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

pagangirl

Hi peeps - another NSD today - no way am I going out in this weather - very windy/ sun/rain/snow and it's freezin' - wonderful day !!! Have spent the day catching up on jobs that never got round to when working, Mr E-0n called to read Elec/Gas meters so bill should be here shortly, also man to read water meter. Was quite chuffed as checked my weekly spreadsheet, and both near enough the same as last year. All I got to do is pay darn things now

Have just given in & put heat on after much layering of clothes and fleece blanky round me knees while on pewter - oooooh it's gonna be cold tonight folks.

Going to update spreadsheet - spending too much on cakes & bix, also to start one for toiletries etc - should be fun with the amount I've got :eek:

Congrats to slowly fading on passing Maths skills, will be my turn in a few weeks - not looking forward to that exam.

AEB - think you are marvellous

Have finally caught up with all posts on this thread - took ages, now reading back on last years challenge coz I managed to miss that one.

Tea tonight will be chicken/mushroom pie/veg from freezer - need to use up some stuff in there as can't squish anything else in - need room for stew portions i'll be doing soon.

Going to investigate the freebies for Allinsons yeast if still available. (thanks knithappens)

Have a happy frugalling weekend everyone

Optimisticpair

Not a good month with a few big payments going out but it can't be helped. I'm sure it will all even out in the end.:)

It's been snowing/sleeting here in Wales too.:(

I've got half of last summers wood-pile left so hopefully my estimate was out and I have over-budgeted. A surplus amount there will go towards offsetting the veg garden setting up costs which were not included in the original budget.

Sorry I can't encourage separate people by name.

pink_numbers

Twinkles08 wrote: »

I am starting to think it will be too costly to dye the throw.I was trying to reuse/recycle etc but I think I may just grin and bear it as it does the job,so I guess it's a want not a need again.Prob best if I save my pennys towards a new sofa as it is on its last legs and is stained (but clean:p).That will teach me-note to self next time get one with removable covers and not in cream/beige :eek: lol

You could dye it black, which won't require the fabric to be lightened?

ifonlyitwaseasier

yummymommy wrote: »

Hi there regarding ideas for books. Have you tried www.lovereading.co.uk ? Its free to sign up. You can enter authors etc that you like and it will recommend alternatives.

ohhhhhhhhhhhh new bookmark for me!!!

THANK YOU Yummymommy!!!!!!!!

had a very unfrugal day, took hubby to see avatar and then we had lunch/dinner, but i guess you have to see sthg like that on the big screen, it really was fantastic, i hope they don't make a sequal tho, the story is fine to be left where it was

also spent out on a big tub and a grater so i can start my laundry gloop!! am actually rather excited about it!

i'll update my siggy later, ttfn

ioiwe

Frugaldom

Pagangirl, you've a lot of reading to do, as this challenge started on MSE at the end of 2007. Prior to that it was run elsewhere, so it's been around since 1999, when I first started documenting it. I'd love to say I'm now self sufficient, own my own smallholding and have my retirement all sorted out but life just keeps on happening, so none of these things are true. Maybe one day. I'll keep on frugaling in the meantime. :rotfl:

JayJay14

Aeb - I think I must have got and Angel among health visitors. She worked out of a health centre in a huge council estate. When DD1 was nearly 5 (fed her to 15 months) DD2 was born, I ended up in HV's clinic n tears cos all I could get DD1 to eat was cheese spread sarnies and yogurt, she just told me not to worry and let her. When DD2 was 9 months I fell preggers with DS and was still feeding DD2, back in HV's clinic about what would happen if still feeding when DS born - answer, don't worry you wouldn't be the only one feeding two:D She stopped of her own accord 2 weeks before DS was born.
When DS was 5 and I went for my final visit she told me how much she would miss my children, it is a memory I will always treasure (DS is nearly 21, DD2 is 22 and DD1 is nearly 26)

By the way I got all of them using straws for drinks from very young as none of them took to a bottle at all.

Only spend today was £2.30 fir fish and chip lunch (we do this every friday at work and its a social thing I really enjoy)

OH has finished work today, no news yet on further work so he'll have to sign on on Monday - was hoping to hear something but it may happen next week.

Will have to think of a few jobs for him to do while I'm the breadwinner:rotfl:

rictus123

Hey everyone, hows it going today? What a day its been! Working tomorrow, might just be a half day if the weathers a repeat of today! Enjoy your weekend everyone.

ChinaTea

PS With the talk of pheasants a few pages back another friend was beating for the shoot last weekend. She not only got paid for it [not a lot but it all helps] but came away with a couple of birds aswell. Wondered if anyone else has done this to earn a few more pennies in the season?


Years ago my son then a young teenager used to go beating for the local shoot every week. All the beaters got paid £5 + lunch at the local pub and a brace of pheasants. DH used to pluck all the pheasants along with wood pidgeons and skin and dress any rabbits. The shooters got a brace of pheasants each regardless of how many they had individually shot. DH's pay for doing this was anything that was left after the shooters had theirs, so we always had plenty of game in the freezer.

annie123

nykmedia wrote: »

I've been trying to get my costs down for broadband, such as it is, but to no avail. I'm paying £31.53 per month for a pathetic connection speed, line rental and evening/weekend calls. Best offer I can find, so far, is £27.53 per month for line, calls and broadband, but would need to take minimum 12 month contract and switch my provider. One of the pitfuls of country living, but I guess I should be grateful we get broadband at all. Anyone got any other suggestions? This is what BT has provided on the line check:

Maximum connection speed 0.512Mb download, BT Total Broadband.

The quest for frugaldom continues.

Could you use......
bt weekend call plan £11.54............1.5p per min evening calls weekdays or get all friends to get skype and free calls:D
then add:
o2 broadband £7.50 pm if you have an o2 mobile...plenty of free sims around

just a thought.

kittiej

Hello All hope everyone's OK

I spent £11.88 in Mr M's last night and just had my gas bill in today for the last quarter. It's £113 which I think is pretty good so there are some benefits to having a broken central heating system :rotfl:

Haven't had the electric bill yet though so that could be quite shocking!

Total so far £201.61/£3000