Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

natnat13

Well, I did my budget, OMG, how much money do I spend on food??? Over £400 a month for me, hubbie and 2 small boys! That is the biggest change I'm going to make plus stopping other unneccesary spending on meals out etc. And fuel but as I said earlier that is easier said than done sometimes. I am lucky to have no debt apart from my mortgage. I want to set my budget at £16,000 that includes my mortgage, CT, everything I can think of! Right I'm off to read my slow cooker recipe book and plan some batch cooking.

23rdspiral

flying_fresian wrote: »

Not-frugal plans
Buying a new iPod I have "withdrawn" £45 from my Sealed Pot for this and if Council Tax doesn't go up then I have an extra £80 in my budget, so that's £125 and therefore I only have £70 to find in my budget for the year. I think that will be achievable. The borrowed one has corrupted itself so it's unusable and I have a four hour train journey to make next week so I think it's needed. I can justify anything!!

just a thought but have you tried the 'factory reset' theres info about it on the interenet and in itunes too i think. i've had to do it a couple of times - mine doesnt really like my radio charger. worth a try before buying a new one?

lynzpower wrote: »

Agreed, d rather have a spendy day and buy milk at iceland than wait till the next day buy it from Mr tes at 50% more per bottle!

Altough i like the idea of NSD making you think- do I NEED anything

Ditto and Ditto!

SandraScarlett wrote: »

23rdspiral - so glad you liked the sausage meat patties.

xx

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Sorry, I don't know why the font is so large - must have gremlins!
xx

:rotfl:well at least i saw it!! thanks again - you should make sure that recipie is in the Old Style recipie index - it's brilliant! :T

Dizzy Lizzie - another request for the vegan choc cake... nom nom nom!

romylou_2

Hello

Well Ive not been too frugal today. A spendy day for me, had to go to T'co to get my weekly shop and spent.......

£130.73! for 2 of us and a dog!:eek:

On the plus side did manage to grab a couple of bargains:

Finish Quantum Tablets (20's) BOGOF £6.90
Tuna 1/2 price 70p for 4 cans
(One for the men) Gillette Fusion Shaving Gel 1/2 price £1.84

This better last for 2 weeks!! (hubby will be warned);)

seriouslyfrugal

Hi

thanks for the info on the book I noticed there was a programme on bbc2 at 20.30hrs tonight ( although it will be on iplayer if you miss it ) called " baking made easy " which might be worth a look

seriouslyfrugal

rubytuesday wrote: »

Excellent reviews for it on Amazon.
This is supposed to be good too.
How to Feed Your Whole Family a Healthy Balanced Diet, with Very Little Money and Hardly Any Time, Even If You Have a Tiny Kitchen, Only Three ... - Unless You Count the Garlic Crusher... (Paperback)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Healthy-Balanced-Little-Kitchen/dp/1905862156/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

alec_eiffel wrote: »

MIL bought me that book a few years ago. I must admit when I first read it I didn't like it at all, I just didn't get on with the style of writing. Having said that, after a four year break, I decided to take another look at it last year and it's a good book! I haven't tried any of the recipes but I do look at it a lot for tips and inspiration and it's the first book I reach for when I think "could I do x with y..?" So well worth a look, and tbh I don't think it's just for paupers - there are some great recipes in there that would go down well with everyone. It's far from being just about the basics, saving money and eating plain food.

thanks guys for this

midwinter

lynzpower wrote: »

Altough i like the idea of NSD making you think- do I NEED anything

Yes, it's great for making one think !!

midwinter

Spendy day for me, but spread over 3 shops, to get best bargains, plus car tank filled again.

Something narked me today, been buying 2x 1 litre cartons of pure apple juice for £1. Went to that shop today, signs everywhere, no increase in VAT, but gone is the offer for 2 cartons for £1, now 59p each.

Know it's only 18p difference over the 2, but still!!

JayneC

minnie2 wrote: »

i said have you never bought a towel he said no i said if you had ever needed towel before me etc what would you have done and he said mum i need a towel!!!

:rotfl::rotfl:I know it really isn't funny but this made me giggle!!

Posted my e-bay parcels - made £4.58 after postage, which isn't loads but not to be sniffed at. Have 3 watchers on one of my items listed yesterday - DS2 suit that he wore to DD1s wedding about a year ago, doesn't fit him anymore and he's only wore it once. it's a good one from Debenhams can't remember how much it cost but have put it on at £15. Have done another couple of surveys and signed up for 2 mystery shops, will get paid for lunch, that'll do nicely, ta!!

For tea I had the sunday roast dinner that I put aside for DD3 yesterday, she was at work and asked me to save some but then went straight to bed and didn't want it today. Had HM soup for lunch, so that was good. DS2 had pasta and cheese which is his very favourite and very cheap (tho not that nutritious, as no veg whatsover!!) he had tuna pasta for lunch but quite happy to eat pasta at every meal if i'd let him;). DD3 'not hungry' she's probably full of carp, being miffed that I don't get her carp to take to college she's taken to buying her own - crisps, choc biscuits and sausage rolls, with some sort of sugary chemical concoction calling itself a juice drink!!
DD2 at boyf house and DGS at his daddy's, so all sorted!!

Had a look at AP again and was some good bargains but not enough of things I need to justify the postage, so think I'll give up on that one. I did fill my shopping basket but then when I really looked I realised that all I would have really bought anyway was olive oil and fruit juice so I cancelled it.

Cheryl - hope your fella is ok.

Hope everyone else doing ok.

Jayne

midwinter

LittleMissHappy wrote: »

:wave:Hi again everyone:wave:

I posted a few days ago and have been lurking and keeping up with the thread, but it has taken until today to work out my budget. Given up on trying to sort through last years as was making me :eek::mad::( !

Well done for ploughing through your budget and getting some figures. It's a great start to keeping you focussed! :T

Lily_The_Legend

I spent quite a bit at the weekend - will have to tot it all up at some point - as we needed petrol, plus some food, and used treat money on some lunch from town and some more towels which were on offer in Asda! £1 for hand towels and £4 for bath sheets! :j

Small spend day, went to visit my friend in hospital tonight as she had an op today, so the money went on the car park. Visiting hours are for one hour, but the minimum you can pay for is two! Took her a magazine from work and a box of biccies we got at Christmas that we won't eat and she was chuffed with those. Also requested a song for her on hospital radio as DH works with someone who does a show this evening.

Cheryl, can't believe your man didn't go to hospital! Men! :eek: