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

slowlyfading

gilligansyle wrote: »

I GOT A JOB!!!

Yayy :j :j congrats!

Kerry_Woman

Congratulations gilligansyle on great news.

vintage_beanpole

Hello everyone,

I've subscribed to this thread since the New Year, although this is my first post. I'm thinking about hopping on board (if that's possible), but would like to know roughly how people are doing? How much money are people aiming to spend no more than each month?
I have no family, but do live in Central London. I've tried to work out everything and don't think I have much more than £65 a week to spend. This is after rent and bills. Which is totally doable, isn't it? (she asks optimistically!)
Anyway, I'd be much obliged to know how people are getting on and if it's really super difficult.
x

NualaBuala

Hi frugallanders :wave:

Cheryl, good luck with the op, am sure it'll be fine but take it easy, won't you? And hope you're ok pagangirl, sounds like you had a rotten time - I'd probably have sat on the kerb and cried! Those NHS drop in places sound brilliant, wish we had something like that in Ireland.

Top_drawer - I wonder could you use the leafy tops of carrots, beetroot, radishes etc to feed your furry friends while you eat the roots? Of course, they don't grow as fast as salad, do they?

Great news about the job gilligansyle! :j

I'm afraid I've been skim-reading of late so I can't remember about everyone else - sympathy and congratulations as appropriate.


In the interests of long term frugality I've decided to try cutting my own hair. I got a good quality scissors on Ebay for €9 (and had a little paypal credit already from surveys). It's only for trimming - I don't like going to the hairdressers anyway and usually wear my hair tied back so should be ok *crosses fingers*. Am also considering not colouring my hair any more. Only have a tiny bit of grey and part of me feels why should I try to disguise it? I AM getting older - so what?! Why should I feel I have to look younger than I am? *steps down from soapbox before getting into a full-blown rant about our youth/appearance-obsessed culture*

In other frugal news...

• I've done a bit of batch cooking so will be able to freeze a lot of dinners. :T
• The hummus I made last weekend was lovely and has done me for lunches all this week plus I had lots to freeze.
• I'm considering giving up tea and just drinking water which would save on milk/teabags. I'm a bit of a tea addict so I don't think this would be an easy step. I could have hot water with mint or lemon or maybe the occasional rooibos tea if I want something hot.
• Also, I've switched off the heating - it was only on for an hour or so in the mornings anyway and it's nice and mild these days so no hardship.

Hope you all have a nice evening

xnatalie81x

I am still going strong to all the regulars - keeping on budget. Sorting out housing problems and other stuff that is going a bit in the wrong direction........ I found out yesterday i am pregnant AGAIN.

O dear...... I won't be on here for a few days so if you reply to this and i don't reply to you replying to this lol then you know why. I am on private messaging if needed.

4 kids o my god

NualaBuala

xnatalie81x wrote: »

I am still going strong to all the regulars - keeping on budget. Sorting out housing problems and other stuff that is going a bit in the wrong direction........ I found out yesterday i am pregnant AGAIN.

O dear...... I won't be on here for a few days so if you reply to this and i don't reply to you replying to this lol then you know why. I am on private messaging if needed.

4 kids o my god

Right - I am now convinced this is the most fertile thread on the forum! :rotfl:

Congratulations!!! :j It's all go with you isn't it? Between moving house and your swimming school doing so well! Best of luck Natalie and hope the new house has room for another small one!

N x

NualaBuala

vintage_beanpole wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I've subscribed to this thread since the New Year, although this is my first post. I'm thinking about hopping on board (if that's possible), but would like to know roughly how people are doing? How much money are people aiming to spend no more than each month?
I have no family, but do live in Central London. I've tried to work out everything and don't think I have much more than £65 a week to spend. This is after rent and bills. Which is totally doable, isn't it? (she asks optimistically!)
Anyway, I'd be much obliged to know how people are getting on and if it's really super difficult.
x

I don't think my figures would be much use to you as prices seem to be so different over here in Ireland (ie a lot higher for most things!).

£65 a week after rent and bills sounds loads to me but but then I don't go out regularly and take my own lunches to college.

Best of luck with your frugal journey!

lynzpower

I have no family, but do live in Central London. I've tried to work out everything and don't think I have much more than £65 a week to spend. This is after rent and bills. Which is totally doable, isn't it? (she asks optimistically!)
Anyway, I'd be much obliged to know how people are getting on and if it's really super difficult.

hey welcome :wave:

Im in central london too! theres no way we spend 65pw and although we are fairly frugal, Im just an amateur compared to some on here. Depends if that involves any kind of "night out".

Definately easy to live on a budget in london, unless you get loads of PCNs like me and it costs you a fortune ( I cant talk about it right now - too depressing_pale_ )

vintage_beanpole

Thanks NualaBuala, they really do take it from you over in Ireland, don't they.
Lynzpower, I do TRY, I really do...but when I slip, I reaaallly slip. But your words are encouraging! Onwards!
PCN must be a pain in the !!!!. If you have grounds for contesting them drop me a PM if you need a handy hand on the legal front.
x

ceridwen

NualaBuala wrote: »

Right - I am now convinced this is the most fertile thread on the forum! :rotfl:

Congratulations!!! :j It's all go with you isn't it? Between moving house and your swimming school doing so well! Best of luck Natalie and hope the new house has room for another small one!

N x

Ummm....<cough> - just one point there though...the comment "oh my god" about it and frown smilie. I think holding back on congratulatory comments is indicated.....

So - my reaction is to say "hope things go okay for you" Natalie (((hugs))). That was a very honest reaction to this....