FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

mama67

We are busy with planting and harvesting in the garden.

I have also been making loads of jam from either foraged or donated fruit.

Dh is still on a 4 day week so we have also been trying to do as many carboot sales as possible to cover lost/boost income.

Our car has been on its last legs for a while, I had an insurance policy mature about a month ago and we had banked it until we found a good deal for a new to us car; this will now come to fruition this next week, and we will still have some money in the bank for backup if the 4 day week continues.

Where we live a car is essential as there is no public transport to speak of.

slowlyfading

Well, been to look round one venue this morning - very nice with a good sun terrace and lovely rooms been looking at prices though :eek: reckon we need to get saving ASAP - doesn't help when I'm not being paid yet!

It is exciting though sorry if it's boring me talking about it all the time though

viv0147

Hi everyone my name is Viv I am a retired 62-year-old divorced male I have been single for the last 15 years and I live alone and to be honest I love it. I have two grown up children and three grandchildren who keep my busy.

I am very interested in frugal living and that is through necessity because my only income is a pension of £132 a week fortunately my rent and council tax are included in my benefits so I do count my blessings when I look around my flat at my possessions I can smile because I own them all and I have no debts of any kind I made sure of this while working so my only payments are by direct debit which are spread out evenly throughout the month for utilities etc.

I have been learning how to cook over the years, but over the last 10 months I have really got into it I now make my own bread and its so much nicer convenient and cheaper I have been making my own jam, cakes, soups, stews pies, cooked dinners, my family look forward to my visits never quite knowing what to expect but knowing it will be something nice to eat, cooking has now become another interest for me to pursue which is saving me money as well.

Another is shopping!!! I never thought I would say that but needs must, I keep an eye out for food bargains when I see something I use I stock up I have been doing this quite a while so now my cupboards are full.
I often go to the supermarket on a Sunday afternoon to look for the reduced fruit and veg and meats etc sometimes the reductions are brilliant as a result of that and the extra food I cook my freezer is full to the limit.
So very often I am in the position of not really needing any shopping except for milk which then leaves me in the position of having more spare money to stock up if I spot a bargain.

I have been a member of Martins website since it started and it has saved me so much money and the tips in the forums from so many helpful people has made my life so much easier and richer so thank you all. Viv

chika

Wow SF you are sooo organised. Hope you find somewhere great quickly. Do you know what dress you want yet? I'm a little nervous and feel really unprepared. I've been into school a couple of times to try and sort out my room but there is nothing there and the printers don't even work!!! I had to spend £20 on a staple gun so I could put up backing paper and I've spent about £10 on laminating pouches - which is hurting my budget. Hopefully I can claim it back or try and get it refunded in my tax though. When do you start?

Welcome Viv The foods you are cooking sound lovely

slowlyfading

:hello: Viv and what a lovely post

chika - feel unprepared too! I've been into school and sorted the basics of my room out - don't know anything about their discipline policy or anything though. Start on tues! :eek: you? I'm not sure on the type of dress I want - I'm not really a dress person and there seems to be hunderds of types to choose from which doesn't help!

NualaBuala

Yay! It's lovely to hear news from so many people! I also love hearing what people are up to. Was wondering where some of the regulars are and hoping everything's ok.

Viv, welcome - I enjoyed reading your post too, thanks for sharing. :T

Thanks Chika, I succeeded in spending nothing! I hope to do the same today and it's looking good so far. Sending a big hug to you, and hope you'll feel better soon. I hope there are lots of nice people to make friends with. Best of luck with back to school.

slowlyfading wrote: »

Nuala - I didn't do my placement in my school - this is a whole new school to get used to! Looking forward to getting started in a way now, just want it out of the way so I can feel less nervous! :rotfl: We're going to see a venue in the morning which looks lovely in pictures online, so I'll let you know how it goes!

