FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

Kerry_Woman

Have looked at my budget for this year as to how much I have spent on each. Trying to figure out where I can cut back on for next year's budget. Am still awaiting to see how much the council tax and property maintenance for my flat will be for next year, before I make a final decision. Have acheived quite a bit during my week off. Put draught proofing in for the windows and caught up with most of the ironing, among other things. Looked at what has been spent on food. This has to be cut back on. My Mum helps with the money for the food shopping, but I do the shopping as she cannot do it due to health problems. I am always looking at ways to save money on food and look out for bargains, but things cost so much. Started doing the EcoTeam project today, so it will be interesting how it progresses.

Blairweech

Hello everyone

Thriftylass - Congratulations :j
Erme - That honey cake looks gorgeous. Do you have a recipe?

I have kinda caught up with the thread but nothing really went in, so hugs, commiserations etc to all who need them

Uni is great. Really enjoying the course and making lots of friends - my housemates are really cool (you may remember I was put off campus and I wasn't too happy about it at the time - turns out it's about a billion times better). We all get on pretty well and socialise as a group a fair bit - there are 10 English people and ~20 Chinese people, but they tend to keep themselves to themselves.

Went to Ascot races yesterday, the owner offered the uni free entry to students so there was a bus organised and off we went. Only spent £40 inc. lunch and the coach, so not too bad. Did not win any money though! Never mind, maybe next time

Have completely lost track of the budget though I know I have spent a fair chunk socialising, although my food budget does not seem to be too bad. Not even started looking at Christmas presents. Eeek.

Hope everyone is well, and I'll be back soon!

Frugaldom

End of another month, time to reflect on the spend to date, seeing as we're now 5/6 of the way through 2010.
To date, I have spent a grand total of £2,956.56 plus rent & council tax, made up of the following. (This isn't what I have used, only what I have spent. I'm pretty well ahead with most things as far as being stocked up is concerned.)

Groceries - £939.25
Toiletries - £41.42
Cleaning & laundry products - £6.64
Electricity - £1,020
Coal - £98.50
Logs - £120
Internet - £134.41 (includes phone calls)
Mobile - £15
Telephone - £120.01
TV - Still to pay
Clothing & Footwear - £27.02
Gifts - £176.92
Travel - £82.50
Insurance - £44.63 (excludes National Insurance)
Other/Misc - £130.16

I still haven't done much by way of Christmas shopping and the TV licence still has to be paid but the budget is moving in the right direction. Expecting to keep on going with the £4,000 target for 2011 but that will take a bit of juggling coal, logs & electricity budgets, seeing as we've had the multifuel stove fitted this year.

On the 'EEK' (Everything Else Kitty) I am almost managing to balance the books. This was previously known on here as the '£1000 in 100 days' challenge and is used to cover the cost of everything else we spend our money on throughout the year outside of the normal household budget. You know when you have those 'billy can' moments?

Spent: £2,455.22
Earned: £2,452.28
Balance: -£2.94

This covers everything from home improvements to hen houses and investing in new equipment for the Frugaldom garden project, plus everything associated with the costs of keeping the livestock. I'm only £2.94 off being cash neutral but have cashback waiting to be claimed that will cover the deficit. I'm also in credit by over 300 'points' with my LETS trading. It's hard going but, hopefully, it will be worth every penny of it. Losing the free scratchcards was still a bit of a blow, though! Still, we made the most of those while they were available.

Two months left to go and then we're into 2011!

Apologies for never having the time to chit chat or comment on all individual posts but I do read. Please take it as read that I think the appropriate responses to each and every one of you. Whatwith Internet connection being so bad here and so much needing done every day, it takes me all my time just to keep up. Stay focused, people, it's not difficult to wake up one morning and realise you've a debt hanging around your neck through nothing more than a single mistake.

HAVE to comment to Thrifty, though - WOW! At nursery fees! Is it really worth it? :eek:

chika

Frugaldom you are an inspiration. I dread to think how much debt I would be in if you hadn't started this thread.

Glad you're enjoying Uni Blairweech.

