FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

grandma247

NualaBuala wrote: »

Grandma247, is there anything you don't know?! :T

:rotfl:
I am just one of those people who collects lots of bits of [STRIKE]useless[/STRIKE] useful information

NualaBuala

grandma247 wrote: »

:rotfl:
I am just one of those people who collects lots of bits of [STRIKE]useless[/STRIKE] useful information

Well yay for you having that gift! Cos it's like having our own live-in expert here on the frugal thread! If I ever go on Who Wants to be a Millionaire I hope you will be my phone a friend!

I managed to resist a takeaway tonight. May not sound much of a thing to you hardcore frunchkins but it was for me. I transferred the money I would have spent to overpay an extra bit off my loan. :A

Erme

Hi guys...FP (magimix le plus mini) came yesterday so now skinny budget for rest of month (don't mention the elec)..och naaaaawww... :eek:...

But will do it...somehow

Anyhow Nuala thinking of going veggie (not vegan) and got some really good leaflets off veg soc last week and a good cookbook by elliot (C &E) off charity shop with a fab oat bake with porridge, tinned toms and cheese layered....yum...served with grated carrot and cabbage:) ...got stuffed

Where is the good veggie thread on here? Is it frugal? and is there an FP thread..

anyone any ideas for a cheap but good FP cookbook?

Hope everyone is well...I'm back to not sleeping again :eek:

E

NualaBuala

Morning everyone :wave:

Erme, am dashing around getting ready for a Dr's appt so will reply properly later.

But off the top of my head it's well worth checking out Weezl's website - has loads of recipes on it including vegetarian - and they're cheap!
http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

And her thread is great too https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2640225

The vegan thread is in Old Style and I'm not sure if there is a veggie one but there are veggie recipes in the index I think. I'll have a search later.

BTW - I am still eating meat - can't lay claim to being veggie let alone vegan yet! But I am reducing it all the time.

Hope you catch up on your sleep pet - I do not function well unless I get my quota! x

mardatha

Can I ask what the £4000 includes ? I cannot see how it would be possible at all. We live on £110 a week and once a month I have to top that up with a Costco meat shop.

top_drawer_2

NualaBuala wrote: »

Grandma247, is there anything you don't know?! :T

Jen, at least they'll be over and done with then ... hope you've got some kind of reward lined up for yourself

I'm off to London for five days the week after ..... really looking forward to it just for the break. Although I am worried about the guineas, I asked a housemate to look after them but she has been moody and stoppy for ages (not sure if its me or her, and she doesnt like to tell people when she falls out with them) and she doesn't do that well with responsibility either......... But there isnt really anyone else to ask and all I am asking her to do is feed them.

Thanks again Grandma! I was worried I was going to have to throw them away.

Jen

ChinaTea

Been busy here making jam for the last few days. Was given 3lb raspberries, 2lb gooseberries and have plums coming when they're ready and hopefully some more raspberries. I hadn't made jam for at least 20 years but have really enjoyed it. The seedless raspberry is to die for, it was going to be for hampers for Christmas but it won't last that long. Everything has gone well this year in the garden, courgettes slowing down now (have had loads), the pumpkin has turned that lovely bright orange and is visibly growing everytime it gets water. Have peas and runner beans in freezer, think they are about done now but have a 2nd planting coming along nicely. I intend to pick beetroot and pickle it this weekend.

Budget is doing well, I've cut down even further but mainly because I haven't been out as much. 've started a winter emergency box in case we have a winter like last and couldn't get out , buying an extra thing or 2 when I do a food shop and also cat food so I don't have to go out if it's bad. A wheelchair isn't good in snow!

Made a list for Christmas as i have been determined not to leave it to the last minute this year and apart from edibles for hampers am all organised and everything paid for :T.

Food budget at moment is doing well, have been eating from store cupbaord, freezer and garden produce for last few weeks and only spend has been for t bags and that sort of thing. i've been buying the 28p MrS basic t bags, (not too bad and have got used to them now) went in last week and they have gone up to 34p! Anyone else noticing that prices are jumping up not just a penny or two but 10p at a time?

