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

ceridwen

chika wrote: »

I too had a trip to the dentist yesterday. I've managed to make it to 26 without needing a filling but the time of having good teeth is over I need to have a small filling, the dentist did say everything else is ok though. I'm going to pay £75 and have a white filling. They would have done the silver one free but I'm a bit scared it would be too noticable. Are the white ones worth it?

!

Yes - in answer to that question. White fillings are worth it. I have about 50/50 silver and white fillings. The silver ones date from before I was aware they arent "healthy" - and I am conscious of the look of them. The white ones are what I have been having ever since I read up about them.

Silver ones have mercury in - white ones dont. No contest then as to which to have in my book - white ones it is.

Think technical name of silver ones is "amalgam". Look that up - but have a drink in your hand first..

I just have to try not to think about those silver fillings I have - I dont think there is a suitably-qualified dentist in my area to remove them safely - so I tend to think "like asbestos in a building - best not to disturb them as they're there....."

Best not to ask your dentists opinion on them - in case he/she isnt a holistic dentist (they probably wont be..). Quick way to check out a dentists credentials in my book is ask them what they think of fluoride - if they say "good idea" - i instantly realise they're NOT holistic dentists and have been "sold on the propaganda" (errr...thats most of them then it seems.....grr...).

cw18

I'm still in school 2 mornings a week (Mon & Wed), but have told them I'm dropping the Monday after Easter. Main reason for this is that it's the one day they struggle to cover shifts in the bakery when someone's off - and two of three others who work that day leave a morning to be covered when on leave or off sick. So by being available I have more chance of keeping my average hours above 30 (and this gains me an extra £25/week or so in WTC at the moment - after September would only be around £6/week, but this is on top of the extra salary and every little helps)

No chance of changing it to paid work - they're fully staffed with TA's (and I don't have the qualifications or enough available hours to do that). There is a before/after school club, but again I don't have the qualifications (things are tightening up from October, and you have to have certain levels of child-care to be allowed to do this type of work - all the staff at DD's workplace who weren't at 'level 3' have had to be pushed through courses to beat the deadline)

Wrong with the house? Quite simply a case of clutter everywhere you look, and very little carpet in sight :eek: I'm a great believer of "everything in it's place", but can never remember where I decided that place was (or get passed the rest of the mess to get to whatever I'm after if I do remember) :rotfl: So far I've done one tip run (though half of this was cardboard from accessible parts of the entire house), and the boot is almost full enough again to do another (with yet another full sack of cardboard waiting to go in) - this is just from the kitchen/diner, and there's been very little foodstuff go out!! I've also managed to get my recycling bin (tins, glass and plastic bottles) from about a quarter full to almost 90% full - though about half of this is from alcohol I'd hidden from DH (was always safe at the back of cupboards, as he never thought to look there) that I pulled out and tipped down the sink on Wednesday. On Thursday I was feeling that down, that it was just as well I'd done that task - really felt like having a binge myself, even though I knew it wouldn't sort anything and would make me really ill afterwards (plus I needed to drive down to collect GDs first thing Friday morning, which I wouldn't have been able to do as I'd have been well over the limit)

lynzpower

Wrong with the house? Quite simply a case of clutter everywhere you look, and very little carpet in sight I'm a great believer of "everything in it's place", but can never remember where I decided that place was (or get passed the rest of the mess to get to whatever I'm after if I do remember) So far I've done one tip run (though half of this was cardboard from accessible parts of the entire house), and the boot is almost full enough again to do another (with yet another full sack of cardboard waiting to go in) - this is just from the kitchen/diner, and there's been very little foodstuff go out!! I've also managed to get my recycling bin (tins, glass and plastic bottles) from about a quarter full to almost 90% full - though about half of this is from alcohol I'd hidden from DH (was always safe at the back of cupboards, as he never thought to look there) that I pulled out and tipped down the sink on Wednesday. On Thursday I was feeling that down, that it was just as well I'd done that task - really felt like having a binge myself, even though I knew it wouldn't sort anything and would make me really ill afterwards (plus I needed to drive down to collect GDs first thing Friday morning, which I wouldn't have been able to do as I'd have been well over the limit)

Sounds very carthartic to me. I love a good old clear out. I know its tiring but just think of what it will be like when its done :j :T

I have been listening to much more radio too since taking up the frugal challenge has really upped the " pottering" stakes, tidying out cupboards etc and the digital radio we got as a gift has been a godsend there are so many nice extra radio stations without pirate station interruption (is that a london thing? think so) and loads of adverts- there is nothing worse than a touch of light classics being interupted with rap :mad:

I find the radio very calming. I have decided I really dont like the TV anymore. Occasionally there is something worth watching but most of it drivel and the less I watch the happier I am!

@Fishcake- I have progress- OH said that the flatscreen tv idea isnt a goer- hes changed his mind- he doesnt think its worth it :j

teachergirl

Hello there. Just visiting this thread for some money ideas as I have decided we really need to budget as we want to go on holiday this year. Twinkles08 I saw what you said about your tomato plant. If it is a tumbler it is meant to do just that. It will tumble over the sides of the pot as it grows and is not meant to be tied to a stick. So just let it keep growing as it is for now and put it into a bigger pot when needed. then when the weather gets a lot warmer it can go outside. Tumblers are often put in hanging baskets if this helps.

ruby1968_2

:hello:Hi guys, have spent the day pottering around sorted out finances so when April comes I know where we stand, No shopping today as have no money till monday when cb goes in and the tuesday when I get some more, so having put my head in freezer looking for something for dinner found, 1 lamb chop with mash for DH, waffles and Beans with cheese for DS and DD and packet of pasta'n'sauce for me well it fills the gap, Got the chicken out for tomorrow and have plenty of frozen veg in the freezer and pots sso that'll be a good roast for Sunday, so that to me means MSE for the weekend and no spends:T:j. not sure what I'm doing tomorrow but you can bet in won't cost anything.

