FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

NualaBuala

Well you did great to last as long as you did Jayne. Not worth it if it makes you stray into the animal and/or child starvation! You sound lovely and cosy with all your layers.

Kiwisaver_2

It's funny hearing about your weather, because at his time of the year, end of your summer and start of our spring the weather is for a short while quite similar in both hemispheres. We've had the storm of all storms this past two days with very high winds, so I ain't moving and waiting almost with bated breath for power to go at any time.

I was just here to update my signature and noticed how close I was to the next big marker of $10,000 - two thirds of my budget nearly gone and we're just two weeks away from three quarters of the way through the year. :T Wow!! That's very near to the original £4,000 challenge - except for me that's for just nine months of the year :rotfl:and it makes me realise how damned hard that must be to achieve. Hat's off to anyone that does.

Last quarter of the year is going to go a bit haywire for me as our VAT goes up from the 1st October, so all budgeted numbers are going to be a bit off, but still I am not too concerned at this stage because I'm fairly confident that unless I go on a mad spending spree I will have enough in reserve to cover the increases. My plan is to do a couple of big shops in the next two weeks to counteract some of it.

I also got a shares dividend from the electrickery company this week, which came as a nice surprise as I wasn't expecting anything.

aeb_2

Hi, There are so many new names that I'm not sure anyone will remember me, however, just wanted to drop in and say the babies are now toddlers having just celebrated their 1st birthday. They all seem happy.

We had a lovely summer, the garden providing us with all the fresh food we needed including eggs enough to trade for tea which I need but can't grow.

About half the house has mended windows and the remainder are well sealed up for now. The wood-burning stove is adjusted, fixed and provides heat for three radiators and hot water for my bathroom. Would not stretch to more - I'll need to sort it for when they are teenagers!

We don't go far but I do have a 'new to me' 7 seater which makes me feel safer. I've spent just over £3000 so far not including council tax so amazingly I'm on target. I mostly cook on the wood-burner, go to bed when it gets dark, get up when it's light and stay in the village more than I should.
Gas and electric - direct debit, correct at last reading - £35 month
Petrol - £23 per month
Water - £12 month (I have a well)
Shopping - £20 month
Insurance, all - £38 per month
Phone, Internet, Mobile - £22 per month
Presents (outings, birthday and Christmas) - £25 per month
Clothes - £6 per month :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: honest!
Garden - £4

Hope the challenge is still going well for everyone else and that you are all meeting your own personal goals

slowlyfading

:hello: aeb and nice to hear from you! glad things are going well x

cw18

*** waves madly at Aeb and her brood ***

Wow!!! Doesn't feel like a year since you doubled the number of children you had to run around after !!!!

Really pleased to hear things seem to be working well for you

top_drawer_2

hey,

Aeb - Can't believe the babies are one now! Where does time go? I couldnt maintain what you do and I am single (with pets).

I was just popping by to say that I received my transcript for my degree and I got a 2:2!!! I am so pleased as I really lost the plot last year, I just couldnt face the work anymore ;( and I have been totally convinced that I was going to get a third. Other than that not much new, no money spent recently ..... however my sisters dog has come to stay for two weeks and she really is the most gorgeous little girl ever. So I probably wont be able to resist buying her some toys when I pass P@H.

Jen

NualaBuala

Congratulations Jen!!!
:j:j:j

Fab news ... hope your new furry friend gets on with your guinea pigs!

Lovely to hear from you aeb.

Hope everyone's doing well. I've been feeling in much better form today - yay!!! I had a very spendy Saturday stocking up on tonnes of special offers in Lidl and I treated myself to some new warm pyjamas. I'm hoping I'll be well enough to do some batch cooking of winter-warmer-comfort food tomorrow. I'm thinking veggie lasagne, chilli, spicy carrot soup and just about anything with mashed potato and gravy.

Hugs to anyone who'd like one,
N x

Kerry_Woman

TD - Congratulations for the news of your degree.

slowlyfading

Well done Jen that's great news! :j :j

slscarborough

I have tried and failed at frugal living several times but have decided to give this another go in prepaparation in getting proper on it next year. I think i will need alot of help as no matter how hard a try i still end up spending money i dont need to!! OH does not help either as he is the stay at home parent.

Now sure if it worth setting myself a budget for the remainder of the year or just going with the flow??