I had to stop my little run of nsds this weekend and open my purse. My sister and brother have decided to redecorate the hall, stairs and landing at my mum's house so I chipped in a little to help. We managed to get a good deal on a really nice new carpet and found the perfect shade of paint reduced in the big orange diy shop so that has helped with the cost. The fitter is only charging £35 to fit the carpet too so I'm chuffed!

I'm back at school tomorrow so had to reasses my wardrobe. I try and wear the same things twice but invariably get covered in muck after a day of teaching. It has also suddenly turned really cold here so I had to go and spend some money on clothes. I went to a catalogue clearance shop and bought 4 pairs of smart trousers, one posh dress (not for school!), knickers and 2 bras, two jumpers, a jumper dress, 4 tops, a pair of posh flip flops, a pair of converse all stars and most importantly a gorgeous pair of leather knee high Clarks boots. It sounds like loads of things when I write it down but I spent less than £50 on it all. I'm really pleased especially as the boots have a £160 price tag still attached! If anyone is in West Yorkshire the L1ttlewoods clearance in Heckmondwike is well worth a trip.

Our washer has managed to break down again (2nd time since moving in in August.) I've just had to spend £12 washing and drying clothes in the laundrette. Do you think it would be unreasonable to ask the landlord for this back? I can't decide if I'm being tight or not!

Winchelsea

I really need to get serious about this challenge. Thought I already was, but have spent three months overspending mainly due to necessary household replacements (garden fence in August, warm winter curtains in ept., and a new fridge in October).

But, looking at my accounts, public transport is eating a sizeable chunk out of my money each month. Could cut this back by (a) staying at home more, (b) using coaches - which I loathe - rather than trains, or (c) driving (I do have a small economical car, but I prefer the green option of not driving myself long distances).

Have already bought tickets for this month and next - to go to SonIL's 50th do in the Lake District, then on to friends in Manchester, then back home. And have bought tickets for Christmas - I go to DD's, north of Nottingham, then she drives us up to Co. Durham and back.

I'm doing well on the grocery challenge, buy no clothes, and avoid shops altogether unless I really need something (as opposed to wanting it). I write down everything I spend in a little book in my handbag, though I did forget to write down the fence because I paid by cheque. (I do enjoy my life though - it sounds bad, but it's never boring!)

Paying for my DH's care in the nursing home (£600 a month) is what's made the difference.

I'll get there! (Though don't mention the C word!)

Winchelsea

Of course I meant Sept, not ept - and I did mean to add that at least I have no debts. I do use a credit card, but pay off in full each month. And it's a C*-*p one, so I get Divi points on what I spend (which transmogrify into wine twice a year!)

Erme

So guys just to clarify does the 'everything else' kitty have to come out of our budget for next year...I have done my sums and like depending on income and benefits and like cos of things I'm aiming for about £5k...that's realistic for me...right now £4k is not realistic for me....

This doesn't include, rent, council tax or everything else (i.e impulse spends due to the illness) budget and debt payments...

You don't want to know about my spending over the weekend...it was shocking :eek:...am so ashamed that's all I'm going to say...

Blessings

E

Erme

I have a part time cleaning job :j :j...just got to sort everything out with benefits agency (cos it's cash in hand and me being a christian will declare it) ...just a few hours a week initially but it's experience and one more step and even if I do declare it to the BA I should be £20 a week better off

Praise God...(hope no one is offended by an Erme whoop)

E

Kerry_Woman

Erme - Congrats on getting your p/t job.

Savvy_sewing

I have not followed properly this year at all. I am well over the limits of the challenge, but what I can say is that at the beginning of the year I had practically nothing in the bank, and with all the fighting for my rights etc etc, and being careful, with no credit facilities etc, I have managed to save £750, and have a months bills money in the bank. Something that I never thought was possible.

Although we are now going to be moving home in 4 weeks, and that money will be used fo carpets, a cooker and curtain rails! So at the end of it all, it ill be gone but I do believe that if I hadnt been following MSE for the last few years, non of this would have been possible.

(Oh and I have been subsidising both twins regularly, and DS now has a £30 week allowance).