Twinkles08

Thanks for the advice teachergirl,that's exactly what I needed to know as I am completely clueless when it comes to plants and veg growing-I'm really enjoying the challenge though!!:j

Thanks to everyone for all the congrats!

SF hugs to you hope you feel better soon.
Sorry your feeling so down cw,for what it's worth I think that you do just great and you defo inspire me to try harder.Don't be so hard on yourself either.Step away from the alcohol,your have a minging head after!Take care

shaz_mum_of__2

Just a quickie not had chance to read for a while so apologies if i have missed any big stuff


Someone mentioned a couple of diet websites a while ago can someone point me in the right direction?? something like on my plate i think where it works out calories etc


Thanks

Shaz

candygirl

Sold some more stuff on ebay today, and DGD needed a new snowsuit so have won one with the money I made:j:jwent round the shops with Mum and didn't spend owt at all, I can't believe it:eek::eek:the dog jabs etc have had an expensive week though:(:(
Have fabbily frugal weekends all:j:j

JayneC

Sending hugs to you CW, sorry you're feeling down. My OH sounds similar to how yours was. I too realised had no real friends as whenever I got friendly with anyone he would find something 'wrong' with them, he never really likes to socialise either, and my house if often in Chaos too so rarely invite anyone round. He's also a compulsive gambler and so I was always worried that someone would find out so kind of kept people at arms length, including family unfortunately! We split up for a while but got back together, have now realised it's not any better than before so we are splitting up agin, he is moving out in a month or so when he's got enough for deposit on flat, such a relief really but also very scary wondering what's going to happen.

I've joined a 'free' community group about promoting local food (part of Sustaniable Scarborough) we meet once a month but doesn't cost anything and am interested in 'the cause' as it were, so might be useful to see if there are any community groups that you might be interested in that wouldn't cost. I've also stared going to a drama group (hadn't done drama since primary school prior to this!!) which does cost but I think it's keeping me sane at the moment and has actually been very therupeutic, which was an unforeseen benefit. I think you need to care for yourself, how would you feel about starting a group? It could be anything - a knitting circle, a reading group, a getting together and baking biscuits and having a gossip group?? Anyway, hope you feel better soon, thinking of you x

Annie - well done on your skip finds

SF - sorry you're feeling low, hope things seem better soon

Twinkles - congrats, made me giggle that you thought of the chicken:rotfl:, that's something I would do!

Well today I managed to get a bit more sorted in my garden, moved some plants about and created some more planting areas by lifing paving slabs. I've not sowed any seeds yet as want to make sure I've got room for them first!! Also put breadmaker on for first time in ages - not actually eaten any of the bread yet but looks ok! this was prompted by the fact that we'd run out of bread and there was no more in the freezer (which I thought there was). Bread wasn't ready in time for lunch so made some cheese scones and had with HM celery soup, which was actually really nice.

Did venture out for some fruit and veg and a chicken for tomorrow lunch. £15.45 spent. am finding that it's definately cheaper, but takes more organisation, to eat veggie (DD and I have given up meat for lent) so will carry on with mostly veggie diet after Easter I think.

Anyway off for a mooch on some other threads, back soon.

Jayne x

NualaBuala

Hello frugal friends :wave:

Congrats to all the new Mums! Don't know how to do balloons etc.

SF, Big hugs to you, sounds like you are having a tough time. It won't last forever though, things WILL get better. Do take care of yourself and don't sacrifice your health and wellbeing - there are very few things (if any) that are worth it.

Cheryl, I was so moved by your posts. I know I don't really know you but I do have a feeling of knowing you a little. I think you are a lovely, hardworking, caring and capable person and anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. Shame the non-date-man didn't work out - I can't think of anything anyone could say to me that would put me off hearing them out and having a chat again. I'm sure there are free/frugal ways of meeting new friends/dates/non-dates but my brain is not engaged enough right now to think. I really do hope things work out, in all the different areas. I think things usually do work out for the best, even if it's not as we had originally planned!

Hugs to you too Top-drawer, and I hope everything comes good soon. Not sure what you work at, but at least you have the option of seeing your earnings increase when the economy improves - your friend won't have that option. Hope you're feeling ok with your blood sugar etc. I'm a greedy guts and never seem to feel fed up with eating!

I've been reading all the posts and everyone seems to be doing so well with their budgets. I too have had to rejig mine as I spent a €90 in Lidl on a garden shredder for all the brambles and branches I've been clearing in the garden. Hope it works ok. March is going to be tough month. Usually most days are NSDs for me but so far I have spent money every day this month. :eek: I have spent money on eating out - felt pressured into it a bit as I was meeting a friend with higher standards than mine and he wanted to go for lunch. I've been bringing my own food and snacks all week to college. And then I splurged on a takeway as I was so wrecked yesterday - bold bold bold! I have very little to live on for the rest of the month but I will manage I hope. It's my birthday at the end of the month but I'm not interested in going out so that won't cost anything I hope. So I'm HOPING I can spend next to nothing for the rest of the month, fingers crossed.

I'm going to watch a little TV, then off to bed - tired out from an afternoon gardening. Nothing planted yet - just trying to prune and clear overgrowth. I found some brave daffodils that had fought their way through despite the bad weather and all the overgrowth. I was delighted as they're one of my favourite flowers, so cheerful and happy looking that I can't help but feel the same when I see them.

Have a good weekend frunchkins!