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

rozeepozee

Isn't it lovely to have some nice weather - YAY!

Thanks for the Basil advice, annie. Hopefully, I will have more luck this year.

Spent loads at Costco today but all on food and store cupboard stuff, so don't feel too bad about it as it could be on much more wasteful things and I need loads of food, eating for 3. Had fruit tree envy as Costco had taken delivery of loads of fruit trees and they looked mighty fine and much further on than the little ones we bought from Aldi last week, but they were £12 each. Does anyone have any idea when the Aldi ones might fruit? We've now got an apple tree that's been grafted with two types of apple (can that happen or did I imagine that - DP bought it), and a pear, plum and cherry. Will be very excited when we pick our own fruit!

Have all the prospective mummies seen the special offer on newborn nappies at Asda? £1 for 48 nappies (usually £3.75). I popped in this morning and bought 3 packs - I intend to use reusable nappies (which I got from Freecycle) when I'm at home and disposables when we are out and about.

Would have loved to have gone for a walk today as it was lovely but I really struggle to pick my feet off the floor now, so I resorted to sitting in the garden. Hope this weather continues as I'm becoming increasingly housebound so it's nice to be able to at least get outside.

DP finally joined the gym today. It's a big expense (£50 per month for him) but it means that we can all go as a family and have a fairly cheap family time. I'm still on the Pruhealth deal, which only costs me £13 a month, it's £12 a month for my son and for that we get 2 hours free creche for him whenever we visit and the babies won't cost anything extra to take in the pool. As long as we're good and always take our own drinks/food (I usually take a flask and packed lunch) and use it regularly, it will work out a few quid a visit for a family of five - cheaper than visiting the local council run simming pool.

I've regigged the budget to allow for the extra spend...

cw18

rozeepozee wrote: »

We've now got an apple tree that's been grafted with two types of apple (can that happen or did I imagine that - DP bought it)

I've got one on order (due for delivery sometime this month) that's got 3 on it - and one with 3 types of pears as well

whitewing

Hello (mainly to the old timers as I haven't posted or even lurked much lately). Just came on to say that we had a beautiful baby girl last week. She's an absolute darling, and we're very grateful for the NHS and the excellent care we received. I had some complications and needed monitoring every day, and inducing early. It would have cost an absolute fortune if we hadn't had the NHS.

danielley

:jCongratulations Whitewing!:j

candygirl

whitewing wrote: »

Hello (mainly to the old timers as I haven't posted or even lurked much lately). Just came on to say that we had a beautiful baby girl last week. She's an absolute darling, and we're very grateful for the NHS and the excellent care we received. I had some complications and needed monitoring every day, and inducing early. It would have cost an absolute fortune if we hadn't had the NHS.

Aww congrats hun, what are you calling her?:D:D

Blairweech

Lynzpower - Have you ever been to Eden Project to see the WEEE man? That is eye opening! I love Freecycle, I just managed to get rid of all my white goods on it (they were all given to me)

SM - Looked at your blog post about the tins, what a fantastic idea!

Inspired2 - WELL DONE for paying off your credit card!! Using that money to make an emergency fund sounds like a great idea too

Rozee - Well done on assessing your shopping habits and not buying the bag

Fayjmck - Sorry you have had bad news - good luck with the new house and finding the monies for it

Erme - Hope you get over your bug asap, standing in the cold for ages is horrible

Natalie - Good news on the Tesco vouchers. Hope you get rid of the migraines asap

Whitewing - Congratulations on the birth, and I am pleased that you recieved good care whilst in hospital


So, here I am :wave:

I have now moved out of my house and back in with my parents. 3 days and counting...The move went quite well, although I have SO MUCH stuff. Filled a Luton van (only furniture was a dressing table, a kitchen cabinet and my bed in pieces, the rest was just STUFF). Someone earlier mentioned about the benefits of regular decluttering, I completely agree!! Honestly had no idea I had hoarded so much over the past couple of years :eek: Am currently in the process of 'unpacking'/sorting etc. Can almost see daylight now..

Have not quite managed to update my budget totals yet, but am all up to date with my spending notes so that is a job for tomorrow. Along with going to the Jobcentre, visiting my Auntie, visiting the tip and purchasing some castors to turn my bedside table into a desk chair

Today has been a NSD, and tomorrow will be a very low spend day - only purchase should be castors....and now I come to think of it, I may delay that and just use it as is for now in case I hate it.

Now I have caught up to the end, I can get back on the wagon!

Kittikins

Congrats Whitewing and OH on the birth of your little one

sophiesmum_2

Congrataulations whitewing glad all went well in the end:)

cha97michelle

Big beaming smile here and congratulations for Whitewing. Nice to have been around from the start to see how it all turned out.

Enjoy your little princess. I am sure she will not stay little for long. Love to all of your family. xx

cw18

Congrats Whitewing