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

the_cat

Somehow the challenge feels to me like it starts tomorrow. The new year never feels like it begins until school restarts and everyone's schedule gets back to normal.

So far I have spent nothing but plan to get some fruit/veg/rolls for the coming week tomorrow. Then need to get back to the lottie for some serious digging. It will warm me up I suppose!!!

(((CW.))) Hope you are ok whatever the outcome with your poor little dog

JayJay14

Been to Wilkinsons to buy seeds, veg and flower. OH had a £10 gift voucher from work (Xmas bonus - very generous:rotfl:) Have managed to get quite a few and probably won't need much else.

We have some deep beds but also use tubs for spuds and things. The tubs I have are the old recycling boxes which are being phased out locally. They are useful for early spuds as they can be moved into the garage if there is a risk of frost.

The most successful thing we tried last year was growing strawberries and tomatoes in hanging baskets, very decorative and no slugs:D It happened by accident - OH had gone to the garden centre for a couple of flower ones and they had sold out so he bought straws and toms instead, and we will carry on using them as they were brilliant.

Though the pride and joy of my garden is the rhubarb, easy and produces loads of crumbles and pies. I also get quite a few raspberries and I'm going to keep an eye on Lidl and Aldi as they sometimes have fruit trees quite cheap.

Had to buy a couple of things today (had to repair the shower) so budgets recorded dutifully.

Back to work tomorrow and should really try to get to the gym.

wornoutmumoftwo

Spent the grand total of 49p this year (sounds good but it's only the 3rd:eek:)
That was on a tin of peas (and was only 49p as hubby bought branded instead of value).

CW - sorry to hear about your wee dog. I'm sort of in the same boat. My cat is 16 and a half and is like a bag of bones. I'm psyching myself up to take him to the vets. I know it's his time, He's so thin, but still eats and drinks well, seems happy in himself, but he's hungry all the time so I'm of the opinion that the food isn't getting to where it should.

Had him from six weeks and was there the day he was born (neighbours cat), anyway.

Ches

signs_of_recovery wrote: »

I know that sounds very princessy and spoiled, but sometimes, when I'm busy not spending money, (and I didn't have a huge huge money habit) I have that horrible feeling I had when I was stopping smoking or dieting... ie I am trying very hard not to do something, and it's a bit counter-intuitive for me, and I wondered if anyone else felt similar.... (or, sadly, is it only me )

I live in the centre of town, and it's far too easy to amuse myself by going out to the shops, chatting away with the shopkeepers, (many of whom are friends) and inadvertently spending. A walk involves going past the shops, and I'm far too habituated to walking to Tesco every 5pm "just to pick up some ginger for the curry I've suddenly decided to make" . Same with nipping out for a coffee and a cake, or a magazine, or a book. I don't watch tv, I do read, I knit, sew, listen to the radio, and am attempting to garden, but I have a horrible "marking time" feeling..,.Of course, I spend more time on the internet than is healthy, but what else! There is only so much I can clean, declutter, cook for and actively do.... (which is what I've been distracting myself with)

Are you sighing and shaking your head at me? Oh dear, I hope not. I do feel a bit embarrassed about posting this......

I understand this exactly as I also lived in the centre of town and this is how I lived. I took the drastic step of moving out of town when I retired as I knew I couldn't keep this up while on a pension. Still miss it though.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

signs_of_recovery wrote: »

I know that sounds very princessy and spoiled, but sometimes, when I'm busy not spending money, (and I didn't have a huge huge money habit) I have that horrible feeling I had when I was stopping smoking or dieting... ie I am trying very hard not to do something, and it's a bit counter-intuitive for me, and I wondered if anyone else felt similar.... (or, sadly, is it only me )

