FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

Frugaldom

mama67 wrote: »

Frugaldom just highlighted the 2 above as you seem to be covering phone twice, forgive me if i'm wrong

Telephone is for line rental with BT, Internet is for Broadband package that includes calls - it really does cost that much, we have very few options when living in a rural location because we can't get full access to the Broadband network. We're too far from the nearest exchange. I am hoping to get this amount down when the current contract expires but it's the best they could offer me without lumping absolutely everything onto BT, which I don't want to do.

Kiwisaver_2

mama67 wrote: »

garden produce 2010:
toms 9.852kg; beans 4.023kg; carrots 1.178kg; cues 67; courg 18;.

Wow Mama67 :T Just noticed your siggy as I am presently nurturing my little seedlings and sproutlings and hoping I can produce a few more veggies this year. That's a very nice idea to weigh stuff as you harvest, I shall have to try and keep a count of my efforts.

Congrats on the job Erme

Erme

Well at the moment I'm pretty much housebound with this bug...thanks for your encouragement top drawer. I have phoned work and they are not going to offer me any work till I'm better which dv should be next week but I have GP on Monday for monthly pills so if I'm not better by then I'm hoping to get something stronger...anyone remember what you put in the ginger toddy for these things? Think it was grated ginger and lemons and can't recall what else...honey? Would really appreciate it cos I think it's gone to my chest.....

Saw the old style money saving thing about damp clothes and am realising the airer in the bedroom is maybe not the healthiest so when well am going to get some hooks from the hard ware store (just down the road) and some string and make my own over the bath airer...

Got my hair done this morning with the girl whom I found on groupon...My hair is precious and whilst not cheap @ £34 I only get it cut every 4 months and it was in such a state in the summer with my own efforts that I value this luxury....She is really good with my hair and I won't let anyone else do it now though she's thinking of doing groupon again in the New Year so I must keep my eyes open for the bargain and phone her up if it's anything like vaguely her so I can get a good deal (cos it'll be valid 3 months)

So yeah just trying to clean my washing machine (this was another luxury item this year but I was paranoid so unable to use the laundrette downstairs and you need to wash your clothes. But there's no way I could have afforded it with frugal board :T) with a combo of white vinegar and bicarb from my bicarb stash (about £3 or £4 for 3+kg from the chinese supermarket) and I'm still on my 13p soaps from earlier on in the year for the shower...that's about 6 months they've lasted and I have posh stuff from the mission when they've finished....I think when all my soap stash is done though I will go back to buying the cheap stuff but it won't be so cheap by then..

I change internet and phone providers (already changed internet to the one on here and got 3 months free) on tuesday. Not totally frugal because it's two months before my BT contract ends but because I pay line rental in advance I get that back and I only owe them about £22 so I can cancel my BT DD with peace.....and I still get money back cos I'm due back about £50 though will have to check later if sky owe me anything because like I was with them till about 2 years ago...

Anyhow tis all my news. DWP were lovely about my new job on Tuesday and just gave me a permitted work form ...so looking forward to it....

E

NualaBuala

Get Well Soon Erme ... not sure what goes in the ginger toddy but ginger, honey and lemon would be soothing for a cold or sore throat. Not sure if they will be any good for a chest problem. Might be as well to keep the laundry out of the bedroom ... love your idea for the homemade over the bath airer! :T

My budget is about to be hit by an unexpected charge ... don't want to say much as I am considering taking legal action as it is just so unfair.

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Hugs,
N

Kerry_Woman

Erme - Hope you feel better soon.

Kerry_Woman

NualaBuala - Hope you manage to sort out the issue with your budget.

Erme

Morning all....I think the bug has gone to my chest so have docs later :P and it's a doc I don't know so know they're going to give me a hard time re the cigs...they always do :P


So looks like I'm going to be in on this dull day most of the day waiting for the panniers to come from Amazon...hope everyone is well. And I got a lovely call from Mr B cos I had to withdraw my application for a healthcare assistant due to it being 40 mins on the bus and full time so have applied for another post closer to home but just p/t and only temporary but still...will be covered by the permitted work rules

Had a right nightmare with AV'S and what not last night so it was a late night 10pm bed :eek: and a heap of choc and cake from Mr C...in fact was so hungry yesterday twas unreal

Even with my rice and lentils in the pressure cooker (love the wee one I got from the charity shop a month ago ) I was still hungry...hardly frugal

E
PS. Wee rant I have a neighbour who has borderline PD and I've been on at him for months about being frugal (like having no credit cards and like not re-mortgaging your flat just to get lower payments and pay for debt only to get into more debt because if you re-mortgage your payments are lower but he's on the same monies as me and doesn't smoke so I can't see what he spends it on....and he doesn't have net and mobile either...does that make sense?) though I'm not exactly a good example but I know the basics. Anyhow challenged him over the w/e to text me more so I'm not disturbed when I'm busy and he just blanks me for a few days cos he's stressed. I speak to him a few times on wed (and he phones loads) and like he denies being stressed (just cos I don't have a degree don't make me stupid :mad:) I have to add he has a fear of technology so the texting isn't about it taking time but more about his fear of the mobile and then I challenge him again re the texting and stuff and like this is just when he gets a note in the post about ESA and he blanks me again. No reason given for blanking me...just blanks me. Doesn't answer the phone or anything....One day full blown phone every 2 secs then nothing for a few days...this isn't normal right? And is him manipulating because he is unable to articulate how he feels...I'd rather he was just honest....:mad:

Sorry to rant just need to check this out

E

NualaBuala

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

NualaBuala - Hope you manage to sort out the issue with your budget.

