

cw18

They send out a reminder - used to be 2 weeks before expiry, but mine came about 3 weeks before (I'd had it a few days before ordering on 17th).

Not sure how far in advance you can use it at a PO, but think it can be used immediately for an on-line application. You do have to have the reminder to do it on-line though, as you need a reference number from it.

rictus123

When you get the reminder before hand, you can do it after then with the reference number.

chika

cw18 wrote: »

Arrrrrrgh!! Just realised I have to make a VERY urgent phone call tomorrow......

Watching C4, and there's just been an advert about Road Tax - which reminded me that mine's not arrived. Went back and checked my email - ordered at 11:50pm on 17th Jan, and says should arrive within 5 working days (so it should have been here by last weekend) with advice to phone if it hasn't.

Looks likely I won't have it by the end of the month now, so not sure how I'm fixed legally as I have paid for it :eek:

Thats odd you should mention that i was just thinking a similar thing. I bought mine a while back and it still hasn't arrived. I wonder what happens if you don't have it on displayed even if you pay? Shameful whisper - once when I had my first car I drove round for about 4 months totally clueless to the fact I needed to buy tax and I was never caught!

Slowlyfading - Many congrats on passing the test. Its causing much stress to everyone on my course at the moment. :beer:

JayJay14

cw18 wrote: »

My insurance and MOT come up for renewal late July/early August, so they're safely on the system for my Road Tax (end January).

I actually got a 6 months road tax at one point to split them for financial reasons - but it has also meant I can get my road tax on-line. Worked fine for me last year, so a little frustrated it's not gone as smoothly this time around

I used to do this withmy old car, tax in April, insurance near the end of August, MOT October. With the new car the tax will be September cos I got it on 1st - thought at £35 a year I don't think it will be a problem.:D

Only spend today will be 15p for fabric conditioner - OH is getting me a bottle of fabric conditioner, wouldn't normall bother but it is on offer in Asda for £1, DD will get us her discount and I have a 75p money off coupon.:rotfl:

Bring on the blogs - I love reading them.

knithappens

cw18 wrote: »

They send out a reminder - used to be 2 weeks before expiry, but mine came about 3 weeks before (I'd had it a few days before ordering on 17th).

Not sure how far in advance you can use it at a PO, but think it can be used immediately for an on-line application. You do have to have the reminder to do it on-line though, as you need a reference number from it.

thank you.


woohooo I am 11p under budget with my food this month, with 2 days to go haha

Savvy_sewing

Just went out to get some logs in, and nearly had a pink fit. Used two months supply since week before christmas. Hardly any left, and wasnt budgeted for more until End of February! I know we had the worst weather, but as the kids have been bringing the wood in for me, etc I hadnt realised how low we had got!.
Not sure I will be able to get a load in earlier? Will really have to reshuffle the budget.
they are coming to change my electric meter tomorrow as they are not sure its working properly! Great how will the bill be with that one?
Darent do my numbers tonight. Enough bad news for one day!

rictus123

Oh me, grass, hedge, road is all covered with snow

chika

rictus123 wrote: »

Oh me, grass, hedge, road is all covered with snow

Wow. it's snowing again?! Where do you live?

ifonlyitwaseasier

NYK - ok you've shamed me into thinking, "oh yeah i did blog didn't i?!?!" so i solemny promise i shall attempt to post on there more often (must go get password reminder)

JBT - DITTO

Mooloo - have you thought of trying any tree surgeons in your area to see if they have any cheap logs?

frugal to a point today, saw that the body shop had 50% off body butter and as i'm very nearly out of the mango one (great smell as well as lovely absorber) i took the plunge, ordered two plus a mango scrub, but now i have enough moisturiser for aaaagggeeesssss and (as i use astral too) i can alternate without suddenly being stuck.
also saw my MrT had clairol hair dyes (2 diff shades) for 97P each, so i bought 8, thats my next couple of years worth of hair dying for hardly anything. i refuse to pay salon prices as they charge extra as my hair is almost waist length, i may get a few inches chopped off tho, needs a tidy up.
also got mouthwash for 14p each (tesco brand, brookmoor i think) and some hair gel for OH to try for 24p.
need to add up anything else that was mine off the receipt and pay my dues and update my siggy

had a easy dinner of shop bought pizza but i didn't pay so not counting it!

take care all

ioiwe

aeb_2

Hello
What a lovely lot of posts today. I think a pat on the back is due to everyone who is trying to do this challenge in their own way. It's just the start and it can only get better with practice.

Memories too of watching The Good Life, I bought my first gardening book (which was reduced) with a 10/- (50p) book token when I was just 10 years old. I still have it. All text with just one or two line drawings and lots or reading. My dad said 'what a silly book for a child to want'. The book always reminds me of that comment and his oh, such little faith in me. Set the tone for our relationship right until the end when I told him I had got to be deputy head and his reply was 'b****y pen pusher'.

Feeling a bit fed up too
Well I have been talked to sternly by the health visitor today but the thing is I know she is right. I have started weaning the babies and it's going quite well, DD3 is really getting the idea, DD2 not far behind but DS3 reluctant, prefers his mum! She says I am getting too thin and I must admit I was a bit shocked when she made me stand on the scales. I honestly hadn't noticed. I eat and eat and drink pints of full fat milk. She told me I have to stop feeding two babies, just keeping on with DS3 as he is a bit behind. I know she is right but I was determined to reach 6 months. Also I have never used bottles so haven't got any equipment or any idea and it seems silly to buy it all for just a few weeks. DD2 will drink water and orange juice from a cup with a straw. I know she'll be back for a spot check.

My frugal day
My day starts at 5 o'clock when I wake DD3 for his feed in bed. I put him on his mat on the kitchen rug to 'air and kick' whilst I put a log in the burner. It's on 24/7, I let it dye down overnight and as I get up so early it stays in and I bring it back to life again. Put kettle on burner. Empty w/m into basket.
Nappy on DD3 and back in cot, collect DD2 and feed her, let her 'air' whilst I feed animals (cat + guinea pigs). Cup of tea. Nappy on and call DS1 and 2 and DD1. They eat breakfast whilst I feed DD3. Let her have a kick whilst I get them washed and dressed.
I have a light sensitive henhouse opener which is a god send but DS1 always goes out just to check it worked in case they are stuck!
Friend collects DS1 for school. Washing on line or airer. Yesterdays washing dumped upstairs (no, it never gets ironed or sorted) and then it's time to feed DD3 again.

Cooking is always in bulk, freezing at least 3 - 4 dinners for every one cooked. I'm really wondering when I'll have time to get the garden going. The older children are willing helpers but wont be capable of digging! I still have carrots, parsnips (weaning food;)) and leeks and sprouting broccoli is looking good - all easy to harvest. Broad beans are DEAD!

I haven't been shopping out of the village since September. I stock pilled masses last summer. Weekly spend has been £10, but really that's just for one as they eat so little. Milk, oranges, bananas, cheese and the odd loaf and that's about it. Stocks are getting low but I got a £10 Mr A voucher this week so I might use that to restock. Will be a new experience.

Oh dear, I've gone on a bit tonight, but I had a nice rest sitting here trying to conserve my energy. Shall go and eat toast before the final feeds