FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

Kerry_Woman

Still trying to live within budget. Am really pleased at things I have achieved so far. Have started using the ecoballs recently. Still looking for bargains whilst food shopping, by downshifting and getting reduced to clear purchases. Currently working on getting the phone bill down to what it has been. My Mum and I has been using mainline phone mainly using evening and weekend free calls. So far the useage has been really cut from previous bills. Had to do some extra work when I can find it as the temp work that I have doing is only doing a few hours a week. Must try some other agencies soon.

top_drawer_2

hi everyone,

I'm still trying to be frugal but am struggling a lot, I feel like my life is spiralling out of control and I swear everything I touch goes wrong/won't work correctly. I got the transcript of last weeks appeal meeting, the university has been very savvy in how they have phrased things. Seems they spent the 30 odd minutes I was waiting for their decision working on how they could do me out of my degree.

I'm really trying to alter my life but I dont know where to start - I wanted to volunteer for the CAB with the view that it would give me experience and its the area I would like to get into in the future and applied last September. I got offered a position, working Mondays, spoke to my boss and emailed/phoned. I heard back from them 3 months later to say that they had been under the impression that I was speaking to my boss about 1/2 days so that I could do work for them. I've chased it up (again) yesterday but am not holding my breath.

I've looked into Housing Assocs properties as I'm quite worn out with sharing with other people; for instance 10 mins ago HM A arrives home, stamps through the lounge asks if I "really" want the heating on. I said turn it down, she turns it off. Stamps off upstairs and bangs Bathroom door, her bedroom door etc etc .......... this is EVERY TIME I see her! She bangs doors constantly. Last Tuesday after my hellish day she had friends round and they were in her room; music blaring, thumping across the room (my ceiling is her floor) banging the bathroom door, running up and downstairs for more glasses/food/drink etc. I don't know if its the way Im feeling at the moment but noise is really p!ssing me off at the moment. However, there werent many for single people, even less for under 55's, and none that I could spot who allowed people with pets even small clean, self contained ones. None had gardens either so I would likely have to give up my gardeining plus many were actually more expensive than what I have now (shared house, all bills included), they didnt mention whether they included bills but im guessing not.

I'm also looking at applying for jobs, Im tired of doing what I do .... it wears me out, im constantly skint because I only do 15 hours and I feel I do a lot more...... I've applied for a receptionist/admin but Im not holding my breath in even getting a interview as its such a low level job its bound to have loads of applications.

Jen

dramarama

Hi Jen, I just came across your post. Hope you're doing ok. Not sure what your history is but sounds like you're having a rough time of late. I just wanted to offer some advice and don't want to come across as patronising.
I would say if you want to go down the housing assoc route get on a list NOW!! They can take ages to get a place and you have to be signed up on a list normally and gain points, the points will change over time and as your situation changes so will your points.

Sorry about your housemates- that sounds rough. I think most people have to deal with people like that. I had a room much the same and similar housemate- bought some earplugs- soon couldn't care less about their noise!! I WISH I'd had this website when I was at uni it would of saved a lot of heartache and stress for me. I worked just under full time hours during my degree no life of partying for me!!

In terms of jobs are there any local community group/job shop places near you...local papers and jobcentre are also good for jobs.

Keep going you sound like a strong person even if the road is tough at the moment. I volunteer once a week and find that gives me something to focus on when I've not got work and it's doing something I'm passionate about + helps my cv. Maybe you could fit some of that in?!

Anyway I'll stop ranting now!! Just wanted to say you're not alone and you're perfectly fine to feel how you do but know that you can do anything you want, don't feel held back by other people's limitations.... now if only i took my own advice!!

Frugaldom

top_drawer wrote: »

...I'm also looking at applying for jobs, Im tired of doing what I do .... it wears me out, im constantly skint because I only do 15 hours and I feel I do a lot more...... I've applied for a receptionist/admin but Im not holding my breath in even getting a interview as its such a low level job its bound to have loads of applications. Jen

Jen, administration is not, "such a low level job" - I did it for years, it paid well, it was interesting and I learned more doing that than I'd have dreamed possible. There are plenty of opportunities for career advancement in that line, too, so be positive and don't cast aside opportunities just because you think they aren't worthy of your attention. Sorry, but I've forgotten what the problem is with your degree course, hope that gets resolved, as with your housemates. Are they on here, perhaps? Perhaps you could look for work in a completely different area and find accommodation there?

Hope everyone who is going on holiday enjoys themselves.