Thanks a mill KW. :A

Erme, don't feel bad about eating more, especially when your're sick and need all the nourishment you can get. Good luck at Docs ... the smoking is a tricky one indeed. I feel lucky I never started so I don't know how hard it is to stop. Just do your best hon. Just had a thought about your neighbour. I reckon people don't like admitting their weak spots, not even to themselves sometimes. Could you subtly try to help him learn without denting his pride? I've offered to teach one of my neighbours, a pensioner. He seems interested but nervous ... I told him we'll just take it at his pace if he decides to go for it. Not sure how good a teacher I'd be! Take care of yourself and hope that chest gets better soon.

The ME has being playing up something fierce over the past few days and today is the first time in a while I feel okish. So I might pop out into the big wide world today to return a library book and buy some food. The excitement of it all! :rotfl:


Hope everyone is frugalling along ok. Hugs to anyone who'd like one.

Erme

This is only semi frugal but for people stuck in the house all day it might be a good idea (not least if they live near a Mr S)....

I posted all the details of how to get a £2.20 starbucks for 75p here and I really hope it goes in next week's general email.... Cos it's amazing

I have a chest infection *sob* and panniers still not turned up but hey I'm looking forward to my veg curry tonight...just have to do some urgent washing up cos there was aubergine in my veg box this week :j - after 4 weeks of cauliflower it is a joy....

Blessings

E

xnatalie81x

Am mega chuffed after finding a giant cauliflower in my purple sprouting broccoli plot in the garden, i vaguely remember potting a few now (in june/july) thinking i'd 'give it a go' but completely forgot and when i popped out to check on them and found a half size cauli and my giant one i was really pleased lol (remember i had planted things and then left my ex in April so lost all of my plants apart from tomatoes! and then was living at mums till end June - !!!!!! growing season gone)

So with our chicken, mushroom and bacon pie (home made - rubber chicken day 2/4) we had cauli and mash - and i still froze half that cauli after me and the 3 kids had it! It really was giant!!!

38 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Very mega frugal baby this time! All i have bought is a few clothes on ebay and a travel cot. Everything else has been given/bought for me - a sort of informal LETS between friends.

I did use 20.00 of my savings today as in the range buying 2 b'day pressies for eldest sons party - and purchased a massive pine mirror reduced from 35.00 to 15.00 - it is beautiful and will be hung in my hallway! I have had to start all over since leaving the ex as he gave back very little - we have had to buy everything again!

Sunday i shall be picking up a chest freezer that is being given to me! I already have a fridgefreezer in one that came with house and a second freezer from freecycle but with allotment and gardens being stepped up this year and another lil mouth to feed - 3 freezers will be needed

B'day party for eldest tomorrow at a soft play type place - presents purchased and cards for 2 boys - total #10.58 and they are excellent pressies - so my son thinks anyway lol. Will need to go straight from work and with all 3 kids so wish me luck sob sob

My mum has knitted the baby some mittens and hats and is now knitting booties. A ball of wool at 1.19 from the range does about 3 hat and mitten sets!!! I am very chuffed as i love knitted things and she is going to knit my DD an aran cardi too!!!!!! For a present (that wool is expensive lol) - i really must get her to show me how to knit. One of my sis has just knitted her first scarf (for her bf) - i want to be able to knit xmas decorations and baby stuff!!! - and baby doll clothes for DD

Couldn't resist ASOS bargain - 2 tshirts for DS2, a pack of bangles for DD xmas and some designer socks for dad's b'day on Mon - including delivery and a voucher #2.00 - 50p an item

Also picked up couple stocking fillers for the kiddies in poundland and cheap DVDs in the range - the entire lil miss collection 3.99, iron man cartoon 3.99 and one for the youngest 2.99!!! - they will love them and as we have no tv licence they will enjoy watching their films.

Not so frugal was my other asos 'bargain' - 1/2 price UGG boots for DD - but they are unisex and so will last for DS2 and the baby yet to be born - when divided by 3 children the total cost each is just 15.33 - which i think is quite reasonable lol. I may even be able to put them on ebay at the end of all that depends on the condition!

Have transferred some money from TCB - want to sit down and go through my debts this month and work out how much i now owe to each company and work out if i can make some extra payments next year and maybe even a F&F - i know one of the co's wil do f&f over a few months which would suit me as i could seriously reduce spending to the bone if i had the incentive - mmmmmmmmmmm - ltos to think about

SORRY TO WAFFLE SO MUCH

Erme - i hope you shift that chest infection ASAP xxx
Frugaldom - i love your posts so so much - and i love ur website - i really love the photos as it feels like a whole other, better life!
Everyone else - well done to everyone still so motivated at this late time in the year - look forward to all the newbies in Jan lol