Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

rubytuesday

23rdspiral wrote: »

i travel around my county for work and pass 4 different lidl's and they all have different stock... i hate to say it but it really depends on the neighbourhood IFSWIM. i'll still look as Organice milk is one thing we try to stick to.

:rotfl:Well I am in what is considered to be one of the worst boroughs in London and I love it but I do need my organic milk too! I asked the cashier if it was new and he said they'd had it for ages. I suppose I'd never thought to look. I'm really pleased!

HelenPie

Welcome laushappy :j :T

redglass_2

Welcome Laushappy, I'm sure your expertise will be very useful!

NualaBuala, that's a really good link you gave for enzyme cleaner, thank you! I'd never heard of it before. There was loads of other interesting stuff on the site including a recipe for a Chinese egg cake, which seemed to be the Chinese version of egg custard but with added flavours, but I had to tear myself away; can't afford to spend any more time exploring new sites, it's hard enough keeping up with this thread! I've printed out the recipe for making enzyme. Have you made any?

Minnie, you've certainly had enough on your plate recently. I hope things work out a bit more peaceful for you in future.

LolaLemon

itsallinthemind wrote: »

Safespace is here http://www.safespaces.co.uk/safespaces-films/ needed as my oldest self harms and needs low sensory areas, sometimes it is the only way of keeping certain children at home, safe and their siblings/family too. With extras and a few sensory bits it will be 5k http://www.safespaces.co.uk/prices/ hence me doing the challenge

No they are school age, although they already eat like teens. I think they like pasta as it is easy to chew and they are lazy Youngest would scoop it off the plate into their mouths, given the chance

Better go have a cuppa before the children go from stirring to moving

How the heck can u be up soo early and up late too? im jealous lol.... in the morning i get up and get son ready for nursery and i dont properly start to function till 11am, and thats even if i go to sleep at 10pm!

the safe space looks good. worth thier weight in gold too.. (i have a very little experience with similar, was just work experience in a 'special needs' residental home)

cw18

NualaBuala wrote: »

Hope your "young man" is ok.

chika wrote: »

Cheryl I hope your lad is on the mend, how is he feeling today?

Not so brilliant - very, very stiff and sore
Apparently has two bruised ribs, a 'squashed' sciatic nerve, and a couple of squished vertebrae !!!

I wasn't at all well this morning (pretty certain it was something I ate rather than a bug though), and felt very light headed - but after managing some toast and a lot of fluid I was feeling quite a bit better by about 11:30am. So when I got a text from him at what should have been the end of my lunch break (around 12:45) to say he was just waiting on the doctor to discharge him before making his own way home (which from what he said last night he planned to walk, and it would normally take 40 mins or so), I had a quick think and check of myself before deciding I was fit enough to drive - at which he got a text telling him to stay put until I got there as I wasn't in work. Got one back telling me he'd be OK and I didn't have to - so he promptly got one back telling him I wanted to, and he'd better stay put if he wanted me to speak to him again. OK, maybe that gave him rather an easy chance of walking away from the nagging - but he did as he was told

So I've spent a few hours this afternoon listening to my iPod while watching him catch up on some much needed sleep - who said romance is dead :rotfl:

But he's definitely not totally with it (or has learned I don't take 'no' as an answer very often ), as when I asked where the closest shop was for milk (he probably wouldn't have lasted the rest of tonight, let alone breakfast tomorrow, with what was in the fridge - and I was making brews while he was sleeping) and then for the fob to get into the block of flats so he didn't have to buzz me back up he didn't argue over the money side of things

NualaBuala wrote: »

You did splendidly as an angel of mercy!

Still not so sure that's the description he'd use - "stubborn, pig-headed nag" is probably more likely to be the phrase that would spring into his mind..... especially after today as well :rotfl:

23rdspiral wrote: »

wow! the spreasheet of wonder has a big brother!!

Oh yes, you'd better believe it does
I'd worked quite a lot of the extras into it before it became clear (at the end of 2009) that more than a few people were itching to get their hands on a copy of it. So I cut it back down a bit for them, and have expanded mine again since (with the new 'whoopsie equivalent' still to do!)

midwinter wrote: »

I'm fortunate that I an walk to Mr M's

I walk to mine at least 7 times a week...... and that's just to clock in for my shifts
And no, I don't work 7 days a week - I come home for lunch on my 2 full days.....
(Only do less if I'm off on holiday or sick)
And (other than a Tuesday when I finish at 4pm instead of 5pm), I normally make a bee-line for the chilled section as I'm leaving - 'cos there's usually someone there taking those Whoopsies down to 75% off at that point (and the three regular mark-downers are now fully used to me lining up what I'm interested in, so that it gets done quicker and I can get home )

midwinter wrote: »

, so do so several times a week to get their very reduced bread etc etc

But also succumb to the nice things of cakes/biscuits reduced.... but just can't resist Belgian white Chocolate Chip Cookies!

