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

larmy16

Well, I carried the breadmaker into the front room where it is nice and warm and I am delighted to say I have a beautifully risen large loaf now.

Also sorted out a ton of paperwork and got rid of loads for recycling so feel I have achieved something. Hoping to get to work tomorrow. It's been a short week for me!!

cw18

cake21 wrote: »

cw18 How is your doggie doing on the medication?

No sign of a fit since last Sunday morning, though she's still walking around the kitchen in circles!!
Not quite as many messes to clean up this week - amazing as she's not been outside for more than a couple of minutes at a time due to the snow - but still some.
But it's early days yet - only 5th day on meds.... Back for check-up tomorrow morning.

candygirl

cw18 wrote: »

No sign of a fit since last Sunday morning, though she's still walking around the kitchen in circles!!
Not quite as many messes to clean up this week - amazing as she's not been outside for more than a couple of minutes at a time due to the snow - but still some.
But it's early days yet - only 5th day on meds.... Back for check-up tomorrow morning.

Hope she's ok hun, bless her:A

NualaBuala

slowlyfading wrote: »

Fell down on the way to school this morning, down a flight of stairs, so my back is now really painful, and as I whacked my head as well, got a banging headache.

You poor pet, really hope you're ok. I have to say, bangs on the head worry me cos of the risk of concussion. Is there anyone to keep an eye you? If you feel at all unwell, please get yourself checked.

I'm just back from the shops - I took it very slowly as I was afraid of slipping but managed ok. I got some cheap Value lard and sultanas, also mixed bird seed and will make bird cake as I'm worried about my feathered friends in this weather.

I was reasonably disciplined in the shops - tempted to buy lots of choc but resisted most of it. I did manage to pick up some reduced Elizabeth Shaw mint crisps for my ex's birthday at the end of the month - he loves them! I will just have to hide them till then so I don't scoff them myself!

Also, could I suggest that we all keep an eye on any vulnerable neighbours and make sure they are warm and have enough food in?

I'm off to make wedges with some spuds that are looking a bit sad and will nuke another portion of the yogurty lasagne.

Stay warm and safe folks!

cw18

((hugs)) for all those who are poorly or suffering slips and bumps.

Noticed a few people say the shops were quiet today - not around here they weren't!!
It was like a load of locusts in our store today!
bread - gone : milk - gone : salt (what little came in) - gone
And so the list goes on !!!
And that was by 4pm....... which isn't good given the store is open until 9pm today :eek:

Having had fairly quiet afternoon shifts this week, I've spent today baking what little I can ('cos it's from frozen) - which basically means pick 'n' mix rolls, speciality loaves, short french sticks, and (came out as I was leaving, so my relief has them to pack) long french sticks.


I also heard a whisper tonight that management expect all staff to be able to get in through the snow (more apparently forecast for tonight) - even if it means walking. The only reason I can see is that they live a lot further away than shop floor staff, so if they can make it by car then we can make it some way. If they are being serious about this, then I guess it means anyone who phones in may not get paid - we have to request holiday at least 6 weeks in advance. I (for one) am glad I live in "easy" walking distance (taking 20 mins instead of under 10), as I can only guess what phoning in would do to my chances of being kept on after my 13 week trial (this being week 9). I know we have quite a few live in the town just beyond DD's house - so they'd have at least 5 miles each way - and one in the bakery (who lives the other way from me) has a series of steep hills to contend with !!!

ceridwen

boredofbeingathome wrote: »

Good for you LP:mad:at estate agents. No wonder some of them lose business.

Mr.B's name was on the utilities for gas and electric, i went on the website and changed it to joint so now they have to speak to me:D He never dealt with it anyway:rolleyes: Now i can ring up and get overpayments sorted, and refunded ( although i am glad i left the extra in the account this year) and swap on line, if necessary for better rates. Our fixed is up in May so will be looking for comparisons a month before.

Re the various comments about chauvinistic attitudes from firms - as they try and deal with the "man of the house". It doesnt just apply to married women - I still encounter the not so odd chauvinist workman when it comes to getting work done on my home after all these years of being single:mad:. Thankfully - there is no way any "office" type firms can even try pulling that one on me - as mine is the only name they have on their records:D. I think that when it comes to "office" type firms then its best to ensure their records actually have only the one name - ie the name of the person who actually deals with them (whichever "half of a couple" it is that those duties fall to) maybe???

flippin36

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 )

......

Goodness how did I miss this post. This could be a post written by me! I feel exactly the same when giving up things. My habit over 2009 was going to Boots when I had finished my jobs to 'treat' myself. As a result I have more makeup, creams and showergels to last a year (seriously). Now I've made the decision not to buy anymore until my debts are paid off I really see it had become a habit rather than a real pleasure, its just like stopping smoking like you say. I am just going to avoid shops, and try and get OH to get what I NEED so I'm not tempted to get what I don't. :A

flippin36

lingojingo wrote: »

Back to work today. A friend and I shared a taxi (£2.50 for what normally takes us 15 mins to walk:eek:) as we didn't fancy the still trecherous walk down steep hill. After reading about SF I'm really glad we did. (((((((((hugs)))))))))))) for SF, hope you're soon feeling better - take care.

No new snow here, but it's very icy, not good as it's also very hilly.

Here are some pics of school today.

http://www.honleyhigh.kirklees.sch.uk/HonleyintheSnow/index.asp

Oooh you live by me lingojingo. We are hoping to get our son into this school he's on the autistic spectrum. I hear its an excellent school.

chika

lingojingo wrote: »

Back to work today. A friend and I shared a taxi (£2.50 for what normally takes us 15 mins to walk:eek:) as we didn't fancy the still trecherous walk down steep hill. After reading about SF I'm really glad we did. (((((((((hugs)))))))))))) for SF, hope you're soon feeling better - take care.

No new snow here, but it's very icy, not good as it's also very hilly.

Here are some pics of school today.

http://www.honleyhigh.kirklees.sch.uk/HonleyintheSnow/index.asp

Ooohhh Lingo your from Huddersfield? Me too although currently on exile due to uni in Manchester. I really want to go home this week but can't because of the snow, you've just made me feel all homesick. They are beautiful pictures though!

larmy16

I feel like this too. It's as if I am not smoking, I want to eat, If I'm not eating (naughty things), I want to spend money. There is this void i am always trying to fill. It's a bit like being addicted to this site also, I like reading about everyone else getting it together, but all the time avoiding doing it myself!!!

The only thing that seems to help me is reading a good book or sewing or something absorbing like that.