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

candygirl

Congrats XSPENDER, piccies pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease:j:j:j

NualaBuala

Hi everyone :hello:

Congratulations XSpender!!!

Welcome to the newest member of our frugal clan!:j

I'm just back home after spending a week at a Buddhist monastery in England. It was very worthwhile and thought-provoking - including about money and frugal living. Well they weren't frugal by my standards but that's another story!:D The only thing I missed was internet access and I'm spending the evening having a catch up here.

Lovely to see you back Bails!

Hope you're ok Blairweech, it will be tough but it WILL work out for you, I'm sure of it. Am sending lots of good thoughts and hugs your way!

Glad you got through your Mum's visit ok Erme, at least you were prepared for the potential stresses and hopefully there were good times too. Has she left now? Hope you're ok anyway, sending hugs your way.

I'm not doing great despite having a good week away. Managed to get a skin infection which spread to my eyes and into my system I think so I'm a bit poorly. I got to test out your NHS system which I think is brilliant :T although I wasn't impressed with the individual Dr who pulled a face and seemed more interested in taking a personal call on her mobile. Health professionals who don't listen is one of my personal grrrrs though.:o I don't think the antibiotics are working but wasn't well enough to make it to my own Doc today (had been travelling for almost 24 hours and was wiped out).

Managed to spend very little despite unexpected costs for medicines. Will have to record everything in my spreadsheet and get organised again.

Hope everyone is well - hugs to all who'd like one!

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Wow, Iv'e just watched another instalment of How to Live the Simple Life with Peter Owen Jones and felt quite moved. I understood what he was trying to do and admired him for that and realized that I would almost find it almost impossible to rely on the generosity of strangers. I was brought up to stand on my own two feet ( not easy at the moment though :rotfl:) but listening to his comments and explanations as his journey progressed was really inspirational. For me it was one of those programs that made me feel very humble and I'm still in the progress of discovering whats going on inside me at this moment. If I ever come to a conclusion I will share it.

Re, being frugal Iv'e been a bit of a spendthrift this week I can't go into the shops so have been buying at the online shopping channels and have succombed to their evil ways and bought myself some Burkenstock shoes for the time when I can cast of these boxes I'm having to wear for six weeks post operatively. Ive also bought a couple of gifts for friends birthdays that are soon. My live out lover bought me some fruit and vegs yesterday so I shan't starve even if I over spend which I have no intention of doing anyway.

Sorry about you being ill NualaBuala I hope you are feeling better now and it would be good to hear more about anything you learnt at the retreat aspecially the frugal ideas.

Xspender congratulations, so pleased to hear of your babys birth, what is he to be called or have I missed that already?

I managed to get into the garden for a short time today...well for just 30 mins and by then my feet were swollen so I went back indoors to put them up, I was advised they would swell but had hoped I could stand on them for a bit longer that this. I did however get one tomato and one aubergine potted into larger pots, they had just stopped growing in the small pots they were in so lets hope they stretch their roots now and grow. I will try to do more tomorrow. I'm eating my salad leaves and radish but nothing else so far, the potato plants caught a bit of the frost despite me putting some fleece over them but I shall just have to wait and see if they are OK. My beans are only just showing their leaves but the garlic and onions look fine and my courgettes are looking beautiful but are not large enough to be transplanted yet. Everything else will just have to wait a while. Some flower seeds are showing but I put them straight into the garden to save having to transplant them. I wish the cold nights would stop, I just cant imagine how it must be for Nyk and her neighbour who's name escapes me at this time, It must be freezing for you up in Scotland. Whilst I have Nyk on my mind I must tell you I was thinking about you last week when I went on an over 60s trip by coach to the National Stud In Newmarket., it was very interesting but I'm sure you will have visited there before now, I couldn't do and see everything but I just needed to get out of the house and did manage to see some of the stallions and the different mares that were motored in to visit them, four times a day !!!!!

