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

JayJay14

Well I am finally getting warm - and I live in a modern centrally heated house. Trouble is I won't turn the temp up so it takes a little longer after I get in from work.
Another NSD today as tomorrow is my normal shop day. There is very little on the list though so it shouldn't dent the budget too much.
Had an email today from cashinmyfone, they have authorised me a payment of £99.81 for my old iphone (+ £4.50 cashback at quidco) and while I would love to blow it on something frivolous it may just about be enough to repair the ensuite shower - we may need to do some retiling as well so I may be looking to sell something else (come to think of it OH has just upgraded so his XDA is going spare.)

Glad to hear little doggie is still with us Cheryl, hope the meds inprove things.

Oh and dinner tonight was spaghetti carbonara - first time I have made it properly with eggs and cream (Xmas leftovers) and some streaky bacon. It was very pleasant and filling. I have also just sorted this weeks meal plan so just fruit & veg to get unless there are some very good woopsies.

Also have to buy a bottle of champagne as a pressy for a colleague who has got engaged - she's on a cruise in Egypt at the mo so just have to make sure that we have that in time for next Monday. Good job I have a budget for pressies:D(Mind you I have to recover the cash from the rest of the office and that could be like getting blood out of a stone:rotfl:)

wornoutmumoftwo

Oh and dinner tonight was spaghetti carbonara - first time I have made it properly with eggs and cream (Xmas leftovers) and some streaky bacon.

I haven't had that in years, and I just happen to have some cream in the fridge that never got used. Might try that tomorrow. Having major problems with my 6 year old not eating but he will eat spaghetti.

Had an expensive day. £17 in tescos, and DS1 had a party to go to so pressie/card and because I took DS2 with us I paid him in and bought him lunch. ABout £30 i think but I'll work it out tomorrow.

Talking of gardening, I'm going to be brave and go down the allotment. Having been there since oct. Going to have a tidy up, get some inspiration. Have to wait for the snow to clear and the ground to defrost before digging it over.

Need to buy a couple of computer bits. I built a gaming pc at xmas and have just forked out on operating system, but as I'm on a Open university course I got it for £36 instead of £180 so a good saving really.

Think that's all for now. Can not wait until tomorrow. Kids back to school!

lingojingo

OMG - I go to work for one day and you lot move on 6 pages!!!! I've read it but now can't remember all I would've replied to (must be getting old).

CW so glad you've got a bit more time with your dog, don't know how I'd cope without my cat.

Managed another NSD as it was so cold, and icy underfoot, I just walked on past the shops to get back home in the warm.

Frugaldom

JayJay14 wrote: »

...Also have to buy a bottle of champagne as a pressy for a colleague who has got engaged - she's on a cruise in Egypt at the mo so just have to make sure that we have that in time for next Monday. Good job I have a budget for pressies:D(Mind you I have to recover the cash from the rest of the office and that could be like getting blood out of a stone:rotfl:)

See right hand side of this page now, or here's the link - Supermarkets selling Moet & Taittinger at £15 per bottle

Or, I have some lovely home brewed elderflower bubbly!

cw18

JayJay14 wrote: »

Oh and dinner tonight was spaghetti carbonara - first time I have made it properly with eggs and cream (Xmas leftovers) and some streaky bacon.

Thanks for mentioning this...... that's our tea for tomorrow sorted

Tuesday is my long day at work, so I like a 'quick cook meal' - and, like you, I still have cream left from the holiday season I also have some eggs bought before Christmas (dated 8th, not that I stick to these rigidly), and a reasonable amount of bacon in my freezer. Add to that some grated mature cheddar (in fridge), spaghetti (plenty in cupboard) and some part-baked crispy rolls (bought ages ago, but still keeping fine), and I should be on track for my 4th NSD of the month :T

JayJay14

Thanks nyk - but the offers finished on 2nd Jan....BooHoo

candygirl

I've got eggs with sell by date of 30/12/09.Is it worth risking them?what's that test you can do in water to see if they're ok?ETA I found the egg test online after remembering google lol

savingfortravel

I've got to the end at last! :T

Great to read everyone's posts.

Lots of DDs came out of our accounts today (some included in challenge) and a low spend in Mr T for a leek and red chillis (£2.40). I have been spending a bit from my clothing budget this month..got 6 (mostly monsoon) blouses from Ebay - all short sleeved as they are cheaper out of season-and a monsoon skirt. All of these will be used for summer term at school. I have to look pretty smart but bear in mind that children could have 'accidents' at any moment. Also planning on buying some shoes from Cl*rks but these will be about £40..also needed for school. Good job i live in jeans and t-shirts at weekend.


Nyk-Well done for getting the sewing machine going.
CW-Glad your little doggie is at home. Good luck with the tablets.
jtb2412-Congratulations..can't wait for my day to do that..not to be a SAHM but achieve other dreams.

sft

Twinkles08

Hello everyone,could I have some opinions plse?I'm wondering if buying a purple bath mat set,lampshade and mantle clock from wilkos is a bit silly?I have just moved house and we are expecting baby at the end of nxt month.
On the one hand I'm thinking it won't hurt as we have had an awful lot of help getting second hand furniture off friends and family and have made a huge saving there.Plus they are things we need but cld make do without.For example at the mo I only have 1 bath mat set so when that gets washed its a bit cold on the tootsies.;)
The total comes to just under 30 pounds,which doesn't sd like a lot but is half of our weekly grocery shop budget.Should I wait?I sound really shallow now,but I want my new home to look nice and I think hormones are leading me astray!lol

Ps glad your doggy is home with you CW

cw18

I've only ever had one bath mat set in any house - and am only on my third set in almost 23 years of home ownership...... but there again I've always had carpeted bathrooms (something I'm currently considering changing!) When mine's in the wash I just use an extra towel on the floor