FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

rozeepozee

No time to read all the posts as I've been away camping.

However, thanks for all the well wishes - the twins are completely better, just teething now... I am also very impressed by Cheryl's running. I'm feeling fitter and have lost 3 stone since the twins were born (a lot of this was baby though!) but would like to shift one more beforeI feel back to normal. Once summer's over, I'm planning to start a gentle expercise regime consistent with breastfeeding twins.

Camping was great. We did 1000 miles round west and north wales coast in just over a week. A lovely part of the UK. The most expensive thing was eating out on one night, which we would probably have done if we'd been home anyway. The rest of our food was camping food (pasta, noodles, sandwiches with tins of mackerel/tuna etc) costing less than our normal stay at home weekly shop. The campervan is proving to be the frugal holiday vehicle we wanted. Sitting in the sun on the sea front at Aberystwyth, drinking coffee from our own stash, brewed on the campervan hob was the best £5 I've saved in a long time! Can't get round the cost of the petrol though. It musta been £200 and camp sites, £10 a night, but that's not bad for a week's holiday for a family of 5.

Life is still crazy busy and I'm not managing to keep tabs on my spends but have got my frugal head back on so only buying what I need. Also feeling very motivated to move to Wales after our little trip, so saving is a must.

Need to get to bed now. I've fed and winded the babies, it's 3am and all is quite for the moment....... yawn.

Kerry_Woman

Trying to keep on track with budget. Still looking out for bargins. Achieving quite a few NSD's this month. Got a one off day's work on Sunday with a sport events company. They pay £80 before tax for this event. Hoping to be paid tomorrow for some work I did for them last month.

Kiwisaver_2

Erme wrote: »

The ice cream is now on regardless...anyone know of a good cheap sturdy food processor cos I've just gotten my first cheap one and fear it may not last that long..I've found a discount site for them but it's US and I'm worried about the plugs?

Any ideas?

E

Beside the plug, US appliances use a lower voltage (110 v) as opposed to 240v in the UK and you would need a transformer to be able to use it. Quite often warranties are not valid overseas either, so it's probably not that much of a bargain afterall.

cw18

And if you import it you're highly likely to get stung for charges -a minimum of 17.5% vat plus an £8 handling charge :eek:
Once you build the possibility of that into the cost of the item, it probably won't look any cheaper than buying it within the UK....

Erme

I had a problem trying to make dough with a Mr K last night cheapy so had a few spare pennies so blew it on a Magimix Le Mini plus cos Delia recommends them and you can still get parts for magimix's that are 30 years old! (or older)...basic but it'll last..about the cheapest magimix on the market right now...price range £94- about £130...mine was £99...so okay and compact...and have sold the breadmaker :T

and like I didn't get the job @ Mr S but I'm cool with it now...good idea - wrong time (just like bargains sometimes) so had my pity party this am and am fine...still making espresso ice cream tomorrow night so am happy....:D

Hugs

E

cw18

Erme wrote: »

and like I didn't get the job @ Mr S but I'm cool with it now...good idea - wrong time

That's exactly the right attitude to take :T

It's one I had to train myself into when looking to change jobs in 1998. Convinced myself that those I didn't get wouldn't have worked out for me anyway, but that they'd given me useful interview experience (having not had one since 1984!)

NualaBuala

Hi everyone :wave:

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

Trying to keep on track with budget. Still looking out for bargins. Achieving quite a few NSD's this month. Got a one off day's work on Sunday with a sport events company. They pay £80 before tax for this event. Hoping to be paid tomorrow for some work I did for them last month.

Oooh, that job sounds very interesting .... nice bit of money too! :j

Glad you had fun camping Rozeepozee ... sounds lovely! I had a few childhood holidays in Wales and loved it.

Jayne, hope your DS is ok - I used to get very homesick as a child too. I was fine most of the time but it was if I was treated unkindly I just wanted to go home. Hope you have a great time at the off-grid festival, will be looking forward to hearing all about it.

(((((Erme))))), sorry about the job - I agree with Cheryl that you have the right attitude about it. And I love the expression "pity party", hadn't heard of that! Enjoy your ice-cream - you deserve a treat!

Not much to report here - I haven't been quite as depressed the last few days. Life sucks a bit at the moment but I'm trying to keep it in perspective. Onwards and upwards!

Hope you're all doing ok frunchkins and hugs to anyone who'd like one.

Kerry_Woman

Erme - Sorry to hear about the job. Hope the right job will come at the right time for you.

NualaBuala - Hoping things will get better for you.

The sports company I doing work for usually involves marshalling at different events around London. They only do this for 3/4 months a year. They only offer people a few events, but at least it is some work. The pay is £60 or £80, depending on the kind of work. Still chasing agencies for admin work and applying online as well.

Passed the short uni course for volunteers. Could have gone for the Certificate in Higher Education, but as not working in not for profit sector f/t, decided not to go for it. The course I did was one of the core modules, but it can be a stand alone course.

Going round to my sister's this afternoon and spend time with her children. Will try and be on my best behaviour.:)

NualaBuala

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

Erme - Sorry to hear about the job. Hope the right job will come at the right time for you.

NualaBuala - Hoping things will get better for you.

The sports company I doing work for usually involves marshalling at different events around London. They only do this for 3/4 months a year. They only offer people a few events, but at least it is some work. The pay is £60 or £80, depending on the kind of work. Still chasing agencies for admin work and applying online as well.

Passed the short uni course for volunteers. Could have gone for the Certificate in Higher Education, but as not working in not for profit sector f/t, decided not to go for it. The course I did was one of the core modules, but it can be a stand alone course.

Going round to my sister's this afternoon and spend time with her children. Will try and be on my best behaviour.:)

Thanks Kerry Woman, I'm sure things will get better - just got to be patient.

Yay for passing your course! :j:j:j

I love playing with other people's children (no desire to have any myself though) - have fun this afternoon!

Erme

I don't know where to put this but it must go somewhere other than here...I found this pm a copy of James Wong's Grow your own drugs' book (from the tv series) in the Works discount bookstore reduced from £16.99 to 6.99 or something....Bargain for all us green fingered ppl

Best thing about yesterday - old lady sitting with me on bus and keeping me relaxed and free from paranoia when having an anxiety attack......so sweet ..

Worst thing - realizing (just now) kind of overspent and have no overdraft on current account so could get whopped with charges from Mr. S.....

and am SELLING THE BREADMAKER

also my 'all night bread' turned out just fine

Blessings

E