Frugal Living 2010 - the final stretch

Savvy_sewing

Hello, I am just finding the new thread, and trying to catch up. Missed so much, with the house move etc etc. The budget for me has gone completely out of the window, but I must just say that if I had not started on this challenge at the beginining of the year, I would not be going out of the year with a house move, and with money in the bank still!. The budget may have gone for a burden, but at least I have a cupboard full of goodies. We had a good Christmas, and we have managed to pay for carpets throughout the whole house.! So being Frugal, certainly at the very beginning of the year, has paid off for me.
I am hoping to get organised again for something similar in 2011, and will try and keep up!
I hope you all had a good Christmas, and that we will continue to be a Frugal lot next year.
Hugs, Mooloo

Doom_and_Gloom

Just done our final total for 2010 and it has come in as £4,043.06/£5,000 - 80.86%. I hope 2011 is just as good for us.
Happy New year everyone. Hope 2011 is a good one :beer:.

cw18

Sorry folks - should have posted the following on this thread last night, but the fireworks started up 5 mins early which meant I had to go and calm my dog down..... and I totally forgot to come back and do it

2011 thread is now up and running - here

I know I still have some links to add into the first post (to sections of the 2010 challenge), and will try and finish it off over the weekend


Feel free to continue using this thread to post how you did in 2010 - I'm hoping to finalise my spending spreadsheet this weekend (though I'm off out today, so depends what else crops up tomorrow ) and will then post my final position. I know a number of areas were way off the mark compared to my original budget for them, but am confident I came in under my total budget figure


Have a Happy (and Frugal) New Year everyone

NualaBuala

I already posted on the other thread but I guess I should do my Official Declaration here!

I came in under-budget for 2010 - I was aiming for €9600 and came in at €9296.99. :jThat included ~€400 I had saved from last year for some decorating.

The amounts I allocated to various categories changed a lot and there was much juggling but I have used the amounts I actually spent to guide my 2011 budget.

Congrats to everyone who took part and Good Luck to everyone doing the 2011 challenge! :T

cake21

Happy New Year everyone and thank you to all who have posted during the year and been an inspiration. Although I've come in over budget I've paid £4712 more off my debts than in 2009 and that's literally thanks to Cheryl's spreadsheet and the frugal living challenge :j:j:j:j

Well done to everyone especially those under budget but all who have tried :beer:

My final position is total £6406 spent against £5892 budget. Highlights and lowlights: budget / spent / -overspend or underspend

Gas and Electric £434 / 299/ 135 I am so happy about this, my original budget included a 10% reduction on the prior year to spur me on. This was achieved with suggestions from the forum (curtain over front door, "cling film" double glazing on back door and window, heating only rooms in use, keeping doors closed during the day, wearing more layers, hot drinks in the evening) all of which might be obvious but shockingly I'd never done!

Groceries, snacks, work lunches £839 / 944 / -105 Again the budget was a very challenging 50% reduction on last year so I'm happy with the end result. Batch cooking and buying snacks in bulk when reduced, saved money and eaten better quality and tastier food. Next year I can do even better as I've noticed I spend more on food when 1. I'm down and 2. I don't update the spreadsheet everyday.

Fitness & Sports £327 / 761 / -434 Socialising £912 / 656 / 356 These two are linked, I spent more time doing sports than sitting supping in the pub which is good! Pleased overall, should be cheaper overall next year and won't be buying new equipment next year.

Clothes etc £400 / 547 / -147 Must remember the mantra "it's only a bargain if you need it" next year

Course fees £120 / 492 / -372 Clearly had no clue when set my budget, lesson learned for next year (excuse the pun!)

Work related £0 / 382 / -382 Most due to missing a flight due to my own stupidity :eek: Moral: be more organised.

Cashback £0 / 346 / 346 Hoorah for cashback sites :money:

pagangirl

Congratulations to all who made it to the end of the challenge.

I came in under budget as well :j:j:j

Target was £5500 - came in at £4452.53 = £1047.47 under :D:D Ist time I've done this challenge and totally blown away by what I achieved. Thanks for starting it frugaldom :beer:

Hugs to all, and a very Happy (frugal) New Year

xx

Paulgonnabedebtfree

I came in at just over £5.5k in 2010.
It was way over my target but there were some expensive vehicle repairs.

Kerry_Woman

My budget for 2010 was £11,109.18 and my actual spend was £7686.44. Am pleased with that. My budget for my fares was more, just in case I had to travel to London for any temp work.