FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

NualaBuala

Good morning everyone :wave:

There was a definite nip in the air this morning - but I am not giving up on summer yet! That said, I am tucked under a fleece rug as I type!

Mardatha - my target budget is much higher than 4k - everyone seems to set their own depending on their circumstances. Seeing what can be done inspires me to live more frugally even if I don't achieve the uber-frugality that some folks do.

Glad you've got a break lined up Jen ... am sure your wee GPs will be fine.

Erme wrote: »

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...

Glad you like the website Erme! If you check out that other thread they are testing some of the vegan recipes at the moment - when I get a bit of energy back I hope to join in. Your food processer sounds great - is it a pain to wash up? My Mum never wanted one cos she reckoned it would be too much of a faff to clean after using but I admit I am tempted. Not that I can afford it at the moment!

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

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.

Yay for cutting our phone costs Kerry Woman, :T:j I'm doing the same for all my bills. I've switched my gas and electricity to a cheaper provider and am now looking for the cheapest broadband. I already switched my mobile - I was considering a pay as you go but I think it would actually be dearer than what I'm paying now.
Gulity confession: I have some M&S treats I bought yesterday - but they were all reduced!

ChinaTea - you are frighteningly well-organised - I applaud you!:T I love the sound of all your garden produce.


Hope everyone is well - am sorry if I'm forgetting to mention/reply to anyone but I am a complete wreck today. Yesterday was a loooong day after consultant's appt and I'm paying the price today. He thinks I have fibromyalgia AND M.E. - is that even possible?!

Kerry_Woman

NualaBuala wrote: »

Yay for cutting our phone costs Kerry Woman, :T:j I'm doing the same for all my bills. I've switched my gas and electricity to a cheaper provider and am now looking for the cheapest broadband. I already switched my mobile - I was considering a pay as you go but I think it would actually be dearer than what I'm paying now.
Gulity confession: I have some M&S treats I bought yesterday - but they were all reduced!

Hope everyone is well - am sorry if I'm forgetting to mention/reply to anyone but I am a complete wreck today. Yesterday was a loooong day after consultant's appt and I'm paying the price today. He thinks I have fibromyalgia AND M.E. - is that even possible?!

Thanks NualaBuala. Don't feel bad about getting yourself treats in M&S, it's even better if they are reduced. I like to get the odd treat in M&S. I have been brought up with M&S, as my Mum has done shopping in there since I was small. We don't get everything in there, but when we do it gives us a boost.

Has the consultant done blood tests etc to confirm your condition? It must be really frustrating for you.

mardatha

Thanks very much Frugaldom - and I totally agree with you. I hadnt even noticed what forum we were in - I just subscribed to this thread because I'm interested. Its very much OS, isnt about saving at all its about how to live. I dont think I will put in a figure and try to stick to it, because our circs are different really, int hat the OH is a good saver and he sorts out the money. We take a set amount of cash out of the bank every week and set wee piles aside for this and another wee pile for that LOL! I hate DDs and only have a couple, everything else is cash on receipt of the bill. If I do it this way then I am not tempted ever to overspend.
Apart from books on Amazon at 1p (blush)

mardatha

Nuala yes it's possible and its common. I have ME, had it for 8 years now, but no fibro and no pain. Just knackered LOL

Kiwisaver_2

ChinaTea wrote: »

Made a list for Christmas as i have been determined not to leave it to the last minute this year

You and me both ChinaTea, I need to have future projects on the horizon and lists to keep me focussed. I think that has been a big part in why I have had little motivation lately, as I had nothing to plan or focus on. So I made a list of all the things I want / need to get before our VAT goes up on 1st October, this includes upcoming birthday presents, Christmas shopping and stocking up on non-perishables.

I cashed up some air mile rewards for shopping vouchers on Monday and got $100 Gift Card delivered today, with another $50 on the way. I've ordered Mr Kiwi's Christmas presie and paid for it on my Credit card, so I don't have to pay the bill until mid October.

I'm feeling much better already, my work project that had been keeping me so busy was completed on Friday and l've had a much more sensible workload this week and even managed a lunch break on Tuesday to go and check out the Christmas pressie mentioned above. It has its downsides too, as I was completely bored today with nothing to stress about and the day was so so long. :eek:

Anyway the devil makes work for idle hands, so I have bought some wool and started to crotchet a blanket. I did about six squares over the weekend and not doing bad for someone who gave up on the crochet career long before I left school.

