Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

mooomin

Just wrote massive post then laptop died. Bah!

I'm going to be over budget this month but this is only because I had to replace my iPod...bah again! On the bright side, I'm selling a comping win next month which will put me firmly back in credit, whirrooo!

We're currently in the Highlands on a mini-holiday, taking firm advantage of people's hospitality and sleeping on couches and eating their food It's been a grand time. Our little car (cost £30 and still going strong) has been a legend and she's relatively economical on diesel which is ace.

Hope everyone is doing well

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Erme wrote: »

It's getting really bad. Not been out of the house for two days cos of lack of appropriate disguise. Hard to eat. Can't cook. Downing haloperidol like it's about to be made illegal...not really helping much...

Seeing gp on Wednesday @ 3.30pm if I can get myself out of the house..Hands really hurt too and paracetamol not helping. Sometimes I can knit for a little while but that's it...

Can't listen to the radio or anything..finding it hard to understand what folk are saying to me. Finding it hard to go on the forums on moneysavingexpert cos can't read....

Erme le fatwig
PS. Mr C and Mr D - am only sending this to you in case I don't make sur panel on Wednesday. trying to avoid medics cos they're part of the conpsiracy. reckon it'd be self murder if I turned up. ELF

PPS. Am posting this here cos I'm pretty regular on the forums when I understand stuff but right now I don't. I know tomorrow is big giro day when i normally PAD but even with the spreadsheet I haven't the foggiest idea how to do it

someeting about being allergic now to all deodorant bar the home made stuff and sleeping in my clohtes in case there's a knock at at t he door taking me to the stake and not washing my ahir..

elf

Erme it seems as if you are really having a tough time of it at the moment, so sorry to hear this but do try and keep your appointments to get the correct medication and the help you require. I'm sure you know your medication better than anybody but perhaps its not wise to down too many haloperidol, it might be better to stay to the prescribed amount. At the moment just give yourself some TLC, forget this thread and don't worry about anything else. When you feel fit and ready then its time to return here but all in your own time. Look forward to knowing when you start to feel well again. XX

rubytuesday

Hi Outer I can't access my PM's and am having a laptop nightmare! What is it with laptops tonight? x

rubytuesday

NualaBuala wrote: »

What a lovely encouraging post Sandra, thank you!:A

Ditto!:):A

never_too_old

cw18 wrote: »

Two good bits of news today...

First is that spending time with me over the weekend (which included meeting DS2, DD and GDs) doesn't seem to have scared my chap off - or at least I think that's a fair assumption as we spent at least 1.5 hours on the phone earlier this evening

Second is that while his Dad is still in hospital, it seems to be more of a precautionary measure - and they're hoping he'll be home again in the next 2 or 3 days

Brilliant news on all counts

apple_mint

Good morning everyone :wave:

Firstly, I just want to say 'Well done!" Cheryl on the race. What a brilliant achievement.

I've just caught up with you all again. I agree, January is a particularly hard month to get through. I have to say, though, that I personally am doing better than I would have because of the good advice and support on here. I've almost spent on 'wants' rather than 'needs' a couple of times but being on the challenge has made me consider the purchases a lot more and I've walked away. I hope I can keep this up. OH is great and when I've suggested something for him, he simply says, 'No, we are saving."


I've been checking the electric metre reading weekly. So far there is no pattern. Up and down, though not desperate amounts used. Can't work it out. We've been racking our brains. At least we are tracking it now.

The fish pie session at the weekend, yielded 3 x 2 person pies. One for last night and two for the freezer. I used this recipe:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3174/fish-pie--in-four-steps

OH loved it and the recipe will now go into my recipe book (a gift) where all the tried and trusted favourites go.

We also tried this chicken drumstick recipe at the weekend and this is also going into the book.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4785/sticky-chicken-drumsticks

diddly74

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Please remember what I said before. Even if you've only saved 50p this month - it's something. January's the longest of the long months, with 31 days. March might mean cold winds, and even snow, but it also means Spring's round the corner.

May means lots of gardening time, and light evenings and July and August are happy Summer months (even if you have children that have to be constantly amused and you feel like a Butlins Redcoat!). October days can still be pleasant, and December brings Christmas.

