Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

rising_from_the_ashes

Puddleglum wrote: »

AFAIK if you have the sky package then you can get a free upgrade but there may be a package deal that you have to take in order to qualify. Some retailers are doing a deal with sky whereby they equip th TV with sky for£30 and you get £50 "cash back" off of your subscription. Sorry I can't be more help. Need to do more research!

Thanks, will have a trawl around - I'm only looking to get the free channels (don't want to give Sky any more money!).

I don't have a TV ariel so can't get these through the TV without the HD box unfortunately.


Jade - hello & welcome!

miss_empty_piggy

Good morning all, I love sunday mornings as I get enough time to really have a good browse around the challenges.

Had a small spend day yesterday, bought much needed wrapping paper and 10 kids birthday cards for 99p which I thought was a bargain as DD2 is only 6 and gets invited to loads of parties which usually costs a bomb. I also got paid £45 for a birthday cake I made for a colleague at work, which was approximately £25 profit for me. . Most of the stuff I actually had in (although I know I've already paid for them), but still only had to pay £8.80 at the cake decorating shop so it felt like a big win!!!

I passed a shop in my town that I have never been in (33 years). It was the most beautiful shop I've ever been in, very old fashioned but spotless. They let me take my top and dress home ON APPROVAL. I didn't know what she was talking about to begin with, but they let me bring them home to try them on and take back if I don't like it or it doesn't fit (even though they have changing rooms!!!!). I was amazed.

I "bought" a top that was £35 down to £10, and a dress that was £139.95 down to £10. I did feel a bit guilty as I wanted to put the dress on ebay as I thought it was an absolute bargain. They are fantastic quality so feel really happy with these.

Have a good weekend frugalists.

Erme

twiglet98 wrote: »

I am determined that tonight will be the night I crack the Spreadsheet of Wonder! Several dismally failed attempts during January, but all my receipts are in date order beside me, and this WILL get done.

I'm using MS Office 2003, and have pasted and copied the columns for Feb to Dec as recommended in the instructions.

I've renamed the rows to suit my monthly/annual expenses, and entered the 2011 budget using last year's figures, though some will change (Council Tax, Water etc, will be more than last year's when the new bills come in March).

My supermarket shopping includes toiletries and cleaning, and cat and dog food, and I wanted a separate total for the outdoor animals (hens, ducks and fat old pony) so I changed the "T&C" pages to "H&H", and renamed the Toiletries/Cleaning row "Hens and horse". Can I just say my DD earns more than I do and (usually) pays me back for the pony's feed, but I buy it at the same time as I buy the poultry feed.

I don't know what to do about diesel - I do the week's shopping at the weekend (supermarket, farm shop, maybe the market if I have time to look for a parking space in the middle of town). I get diesel on the same outing as we're 8 miles from the nearest town, and 20-odd miles from one with Poundstretcher, Home Bargains and Wilkinsons. The diesel is a bit cheaper there, so if I'm venturing that far I'll put £70 in, to last 2 weeks. To enter it in the regulars should I just keep a record of the total monthly spend, and forget the dates? I'm not sure how the 'Jan others' page and the Anything Else row are meant to work!

Excelphobia big time, I do my own spreadsheet every year to record the dates of the monthly direct debits, but that's only on one page, and doesn't have to do the maths!

natnat13 wrote: »

Just rang BT to get rid of my £5 a month daytime call package as I don't use it. They went through my phone and broadband and I saved £12 a month I know there are probaby cheaper providers but I have never had any probs with BT so am happy to stay with them. Next I need to sort my electric and mortgage out, fixed rates coming to an end on those. DH has just said he will cancel his mag subsricption too.

How did you get on twiglet?

NualaBuala wrote: »

(((((23rdSpiral))))), sorry I missed your bad news re your job as I skimmed through. I admire how strong you are being and that attitude will get you through the tough times .. and we are here to rally you on too.


Thank you Erme :A, that means a lot to me. I have just posted off the letter from the consultant who wrote a strongly worded letter of support, not sure how long it will take for them to deal with it - it was over 6 months before they dealt with my original application so not holding my breath. I wish they had their own medical examination so they could see for themselves but they don't do that anymore, guess it is cutbacks. I can't complain really, there are people far far worse than I am and they are waiting too. I have decided to forget about it until I hear back. I am managing on the interim emergency payment but it's not easy and would like some stability. The main thing though is that I want to forget about being sick and make being as well as possible my main focus. Would rather concentrate on what I can do than feeling upset that I can't do things I used to take in my stride.
I used to have a slight addiction to midget gems - the Mr T value ones were very cheap and tasty! When you have your website set up you could put a link on your profile, there is a section for your homepage URL. I hope next week is better for you hon but glad you seem to be coping well. xxx


I haven't made a firm plan for today yet - possibly go for a walk to the shops or else some house tidying.

Hope everyone is ok and big hugs to anyone who'd like one.

Thanks Nuala...Mr T really is too far away (apart from the metro variety which I don't think will have saver MG).....Anyhow only spent £1 yesterday :j and part of that was on lunch (choc bar) and part on MG

So well chuffed...my 1st low spend day this week..

Now can someone tell me where this clearance section is in ebay? How to find it etc...

With regards my WFH business - currently thinking of putting up a blog (when I finish the stupid sock) and like putting a link to folksy on it...makes sense. But like so need to sort out the meta tags @ Some point...

Anyhow..I went to the veggie garden yesterday for a wee while.:)..that was fun. Gave them the gas for the stove - they said they'll pay me next week...

