FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE 2010, part 2, April - June.

cw18

We moved a touch under 35 miles when we came down here (in Sept 2001), and my parents are 3 streets from my last place. Until we came here I'd never lived more than 7 miles from them, so it was quite a wrench at the time - but definitely the right choice for work and for the boys (a lot more for them to do here, and buses were much cheaper so more freedom for them too)

pencekeeper

annie123 wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek: how much:eek::eek::eek:

last time I brought one is was £79 still working 15 years later, does takes 20 seconds for the picture to warm up and another 2 mins for it to get a good colour and crisp picture, if it doesn't work when we go digital, then I'm going without one.:D

I avoided the widescreen era, and then the digital era for as long as I could, but the TV just started to die.

I could have bought a TV second hand/eBay etc, but it may well have been false economy. At least this TV (37" Samsung LCD) had a free 5 year guarantee. £449 is alot of money to mention here - but for 20 years my TV spend was £0, and if I had of saved up it would have been £22 a year to buy the new one.

And besides, you have to have some luxuries don't you?

Erme

pence pence yes you DOOOO.....Don't worry about the TV...*hugs*

Now with regards my MLM I got it sorted...apart from the fact I bought a few things last min that I hadn't included on my sums on Monday night. The vat is added when you first research the price....then taken off when you order then added again for ppl that already have their own businesses...so my upline explained.

I guess it's just part of the learning curve...I think the real crime was buying the compost bags and the extra soap nuts...postage was cheaper than expected though by £1 and like my upline was thrilled with how I am doing (and there is literally no pressure with my MLM. I had a week off after the first week and like all I got was a text from upline about 10 days later asking me how I was doing and wondering when I was going to do a wee bit of work again).

I prefer this to the likes of K and B who like put pressure on you. Only last night I got a text from K asking me if I'd reconsider...like 'hello' I'd decided against it 4 WEEKS AGO :eek:...

Off to Ed next week. Pray guys (any that are <><) that I can quit the cigs cos I feel very hypocritical spending more on cigs than I do on food (even though I don't spend much on cigs compared to some folk)....

And sleeping better and routine is going nicely but will need a PJ soon cos I have such a busy few weeks.

Sleep is like SOOO important...

Breadmaker on this am...found the prob from last week when I put the seeds in (am using a combo of half saver flour and half strong bread flour)....bowl wasn't in properly so it wasn't turning properly....Don't know how it's going to turn out with seeds in but quite excited...they need using up anyways....

And with regards powdered milk...Mr Al is right by Mr As so I popped in there and got 340g of low fat powdered milk for 99p and some all spice (for banana toast - yum ) and like 'fancy' porridge (when I get round to getting the apples...want to get Ma off packet porridge when she visits) for 59p and tried out their tinned ravoli which didn't look good when you opened it but almost tasted as good as Mr L (and for singletons Mr Al ravoli is in a smaller tin). I still say there is something utterly amazing about Mr L big tins of Ravoli...a must in the store cupboard if there's more than one of you...

I personally don't think AF is a good idea for me cos I'm in the city centre and like by the time I've paid postage - never mind storage - it doesn't work out that good. Also I REFUSE to buy BB coffee - off coffee tastes like bad barley cup - so not good..

Anyhow tis all my news...

Blessings

E
:t

pencekeeper

Erme wrote: »

pence pence yes you DOOOO.....Don't worry about the TV...*hugs*

Thanks

candygirl

Hi everyone:j
Hve made a £200 saving by asking Mr on/off to babysit the dogs while I go away in May, so no kennels to pay for:T
Am also going to cash in my coins at Mr Ts later and see what BOGOFS I can get:D
CW if you move back near Preston let me know, and we can meet up as I am there;)

cw18

candygirl wrote: »

CW if you move back near Preston let me know, and we can meet up as I am there;)

I reckon it will take me at least another 12 months to declutter enough to even consider going through the hassle of selling up/moving - and it's certainly not something I'm going to rush into, though I'm going to crank up the decluttering to a level to accomodate that rather than just to 'fit' into my current home.

