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

Savvy_sewing

Have been trying not to spend but it hasnt worked that well. Must do better. However today I was going to get milk, and stopped off to see my Parents and ended up having lunch with them, Then my daughter rang to say she had left her purse at my house! So I was going to have to do a 40mile round trip to deliver it back to her, and my Dad kindly offered to take it for me. so he picked up my milk, and came back to my place for the purse. So I saved the driving, and the milk money!! how frugal is that!.

bluestaff

Mollymop5 wrote: »

I buy stardrops at approx 58p per bottle and use this for all cleaning including floors, toilet ect.You can also use it for washing up though I watch out for deals and stock up when theres an offer on.

hey up just wondering where you buy your stardrops from as iv not seen it at that price. thanx

pink_numbers

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

WOW!! ok questions time, how did you make it?
how long did it take? in fact, can we have a "neem soap how to" please?

ioiwe

You can just add neem powder (I buy mine from the Indian supermaket), mixed with a little oil (so it's easier to mix), at trace to any of your CP soap (I do 100% veg oils) batch. I add about 4 TBSP per 1400g batch.

I am keeping this post quite criptic on purpose, because soap making involves A LOT of safety precautions which I wouldn't be able to cover it in one post, and I really wouldn't want to be responsible for any accidents. If you have never made soap from scratch, please please please go and read up on how to first, then read some more before attempting your first batch. I think the basic rule would be that if there was any word that you didn't understand in my first paragraph, you need to read on CP soap making first. (Please don't be offended, I'm not trying to be a snob, just wanting to be safe!)

also, don't substitute neem oil for neem powder. Neem powder smells a bit like henna, but nothing offensive. Neem oil STINKS!!

rictus123

Evening everyone! How are we all today? Just made a little pad of £3.92 to my loan so its now at £1,440 exactly. For some reason Capital One took £7.23 out my account, £53 or so outstanding which gets cleared in full on the 13th every month? Anyway going to start using cash to pay for desiel again for a while so once its paid its paid. NSD no 6 this month and no 31 this year. Small steps, il get there! Iv got a really good feeling just now, think my debt free dates getting alot closer pretty quick. I think im bringing it forward anyway Payday in 9 days

knithappens

rictus123 wrote: »

Evening everyone! How are we all today? Just made a little pad of £3.92 to my loan so its now at £1,440 exactly. For some reason Capital One took £7.23 out my account, £53 or so outstanding which gets cleared in full on the 13th every month? Anyway going to start using cash to pay for desiel again for a while so once its paid its paid. NSD no 6 this month and no 31 this year. Small steps, il get there! Iv got a really good feeling just now, think my debt free dates getting alot closer pretty quick. I think im bringing it forward anyway Payday in 9 days

Every penny counts, your doing amazingly well.

FrankieM

Evening,
Had uni today, cause my car is off the road, the last 2 days I've gone by public transport. It seems to have worked out about the same kind of cost as petrol. Though of course, you are reliant on buses and trains turning up on time, which seems to be the problem. But its certainly an alternative to look into, I think.

I bought some veg seeds in Poundland. They had mixed packs and I seem to have covered most of the things I want. I'm going to pot some up to sprout in the conservatory this weekend.
Is anyone planting anything in the ground yet? It snowed a bit today and we had some frost this morning so I can't decide if it's still too cold.
I bought some fruit bushes from Aldi the other day and haven't planted those yet either for the same reason. Think I'll take a look over on the green-fingered board.

Fish pie for tea. Not done any baking, just using up some mince pies from the freezer.

Hope you all have a good rest of the evening.

ifonlyitwaseasier

pink_numbers wrote: »

You can just add neem powder (I buy mine from the Indian supermaket), mixed with a little oil (so it's easier to mix), at trace to any of your CP soap (I do 100% veg oils) batch. I add about 4 TBSP per 1400g batch.

I am keeping this post quite criptic on purpose, because soap making involves A LOT of safety precautions which I wouldn't be able to cover it in one post, and I really wouldn't want to be responsible for any accidents. If you have never made soap from scratch, please please please go and read up on how to first, then read some more before attempting your first batch. I think the basic rule would be that if there was any word that you didn't understand in my first paragraph, you need to read on CP soap making first. (Please don't be offended, I'm not trying to be a snob, just wanting to be safe!)

also, don't substitute neem oil for neem powder. Neem powder smells a bit like henna, but nothing offensive. Neem oil STINKS!!

ok, thats my task for the weekend, read up on soap making! i'm actually thinking it could be more than just a moneysaver for me i could also (if i ever get it right) use it for gifts for family and friends (ie those that i know need soft natural soaps etc etc)

THANK YOU pink_numbers!

mumtoomany

Hi all,

just a quick update. so far I have spend nothing this month other than the DD's going out of the bank. Will have to shop tomorrow or Friday for milk and bread but will go to M0rrisons I think and use a £5 voucher. DH did bring in eggs yesterday from his friends brother-in-laws farm, but I didn't pay for those DH did!(he doesn't pay for any other grocerys) I will count them in my grocery spends on the spreadsheet thought.

Nice surprise, the gas has been over estimated by £271!!!!!!!! Glad I didn't spend that. Funny the DD only covers what we use so why the huge over guess?

Of to get DD4 to bed now. Speak to you all soon.

Mumtoomany.

poorbutrich

Just wanted to say hi to our leader under the new name Frugaldom! I have been lurking rather than posting, but had two NSDs yesterday and today for the first time in February, so that's a start!

I have a rare evening off tonight, so am just about to start batch baking and cooking. Must remember to use a marker pen this time as the last time I batch cooked I thought I would recognise the dishes but they all looked the same, once frozen. It made our dinners a bit of a gamble for a while.....

Anyway, happy frugalling all!

pink_numbers

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

ok, thats my task for the weekend, read up on soap making! i'm actually thinking it could be more than just a moneysaver for me i could also (if i ever get it right) use it for gifts for family and friends (ie those that i know need soft natural soaps etc etc)

THANK YOU pink_numbers!

You are very welcome, I warn you, it's very addictive!

Here are some resources I found really handy:

I followed Rhonda's instructions on my first attempt
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-make-cold-pressed-soap.html

Then I learnt to be a bit more adventurous with inspirations from:
http://www.thedishforum.com/forum/

hope you have lots of fun