Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

cw18

slscarborough wrote: »

Have no idea what an accetable budget would or could be? We are a family of 4 with 2 cats?

Acceptable would be one you can afford to finance without going into debt.

Other than that there are no 'rules' as to what anyone's budget shoudl be

Laushappy

Evening all.

HOWLINWOLF. Bless you, i feel so sorry for you. Why are you having to pay so much? is there no way around it? May be worth asking round a few more companies. Dont let it stress you too much, i'm sure you will end up getting a better deal. Big hugs to you. Sainsbury are do house and contents insurance and offer a 40 quid voucher and extra reward points, maybe try them?

CERIDWEN - I know what you mean about finding free treats, i pick up the free mags from boots, sains and the healthfood stores and read them, i know its not much but i enjoy reading them more knowing they didnt cost me anything How about having a treat money box, even a small amount each day such as 20p would add up after a few weeks and you could treat yourself to something nice :T

Well was heading for a NSD today but then popped to see my friend who has a lovely bakery near her house, and brought a loaf of bread, a lamb samosa, 2 chelsea buns and a cookie and now i'm £4.20 poorer But i dont regret a thing, enjoyed every morsal!

Think we all need to stop feeling guilty about everything we spend, its a part of life that cant be avoided, we should enjoy what we spend (as long as we are being frugal of course :A) and be proud of what we save.

keep at it everyone, we are all doing a fab job :beer:

seriouslyfrugal

slscarborough wrote: »

Right I have decided to do an all in budget. Just looked at last years spreadsheet and spent a whopping £28000!!

Have no idea what an accetable budget would or could be? We are a family of 4 with 2 cats?

Welcome onboard :hello:

CRANKY40

Well the walking to school to be more healthy and save petrol has produced some unexpected bonuses so far this week. The house elf was Star of the day in his class on Tuesday and today. It's unheard of for a child to get two awards in one week, and pretty rare for mine to get any at all. His small friend who walks with us with her mum and brother has had a head teachers award and was also Star of the day today in her class. Obviously all the walking (and running) is taking some of the bounce out of them.

I would have been walking with him before now had I not damaged the ligaments in my knee last year. It took over 8 months for them to heal.

Ceridwen a friend has just suggested I go and have a look at this site http://www.mapmywalk.com/memberships/ Maybe that could be something to do with your lunchtimes?

NualaBuala

ceridwen wrote: »

Right - about to "go off" and watch that tv programme link NualaBuala kindly put up for me earlier on and thinking "Little treat for myself - here I come" - as I think that might be an interesting programme for me.

One of the things I find hardest actually about trying to be mindful of how I spend my money is what to do about "treats" for myself - now that I'm trying not to spend money to buy myself something as a treat.

I have a problem with the "just take a walk somewhere nice in the countryside, etc and study Nature" school of thought. I do what I can on that idea - because that IS a treat to me - but I have to live in an urban area:( - so thats not as "available" as I would like. So - I am at a bit of a loss for how to give myself treats that cost little (if anything). I'm also at a bit of a loss as to how to spend lunchbreaks from work (after I've used however many of them I need to to do the shopping - I've still got "spare" lunchbreaks that I am at a bit of a loss as to how to fill...).

So - I think these might be problems others face as well - so what solutions have others found to these situations?

A very good question Ceridwen. I was never a terribly big spender but I did used to look around shops as a leisure pursuit - something I don't do anymore because looking is too much temptation to buy! And I have also used food as a treat - not ideal when I am trying to lose weight.
So I too am on the lookout for frugal and healthy treats.
Lunchbreaks - all depends whether you want to get out of your workplace or not? Could you use the time for learning something new - a language or a new skill? I'll second the idea of walking around exploring your surroundings - nice to get a breath of air and I discovered some interesting places that way. Are there any museums or other places of interest you haven't visited? Over here many are free.

Treats - am thinking new hobbies, or indulging existing ones a bit more. Maybe getting into making homemade toiletries more?
Reading - there is lots online for free but I find it can be a bit addictive.
Maybe spending a bit of time with a home spa using a body brush to get the circulation going, a nice bath or shower and some nice moisturiser afterwards.

HowlinWolf wrote: »

Well After my positive insurance post earlier it all went horribly wrong the insurance company withdrew their quote. I've had to go to a specialist to the tune of several hundred pounds more per year. I could honestly cry buckets and I have bad physical stress symptoms which is likely to mean an early night and a few days of feeling hideous to come

(((((((HW)))))) - I know that feeling well. I think an early night is a good idea, and if possible find some way to unwind before going to sleep - I like to listen to classical or meditationy-type music to unwind. Is their any leeway in your budget to allow for the extra money you have to spend? If the spends can't be avoided, and you have the money then I find the best thing to do (in terms of stress and upset) is to bite the bullet and accept it as soon as possible. I keep having extra expenses with the house and I have cried on more than one occasion. But I noticed that I found a way to pay it each time (because I am lucky enough to have a small safety net which was earmarked for other things) and then just make the decision that the money is no longer mine, let it go and work on a budget for my new circumstances - it seemed to help me get over these blows faster. Hope you feel better soon pet.

Welcome to new folk and hugs to anyone who'd like one. x

slscarborough

I will be looking at an all in budget of £17000. Worked out my estimated annual income to be £22000 - so if all is well should have some savings at the end of this year.

Seems alot I know but compared to last year this will be a challenge!!

rubytuesday

:hello:Everyone. Piper you have been busy!

Re the magazines I am now whittled down to three subscriptions, County Living which I got through Tesco's points, Good Housekeeping and Red which I enjoy. I also got a one pound for twelve editions to the Economist with a free USB stick which was posted on the Low spend board. I made sure that got cancelled a while ago as that is impossible to get through in a week! :eek:
I've been addicted to magazines for years but not the celeb goss ones they're not my cup of tea.

Minnie I have to say I'm not keen on the 'taking back idea' I don't think you'll be able to relax if you're worrying about keeping something pristine. I'm sure you'll come up with something.:)

I didn't make the Chorizo stew in the end I made a pasta bake with lots of veg and a little parma ham. Very tasty and I made some white choc chip cookies to use up the chocolate I got to make Baileys Fudge at Christmas and they are yum yum yum but two is enough! Enough!:rotfl:

midwinter

welcome slscarborough

midwinter

Today was a good day. Meeting at work, followed by meal (work paying) ..... wandered around the shops at lunch time, but didn't buy..... although was so tempting!

So, very happy, that I've managed another NSD

midwinter

HowlinWolf wrote: »

Midwinter, I bought a gammon hock from Mr M the other week. I boiled it for two hours and then shoved it in the oven for 25 mins. It was delicious and it went a long way. We had it with cheese and then in carbonara, omlette and then the dog had the leftovers. I think the hock itself was only 1.56 so for all that meat I thought it was quite good value, I'm not sure how much gas it used but I think it was worth it.

Thanks for your advice:)

Hope the insurance doesnt get you down.