Frugal Living 2011 - the preparation stage

beanrua

Once a year a group of us put in an order from SUMA and through this I get a years worth of pulses and soya mince much, much cheaper than it would cost to buy from the shops
I'm in awe as well. any chance of looking at your shopping list?? I checked out the Suma site after seeing your post and I think it is definitely something I would be interested in and I might be able to persuade a couple of others, however I would have no idea what a years order would consist of ie how much in terms of weight etc.

alec_eiffel

I'd be interested to know about the Suma order too. Do you all put in your order as trade rather than domestic? I've looked at the site loads of times but just can't get the cost to stack up against the places I currently shop - even with the bulk buy discounts.

BinkyTheHorse

Gosh, lots of questions.

xnatalie81x wrote: »

Your dog sounds lovely - prob similar in size to what my pup will grow into..... about the size of a jack russell/pug..... i ordered his worming and flea treatments this month but to go on next months budget, and food for a couple months on medicanimal.com - just under £28 including delivery - he only needs half a worming tab once a month till he is one and small dose flea treatment

Firstly, thank you so much for this link. I haven't heard of medicanimal before and a quick glance at the first page of the site shows Frontline at a much cheaper price than my vet charges, so I will definitely be looking around that site in a moment :T

xnatalie81x wrote: »

I have never met anyone within the UK who homee educates their children. I have looked into the subject a lot but was put off by the inspection type visits and the like. I am just being mega nosey and would love to know ALL about it Shame you don't live closer as i could do your swimming lessons specially in return for home grown veggies lol.

Sounds like a good swap, lol Feel free to ask as many questions as you like about home education, always more than happy to answer them. We don't have inspections, but we do regularly see the local LEA bod through our local home ed group - we have a very good relationship with our local LEA - sadly that's not the case in a lot of areas.

xnatalie81x wrote: »

How old are your children?? I love the sound of the way things run in your home and am in awe - have to stop now, my 2 week old needs his milk

Our children are ages 15, 12, 11, 10 and 7. Awww, you have a 2 week old - huge congratulations on the safe arrival of baby.

beanrua wrote: »

Once a year a group of us put in an order from SUMA and through this I get a years worth of pulses and soya mince much, much cheaper than it would cost to buy from the shops
I'm in awe as well. any chance of looking at your shopping list?? I checked out the Suma site after seeing your post and I think it is definitely something I would be interested in and I might be able to persuade a couple of others, however I would have no idea what a years order would consist of ie how much in terms of weight etc.

My last order from SUMA was in June I think and I can't remember all that I ordered now. We have a catalogue that we order from - I don't think that everything in the catalogue is available from the online store (not sure about this as only glanced at the online shop). I only buy pulses and dried mince from SUMA and spend around £50 to £60 each time. I usually buy the 3kg size bags and buy whatever beans look interesting - ones that I know we will use a lot of (such as lentils and chick peas) I will buy a three or four bags. It doesn't really matter if I don't have the right bean to hand as you can swap them about if you run out of one type (butter bean hummous is yummy!) I always buy up any dried pulses I see reduced as well - Approved Foods had cases of pre-pack chick peas, dried mince and broth mix a while back and I bought loads of them and they are now stored under the bed.

Sorry, this doesn't really answer your question properly, does it? It seems to work out that about £60 is enough if I also buy a little here and there when I see them reduced or on special offer. I've not really thought about the amount as when I run out of one type I just substitute another.

alec_eiffel wrote: »

I'd be interested to know about the Suma order too. Do you all put in your order as trade rather than domestic? I've looked at the site loads of times but just can't get the cost to stack up against the places I currently shop - even with the bulk buy discounts.

I don't know the answer to this as it isn't me that orders - I just get given a catalogue and return it with my order to my friend! I will ask her this question when I see her next and will let you know. I know that there are at least 15 - 20 people who she collects orders from.

beanrua

Thanks Blinkythehorse, very informative indeed. I will have to give it more thought ie buying bulk from Suma as you have to spend £500 to get free delivery to N. Ireland. Might still be worthwhile paying for delivery but will need to do some sums. Will also check out bulk buying from stores in Belfast, when the roads are passable. Am def interested in bulk buying pulses etc etc just never got round to doing anything about it. Thanks again - stay well, stay warm.

mooomin

Hi all,

I was a frugalite in 2010 but fell off the wagon mid-year. My new (more sensible) budget for 2011 is £10,000 for myself, Mr Fresian and two cats with hollow legs. It's broken down thusly:

Council Tax £1300
Gas/Electric £1500 (Two bedroom flat, high gas costs, badly explained deal meaning I'm tied to a duplicitous and unworthy supplier. I'm stuck with them essentially)
Home insurance £204
Virgin Media £444
TV Licence £150
My phone £480 - tied in for another 18 months
Himself's phone £240 - up for negotiation at the start of 2011
Christmas/Birthdays £360
Bus pass £540
Union £96
Payment to mum £60 (Student overdraft payment to her....I'm nearly 30 though so time to pay her in full this year methinks!)
Entertainment £600
Clothes £500 (First time in three years I've had a clothes budget, woo!)
Haircuts £120
Crafting £200
Groceries £2160
Anything else £1046 This will include diesel, prescriptions and treats

Feel free to comment/suggest improvements or glaring things I've forgotten!

slowlyfading

Looks good, FF!

Dee5565

Hi, Would love to join in as i really need to get rid of my debt and save.
I will be back with my budget when i finish it.

Thanks Dee

cw18

Welcome aboard Dee

Dee5565

Thank you for the welcome.
At the moment my budget stands at 8000.

I will play around with it abit more before i post.
Lots of great ideas,so thank you everyone.
I have ordered the soapnuts, and will try them.
Take care and stay safe.

Dee

beanrua

Have been reading this thread and finding some great ideas. Hope to join in for 2011. Have to work out a budget yet.