And if there's anything half decent going into reductions (such as the aforementioned Belgian White Chocolate Chip Cookies, or the fresh cream Swiss Roll), then I do an extra walk down after coming home and having tea just in case those reached the 75% off point as well

NualaBuala

Before I fall into bed ....

Welcome on board Laushappy and good luck frugalling! I'm sure it won't be long till you find it addictive! Great to have a nutritionist on board, I'm sure you'll have lots to contribute.

minnie2 wrote: »

thanx!! yeah i suppose you are right!! but ive already got a lot of extra spends this month!!!! i need 2 new tyres, car tax and new drivers licence!!! all by the 31st argh!!!!!!!!!!!! such is life!!

Oh gosh, that is a lot all at once. Hope it all balances out somehow. Any chance you could live off your storecupboard for a while to save on groceries? Sorry, you've probably discussed this already - it'll take me a while to get up to speed.

redglass wrote: »

NualaBuala, that's a really good link you gave for enzyme cleaner, thank you! I'd never heard of it before. There was loads of other interesting stuff on the site including a recipe for a Chinese egg cake, which seemed to be the Chinese version of egg custard but with added flavours, but I had to tear myself away; can't afford to spend any more time exploring new sites, it's hard enough keeping up with this thread! I've printed out the recipe for making enzyme. Have you made any?

Well you can thank Ceridwen for it! It came up in a very interesting discussion of using waste that would go on the compost heap - apparently you can make compost heap jelly out apple cores, citrus peel - I think it is such a fab idea! :T I can dig out links if anyone wants them - otherwise just check out the Really Old Style thread for details and lots of other fab info. I am going to give the jelly and the cleaner a go one of these days (my list of stuff to do is getting ever longer!). I didn't explore the site fully but I know exactly what you mean - I get sucked in!

cw18 wrote: »

Still not so sure that's the description he'd use - "stubborn, pig-headed nag" is probably more likely to be the phrase that would spring into his mind..... especially after today as well :rotfl:

Yeah, aka Angel of Mercy, same thing as "stubborn, pig-headed nag"! :rotfl:
Oh dear, he seems to be a bit stubborn himself - what with not making it to the hospital initially and then wanting to walk home with his dodgy nerve! Hope he is better soon and more to the point, hope YOU are too.

I ended up having an impromptu mini evening out and I'm so chuffed with myself. I'm well and truly wrecked, truth be told it was probably more than I was able for ME/CFS-wise. But it did me the world of good emotionally -it felt so good to be doing what everyone else does and I am quite elated! I don't have anything on tomorrow so I can rest rest rest and hopefully make up for it. I spent a fiver but it was worth every cent and will come out of my "Treats" budget. :j

WonderfulLife

I'm a bit late in doing a budget but I am new to this and had to work out my budget from scratch. Compared to some of you my budget for the year won't sound even vaguely frugal.

I have an annual budget of £17,500. This includes absolutely everything that I sould be spending this year. A lot of it is housing costs and paying off old debts. These two account for just over £9,000 this coming year. So my budget for the rest is £8,500. I am planning to clear all my debts this year. So that next year I can save rather than spend.

So far this year I have spent £707.87 of the £17,500 and today is my first NSD of the year. I thought I'd never manage one of those.

It feel good to have imposed some control on myself and Look forward to learning from you all how to live more frugally. Longterm this is my ultimate goal so that I can live on less, work less hours and live a simpler happier life.

:A
WonderfulLife

itsallinthemind

LolaLemon wrote: »

How the heck can u be up soo early and up late too? im jealous lol.... in the morning i get up and get son ready for nursery and i dont properly start to function till 11am, and thats even if i go to sleep at 10pm!

the safe space looks good. worth thier weight in gold too.. (i have a very little experience with similar, was just work experience in a 'special needs' residental home)

I don't do it! Hence the NEED for the safespace!
Thankfully the youngest sleeps through ANYTHING from 7pm-7am on average! They know no different!

Sometimes they sleep 7pm-5am, sometimes they are up constantly through the night every half hour, completely hyper and bouncing off the walls for days on end, never know what the night will bring. They get worn out at school and go for runs outside, but it makes little difference. We had a community nurse three nights before christmas and they could not help or offer any other suggestion than the safespace. You can not switch off as when you do, it means you wake to headbanging, blood, smashed belongings etc.