Goodnight everyone I need to go back to being thoughtful at the moment. Hugs to Erme and Blairweech and anyone else who would like a efc hug.

cw18

more ((hugs)) to all that need for illness and/or family stresses and/or anything else from me ((hugs))


Filled the fuel tank of the car again today - a staggering £50!!! But this fill-up is coming from my 'Social Life' budget, as I've done more mileage for that than I did on the last tank of fuel...... so at least my 'Live On' budget isn't suffering the hit this time

My grocery budget is going to take a bit of a hammering tomorrow though I'm actually getting my first holiday since a couple of nights away in 2004, and even though it's self-catering it's still a holiday (So I quite probably won't be on-line next weekend, though I plan to take my laptop in case I get a few minutes as the place has a broadband connection I can use)

But this means I need to buy some bits and bobs to take away (the bulk of which will probably come back as it includes things like cereal, a multi-pack of crips, jars of honey and marmalade and a tub of the soya spread I like but rarely buy these days). I'll still have to get fresh stuff (such as bread and milk) on Friday evening/Saturday morning, but as I can't see an easy way to split this between 'Live On' and 'Social Life' (no budget for a holiday, so I'm lumping it into that one) I'm just going to take the full hit on my 'Live On' budget and cut myself some slack if I end up a few quid over at year end (though I've got plenty of time to claw back any overspend this month anyway).

No idea yet whether main meals will be eaten in or out, but can probably split those out to my 'Social Life' budget either way as I'm not as likely to bring home anything from those (though I may take up meal sized portions of rice/pasta from my cupboards, along with one of the blocks of cheese from my fridge)

The shopping list for tomorrow also includes a stock-up on cereals for DS (I can only find the one he likes best in Mr A, so I bulk-buy rather than making regular trips) and several bottles of the pop he likes (again a Mr A only purchase) - the latter being a bit of a 'bribe' as he's going to have to cook for himself and watch the dog all weekend while I'm away. Just need to clear some freezer space so I can pop some ice-cream in for him before I go away now (He's not had any for about 3 weeks as I've not had space, and tonight has been the first time he's asked if I've bought any yet)


The good news is that the actual accomodation is going to be a lot cheaper than it could have been, as both North Wales and the Lakes were being explored as possible destinations - and I have access to a family owned cottage in the Lakes which actually happened to be available for next weekend :T


I've got a lot of extra hours at work this next week (up to 38 instead of 24, as I'm working Wed/Thur/Fri mornings from various times), so I've now got something to look forward to at the end of it as well

Winchelsea

Just calling in quickly - just to say nualabuala - I'm so sorry to hear you're not well. You are always so thoughtful about everyone else on here, so I for one am sending you BIG HUGS.

And, enjoyfinancialchallenges, I too was inspired by the programme last night. Didn't know the series was on until I read about it on here after episode 1, but managed to catch that on iPlayer. Now looking forward to next week.

Erme

I want hugs...put my big proverbial foot in it last night with the CD big time...fearing being sued...(have no money for being sued)...so contrite and now feel like there's cameras everywhere...When will I stop being such a verbal eejit...plus my friend has nabbed my Blokus Duo and no idea when (if ever) I will get it back ....

What's going on? Do I need meds or something? I have like NO idea....Haven't had meds for almost a week and noticing getting mega grumpy in the ams...

E

whitewing

Erme, have some hugs from the whitewing household!

lyndasharp

Congratulations Xspender and family!

Erme, sending lots of hugs from here too. My cat is also 'helping' send a virtual hug, or possibly just trying to switch my computer off. Hugs to everyone else who is ill or having a tough time. Blairweech, I hope you get things sorted out soon.

We are in court on Tuesday as DH's lodger hasn't paid any rent, so we're a bit stressed as we're having to represent ourselves. We have our boiler replacement booked for 2 weeks time, and there's nothing spare to cover solicitors fees! On a better note, I have a pub mystery shop this evening so nice free meal, and have just had a £20 refund on my car insurance after selling one of the cars to my Dad.

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Erme there is a hug from me on the way , unfortunately being of the older generation I dont always understand what you want or need as I think I speak a different language,( What's a Blokus Duo?) I hope that you wont need to go back onto your medication since you are trying to get off them but we all need a little help at times so be open to the fact you may need too, so see somebody about it since you have already noticed mood changes.

Now your Mum has gone home its time to be kind to you and take care of yourself. BIG, BIG HUG COMING YOUR WAY NOW.

Blairweech

EFC - According to the Google, it is a board game. It surprised me too, I thoght it might be some kind of ladyshave or something...:p

Hugs to you anyway, Erme

Nuala - The monastery sounds really good, when I was in Ireland I went over to the Skelligs and that was pretty interesting. Hope you get better asap

Have had a great day, voluteering on a local farm. Was fantastic, learned so much - I was sat on the back of the tractor planting out onions. Got another day tomorrow, so that is all good. Not sure what is happening next week yet, meant to be working but not heard anything yet

Take care :beer: