Frugal Living 2010 - the final stretch

Erme

NualaBuala wrote: »

Hi everyone :wave:

Landregistrylass, hope your chest infection is on the mend. It's a good thing you were all stocked up!

solongmarianne, I got rid of Sky last year when I started my frugal challenge) and I haven't missed it at all. I'm still able to watch all the free channels and there are more than enough of them!

Erme, so sorry to hear about the job. At least you've still got enough to make ends meet. Haven't forgotten about your PM - have a few to reply to but tend to wait till I have my thinking head on so I make some sort of sense!

Cheryl - hope you've haven't got lost in what must be a labyrinth of store cupboards at your house. Have no idea how you fit so much stuff in!

I'm a bit jittery awaiting our Budget to see how I'm affected by the inevitable cuts. It's due in a couple of weeks and then I'll finalise my 2011 budget. I've already started but it's hard to see how my main categories could take cuts as so many things have gone up in price. In the meantime, I'm just plugging away spending as little as possible. One good thing about the ME is that I don't have the energy to go out spending so most days are NSDs for me! :A

Hope you're all well and staying warm - I heard the UK is set for snow!

Hugs,
Nuala

Well it wasn't the best of PM's so might be best if you ignore it...hope you are well Nuala and the disability isn't playing up

Kiwisaver wrote: »

Just when you think everything is fine, life throws you some hard balls. My car failed its MOT, so it has been an uber expensive week for me for new brake pads and shock absorbers. Shame I didn't have something to absorb the shock when the garage gave me the quote. :eek: Anyway it's done now and nowt I can do about it.

Thankfully I have been juffling the numbers for the umpteenth time this year and realise my 'Unbudgeted Fund', being mostly income (birthday money, credit card rewards, vouchers, sold books, surveys, and an unexpected dividend) that was to pay for Christmas and Birthdays had a huge surplus showing even after having completed all Christmas shopping. I am now a bit short in that 'Fund' by $108 if I take the car repairs out of there and not much chance of filling that gap - except I paid for car repairs on my CC which will boost my points no end, so I should be able to claim another $20 voucher when this shows up on my statement tomorrow. Another surveys / daily clicks scheme I have a claim for $30 being processed but I'm not expecting to see that this side of the New Year.

Anyway, onto nicer things: the garden is starting to offer up small tidbits of produce. We had the second strawberry today, so that now works out to a cost of just $30 per strawberry. :rotfl: We laughed so much as I cut the first one in half and I offered to OH the most expensive strawberry on the planet. There's another two I am watching closely that will probably be ready tomorrow. We've had some pea shoots and a few weeny radishes.

Silly season hits me very early, first of the parties this week, Christmas cards and pressies for sending home all gone in the mail today (last day for posting at cheapest rate) and all other present shopping for UK family has been ordered online and paid for.

Och I'm just starting an 'everything else' fund for next year...I'm not putting much in it...just £5 a week but it's not to be touched unless I need anything major like a new microwave or something.....I just didn't have the money for it this year so I'd rather budget better

Hoping your day improves..I had a bad day yesterday but thanks so much for all the kind wishes...Has restored my faith in the thread....

Hugs

E

landregistrylass

Afternoon all. Still on sick leave - this nasty infection has still got me on the ropes. 2nd (stronger!) lot of antibiotics now so lets hope they do the job. Nualabuala - thanks for good wishes. The freezer is looking decidedly emptier which is actually a good thing as I have rediscovered some anonymous foil packages which had some tasty (well DH says they are tasty, I cant taste a thing) meals inside. Defrosting a beef stew for tea. Comfort food at its best. Would even make dumplings if I felt up to it. the thought of the most expensive strawberry in the world has made me long for FRESH fruit. Not tinned, nor previously frozen for pie making. FRESH fruit, so DH is tasked with scrumping in Mr T on the way home. Hope all feeling better than me! Signed Mrs Miserable.

Kerry_Woman

landregistrylass - Sending hugs. Hope you feel better soon.

JayneC

Hey everyone

Just a quick hello before i'm going out. Animal Farm went well thanks for the good wishes, I was quite terrified but enjoyed it!! And have a sort of a date with someone from the group

Frugal wise I've just been hit with a massive vet bill for my little cat!! She's had to have an eye removed(UGH!!) as it had become ulcerated. Op and meds £292!!!! plus useless drops that we tried first £81!!!! So told kids no Christmas prezzies

Anyway I'm off to rehease for a panto!! Back soon.

Take care everybody x

Fishcake_Random

Evening everyone,
I have been a very busy little bee today. So far I have;
* Voluntered a few hours at my church.
* Recycled an old football shirt from OH into a cushion.
* Crocheted another row of OH's blanket 6/16 rows
* Sorted out my budget spreadsheet for next year (currently stands at £3571 for the year)
* Cooked a lovely spag bol and boxed up 4 extra portions for the freezer.

No wonder I'm feeling pretty knackered lol. I also managed to pick up 6 branf new vest for Fishfinger in size 12-18months for 20p each. I've started picking up a few bits like that to put away for when she grows. I've noticed a huge jump in prices of baby clothes after they reach a year. Is this just my area or is this a general thing? I will deffo put learning to make childrens clothes on next years to do list.
I have also put up my first xmas decoration, but only because I just finished making it. I found a packet of 20 kitchen scourers in Wilkos for 25p reduced. I cut them in half and used some to cut out letters so they spell merry christmas and few are in star shapes and trees. Threaded on a piece of ribbon I already had they make a cute banner, and after xmas I can take them down and use them to. And once they are done in the sink I tend to rinse them out really well and use them for the bathroom and floors before binning. 3 uses from one item!! Could I make them anymore frugal? lol

Love to all
x x x

landregistrylass

Morning!!! Antibiotics kicking in at long last I think. Frosty outside so jimjams augmented by thick socks and dressing gown. Elegant? No. Warm? yes. Give a damn? Deffo not. That "dont know what this is until its defrosted" stew was fab. And today I am making DH a plum crumble with some plums I stewed YONKS ago. He has been a brick whilst I have been under the weather. Thats what a partnership is all about though isnt it? Partners and freezers...........thank goodness. Having said that, the freezer needs filling up now, so I need to go whoopsie bargain hunting. Using Vouchers from Mr T for DGS Xmas pressies and looking for cheap Nicholas Sparks books for DD. Anyone know of any going?

hollysmum22

hi all no Fishcake_Random i completly agree clothes get expensive once bumps hit a year old lol not been very frugal this week as its princess moo birthday bt am going to make up for it next year by saving more cash

fuddle

I've had a bit of an up and down day today.

I forget that I'm mentally prepared for this challenge. That I want to change the way we spend and i'm ready to take the budget by the horns so it were. The only think is I forgot to tell DH and have today discovered he has frittered away £280 on nothing other than silly buys and lunches for work. We had a good talk and I am now fully responsible for the budget, his lunches and buying in the food.

I'm happy with that. I like the control. Just another string to my Housewife bow that I'm picking up and a long time coming.

Fishcake_Random

Hi Fuddle,
I keep seeing the microholder bit in your siggy, can you tell me more about it? I've not come accross the phrase before.
x x x x

fuddle

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

Hi Fuddle,
I keep seeing the microholder bit in your siggy, can you tell me more about it? I've not come accross the phrase before.
x x x x

lol it just means I have a teeny tiny garden. Heard of small holdings? I'm a microholder - or will be!