Erme

Why is my life full of drama?The cheap bagless hoover I got from Mr. T last year (to replace the henry I don't need in this wee place) was useless. I persisted with it till the air vent on the hose fell off one too many times but lost suction quite quickly and like didn't do many rooms....

I tried freecycle - no hoover...

So I went charity shopping..Eventually found an upright electrolux (not ideal - too big) for £15 which I got yesterday and trundled home...the hose didn't work...thinking it was blocked I got out the screwdriver and promptly managed to smash the top of it blowing chances of a refund (some fixings...even superglue no use - now I have superglue all over fingers :eek:) and baring in mind this occured over lunch I've missed lunch :eek:..

So more calls round charity shops...no joy..Eventually a call to CC leads me to a £20 morphy richards jazz bagged (bartered down on phone in squeaky voice..yeah so what if that's sexist...I needed it!)...No bags...no instructions but in between calls I do some research and realise bags aren't much (max about £3.50 for 5 it's discontinued) so get them from the local hardware store..

Get home...can't fit the bag (and it's pretty useless at this stage) so phone MR and they were lovely...bag fitted :j then phone back to check it wasn't a whoopsie buy having only looked @ one review online...No should last years! More powerful than the Mr T one too.... and sturdy (steel hose )

Stinks a bit but like will just drop a tissue of lavender in in a mo....no point in paying for hoover air freshners right now...

Nuala try freecycle or charity shops first for an FP...mine wasn't cheap but does everything and is compact.. or save up for a magimix...Ideally I'd have gone for the le mini plus with blender (it's about £20 more phone magimix for it's name) but don't just get one because I've got one. Some of the cheap not well known brands are just as good as the likes of Kenwood and would be good for a trial (think there's one in comet for about £25 right now) but best charity shops or freecycle first

So that's my day...Never a dull moment LOL...

WHERE'S THE DAY GONE :eek:.....Soon be tea time (sos tea methinks of rice and lentils).

Hugs

E

Erme

NualaPs...

When I first started this challenge I got a good phone deal with e2save..It was a hassle to set up and like you have to be really goo on remembering when your cashback is due but apart from that well worth it and would recommend them as a cashback site. The phone isn't fab but does the job..

Hope that helps

E

slowlyfading

Just saying hello quickly!

All settled into the house now and loving being with the BF ever day I've also been into school and getting things sorted; can't believe it's less than two weeks til the start of term! :eek:

Got some exciting news too, but I'll share that at the weekend

NualaBuala

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

Thanks NualaBuala. Don't feel bad about getting yourself treats in M&S, it's even better if they are reduced. I like to get the odd treat in M&S. I have been brought up with M&S, as my Mum has done shopping in there since I was small. We don't get everything in there, but when we do it gives us a boost.

Has the consultant done blood tests etc to confirm your condition? It must be really frustrating for you.

Thanks Kerry Woman - I feel less guilty now and my treats were delicious! Plus I have the other half to look forward to this evening!
Yes, they took blood just in case although my thyroid and other blood tests were normal last year. Anyway, I think I'm glad just to have a diagnosis really.

mardatha wrote: »

Nuala yes it's possible and its common. I have ME, had it for 8 years now, but no fibro and no pain. Just knackered LOL

Yes, I know you've mentioned it before. I wouldn't wish it on anyone but at the same time it's good to know I'm not the only one! I didn't know you could have both. My pain isn't bad, mainly being knackered too!


Ta for ideas on food processor and phone Erme. :T Think the phone site is for UK only - pity cos it looks great. I've checked and I seem to be on cheapest mobile phone package anyway so that's good. I read your posts on Weezl's thread and am impressed with all your cooking!


I renegotiated my land line and broadband today - have switched to the cheapest (and slowest) broadband but also got a discount of €140 spread over the next year because of a complaint I made about being given wrong info last year. Yay! :j

I'm also wrestling with whether to drop my private health insurance. It's a tricky one. I'm lucky in that our health service won't leave me to die or anything but it is overstretched bigtime. The consultant I saw was through the public system and he barely had time to speak to me. Going private tends to be an easier experience with less waiting for appointments, more time spent with you etc. But not necessarily better health outcomes overall. I feel quite vulnerable healthwise at the mo which is the only reason I'm considering keeping it on.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well. Hugs to anyone who'd like one.:)

mardatha

No doctor can fix ME and Fibro. I'm on ME forums and the ones with private insurance get to see nice docs but they still dont get better.. But for other, fixable things I would think it worthwhile