Well I hope it won't take long for you to settle in. I'll bet after a few weeks it'll feel like you've been there forever! Glad the venue is nice. My friend (who I will be bridesmaid for) did a lot of her research online. She has now picked her venue - a 5* hotel. It sounds lovely but I dread to think what it's costing them! So I hope you find somewhere fab but that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I haven't made the lurking soup yet Winchelsea but I'm glad I'm not the only one! And you reminded me I have some lurking cheese to add, an ancient bit of parmesan that is not fit for much but will be nice in the soup I reckon. Thanks for the good wishes too, you're a sweetie to think of us!:A I hope the nursing home costs won't be too bad - is your DH there permanently or is it respite care? I hope he's settled there ok and you're coping ok. I love the sound of your outings - you inspired me to take out a flask and sandwiches a couple of weeks back and it was so enjoyable:)

Mama, well done on all the frugal activities including finding an affordable car!:T

Jayne, well done on diverting the £50:T Hope you are coping ok with the separation, financially and emotionally. I am fasinated with the Off the Grid festival - what kind of stuff did they have at it?

Frugaldom, oh dear - I'm sorry this challenge has moved away from what you envisioned. I LOVE what you're doing but realistically, I just couldn't do what you are doing - healthwise and because of my living circumstances. But you inspire me to do what I can and I think it's moving in the right direction.


I learned something interesting today that I didn't know. Apparently I am poor! I found the criteria used (in Ireland at least) and I am officially living in poverty. But I don't feel poor, I feel frugal. In my case I don't think I am truly poor as I own half a house, and I hope some day I will be back earning a decent living. But even as things stand, I don't feel poor. My choices are restricted but that's ok I think. Too much choice can be as bad a thing as too little I think. I certainly don't feel less happy than when I had more.

Kerry_Woman

My brother, his wife and 2 boys came to see my Mum and I yesterday. They went up to London and the boys were excited First time they have been to London and on London Underground. Had a nice dinner/buffet. Was really great to see them. Hoping to go to Somerset next year to see them. There is so much for them to do outdoors in Somerset.

Not much work at the moment, but did a couple of days temping during the week. Hoping it picks up soon. Have to look at ways to keep me busy, that does not mean spending a lot of money. Got library books to read and a few cross stiching things to do.

Sending hugs to those who need them.

landregistrylass

Evening all. Yes, its quieter here but as we all know real life takes over doesn't it? Frugality at the mo is reduced bits from Mr T and allotment produce. Oh, and getting Xmas bits and bobs from car boot sale. Its official, I love them! The things some people buy and never use.............. long may it continue! Hugs to all who need them

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Hi everyone, I'm also still around but not online as much as before. Still trying to be frugal but sometimes I know I loose the plot and then get very cross with myself. At the moment I have a thing about winter jackets and there seem to be lots in the charity shops, well there were :rotfl:. They are all very nice, new and warm and different colours, all three of them! Oh dear, and I can only wear one at a time. Problem is I shall have to sort my wardrobe out first before I can put them away, I will probaby have to have a car boot sale before it really gets into the Autumn. talking of which it hasn't been so warm here for the last few days and the nights are definately much cooler. I got my fleece out yesterday and put it on my bed, I felt very snug and slept so much better than the night before.

I also enjoyed hearing about you viv0147, welcome to the forum, I look forward to hearing more from you.

sf dont ever worry about talking about you, who else would we all want to hear about?

NualaBuala I read an article also and found out I'm poor as well but like you I dont feel it, I look around me and all I can see I own, no debts at all apart from my D/D that havn't been paid so far this month and I suppose they are not debts really. You seem to be having a tough time at the moment, I hope things improve soon especially your health just look after your self, you have no need to explain yourself to anybody if you dont want to.

Tomorrow I want to try and explain how I manage my budget, it obviously wont be anything like anybody elses but I so enjoy hearing about others, so when I've had a sleep and feel more awake I will send you mine. Watch this space. I cant remember everyone and everything I want to make a comment on but do so love hearing from you all. Keep the frugal flag flying all of you.

slowlyfading

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

sf dont ever worry about talking about you, who else would we all want to hear about?

aww thanks!