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

JayneC

Hi everyone,

footpaths round here are horrendous today! Ended up walking on the road this morning! Had to get train today to go a meeting and my connection didn't turn up! ended up having to wait over an hour for next one! Not a good day! And cos I had to go out early didn't have breakfast so ended up spending £3.25 on a cup of tea and a danish, not much but money I shouldn't have spent really. Feeling very sorry for myself aren't I?

Now spent £291.48 of my annual budget, am religiously filing in my spreadsheet daily.

Went to get some DUPLO from someone on freecycle earlier and she also gave me a lovely garage with little cars and people too - that's DGS birthday sorted - I love freecycle!

Take care everyone x

NualaBuala

xnatalie81x wrote: »

lol - there must be a notebook involved lol

YOu had the right idea Natalie!

savingfortravel wrote: »

I write down my responses as I read your posts (still speak to the laptop)...feels like we're a big group of girlies having a natter.. (no offence Paul) x :rotfl:

That's a lovely way to put it - I struggle to keep up, you put me to shame!:o

Fishcake_Random

Ohh err..... We keep having power cuts tonight. So I've dug out my stash of candles only to find we have no matches or lighters. Since I quit smoking I've given them all away and naturally didn't think to keep one lol. If I do escape tomorrow I'll make sure I pick a pack up.
Might be worth you lovely ladies and gents checking your stash just in case!!!
x x x x

slowlyfading

NualaBuala wrote: »

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 live with 6 other people but they're all just in their rooms - I'm sure I'm okay thanks for caring though x

chika wrote: »

Slowlyfading – I hope you’re ok? I’d just chill out, do you have to go in tomorrow?

I do unfortunately - even though I have nothing to teach tomorrow as lower school are still not back. Oh well, the joys of teacher training I guess.

savingfortravel wrote: »

Sf-you poor, poor thing..glad you got sent home. Have a good rest and take care.

Thanks SFT x

catznine

:hello:Hello!

(((hugs))) to SF and anyone else who could use one.
Bails - lovely to "see" you again! Hope you get that rent paid soon.

We have had one heck of a day! Started at 6.30am when the condensing boiler started rumbling and complaining! we have lagged it but in very cold weather the vent pipe freezes. :mad: Happened before and dh knows what to do - up a ladder with the paint stripper or hairdryer! More exciting today though as the carbon monoxide alarm went off! :eek: Had to open all the upper windows and grab packed rucksack and dog and prepare to leave the house. Anyway dh contacted our friendly plumber and over the phone we got it working again. No more monoxide alarms either! phew!

Despite all this and me slipping and sliding while walking the pooch, we have managed a NSD!:j

I made a big slowcooker full of lentil soup a couple of days ago and we have had some for our lunches each day with enough for tomorrow! Very economical and yummy! I have loads more lentils in store as well.

I have yet to type up budget - not sure if I can use a spreadsheet, do you use a special one? DH bought me a large page a day diary and I list all my spends there as well as reminders, checking my 5 a day etc. It's brilliant! Each evening I list my to do jobs for the next day as well as any moneysaving ideas and recipes.

Stay warm and (((hugs))) for those having power cuts!

Catz x

knithappens

savingfortravel wrote: »

Knithappens-Keen to know how the pork meals challenge goes. HOW DO YOU CLAIM TAX BACK ON TEACHER UNION FEES?

sft

just pm'd you

candygirl

CATZNINE I too used a diary for all my spends etc, but haven't listed jobs yet, that's a fab idea:T:T:T

Blairweech

Bails - Glad you got home safe and sound x

SF - Hope you are alright x

Am going to try going into work tomorrow. Went to the car today and I can't even move her slightly (looks like she needs towing out). Wanted to go to my parents this weekend, to start sorting stuff out for the move but that is not going to happen now. So, OH is picking me up in the next 'village' tomorrow(about a 2 hour walk). I am extremely angry that I have to do this, especially as it is up a great big icy hill but I just know that the grief and hassle I will get from my managers is just not worth it.

No spend day today, and I managed to list a couple of things on Ebay. Other than that, not much frugalling done

Thriftkitten

Hi, I too have an epileptic doggie, she is a pug and is on 15mg phenobarbitol tablet a day to control her epilepsy, she has been on this since she had a grand mal(major and very scarey seizure) and touch wood hasn't had another fit since. One good tip I was given from an experienced pug owner who had a pug with canine epilepsy was that after a seizure and the dog has come round, give them a small amount of vanilla ice cream as it helps to rise all their levels and make them feel better quicker.

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.

aeb_2

Hi, I made dough today. It was supposed to be bread but after being kneaded and shaped (then dropped on floor, trodded on, thrown, chewed..........) by my three for about two hours it wasn't fit for purpose so I let them make dough shapes which are now drying out on the wood burner. They can paint them tomorrow. Cheap entertainment.

I still haven't ventured further than my gate. One egg collected today. Take care everyone who has to go out.