I live in the centre of town, and it's far too easy to amuse myself by going out to the shops, chatting away with the shopkeepers, (many of whom are friends) and inadvertently spending. A walk involves going past the shops, and I'm far too habituated to walking to Tesco every 5pm "just to pick up some ginger for the curry I've suddenly decided to make" . Same with nipping out for a coffee and a cake, or a magazine, or a book. I don't watch tv, I do read, I knit, sew, listen to the radio, and am attempting to garden, but I have a horrible "marking time" feeling..,.Of course, I spend more time on the internet than is healthy, but what else! There is only so much I can clean, declutter, cook for and actively do.... (which is what I've been distracting myself with)

Are you sighing and shaking your head at me? Oh dear, I hope not. I do feel a bit embarrassed about posting this......

Not shaking my head at all. I can very much empathise as someone who lives next to a town centre with all its caf!s etc. Once I've finished all my de-cluttering, cleaning etc., I may bew in a similar position to you. Will probably spend the spare time I will be getting on building my business up some more. I do have a low boredom threshold though.

Ches

NSD for me today and dinner was HM turkey stew out of the freezer and made with the Christmas leftovers plus some root veg and dumplings. Think it would cost out to under £1 for the 2 of us and there is enough for lunch for me tomorrow. Leftover fruit for pudding.

Cheryl my little yorkie has fits. Probably about 4/5 a year and the first thing she does when she feels one coming on is to scrabble towards me. I always pick her up and talk nonsense to her while she is fitting.Often walking up and down the garden in the fresh air while I am doing it. I don't have any reason for this it just feels right. She has never bitten me yet. I have been told that they are blind for a while when they first come round and it certainly looks that way. Poor little mite she is always so frightened which is why she heads for me when she feels one coming on. I am her mum after all. I obviously checked with the vet when she first started fitting but he said that unless she has lots on an almost daily basis then carry on doing what I am doing. If they get more frequent she can be prescribed medicine but I am not sure I would do that as sometimes its time to say goodbye and we owe it to our pets not to let them suffer or become frightened. I remember the vet telling me once that animals don't fear death like humans do which I find comforting. Good luck in whatever you decide.

rozeepozee

savingfortravel wrote: »

I have ordered Your Money or your life from Amaz*n. Both versions because I did like the Alvin Hall series and his Pay off your mortgage in 2 years programmes.

How exciting (though far be it for me to encourage spending :rolleyes:). I'll be interested to know what you make of the Dominguez/Robin version (don't know that much about Alvin Hall)

Paulgonnabedebtfree

I don't know if things are still the same as it's a long time since I've been in a TU (self-employed since 1991). When I was a contributing TU member, you could claim tax relief on the contributions. Back then you needed to declare "Industry code xxxx" on a tax return.. xxxx depended which union or profession you were in. Also, returns are often done online now. I'm sure that the NUT (or any other union) will have the relevant info.

chika

(((hugs))) CW18, I hope everything turns out ok for you and the Yorkie.

Woohoo I have had a no spend day. It might not sound much to some but I really don't think I've had one of these since last August. I had to fight with the tempation of going to buy convienience food but a quick check of my bank account stopped that plan. Also our street is like a skating rink and I daren't move the car. It's a private road so the gritters don't come down here anyway but I wish people would show a bit of community spirit and shovel the snow from in front of their houses. Grrrr!

I've baked two loaves of bread and a Yorkshire tea loaf which should last the week. I have no eggs or butter/marg so I had to really search for things to bake that would satisfy my sweet craving. I'm amazed at how much cheaper it is to bake bread than buy your own. I worked out the cost and excluding electric the two loaves cost 32p. I normally buy it from the supermarket for about £1.25 a loaf so I've made a saving of about £2.20 by spending fifteen minutes kneading bread.

I love being frugal

stay_calm_keep_knitting

Hello all! I'm a few days late but could I join as well please? I'm just getting to grips with the spreadsheet but will probably be aiming for £4k.

CW - thanks so much for the spreadsheet and very sad to read about your doggie. I am also a Cheryl in Manchester!