Today is Sabbath and DV (God Willing) I'll make kirk this am - unlike last week :eek: - what a bad Sabbath I had last week. and then get a nice lunch; nap and read (Boston)....and then see how tired I am (not sleeping at normal hours right now) before going back to kirk tonight. Tomorrow is SAMH and I'm going to see about getting a referral to the craft workshop for training when I finish with SAMH.. Then Tuesday is sewing

Blessings

E

apple_mint

Good morning everyone and welcome all the new frugalistas :wave: Big (((hugs))) to those going through difficult times, the big R word is hitting so many people now.

Yesterday I made one of my 'end of the week' pies - whatever is suitable left in the fridge made into a savoury pie with shortcrust pastry. It was very tasty - served broccoli and potatoes. OH loves these pies, there's the anticipation of not knowing what the taste is going to be :rotfl:. I've actually enough pastry left to make a small pasty to share with OH for lunch. Today will be a batch baking day. The freezer is groaning. I've taken some chicken thigh pieces out and I'll be investigating a frugal recipe for these.

A NSD for us yesterday. Some DD came out of the household account on Friday - two more to go this month but covered by the money we transfer in. Batch made 11 portions of soup yesterday. OH baked another loaf and will slice it so that we can put it into the freezer in two slice portions. So that's the main part of the packed lunches sorted for next week. I also made ratatouille (or my version of it based on what I had left in the fridge) and this has been frozen in two 2 person meal portions. Will be nice alongside some chicken or lamb chops.

Yesterday I almost succumbed to buying some DVDs from Amazon. We do have a bit of budget for this, but not for every week. I spent a happy time putting DVDs in the basket of old classics - about £3 or £4 each - and then got very firm with myself and didn't check them out. OH has a number of boxsets of films which we haven't finished watching, so last night we picked 'A Night to Remember' out of one of the sets and snuggled under a fleece to watch. I do have the new Harry Potter on pre-order though. Amazon must be worried about me, my spending has dropped dramatically

apple_mint

lilylass wrote: »

Thanks, will have a trawl around - I'm only looking to get the free channels (don't want to give Sky any more money!).

I don't have a TV ariel so can't get these through the TV without the HD box unfortunately.

lilylass our Sky package stopped on the 27th and we don't have a TV ariel but we are picking up a good range of channels, including HD ones, from Freesat. We are saving £31 a month by cutting out Sky.

Edit: we are still using the SKY box to do this.

I got a statement from Sky and found they were still charging me £10 for Sky+ but I got straight onto the phone when it came on Friday as I had made it very clear when I cancelled that I only wanted to keep the broadband package. They say they've sorted it but I'll keep an eye on my DD to make sure. They ask the date I made the phone call to check back so I always make sure I make a note of the date of the call, and what I ask for (and what they say), on my paperwork.

Edit again: Sorry lilylass I've just realised that you are looking to get a HD box and don't already have one. I think I need to get my brain into gear!

SandraScarlett

Thank you Cheryl for enlightening me about the New Zealanders in their fancy dresses. I expect they preferred to party on a Saturday, when there aren't quite so many problems with the London Underground "closed for maintenance" lines!

A big welcome to all new frugalistas, and lots of encouragement to everyone, now the first week of Feb is almost over. Miss Empty Piggy, that is incredible that you were allowed to take things home on approval! What a trusting place. Now, I wonder if this board of knowledge can give me some more info please?

I've never sold anything on ebay, but often buy bits and pieces, and whilst mooching around, found the vouchers and gift cards section. I can't understand why people are paying more than the face value of an item??? Surely if you want, say, a £100 gift card, why would you pay £99 plus £3 postage? (Scratches head in amazement!).

xx

minnie2

lilylass wrote: »

I've sold loads of stuff over the years - books, clothes, unwanted presents etc.

When I ran out, I bought stuff off the clearance section and resold in individual lots. Best one was 250 pairs of slipper socks for £10. Sold for £1.50 each - all profits went to my debt! Yes it took time to package/post/list each one but when you're stuck in the house as you can't afford to do anything, it fills in time! (You have to be careful that people aren't selling it as it's damaged or that it won't sell though).



Are Sky giving away free HD boxes? (Fancy one myself as have an HD telly (thanks to DM+DF)

have been considering things like that - weve done the usual abd im not sure hte unwanted gifts i have left are suitable or worth selling. been considering a car boot but not sure i have enough to make it worth going and paying pitch fees!

mooomin

Just checked my Quidco account out of habit more than hope and the £75 cashback I'm due from NPower has changed to Received which should mean it will be paid this month :j February has been a really good month for extra income

I'm now trying to decide between saving it and spending it on something I really want! I do need a new pair of trainers (actually need as opposed to want, they really hurt my feet now) so that might be a spend there.

Off to the freezer now to mealplan

redglass_2

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I've never sold anything on ebay, but often buy bits and pieces, and whilst mooching around, found the vouchers and gift cards section. I can't understand why people are paying more than the face value of an item??? Surely if you want, say, a £100 gift card, why would you pay £99 plus £3 postage? (Scratches head in amazement!). xx

I don't understand this either, :think: but I did hear a radio prog about money-launderers using Ebay so perhaps some of the strange-seeming deals are about that (I'm not pointing the finger at any individual vendor here, just making a suggestion!).

Cheryl, forgot to say last time that your suggestion (to NOT freeze meals complete with rice, etc) is very helpful for the 'singleton freezer'. I've started freezing only the meat, the sauce, etc and not the rice or spuds. This has already cleared a bit of space. :j

midwinter

Well I went to the car boot sale..... very disappointing, nothing there that caught my eye, either ancient relics that really weren't parting cash for, or childs clothes/toys/baby things, and well past that stage now!

So a plus I guess, that I didn't spend anything on purchases, but on the downside, had to pay £1 entrance fee for the privelege of wandering around the place!

Welcome to the new peeps