Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

diddly74

I had a nice surprise yesterday - Eon sent me a letter saying that they are reducing our DD by £29 a month. Gonna try and put that £30 in savings now instead of spending it as I normally would so that will help the coffers!

On the flip side a couple of days ago the insurance renewal came in the post from Kwick-fit policy last year (incluidng charges for moving house etc) came in at about £460, this year the renewal came in at £660! Went on comparison site and had a quote from same company for £408 (for a bog standard policy it was a premium one last year) - so I rang em up and they couldn't match it. Go figure!!!!

So now the Co-op has our business at £388 pa. So that means by swopping I have saved £272. Yes I don't have a couple of the perks Kwick-fit had dumped on the policy - but then do I really need a "premium" courtessy car if I have a bump?

Kerry_Woman

cw18 - Wishing you a Happy Birthday and good luck for the 10k run.
23spiral - Wishing you a Happy Birthday.

Hugs for those in need of one.

23rdspiral

i think i'm gonna bite the bullett and go look at asda's glasses... :cool: which might mean a big spend day... but is better for my eyes than keeping putting it off. we do need rice and marge, so i hope i dont get too tempted on other stuff.

welcome Green Queen! Thanks Kerry Woman!

cw18 wrote: »

And mine on Sunday

Happy Birthday for Sunday!
good luck with your run! i've also booked fri/mon off work... going hill walking and country pubbing in the peak district with OH and friends - was booked before i got strongly warned of redundancy. hey ho.

midwinter wrote: »

I can't believe sometimes, how much money people "throw away" at work, by buying things at lunch from the high street sandwich shops!

i cant believe it either, but then those that do create need for those businesses which keeps people in jobs, so that's a good thing in the end!

Green_Queen

Thank you for the add and the lovely welcomes.

There have been some previous posts about bread making and I was wondering if anyone uses or considers making a starter. I have had one in my fridge since Xmas and as long as I have some bread flour on the go, I am able to make sourdough anytime I fancy. If anyone wants the starter recipe I'd be happy to post it.

CRANKY40

I've been walking the house elf to and from school this week, which has the double bonus of being good for us and saving petrol, but it was just too cold and slippery this morning.

I've budgeted for my petrol in two lots. Each lot has to last me at least half of the month. It's the 20th today and I'm still on the first half of the months's petrol :T It should last me just past the weekend too if I'm careful.

I have raspberry bushes in the garden, and I get a fair bit of fruit off them. I usually grow tomatoes in hanging baskets too, but didn't last year as the builders took over the garden for most of spring and summer. I'm hoping to get the garden tidied up soon, and start making a plan.

As for funerals, I din't really remember much of what anyone wore to my husbands, except for my aunty who wore a faux fur leopard patterned coat. She was a long standing friend of his, and he would have loved it.

gien

Morning, just up out of my sick bed to check in briefly - thanks for all the get well wishes, I feel a bit better today, not yet 100% but going in the right direction.

Has been a frugal week using up what's in the freezer to feed everyone - the kids went to the supermarket one day for me but otherwise we survived on what we could scrape together and no-one has complained.

My DH is away at the weekend and my boys have a scout function so it should be quite quiet. I'm really hoping to be back on form for Saturday morning so I can get a couple of pieces of clothing that my son desperately needs.

freedom2011

CRANKY40 wrote: »

I've been walking the house elf to and from school this week, which has the double bonus of being good for us and saving petrol

Me too where possible but haven't saved anywhere near as much as you, well done.



I have raspberry bushes in the garden, and I get a fair bit of fruit off them.

Ooo have you any tips? I have a space that would be perfect for a raspberry bush.

rubytuesday

It's all in the mind that did make me laugh about your Auntie. To be honest good for her I say, if that's her style go for it although not my cup of tea either!:rotfl:
Well a miraculously early rising for me. I had a cuppa at 7.20 and had cleaned out my make up drawer by 9am!

I'm making a Chorizo and spicy bean stew tonight - never done it before so hope it will be nice!

never_too_old

Just had to pay £1.55 for 4 pints of milk from Mr S, im shocked been used to £1.10 from that Ice***d. this frugalism is working i wouldnt have batted an eyelid a few weeks ago.

23rdspiral

yugh. i've been trying to figure out the minefield of redundancy notice periods / redundancy pay / JSA / capitol depreciation (re savings amounts after house buying) ect ect ect... and now my head hurts. i've been unemployed before, due to contract ends and also for 6 months with depression but never claimed a penny. i still havent been served notice of redundancy but i've just got this bad feeling.