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

JayJay14

:jCongratulations Fishcake:j
:jWelcome Anyanka:j

Dad certainly looks pleased - hope he's looking after you both

chika

Oooooeeee Fishcake! I wondered where you were. What a gorgeous baby, congrats to you!

top_drawer_2

Congratulations Fishcake!! Definitely one for your family album.

Today I went and collected some used Red magazines, I love this magazine but just can't afford to subscribe or to buy it every month but I now have 6 to work through, its going to save a futune as I wont feel the pressure to buy the ones in the coming months.

I was also thinking of maybe starting up some sort of swap network.... Anyone else enjoy reading Red, Easy Living or Homey magazines?

I also managed (in my clumsy state) to knock my lettuce thingy off the window sill so I was forced to replant them all into the separate componets boxes (advice from someone at sewing, apparently for them to get stronger) but Im very worried now as they look like a dogs dinner now! Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Jen

slowlyfading

congrats fishcake! :j :j

candygirl

Awww well done Fishcake, she is adorabubble:D:D:D

cha97michelle

Woohoo Fishcake - i was going to say she looked like a baby girl. Congrats to you both. How big was she? That is one proud Daddy i have to say. What an ear to ear grin. Get plenty of rest and enjoy some special time together.

Rozee i don't think i saw you, but i will look out for you in future. I dare say by the time i go again (trying to only go once a month and then £100 + spend isn't so bad) it will be a mummy pushing a double buggy. I am dark haired - usually exhausted looking, usually with one child (aka the terror who is nearly 2) tied in the trolley, and DS1 trying to ride on the end. We mainly go on a Sat or Sun morning when it is a bit quieter, and try and avoid the kids pestering for lunch. We were by those houses for ages. Once the kids got upstairs they disappeared for ages and the strange guy trying to get people to buy Vanish was being very weird.

Todays frugal efforts - more planting done in the garden. Planted some purple sprouting broccoli in the raised bed, and some carrots. We have never had the broccoli before, so i am hoping we like it as i planted loads which should be ready in April/May time.

I also started off some basil, oregano and marigolds for indoors, did all my meter readings and reduced consumption again this month. And this evenings highlight has been ebaying 6 items while it was free listing. Hope it all goes. Scarily 4 of the 6 items were things that were given to us.

We've also had a major declutter of our wardrobes, and while it goes against the grain to throw things out, i had about 30 jumpers, and we don't have room to store them. Some are plain worn out. A couple i didn't like so went to the charity shop. I kept more than enough to see me through spring and for next winter, when i am betting my mum and MIL go mad and buy me yet more. I haven't bought one myself in a good long time.

No point in having more things than space. I did make sure we will reuse some as rags at DH's workplace, and recycle what we can. The better quality stuff can go to the charity shop as it is not high value enough to be worth me selling but they would be able to.

Just plodding along with it as always. Priority this week is going to be catching up on the spreadsheet inputs again this week. I haven't done much for March as yet and it takes forever if i leave it too long. I know this is what my downfall was last year in the end.

top drawer just be patient with your seedlings. My lettuce i repotted the other week didn't look great straight off either, but leave somewhere warm and light, and give enough water and they will recover. It's not rocket science growing the stuff. Just a patience game and remembering to look after them.

Blairweech

Fishcake - Awwww! Congratulations :j

LoopyLou - Hippo Birdie to your little one

Listed loads on Ebay today and got two great bargains at the boot fair - Emma Bridgewater mug with 'Grandma' on for £3 (its my grans birthday next week, so this is perfect for her ), and some new suede gloves for £2 (my Mum bought these for me). I was particurlaly pleased with the gloves as they were actually on my 'want to acquire this year' list

lingojingo

Congrats fishcake:j
welcome to little fishfinger!

NualaBuala

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

I know you guys like crafty stuff and free things so look at what me made on the 19th.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=110977&id=100000649358672

Will catch up soon
x x x

Congratulations! Dad's smile is so bright and warm that you should save a few quid on heat and lighting bills I reckon!

whitewing

top drawer - you can get Red magazine thro tesco clubcard

http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=654

Perhaps smeone could take out a gift subscription for you?