Have managed this year to keep an emergency fund for the 1st time in ages thanks to this challenge. It's not a lot but enough to feed the cats and me for a couple of weeks and for gas / electric likewise. It's a good feeling having my security blanket and not having to worry about not having money.

Hope everyone is OK and enjoying the summer even though the waether here has definately changed, the early mornings (around 4am) have turned real chilly. I can't take the heat so get more done early although haven't been sleeping well up till 11-12pm and up 3.30 - 4am so getting really tired.

Erme

NualaBuala wrote: »

Morning everyone :wave:

Erme, am dashing around getting ready for a Dr's appt so will reply properly later.

But off the top of my head it's well worth checking out Weezl's website - has loads of recipes on it including vegetarian - and they're cheap!
http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

And her thread is great too https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2640225

The vegan thread is in Old Style and I'm not sure if there is a veggie one but there are veggie recipes in the index I think. I'll have a search later.

BTW - I am still eating meat - can't lay claim to being veggie let alone vegan yet! But I am reducing it all the time.

Hope you catch up on your sleep pet - I do not function well unless I get my quota! x

Och thanks for that website Nuala......so going to do it ...Yay!!! 80p a day for food sounds like my kind of diet ...that works out per week for me @ like less than £7 plus tobacco and I'm down to a less than £40 a week budget ...yay...

Food processor is an absolute dream ..she is GORGEOUS - am nicknaming her Marg the Magimix.... Made grated carrot for lunch in today SOOOOOO quiet and great customer service...alas I can't upgrade to one with a blender attachment without having to fork out for a new FP :eek: but never mind...am happy ....and I can get a dough blade too but don't know where from...

Hope everyone is well...

Hugs

E

Kerry_Woman

Got my BT phone bill online. Am really pleased with it. Finally got the bill down to its lowest since I moved into my flat 12 years ago. Have been making the most of the free evening and weekend calls. The calls that were made during the day cost £4.25. I do get money off as I have paper free bill, so that covered most of the calls made during the day. Hoping this can be continued during the rest of the year.

Am now looking at more ways to cut down. The food bill this month has been high so far. My brother, his wife and their 2 boys are coming down from Somerset to see my Mum and I over the August bank holiday. So we will be getting a few treats in M&S.

Frugaldom

mardatha wrote: »

Can I ask what the £4000 includes ? I cannot see how it would be possible at all. We live on £110 a week and once a month I have to top that up with a Costco meat shop.

The answer to this question is in post 1, rather than my copy it all in here.

£4,000 is my personal budget challenge and reflects what most people should be able to afford each week, I run a household of 3 but the amount does not include rent or council tax. Nor does it include any costs associated with the others' work, as that's their own personal expenses, not part of the household budget. Read post 1, I've updated it to show this current year's budget as it is constantly being rejigged.

This challenge is in the wrong thread as it's about frugal living, seen by most as old style. It is not about finding out how much we can save. However, for some ridiculous reason, MSE saw fit to move us here and has, to date, refused to move the thread. That's why I am seldom posting - I am not interested in how much people have in their savings, only in demonstrating that it is still possible to live on £4000 a year. Our frugal living is about priorities and getting the balance right between needs and wants.

Apologies for this turning into a saga but I feel very strongly about the subject. This challenge has been running for several years and I am sure it must have helped someone, somewhere along the line. At least, I HOPE it has helped in some small way.

Edited in: here is a copy of what's in post 1 - this is my personal budget for 2010. If it isn't in here, it has to be earned as extra income from somewhere.

Sample Budget
Groceries - £1,095.00
Toiletries - £40.00
Cleaning & Laundry products - £10.00
Heat, power & hot water - £1,500.00
Mobiles, Internet & telephone - £400
TV Licence - £145
Clothing & footwear £50
Travel £240
Household Insurance £55
Gifts & everything else - £465

TOTAL £4,000

Monitoring and revising the budget is part of frugal living plan. Gifts & cards could all to be homemade, livestock needs to pay its own keep, anything else needs to be cash neutral. If you live with debt and are serious about clearing it, there's no space in the budget for luxuries.