Tonight I've had crying for an hour as they thought their hand disappeared(sleeve unrolled) and flooding the bathroom despite stair gates and locks!

I tend to get 1-4 hrs a night, but sleep most of the 24 hours they go to Daddy's! The safespace will be worth every penny! No matter how much I love my eldest, fact of the matter is-If I do not get this safespace this year-I'd need to reconsider their staying at home and not going into residential as they are 24/7 some days(others they are angelic) and there is only so much you can do health wise and before it affects siblings. My last relationship may start again(unclear currently) but it is dependant on them being able to sleep!!! May sound harsh, but sleep deprivation is EVIL and it can not be sustained much longer frankly

Key worker is looking in to respite though, which would be AMAZING!!!

Anyway, enough whining! I am just so glad I have found this challenge as it is exactally what I need to keep me focused and get the safespace so they can stay at home 6 days out of 7(The one day nearly kills their father so no chance of more!). I can't think about the other option :) Subject finished, it is to depressing :rotfl:

Today was a NSD :j despite desperately wanting a cutlery set, I may get it tommorow though, unsure, but it is such a bargain! I must top up my phone tommorow, think it has 30 odd pence on it! I got NOTHING done today, not even the washing! Channa Dhal was scrummy and the olive pate with the 39p discounted brands olives tasted the same as ever.

Tommorow I need to plan half term. This can be a MASSIVE cost. Whilst I will want to take the children to various places each day, I do want to cut it down to 2 or 3 cheaper events or places and do the rest free. I can't wait till the summer break when all you need is a football and sarnies to have fun with the children! I'll probably organise a coffeee morning too, any excuse to bake!

Good luck for Wednesday folks!
PS: Cheryl, Although the poor chap is clearly not in a good way, I am glad it was nothing sinister causing his leg to be numb x
Erme, Hope today got better x

itsallinthemind

Welcome Laushappy and also to Wonderfullife who I think I missed before
Zzzzzzz..........

Erme

seriouslyfrugal wrote: »

Hi everyone

Just a quick update from me

Today was a spend day for me went to Mr A's to get a few items & noticed the following which maybe useful to some of you


Pepsi 2Ltr bottles ( all varieties) £1.00 each

Wholefoods bread flour 1.5 kg £ 1.00 ( although I think Lidl is cheaper they did have wholemeal at Mr A)


Domestos 2 Litre £2.00

Dried Dates / Apricots (250g) £1.00



Esme : I'm sending you hugs at this time & as the other's have said don't worry about your spending the other day i'm sure it will work out in the end


Hope everyone is ok and have a frugal day tomorrow

Thanks so much for everyone's kind wishes about the whoopsie spend on Monday. Actually had another one of £7 last night at corner shop cos like I was craving stuff (no am not preggas LOL) and like I knew I had a refund coming eventually on paypal from a whoopsie on Saturday ...

Anyhow if you think a £30 refund is good news (baring in mind after milk I just had £5 left in purse for groceries this week)....even better news..I got a CWP (cold weather payment) today so yeah - sorted . Praise God....literally...

And I thought I was going down with the lurgy (it's going round the block) so I just spent the evening in bed reading the Paul Merrett book - eating crisps and sweets and keeping warm - what a fabbo evening :A

I still think I'm going down with the lurgy btw

...but there's so much to do around the house I don't really mind.

grandma247 wrote: »

Erme I just checked and the site I looked at says 7 minutes for lentils but be careful or they can go mushy.This is the site.

Thanks so much....now why didn't I think of the internet guru for all things Pressure cooking before :thud: - but thanks for keeping an eye out for me Grandma....


Anyhow guys up at silly o'clock so best get nightclothes on - take rest of meds and go back to bed..you'd have all laughed at me bartering at the carpet place yesterday tee hee...I asked for 'a few feet' on the phone...reckon I have 5'x4' at least and he must have thought 'wee lassie carrying it on bus - not going to want much' only for me to turn up prepared with granny trolley - fully armed...sometimes I find it pays to be a bit hyper when bartering (:coffee: at the ready frugalites)

And saw new support worker yesterday. Only got her for 18 months (which is a long time these days) - maybe less - but like she is really nice and I like the look of what the project has on offer . It has the W.R.A.P (wellness recovery action plan - it's really good ) plus a few other tools I can't recall the acronyms for.

Also spent about 1/2 an hour revamping spreadsheet by adding borders and COLOUR so like if anyone wants to look at my simple spreadsheet (with aims, monthly and weekly spends etc) then let me know.... (it's best for folk on benefits following a four weekly month)

E