I'm up there from time-to-time anyway, as my parents and OH live there

JayneC

Hi all,

I'm still alive!! My computer got virus (only a month old!!) and had to go back to the shop for a week to be mended - another £60 not budgeted for. However am doing quite well, was around budget for first 3 months even including £650 spend on new computer. Have not spent any holiday budget yet and have gift budget too (mostly for xmas - tho am hoping to make most pressies). Am cautiously optimistic. Need to get a grip of grocery budget again, tho have planted lots of things in my yard and so hopefully that will help over the summer.

Told kids and family over last couple of days that me and OH are splitting up - they taken it ok. Am feeling a bit 'on hold' at the mo til he goes. He's found a flat and should be moving in a couple of weeks. Actually am feeling relieved more than anything so think I'll be ok!

Anyway - off work this week so going to try to get my hen house finished and get some hens, although seem to have been landed with babysitting DGS so that may interfere a little, lol. His mum is at rehearsals all week (she's in performance of Billy Elliott at end of month) and his dad's back at uni so I'm default minder!! Not that I mind really he's quite good, he likes to 'help' me water the garden - I just fill up a bucket and he dips his little watering can in, very cute!!

Have people been watching Edible garden, I quite enjoyed it, am doing similar with my little garden and now wondering if I can fit in even more, lol! Need to restrain myself or will end up lifting my paths again! Looking forward to next installment tonight.

We're off to the shop now to price up the wood n stuff for the hen house (only need a door, the rest is built) and run. See you all later x

Fishcake_Random

Hey all,
My carrots are sprouting I'm so chuffed. My tomatoes however have deffo died, so I'm left with beans and carrots at the moment. So my next plan is for more tomatoes, salad leaves, potatoes and some herbs. At least I have time to start again lol.
Todays dinner is some pasta bake I'm defrosting in the fridge. I'm shattered today after a busy night with Fishfinger and I know I won't have the energy to cook later. However there is a football match on later that OH wants to watch so I'm going to have a nice bath and then a nap while its on.
Today is a sofa day, and I'm entering loads of competitions and watching movie. Its a tough life lol
x x x x

NualaBuala

Hello frugallers :wave:

Pencekeeper, not sure if you've already bought your TV but just in case - I gave away a pretty good TV on Freecycle and I see them offered there all the time. Might be worth considering?

Erme, I'm rubbish with abbreviations! What is MLM? I agree with you about sleep - I had about 4 hours last night and I usually need a LOT more than that. I've had a nap and will catch up tonight I hope. Best of luck with quitting smoking!

Phoebe03cat, After I read your post I went down the garden to see if there were any nettles lurking there - alas no. We used to have them years ago but they're gone. Hope your DD is doing ok. You sound like such a lovely Mum and I'm sure your TLC will have help her get well and survive the dreaded finals.

Thanks for the great tip on the weeds Grandma247! :T

Landregistrylass, I can identify with the backache - I'm still aching from all the digging I did on Sunday! I guess I'm just not used to it. It's a good achiness though and makes me feel pleased with myself. Plus I really enjoyed the digging. Good luck with your allotment - you will be well fed by the sounds of it!

Interesting to hear some of you are moving/downshifting. I am in a similar situation. I own half a house and it will be going up for sale soon. Am hoping to get somewhere small with my half of the proceeds but who knows how long it will take to sell the way things are these days. I live in the suburbs but I think I'd like to move somewhere a little more rural even though I won't know anyone. I mainly keep in touch with friends and family by phone and email so once I have internet access I should be fine.

I've spent almost my whole groceries budget for the month already. :eek: I'm experimenting with going organic and it's so much dearer. On the plus side, it's stopped me buying so much processed stuff and junk food. I have lots of food in, I'll need very little to do me till the end of the month so it should be ok.

I feel a bit guilty as I spent €2.60 on a big mug of tea in St*rbucks today as I had time to kill waiting for the bank to open. Normally it's not my sort of place. In fact normally I don't buy teas/snacks out unless I'm meeting someone and it's a social thing, and even that is rare. So this was very decadent altogether. I confess I did enjoy it though.

Had some bad news today - found out I have to take a leave of absence from college because of my depression. I have mixed feelings about it but I believe things generally work out for the best so I guess this will too.

I got some more library books out - mainly on living a green and frugal life. So I might have some tips to share.

Hope you all have a good evening. Hugs to anyone who'd like one.

slowlyfading

:hello: I'm back really tired, so not staying on the comp for long - I'll do a bigger update tomorrow