Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

LollopyBear

Hi everyone,

First of all, I would like to apologise for not checking in often. I am faithfully keeping track of my spending and this thread/challenge is quite often in my thoughts. Even though I don't post regularly, I would like to thank everyone for helping me to stay motivated by the simple fact that I know there are lots of you doing the same thing!

Really happy this month. Finished the month within budget and a total of £400 saved! (I know that tomorrow is still January, but I'm paid tomorrow and any spends tomorrow will be put on February's page of my spreadsheet). Knowing that this budget is workable means that my husband and I can book a holiday for the summer - one of the main reasons that I started this challenge.

We haven't cut out anything we really enjoy, just have shifted our priorities. We know we want more experiences and memories rather than physical possessions and this has been the happiest January in memory for us. I've been really embracing minimalist principals and seen a big shift in attitude and contentment.

Well done everyone! Even if you haven't quite made it within budget this month, you are still a success simply by making the effort and working towards a goal.

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Have just been reading all the posts to date and everyone seems to be achieving some succes or another, well done. Group hug all round. :j Its amazing what can be cut down or out once we know where our money is being spent but its the being brave and actually recording it thats the frightening bit. mogan6 you were saying earlier that this was an eye opener for you...well not in so many words,but...You will get all the support and help you need on this thread so don't panic. LollopyBear your success in saving £400 seems spectacular, well done for that. :T just think if that were to continue over the period of the year, amazing.

Erme your dilema about the kindle seems to be a tough one, to sell or not to sell that is the question. Only you know what you paid for it and if my memory is correct it wasn't that long ago but if you get a good price and its cheaper to do the alternative well that sounds fine to me. You asked a question about your health,well I think you seem to be Ok so dont worry, I think now we know you would like any feedback it will be easier for anyone of us to tell you...BUT ... do let me know if this is what you want I don't want to make assumptions about this.

Please somebody tell me what a spave is? The words been used few times but I must have missed its definition somehow.

I wanted to comment on youngmummy post also but I'm having a senior moment and cant remember why so I'll save that for later.

Have a good rest of your day everybody. XX

mooomin

Erme wrote: »

One mad thought in the midst of all these mad Non Sabbath shenanigans is that after reading little women on the new phone I wonder if I can read all my other e-books on it? If so I just need a new memory card @ £20 inc p+p and I can sell my kindle (though don't know how much I'll get for it...was going to put on ebay tomorrow night)...tell me if it's a crazy idea someone? Or does it make perfect frugal sense? Why have 2 things for an e-reader? Plus the phone fits anywhere whereas the kindle is a tad wide... And everything is backed up on pc anyways....

If I'm right and you have an Android phone, then you can download the Kindle software and have books downloaded directly to your phone. I don't have a Kindle but do use the software on my HTC.

I think only you can decide if you want to sell it. If you're not using it then it makes sense, but maybe keep it for a while and see what suits best.

cw18

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

Please somebody tell me what a spave is? The words been used few times but I must have missed its definition somehow.

Spend to Save

So bulk buying of heavily discounted items would come into that when stores run good offers

I suppose all my Whoopsie buys that end up in the freezer for future use could also be classed as such, as it stops me having to pay full price (which I couldn't afford) for meat later in the year

Puddleglum

One month down and all is well at Puddleglum Mansions. I am learning a great deal reading all your posts and it seems to be paying off for me. There is a bit of money left over at the end of the month which we were not expecting. The next two months we are expecting to be a bit better off as there is no Council Tax to pay.

On the libraries front, the campaign to save Somerset's Libraries has been partially successful. Nine of the 20 libraries earmarked for closure have been saved and that includes my own local library (managed to get my picture on the front page of the paper this week - never before even got inside!). Five libraries have a stay of execution and people are still fighting for the others. There are some very good economic arguments for the saving of the libraries but I am slightly uneasy as everything up for review is valuable to someone yet as some wisecrack politician said back in May - there is no money left. It feels as though we have all been made dependent on these services under false pretences and now we just have to cope having got used to an easier life.

Anyway :grouphug: hugs to all in need.

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Ahaa! thanks cw18 I actually do that, which is why I have enough toilet rolls and dry cat for to last me until about Sept. Have realized what I wanted to reply to youngmummy for its was about her doing her own nails, saving all that money. Great, well done.

cw18

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

Ahaa! thanks cw18 I actually do that, which is why I have enough toilet rolls and dry cat for to last me until about Sept.

I've got dog food for at least another 4-5 months, and toilet rolls for the year (Nett0 had a brilliant deal on the brand I really, really like back in November I think it was, so I bought 3x24 packs!)

minnie2

does anyone know of any good toilet roll deals at the minute? there is only two of us but we go through them like anything!!

midwinter

Hi to you both, Nichelette and mogan6 and welcome!

midwinter

minnie2 wrote: »

does anyone know of any good toilet roll deals at the minute? there is only two of us but we go through them like anything!!

H*me bargains do 18 for £3.59

I believe pound stretcher currently have http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/36-toilet-rolls-2x-18-packs-for-a-fiver-poundstretcher/863972