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

JayneC

Hey everyone,

How's things.

Erme Sorry you're feeling so down, as everyone else has said I think NSD is an unnecessary stress - I just can't do it!! there's always something and if you don't get it it's something else the next day and eventually you just 'blow out' well I do anyway!! Only spend today was a book of stamps (omly needed one really but wasn;t passing a PO so had to buy them from local shop and they only do a book! will use them tho...

Cha97Michelle - it sounds like your lettuce 'bolted' (went to seed) probably because there wasn't enough light if it was smothered by courgette. It can do this if very hot too. Some varirites are less likely to bolt than others. Better luck this year...
I've still not planted anything but have cleared some space on my worktop (near the window) to put seed trays (well egg boxes and plastic food trays - must reuse!) and will get something in this weekend.

Seem to have quite a lot of excess money this month (don't know how that happened!) but am waiting til end of month before I move it to debts/savings incase I've forgotton something!

Take care everyone x

Blairweech

Hello all.

Top_drawer - Not sure the guineas would like rocket, as its quite peppery and a bit soapy. But if its cheap enough, its worth a shot - they might be gourmet guineas Good luck for the interview
Erme - Hope you are feeling a bit better now, congrats on being given the go ahead for Kleeneze. Hope you make a go of it!
Jayne - I know what you mean about the NSDs. I will have a few in a row, but then when I start shopping (especially if its a food shop), I just go totally OTT and end up buying loads! Argh!!

Have had a good day today. Took up the Quidco offer for Paddypower - £25 cashback for a new account with £10 stake (so even if you lost the bet, you would still make £15), plus a £10 free bet. Bet on Inter Milan winning the football at 5/1, and they only flipping won!!! So the money has been withdrawn to my savings account. Will save my free bet for the Gold Cup on Friday, as I cannot withdraw that.
PLEASE NOTE: Betting is not frugal in any way shape or form, I only did the above to get £15 cashback. As it happened, my luck was in and I made £75, but under any other circumstances, I would not risk my hard earned pennies.

I also bought some Body Shop bargains, 2 £5 body butters in the sale and 2 perfumes in the sale. Got free delivery and 10% off, spent £14.40.

annie123

Have spent this evening reading the blog below, she lives in france and is gardening this year following the radio broadcasts (dig for victory) during WW2

http://wartimegardening.wordpress.com/

Interesting reading, and very frugal too

hth someone

ceridwen

annie123 wrote: »

Have spent this evening reading the blog below, she lives in france and is gardening this year following the radio broadcasts (dig for victory) during WW2

http://wartimegardening.wordpress.com/

Interesting reading, and very frugal too

hth someone

Thanks for mentioning this - I've put a link to it on my "MSE homepage";) (as I think it might be much in tune with this "homepage" of mine) - and will go back for a good read later.

phoebe03cat

Hi everyone; managed another nsd yesterday; also had a go at yoghurt making as dd has ibs. She spends a fortune on activia so got out the lakeland yoghurt maker that had been lurking at the back of the cupboard. I'd forgotten just how quick and easy to make it is. Chopped up some whoopsied fruit to pout in it this morning and everyone seemed to enjoy it. DD swears activia is 'different' to normal probiotic yoghurt as it claims to have 'bifidus actiRegularis'. I'm not so sure that's not just the culture found in all active yoghurt. Does anyone know pls?

Skint_Lynne

Hi,

Not been on much due to dodgy internet and I've been away for the last couple of days. Lots of catch up reading to do, so will check in later. xx

Erme

Thanks for all the words of comfort. I've always tried to before save for the unwell days/weeks since debt busting18 months ago. Thanks for the advice on NSD. I think I'll quit that. It's just not worth the stress!

But yeah...thanks so much Blairweech and frugaldom for the words of comfort.

Now a morning to myself whilst I wait for the CPN (community psychiatric nurse) to phone and potentially laden with anxiety so some pottering before DV (god willing) coffee out (well tea and a scone for a very reasonable £1.50) and a crochet lesson (for my friend). A word about the which offer (which I got I have to say)

Firstly you have to be over 18 so 16 year old debit cards won't be accepted (think visa electron. No one needs a CC just a V debit card ) and also they sub you up for a trial subscription. So that's £3 for like everything which for the first 3 months after which it's £10 a month (depending on your budget you decide if you can justify this). So ppl have to decide how good an offer this is. For me personally it is but for others it may not be.

Thanks for your inspiration guys. Have put the breadmaker on trying to up my calories for today . Have flour and yeast so will have tuna mayo sandwiches for lunch .

Yeah I know fl about bulk buying. I have enough rice for like years from that LOL and don't even ask about beans. And I have a tendency to get fixated and buy 101 of the same thing *eek*.

So yeah....that's me and I've finally caught up with FL. Thanks for the link of dig it seeds. Have signed up. Does anyone know if PL has their grow bags in yet? They're only £1.

E

phoebe03cat

LOL... going to answer my own question now. Found this link discussing activia which implies 'regularis' is just a made up word from danone ie not scientific.
http://whatisbifidusregularis.org/
Am going to see if my 'active' yoghurt works the same on dd's ibs as will save a small fortune. Also might be worth trying to make keffir which may be useful for anyone with similar problems.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976766009

mama67

Needhelpsaving wrote: »

mama67 wrote: »

Only snag I have now is a huge box of polystyrene packaging peanuts.

QUOTE]


Polysytrene is good for bulking out plant pots acting as drainage (instead of broken crocks) - don't know if this would get rid of some????

Thanks,

The reception teacher couldn't contain herself when I showed her, so they are going there today.

rozeepozee

Noticed our new Aldi is selling water butts for £24. Do people think this is a good deal or can they be had cheaper?