But January's so long and bleak and endless. If you've only managed one packed lunch, or made-from-scratch meal, and it's something you don't usually do, that's a huge achievement. :T

I apologise if this sounds patronising, because it isn't intended to be. But it's like encouraging people who've been on a diet for a month, and found they've lost a pound, whereas someone else is 2 dress sizes lower - and you hate 'em!!!! :mad::mad::mad:

I know I haven't made the economies that others have, but I'm pleased with what I have done, and that's what we should all do. Let's pat each other on the back, but give ourselves a huge "well done" too. :T :T :T

Keep going everyone. The first finishing post (end of Jan) is in sight, and February is next week - and the shortest month. And even if you haven't saved 50p, but have been reading this thread, that's an achievement too.

I'm cheering everyone on from my armchair, where I'm waiting with virtual orange slices, and refreshing drinks ......... chocolate cake for those who want some ...... in fact, anything you like (as long as it's virtual ) so hang on in there - you're wonderful! :beer:

xx

Thanks for that! Makes you think doesn't it.

I have gone crashing thru the budget walls and don't really know why. Will have to temper myself a bit more. Thing is I have saved what I said I was going to save and there will be money left in all the bank accounts for the beginning of Feb. I don't go near needing an overdraft and all the bills are paid.

My goals for Feb are to stick to budget and eat from the freezer - get that almost completely emptied and eaten and refill again. I have 2 slow cookers so I want to do some batch cooking - as once I am on placement him indoors will be in charge of cooking tea and beleive me I have seen some concoctions over the years if left to his own devices!

never_too_old

this is my first month of frugalism and although its not easy(dh fights it) im getting into the swing of it.Im doing this so we can pay of debts , dh is s/e and wages fluctuate and are at least halved because of the recession.

but i know its only the 25th but all my dd are now out for the month and they are All paid,no bounced dd :j
i dont have an overdraft now,my last bank withdrew it last summer and when i opened new account i didnt want to get into that mess again.
noticed the biggest difference with my groceries,meal planning and not shopping daily.
im Pading not huge amounts but this gives me hope that we can be eventually debt free.
so moral of this essay is to pass my thanks to everyone, i wouldnt have done this if it was not for this site,

now for some advice please.
my contents insurance has just come out of bank, currently paying seperate for buildings and contents( long story was moved out of property due to flooding so had 2 addresses to insure) currently payin just under £57 per month for both, contents insurance will let me cancel mid term no probs but buildings works out i would have to pay £120 to cancel.new quote is for £27 month for both and would get £50.50 back through cashback site.do i start new policy and cancel contents i have already and continue paying buildings until policy ends in the summer?

rubytuesday

Morning all.
Aiming for a reasonable spend day today as I shall pop to Lidl after I go out with my walking group as it is near by. I need to crack on but will have a quick perusal first and try not to fall into the MSE black hole!

23rdspiral

i've been away for my 30th birthday, and had a fantastic time.. and very MSE too, well as MSE as I could be!!

we rented a Peak District holiday cottage with 2 friends (off season!)

we did have a takeaway one night, but home cooked the other 2, cooked our own breakfast and we made sandwiches for some days from whoopsied rolls too! We didnt have pub luches, and only had a couple of pints out in a lovely pub, teh rest was stuff we'd had for ages that needed drinking like Mulled Wine gifts, or cheap from Mr M.

And we didnt pay anything for entertainment apart from car parking as we walked around somewhere pretty on Friday, tackled an 8 mile walk up Mam Tor on Sunday & walked up to Solomon's Temple above Buxton on Monday.

even the rest day/hangover day spent in Buxton was MSE - we only spent a few pounds in charity shops!! and i got 3 2010 Xsttich mags for 3quid, and 4 bits of 75% off fabric! Oh, and our Bakewell tart had a damaged edge so was half price!!

Sorry for waffling, but it was a brilliant wknd and i'm so glad we didnt cancel due to money worries.

~~~~
I think it's gonna take me a while to catch up here... i hope everyone is well x
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SandraScarlett wrote: »

I apologise if this sounds patronising, because it isn't intended to be....

I know I haven't made the economies that others have, but I'm pleased with what I have done, and that's what we should all do. Let's pat each other on the back, but give ourselves a huge "well done" too. :T :T :T

thanks Sandra, what a lovely post.

I also havent made all the savings i maybe should have... but i've spent a lot less in some areas, and a bit more (i think) than normal in others due to Spaving and petrol economy, and Most Importantly for me, thanks to being mindful and persevering with recording my spends, I NOW KNOW WHERE MY MONEY HAS GONE!! Blimey!!