Thread seems to be doing fine without me, keep up the good work all.

Erme

Sorry to hear you so down Jen...it's not going down that's the crime but staying down... Hugs...

Espresso machine is now FREE :j :j....

apparently it had been languishing at work for ages so they were glad I took it off their hands...me I'm thrilled:) (of course I didn't tell them it was a £300 model )

so me and a chum had free espressos and played board games and chilled yesterday pm

and I'm trying to sell whoopsie handbags on ebay so now scouring the charity shops for cheap interesting vintage handbags for ebay...sold one yesterday ...yay...it seems price them low to gain interest (or have at least one low priced item on your sellers list at any one time) then like wait for the bids to come in...

E

whitewing

Free PD ruler for those who buy glasses online

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2593681

Erme

Just to let you all know re hosp...went well...got ordered to come home and soak 'gunk' (i.e. scab) off in bath...clarified when to take antibiotics...Can take them with or without food...:j..

LEG IS PINK AGAIN :j... (and sore...but yay looks good...just have gauze to change every day for next week)

anyhow very tired (no nap pm)..too tired for ebay/grocery shop

E

findingmyfeet

morning everyone,

well my plegde to post more hasnt taken off yet!!lol, must be a month or so since i last did but time short and life hectic.
have been spending my time wisely though and veg garden looks an absolute treat. full of caulis ,cabbage, onions, carrots, raspberries , strwaberries, all salad stuffs and leeks, corn etc still to come. been having to give lots away to friends and family as i think my hubby thinks he has to feed the entire country!! the next few weeks will be taken up with freezing and preserving as much as possible and i think its time to get in a spare freezer_ only have a fridge/freezer at the moment and i could fill several. so i am looking for something cheap and cheerful around £100 or so, dont mind which brand the cheaper the better.
just discovered my breadmaker can do jam so may give that a go this evening as i have several oranges lurking it could well be marmalade.

can anyone tell me how long jam/marmaldes last once homemade ? are they ok in the cupboards or do i have to stick them in the fridge?? all help gratefully recieved. we have a damson and plum tree in the gared which havent fruited the last couple of years and this year they are heaving with stuff- dont know why but we are not complaining, so more jam and pies coming up there. Have also been told by a friend that a nice fruit n veg stall on our local market has started reducing stuff around mid afternoon too so will go later in the day in future.

also real happy because our town has just opened a farmf**ds shop. they are doing 2 milk for £1.50 and 2 loaves £1, 2 bags sugar £1 etc so real savings for me. this region expensive and very little choice being semi rural. milk i usually pay £1.56 a bottle so its virtually bogof for me , huge saving as i buy 7 x 2 litre bottles a week!!!!!! ( used for filling coffee flasks, cerals , cooking allsorts).

also taken up knitting again, my cousins expecting next month, they have little money and she happens to love homemade stuff so i have already done 2 jumpers for 99P with wool from Wil**nsons etc. so nice cheap gifts coming along nicely there.

boiler money is starting to be replaced very very slowly but im working on that one.

off to plant more leeks given to me yesterday, have a nice frugal day everyone,

fmf

cw18

My blackberry jam was made in either 2007 or 2008, and is still fine as long as the jars sealed properly (the tamper button popped back down as they cooled).

enjoyfinancialchallenges

findingmyfeet your home made jam will last for years, no need to store it in the fridge. Most recipes have 60% sugar in their ingredients and this acts as a preservative for the jam. You may find the less sugar content ones go mouldy quicker. Just sterilize your jars and lids in a hot oven and put the jam in whilst its still hot, then cover with a greasproof disc before putting on a cellophane cover kept in place with an elastic band. Sorry if it sounds like I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, no offence meant you may be fully aware of these bits I'm telling you. Good luck anyway.

Hope all people doing well I hav'nt been online for weeks, I had my second operation this year two weeks ago so trying to be kind to myself at the moment. Still trying to be frugal but at the moment I'm a bit penny wise and pound foolish as I wanted a new TV for my bedroom which I bought last month, now my washing machine is broken and am having to replace it with the only fully press button one that I saw online, most have knobs to twist and I find that difficult as I have osteoarthritis in my hands. I have an appliance to use for this purpose but this eventually take lumps out of the plastic knob. So the model I have chosen is an expensive one but the only one I can fully use. Its being delivered tomorrow afternoon. Hurrah! My washing is building up so want it to come soon.

Going to rest now, I fully intend getting back into being a contributer to this website and not just a reader soon.