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

RuthG

Frugaldom wrote: »

FRUGALDOM!

Hi frugals and guys, just letting you all know that I've updated my details with MSE and from now on, all my posts and challenges will show up as 'frugaldom' rather than nyk. There was a reason for this change but there's no reason for any changes to be made to the challenges. It's just so I can keep work out of the picture.

How did you do it - change your name I mean? I have been wanting to change mine for ages.

Ruth

slowlyfading

So so so tired. Will update later. Or tomorrow. Don't know about the job yet.

knithappens

Having a good day today , I took bubba into work to see my work mates and she was in her element, i got my teachign timetable which is managable, the only downide is I am teachignall day monday and i have to move between classrooms for each lesson 1 being inanother building the other 5 on different floors, so my planning will have to make sure i dont need lots of things to lug about.

I have managed to PAD 65.50 today which i am happy about I am waiting until the end of themonth to see what i have left so i can make another payment, I wish i could throw every penny at my debt, but I need some in savings to fall back on, as i have none at the moment, logic says throw all money at debt but with it being just me, and no family support I have to make sure i have a little something that is accessible in case we need it.

Got 3 great charity shop finds, for bubba, some lined trousers i had eyed up during the week which cost in the shop 8 pound, and nice next cardigan , and some next baby boots all fur lined, all 25p each, so 32 pound worth of clothes for bubba for 75p. Apart from what others have bought her all her clothes are second hand , and i am proud of it too, i see just how much money i waisted on my other 2 when they were growing.

I am aso really proud to say that my frugality has now taken a hold not only on my daughter but my 8 year old son too, he is getting very savvy about getting value for money, and managing to save from his pocket money, the only down side is when shopping he spends an age looking around the isles for the best deals on either toys or sweets lol, but at least he is learning a life skill, i want my kiddos to grow up to know the value of things and not to waste, looks like I am getting there - slowly but surley.

Dell messed up my netbook order grrrrrr, it was a refurb, but because they messed up they are replacing it with a brand new one, so will have to wait a little bit longer for it to arrive

I also got my tesco club card mailing this morning, i have 55 und to turn into deals, not sure what i shall get yet, i may get YHA vounchers so i can take the kiddos somewhere for the weekend.

Frugaldom

BenW wrote: »

How did you do it - change your name I mean? I have been wanting to change mine for ages.

Ruth

As far as I know they will only change a username with a justifiable reason, such as a compromise of privacy etc. I emailed the abuse team and explained my situation, they were extremely helpful and made all the changes within hours. (Thanks MSE guys. :T)

Just been totting up figures, working away and doing more frugal research. Frugal living is a complete work in progress as, after 10+ years of living this way, I am still learning new tricks like where to find the best offers & freebies and how to make free cashback. Did a few clicks, played my free scratchcard and sent off for some cheap garden-related items for the cost of postage only - not too bad considering I'm able to do all this whilst work is downloading or uploading and no boss to grumble about my online exploits.

Had to update my cash neutral 'everything else' budget to reflect spending on postage but still slightly ahead in that game. Must ry harder, though, as the tiny balance won't last me very long.

Just finished lunch and plan on going into the garden this afternoon. Not quite sure what I;ll do out there when it's so cold but the sun is shining, so it looks nice out there. Need to go on an egg hunt, too, as a couple of the young hens are laying in the hedgerows rather than in their hen houses! :rotfl: Between next door and here, we've found eggs under ivy bushes, under the salad growing rack and even inside one of my feed bins!

Check out the Green fingered moneysaving thread for details of the Gard€n€r$ W0rld potato set, fruit & veg seeds offers.

candygirl

Have been to A$DA today and got over £50s worth of stuff for £30, inc toys for DGD and Niece's bdays, dog food and toiletries that had a lot of money off.The toy sale wasn't great but ideal for little kids.I got peppa pig figures for 50p each, and a Bratz doll for £2.50 so have saved quite a bit there:j:j
Have got the SC on with a weird veggie concotion for tomoz, n have already had a whoopsied butter pie for tea:p:p:p
Gonna try cleaning the floors with my own hm washing powder to see if it works:D
TTFN :hello:

pagangirl

Hi all

Well yesterday turned out not to be a NSD after all, but only spent £2.46, and saved £10.20 on fares so happy bunny ! Went to see friend who is working and who is skinter than I am on JSA :eek: She no sooner pays one loan off, than talks herself into something else that she really "needs" and takes out another one. Have given up trying to convert her to MSE, (some people you just can't help)

Today walked to post office, library, Mr T & back - recycled carton drink boxes and battery. Renewed library book, and saved on whoopsies. Total spend £1.69. Total savings incl fares £4.69 - am finally getting the hang of this frugalising and its grrrreaat

B & Emm have tubs herbs/spices 99p each - I got oregano 150g & ground ginger 340g, they also had curry powder and chilli powder if this helps anyone.

Did anyone see the clip for the new Monty Don TV prog BBC2 9pm Friday called Mastercrafts - each week for next 6 weeks crafts will include thatching, stonemasonry, weaving and woodworking (forgot what other 2 are) - looks really interesting - will be watching the weaving one with great interest, always wanted to have a go, but don't think a full size loom would fit into 1 bed flat very well :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Frugaldom

H guys, whilst on subject of Monty Don, don't forget about Dream Farm on TV tonight.

I've spent a little today, looking on it as yet another small investment for frugaldom. £6.97 for 15 packets of seeds, some seed potatoes and a potato growing bag, all via special offers listed on the Greenfingered moneysaving thread. :j In another frugal move, HS went into the attic and brought my mini oven/grill back down so I can use that rather than switching on my 'real' oven when it's just for heating/cooking/baking one lot of something. Anything to help reduce power consumption would be great, as we still haven't seen landlord again to discuss the woodburner situation.

Dinner tonight is hm beef olives with potatoes & mixed veg then a night in front of the fire catching up with my reading and watching My Dream Farm.

rictus123

Todays a spend...£6.46 on a valentines card and choccies for gf. Still under £270 spent, im happy with how im doing.

shaz_mum_of__2

Come on then whats everyones frugal valentines ideas

I have done a homemade card and covered a notebook in suede and decorated it "manly" and put the origins of some sayings in it that hubby and i have heard on our travels i have also looked up a few new ones for him , the idea is that we fill it up together on our travels

I was going to try to make some sort of sweets but he only really likes turkish delight and haven't had chance to find a recipe yet

knithappens

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Come on then whats everyones frugal valentines ideas

I have done a homemade card and covered a notebook in suede and decorated it "manly" and put the origins of some sayings in it that hubby and i have heard on our travels i have also looked up a few new ones for him , the idea is that we fill it up together on our travels

I was going to try to make some sort of sweets but he only really likes turkish delight and haven't had chance to find a recipe yet

Divorce - (ok gotta laugh or i will cry) but saving a lot this year by being single.

usually i woud make a lovey dinner massage ( took a course few years back and love messing with oils etc), i try not to spend anything like you i make something especially food.