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

cw18

DS came asking questions about download limits on our b/band package earlier this evening, and I didn't have a clue so had to log into my account to find the answer.

While there I decided to have a quick check of my 'calling circle' - I rarely call land-lines outside my free times, but thought it worth checking things were up-to-date in case I need to. Noticed it had DDs old mobile number rather than her new one, so swapped that. Also added DS1's mobile, and landline and mobile for OH. (I can't remember the last time I called a mobile from my landline, as I have free minutes to any network on my mobile so use that instead, but at least they're on if I ever pick up the wrong phone or my mobile isn't working for some reason )

I then went to double check the 'extras' logged against my account, as I seem to have had a few free calls outside my free hours that aren't marked as being customers of the same network (if they are, then it's free 24/7 even on the basic package), but still can't see why - and don't plan to phone and ask

But while there I did spot that their 'caller display' is now a free service, so I've turned that on and spent the last hour adding numbers to the phone books on 2 of my 3 landline handsets so I get names instead of numbers if it's someone I know.......

I'm now almost willingly the phone to ring so I can surprise the caller by knowing it's them :rotfl: It's funny how the simple things can seem so much fun when they're free

(Just watch DD start blocking her number when she calls me now )

candygirl

(((huggles))) SF, I know how draining and hard work TT is:(:(:(My 2nd placement was hell on wheels:eek::eek::eek:
NUALA I will deffo keep you posted hun;):D

enjoyfinancialchallenges

stitching witch to find out if it would be cheaper to have a water meter contact your water supplier and ask them. I live alone and qualify as a 'Solow' customer , I have 5 water butts around the garden and water my newly planted plants and seeds from them to save on the metered water. You have to use under a certain amount to go on the Solow rate and to be honest I'm unsure if all water suppliers have this rating.

I'm having a bit of a problem watering the water the seeds I put in before I went into hospital but as long as I take it slowly I'm managing to keep my newly emerging veg plants alive. Iv'e been looking online to buy a hose pipe, my daughter has told me not to waste my money on the cheaper sort because they dont last, so am looking at spending about £50 -£60 on something with an automatic wind up. One that I havn't budgeted for, I will manage it this month but am reluctant to do it even though I know in a few weeks time when I go into hosp. again I will be told not to lift anything or do any heavy work for some time so I know buying one makes sense but parting with all that money in one go is a bit frightening especially when its to keep veg plants alive so I live as frugally as possible. :eek:

Ive been up all afternoon today but my feet ache like crazy now so I'm not going to stay on line for long now. Hugs to all who need them and stay strong to all those with additional problems apart from the financial ones that we all share on this site.

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Have just spent the last 30 mins answering a couple of questions and have lost my message again so am going to bed to sulk now...Goodnight.:mad::mad::mad:

looby-loo_2

Hi EFC
£50 - £60 does seem a lot for a hose pipe. I've found over the years that the worst enemy of anything plastic is the sun closely followed by the frost. I now make a point of putting everything away in the shade and everything goes in the garage/utility for the winter. My water butts are in the shade. Two at the back of the shed have a long 10' piece of hose with the tap on the end of the hose thus keeping it out of site as well as in the shade. However if you are going to have an operation get the easiest to use and it will pay you back. Good luck with your treatment.

I've bee reading not posting lately, just very busy.

Garden is under control and lotty is coming along having expanded the growing area and moved the chicken run.

I wanted more space in the freezer before the garden fruit starts coming but it never happens. I used the last of the gooseberries with the first of the rhubarb for a quick crumble tonight.

slowlyfading

candygirl wrote: »

(((huggles))) SF, I know how draining and hard work TT is:(:(:(My 2nd placement was hell on wheels:eek::eek::eek:

Thanks I just have so much to do! :eek: and not much time left! Arrgh! :rotfl:

Have a good day everyone

Kiwisaver_2

grandma247 wrote: »

Kiwi saver since you can buy any amount of toiletries for very reasonable prices here why are you bringing any. Or is it because you have a long stopover?

Yes we do have a couple of nights stop off on the way and I am literally only bringing the barest essentials of stuff to tide us over, shampoo, shower gel and conditioner decanted into mini travels sizes bottle; hairbrush, tooth brushes and toothpaste and some deodorant. There's a few other bits and bobs I sorted out, tissues etc that I wouldn't be without on such a long journey. I'm counting on getting 'free' soap and shower gel in hotels along the way and being extra mean with what goes in the bags, so there's room to bring back items more coveted than shampoo. :rotfl:

You are so right though, I priced up a mascara today (I hardly ever wear make-up as I don't get out much) the cheapest one I've seen in the shop here was $20 (about £8) for the nothing very special Maybelline Great Lash. I just had a look at Boots website and full price is £4.99 and currently they're doing 3 for 2 on Maybelline, so I will most definitely keep hold of my pennies until I get there. :T

Erme

Hugs all....

Now I have news (some good some bad) hope I get time to write it pre hospital appt

If you don't want a mega degreasing washing up liquid and just like the look of bubbles (believing the power of the bubbles and hot water) then cheap bubble bath is fine for washing up liquid. I figure if you're going to put marg in the sink things are going to get greasy - it's life for me about once a week. Just rinse off etc.

Having reassessed the budget (about 4am this morning :eek:) I now realise MEGA over spend last month. Apparently I should be aiming for a spend of about £300 a month but I'd be happy to get it under 400 right now.

But then what with Ma coming and holidays I figure this is going to be quite difficult to get a handle on for a couple of months. Though the money I'm frugalling is going on Ma and hols .

I like citric acid btw...more control for me personally than lemon juice and just as cheap (I can't fathom lemon juice)...each to their own I guess.

Had a good 'I feel pants' treat spend yesterday. Spent £2 (treat budget) on a filter machine (coffee variety ) and gave to students. They gave me a juicer and a heap of blouses for the summer (having lost 5 stone in 2 years not a lot fits and I'm loathe to get an entire change of wardrobe!). So now just need to make skirts :t.

Haven't got time to hunt for hug smileys this am....hope folk can wait. But yeah Stitching witch (what do you stitch btw? I'm mainly a crocheter myself :d) you can do this....sometimes the hardest thing in all this is the first step and you have to remember Rome wasn't built in a day. I've been on this debt busting/frugal (ish) thing for 2 years after pulling my head out the sand...first thing I did was get rid of CC's. ...you really don't need them! (visa debit is fine but I use electron more often than most)...

......and am still not there yet...

Blessings

E

Blairweech

Stitchy - I think the idea is that if there are more bedrooms than adults in your house, then you could save using a water meter. Here is a step by step guide from uswitch, my water has always been included with my rent so I have no experience to draw on!

Frugaldom

Just popping in to say hello - fingers are crossed for candygirl and prospective Mr Meerkat

Stitching, it does look like OH needs to be fully on board with the situation but in my experience, these things always get left to the women. Perhaps if you take a close look at how the debts got run up in the first place then it may shed more light on the situation. It's just not possible to cover your current monthly outgoings on your current income. You and he NEED to come to some sort of agreement with the card and loan companies, regardless of a potential change in employment circumstances, you really have no other option unless you have friends or family who can help out in a big way, fast.

Erme, keep up the good work. The fact that you've stuck to your frugal plan AND lost all that weight is amazing, congratulations!