FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

Frugaldom

Re your lengthy PM, Erme, I can only apologise. I had no idea I'd offended you in such a way. I haven't responded to it as I'd prefer not to. I shall simply refrain from commenting on anything from now on.

Only a few weeks to go then it's all over for another year. I won't be running the challenge on MSE, as has already been explained on several occasions, but good luck to all who choose to pursue a life of frugality in order to bust debts then accrue some savings.

Erme

Thanks for the prompt apology FL....But I wonder what is behind certain happenings of late (trying to sound vague in order to not offend)...Before frugality when really unwell I ran up massive debts one winter and that's why I'm on this thread. However, whist the illness is not a lame excuse for spending money wrecklesslly something has to pay for it and it doesn't matter how much money you have - when you're unwell like I get unwell the budget and everyday accounting goes out of the window. That's why it's important to be frugal when well to pay for the illness. I used to know a girl a few years ago who'd spent next to nothing when well so she could afford her times of illness. Likewise I know of the chap nearby (whom I mentioned in an earlier post when I ranted) who is relatively well yet still thinks huge debt is okay. I've sorted things out with him now and put some boundaries in place which is better for both of us....:)

Frugality this year has already paid for a washing machine and fridge freezer which I got because I was so unwell for two months I couldn't use the laundrette downstairs...now technically I didn't 'need' either of those items having used the laundrette for the better part of nine years but that's the sort of thing the illness requires at times. Every purchase I've gotten of £100 or more this year I've thoroughly researched before getting...in fact I'm more bothered about the 2-3 items at between £5 and £30 I've gotten before I've settled on the £100 item which I've then used and been unable to return. That for me is a personal challenge for next year - not to buy 2-3 of the same thing before settling on an item because it all adds up. It's a learning process for all of us, a journey and we are all on different stages of our journey but one man's need is another's wasteful riotious living. It's not whether man a's apparent need is wrong but are they making progress? For this life is but a vapour and as it certain we bring nothing into this world, it is even more certain we take nothing out.

Thanks once again FL for the apology...time to go to Mr A before it gets dark with the new panniers that have just taken me an hour to put on and now I have grease all over my hands :eek:...hoping I don't catch my feet too much on them cos got with money semi earnt off amazon and they're a really good size for the weekly shop and dutch (always wanted dutch panniers )

E

Erme

PS Thanks FL for the review on Mr Al flour cos am currently on 50p bags of hovis flour gotten from AF (got 10 of them thinking they'd last....now not so sure) and it's worthwhile knowing for when they run out...has anyone else seen the strength 5 douwe egberts coffee at the £shop lately...haven't gotten any yet but it's on my to do list...it's got to be very similar to Mr S french espresso I think because that's literally like cafe coffee but in your own home ..best shop bought coffee I've had that's anything like cafe coffee....but expensive at about £4 a shot (and yes I know about the free tall any variety coffee but even so...when coffee for me there is 75p normally it's not a huge saving)...


E

fuddle

*whispers because not part of the challenge* I have 'enjoyed' and i'm inspired after reading this thread. I'm looking forward to January when I can join in.

here's to learning and saving

Edit: eeek just read the last few posts. Might there not be a challenge in the new year?

cw18

fuddle wrote: »

Edit: eeek just read the last few posts. Might there not be a challenge in the new year?

FL has lots of other things taking up her time, which I think have meant she's not been able to keep up with/post as often this year as in previous years

I, personally, would like to see this challenge continue in 2011 as it's helped me enormously over the past 2 years..... and next year is going to be the toughest yet for me due to having lost all income related to having a dependant child, but not being in a position where I can really consider down-sizing the house until the middle of 2012

(there are a couple of ways around the move if it has to happen earlier, but I'd rather not have to resort to either of them as they involve paying out a lot of 'dead' money)

If folks who want to continue with the challenge are happy with someone who just starts a new thread each quarter and posts now and again with "How's everyone doing" type messages (especially around the end of each month), then I'd be more than happy to do that. But (like FL this year) I will have other things taking up more of my time next year (not least the major part of the declutter I've been doing in dribs & drabs for the past 12 months, else I still won't be in a position to down-size in 2012 ), so can't guarantee being around to respond to everything on a daily basis.

slowlyfading

I'd like to see it continue too and I don't mind running the thread either probably won't be very good at it though! just let me know x

NualaBuala

Welcome fuddle ... never to late to jump right in. Just set yourself a budget for the rest of the year. Or even just start recording your spends so you can use that to help plan next year's budget. Good luck!

Cheryl and SF ... I think that would be great! :T I too would love to see this continue but I understand that this has moved away from what Frugaldom envisaged and that she has more than enough to keep her busy! Hopefully it wouldn't be too difficult to continue as Frugaldom already has compiled all that useful info at the start of the thread.

Cheryl, I will be downsizing next year too assuming the house sells. So lots of decluttering for me too. I am trying to sell a few bits on Gumtree and using them for an EEK fund ... I really like that idea.

Aw Erme, hugs to you - you sound a bit upset. I don't think Frugaldom or anyone else was having a go or criticsing - just trying to help you save even more money as a friend would. I think you mentioned trying to help some of your friends by sharing your tips with them. Life is full of what I call "yes men", you know those who nod and agree no matter what. But a real friend will stick their neck out and tell us what they really think if it might help. You are right to be proud of what you've achieved - I think it's fab how you frugalise when well to budget for the periods you're not. It's great to hear the chest is doing better. Hope you'll be able to star the new job soon - any news on that? I have fingers crossed for you. I'm afraid I am getting Kindle envy ... but can't afford it, all my spare cents are earmarked for other things.

Actually scratch that ... what spare cents?! I turned the heating on yesterday and I took a meter reading just before it went on, then one today and it was not good!

Hope everyone's doing ok. Has anyone finalised their 2011 budget yet? I'm just starting on mine but don't know what my income will be yet (but it will be less than this year) so it's a work in progress.

Hugs,
Nuala

slowlyfading

:hello: Nuala - I'm keen to see this continue as this thread was one of the first I joined on MSE and it has helped me immensely! I was only 20 when it started..

I haven't sorted my 2011 budget yet, in fact I've not even started it! My main aim is to keep ticking along really, and saving as much as possible for the wedding in 2012 but yes, I am planning on starting it sometime soon....

Frugaldom

Cheers to all who will continue with frugal living. MSE has been home to my online money challenges for the past 3+ years, but the time has come to leave you all to it. I will now close this thread and let someone else take over in preparation for 2011. Good luck, many thanks to all who have followed and good luck to all for the future.

THIS CHALLENGE THREAD HAS NOW FINISHED.

mama67

Thanks Frugaldom for all your hard work over the last few years

:T