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

Frugaldom

Kiwisaver, I'd be embarrassed if a complete stranger turned up at my house and brought me a gift for baby. I'd feel like word had gone out that I was so poor I'd welcome strangers to make up the shortfall in gifts because I didn't have enough friends to help out in my hour of need. Partnering someone to a party, in my book, would be acceptable to take along a bottle of something, but not to provide a present for a baby shower. No offence meant, it may just be me, but I've never even heard of anyone having one of these things, I thought they only happened on American TV. :rotfl::o If you feel obliged to take something along, I'd opt for food of some sort, as the hostess will need to feed everyone whilst they are visiting and on a tight budget, she might not be able to afford much.

Kiwisaver_2

Frugaldom wrote: »

Gilligansyle - the only reason I asked about the power being cut was as a result of this having happened to us on several occasions. As long as there's no power, the freezer can't really be opened but it does stay frozen overnight if needs must. We've no gas here and in last house there was no open fire, either, so we did resort to the BBQ and it worked great! Of course, it was helpful that it wasn't raining that day but, having learned that lesson, I now have large tarpaulins that could, if necessary, be made into a mock tent for sheltering said BBQ. I had also invested in a camping set of pans & kettle, so we're able to boil water and warm things up. (I bought these 3 houses ago, where we used them on the open fire.) I always have dried pot noodle type stuff in stock, so boiled water is enough to do a makeshift meal.

Sounds a lot like us, we live in a country that shall we say has very 'temporary' feel with regards to some of the infrastructure, coupled with extremes of weather, wind and rain usually, mixed with mostly overhead power cables - our power is at best intermittent through the winter months and I'm now equipped as such that sometimes I am disappointed if the power doesn't go off. We're all electricity, so the hardest thing to cope with is the cold. I did invest in a portable gas heater for this very purpose after having learned our lessons a couple of years back (I know they are horrid and dangerous and as yet I haven't needed to use it) however it makes me feel better to know it is there in the garage. We have heaps of candles, LED head torches and rechargeable camping lamps, plus one of those butane gas single ring cookers with plenty of spare gas canisters, camping kettle and pans. We also have the BBQ undercover outside and have used this in the past to boil a kettle. As soon as I think there is a chance we will lose power I recharge the lamps, boil the kettle, fill hot water bottles and a thermos flask. Of course, it's almost guaranteed if I do this the power stays on. :T

As for the Baby Shower I agree, it is adopted from American culture and IMO is a mercenary event, for the sole purpose of gathering gifts. I don't like the idea at all and I also don't usually like to buy babies gifts until I know they have arrived safe and well. The host (who invited me) is holding the party at their house and she isn't the one who is pregnant, if you get what I mean. I actually wouldn't mind at all if I was to provide a gift, food or wine for the host.

SuzyWuzy_2

Morning all,

Well the suns shining here in Manchester but it's still bitterly cold. Making HM tomato soup here and going to have some shortly to warm up.

Kwiw- As a mum to be (again) I wouldn't expect anything from you anyway, but like you said you feel you need to take ""something". I think a pack of nappys is a lovely idea. Everyone buys baby clothes! We had so much with our daughter (now 6 months old) she has a bigger wardrobe than mine and my Oh's!

Michelle - I'd also add salt and pepper. I understand you wouldnt want to add lots with having the little one's. I also like to butter my bread when having potatoe and leek as I prefer it. Or try topping it with croutons, crunchy bacon over the top or a dollop of creme fraiche?


Suzanne

x

gilligansyle

Hi all

it just made me think, mainly because our whole are lost power for a while on Friday.

I always have dried stuff in, so as long as I could boil a kettle or a pan, we would be fine. It's just something you don't think about. Friends who live in Spain are used to it, their infrastructure is poor, but then, they have the advantage of sun - so once they have shelled out on solar panels, they essentially have free electricity anyway. DS used to be in sea cadets and had all sorts of camping stuff so will look through that and maybe keep some in the outhouse. He used to have a little stove, I think it was called a hexi stove, we used to take that with us when we went to Hilbre Island, as you were stranded there until the tide went out and we used to cook beans on it.

BigMummaF

Kiwisaver wrote: »

Sounds to me like you could add some salt and pepper to lift the flavour, I know everyone these days is on the lo-salt / no-salt bandwagon but there are just some things that can take a good dose and potatoes are one thing that need a decent shake of salt. I am a pepper freak anyway, the more the better. Also a knob of butter in a potato based soup can work wonders.
Apparently White pepper is a better choice for potatoes but don't ask me why cuz I haven't a clue!
....I think even a pack of nappies is too much to spend on someone who I don't know from Adam. I've been to one before and they opened the presents and cards in front of everyone, so there's no pressure.....if you were the mother to be would you be pleased or disappointed to receive 'just' a pack of nappies from a stranger?

