Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

redglass_2

ceridwen wrote: »

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?

My standby in the past was always books from the public library - this is a good thing to do right now as so many of them are under threat and need to show that they are used by the community...

Websites that have cartoons/games/quizzes for relaxation or for brain stimulation or memory training

Museums & art galleries, free exhibitions

Meditation! (Free and very good for you but you do need a quiet place away from people who will interrupt to ask what you're doing)

Fitness walks - trying to do the same route a little bit faster each day, doesn't have to be rural. One of my colleagues did circular walks each lunchtime, weather permitting, to get away from the desk.

Your local FE college might have a beauty therapy course as well as hairdressing, in which case you can get things like head massages and reflexology on the cheap (but probably not best done in a lunch hour - in my experience the students take it all very seriously and have an excellent attitude but their inexperience makes them a bit slow)

I don't really know what sort of thing you like....

chika

Possibly had the most frugal day in a long time! My flatmate plugged in her laptop earlier this evening. There was an almighty flash and our electric just went off. Landlady had been round twice to fix it but no luck. I'm sat here cold and miserable and hungry. I really need to think twice about living in a flat with no gas and so far away from family. Sorry this isn't really frugal related but just needed to rant before I cry!

midwinter

chika wrote: »

Possibly had the most frugal day in a long time! My flatmate plugged in her laptop earlier this evening. There was an almighty flash and our electric just went off. Landlady had been round twice to fix it but no luck. I'm sat here cold and miserable and hungry. I really need to think twice about living in a flat with no gas and so far away from family. Sorry this isn't really frugal related but just needed to rant before I cry!

hugzzzzz, as I think you need them Tomorrow will be a better day

NualaBuala

chika wrote: »

Possibly had the most frugal day in a long time! My flatmate plugged in her laptop earlier this evening. There was an almighty flash and our electric just went off. Landlady had been round twice to fix it but no luck. I'm sat here cold and miserable and hungry. I really need to think twice about living in a flat with no gas and so far away from family. Sorry this isn't really frugal related but just needed to rant before I cry!

Oh (((((Chika))))) that's rotten. I hope the LL gets an electrician on the case pronto a) so you're not cold and hungry and b) for safety. Have you got candles for some light and a bit of cosiness. And wrap up in duvets or sleeping bags. Have you a neighbour who could fill a flask and a hot water bottle for you? Really hope it gets sorted quickly. x

rubytuesday

Ooh dear Chika that's no fun! And it's so cold today too! x

mooomin

ceridwen wrote: »

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...).

I have internet at work so tend to spend my breaks on MSE

Failing that this year I plan to walk if the weather is nice, but I work in a business park and there is nothing to see when you walk around - the nearest thing is a big shopping centre which defeats the point of frugal pursuits!

Laushappy wrote: »

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.

There is no point in feeling guilty as long as you're trying your best anyway! I automatically stuffed the budget this month with my iPod budget, but I'll make it up through the year and it will be good for my sanity!

mooomin

Well I had a day from work that made me do this and even consider this

I got told today that HR have made a mess of something and my wages will be £250 (gross) less than they should be. I'll get it put through at the start of next month, but I'm not very happy at all. Good thing I'm a frunchkin

Spends today were £9.90 on two drinks (!!) with a friend. They were French Martinis though, so are being counted as good for me. If there's raspberries floating in your vodka they're part of your five a day, right?!

rubytuesday

flying_fresian wrote: »

If there's raspberries floating in your vodka they're part of your five a day, right?!

Yeah right!

mooomin

rubytuesday wrote: »

Yeah right!

*phew*

apple_mint

Just caught up with you all

Big (((hugs))) to everyone who needs one and welcome to all the new joiners :T. Sometimes it feels like you are hitting your head against a brick wall all the time but it's nice to be part of a like minded gang of people who are determined to make this work. I love the little smileys ... rubytuesday's little 'happy, person falling over makes me think of us all. We occasionally fall over but there's someone there to pick us up

OH went shopping with 'the list' for me yesterday and he kept strickly to it and spent a total of £20.96 in Lidl and Tesco. I've told him I'm going to send him again He also picked up a spare gas bottle (our hob runs on this) and it was £36. We use two of these a year and connected a new one at the end of December. So our hob cooking is now covered for the year.

OH's van needs a new part. £140 plus VAT. I've asked him to find out how much it will cost to fit. We've budgeted for repairs in our car account so this won't hurt too much. OH said he was so pleased that we have separate ring-fenced pots of money for things He moaned about having separate bank accounts for things but now he's come around to the MSE way of working