I don't like the idea of a baby shower party anyway. I much prefer to wait & see the Bubb arrive healthy & determine what make they are & gift then. But still! How is your hand-writing? I like that verse about Monday's Child etc but can never remember the words, so perhaps do a scrapbook page-type of thing? Come to that, what about covering an appropriate notebook so the Mother can keep a diary. There's a similar idea on the Special Occasions board where you can write questions on little strips of paper & put them in a jar, so 'Mum' can pull one out & answer it in her journal.
I got a notebook & matching biro, then added ribbons to a clean jam jar filled with questions & gave it to my sil for her fortieth & she was thrilled. It asked about her childhood, what dreams she had for her child, favourite food..all sorts. Just wish I could recall the thread.....
Just having a quick squizz on Spec Occ & have seen:-
Baby Bouquets; Newborn Gift; Sock Monkey; make your own photo frame with a twist!..any of those any help while I look for the bit I'm thinking of?

grandma247

Kiwisaver I think it really is a matter of personal taste with t&l vs cheaper stuff. I was brought up on t&l on toast so I think thats why I can detect the difference in taste. Also When I had dd3 a friend gave me a couple of packs of newborn disposables as a present. I was happy with them because they were useful when I was having a bad day and did not need to worry about washing loads of nappies, I had two in nappies then.

Frugaldom is SM ok? have not "seen" her on here for a bit. If you speak to her can you tell her that we tried some "canned" potatoes I did in the summer last night and we were very impressed. They were a nicer texture and taste than the commercial tinned ones.

Frugaldom

grandma247 wrote: »

Frugaldom is SM ok? have not "seen" her on here for a bit. If you speak to her can you tell her that we tried some "canned" potatoes I did in the summer last night and we were very impressed. They were a nicer texture and taste than the commercial tinned ones.

SM doing fine, along with several others who have given up posting here, it's just a personal choice not to post. Circumstances change, there are quite a few who have stopped posting on here since the thread was moved but I'm still in touch with some of them via blog pages.

XSpender

Been feeling a bit down this last week or two. The boss rang on Friday to see how I was as I was going to the docs for another sick note for my bad back and I ended up crying my eyes out in the doctors when she said I would not be going back to work before the birth. Because of my redundancy/baby boy due this means I wont be going back to work for years:( I think it all finally hit home my career as I know it is over and sitting staring at four walls as my bad back prevents me doing much has been doing my head in, I am the kind of person who always likes a few projects on the go as well as working full time!

I have to keep telling myself that no job could give me as much satisfaction as being debt free will when I use my redundancy to clear our IVA.

Sorry, back on topic. What started as a rummage in the loft for more CDs to send to Music Magp1e on Sunday ended in us clearing the loft out and taking loads of stuff to the tip. The CDs etc will make us over £55 so that is a total of £105 from them due in the next week or 2. Also found a load of paperbacks to go on green met. Not really enough stuff to make a car boot worthwhile.

I have decided to give myself a list of tasks to accomplish each week to stop me feeling useless and within the limits of my bad back and big bump to get me back in the frugal way. This weeks tasks are:

1. Make bread in BM every other day to avoid the shop
2. Take library books back to avoid fines
3. List 20 books on green met
4. Knit at least another ball of wool into my baby blanket so I can take excess back for a refund
5. Make cookies x 2
6. Make hair appointment for next week for a re style (not v frugal but DH thinks it will cheer me up:o)
7. Make a decent meal every night - no takeaways or carp! We have spent a ridiculous amount of money on takeaways this month.
8. Complete all outstanding expenses etc for work and send off Mat leave letter
9. Start researching ISAs as I havent a clue and want to start an emergency fund when debt free seperate to our 'spendable' savings
10. Investigate better package for telephone calls after BT changed their calling times:mad:
11. Clean house and get DH to do ironing so all ready when I go to Mums for a visit next week.

Off to rummage in freezer to plan the weeks meals and tidy kitchen.

Happy frugalling!

XS x

candygirl

Having a NSD today, mainly because I am ill, with a bug and an't get out of bed:(:(Think I have caught it off DGD, so am resting up today,
so I can have her tomoz:o
Went to Primark yest and got a few things for summer eg linen pants etc.I will make the money up from my ebay sales which are doing v well:j:j
I am not into baby showers, and would rather wait till baby is here before buying anything;)It must be the superstitious part of me:D:D
Have got to make more washing powder up this week, but today's not the day:rotfl::rotfl:
Have fabby frugal days everyone xx:A

Paulgonnabedebtfree

Frugaldom wrote: »

Paul, the toner cartridges have a set life term, so they can't be refilled indefinitely. If I remember correctly, I was able to refill my Samsung about 6 times before whatever mechanism failed. But toner has become astronomical in cost! Mine has almost doubled recently. Even using the link provided by Annie, toner for my Lexmark costs same for the refill as I was paying last year for an actual branded cartridge. I can't believe they have increased by so much. I'd to contact customers explaining an increase in overall costs and increased my own pricing by 10% - the first increase I've made in 3 years - one customer in particular didn't sound too pleased but there's nothing I can do about it.

.

Noted thanks Frugaldom.
I suppose anything mechanical will fail eventuaslly but if I can get 6 refills I would be well happy with that. I'm sure the toner cartridges have escalated in cost since I last bought one so any reasonable saving will help. I don't do photographic work (or at least none that requires quality) so I doubt I will ever bother again with inkjet printers as they seem to cost so much more to run. Indeed it can sometimes work out cheaper to buy a cheap printer rather than new inks. Not a very eco-friendly approach I'm sure.