Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

redglass_2

lilylass wrote: »

The flash caught my eyes: I had to stop
It was luscious and floaty: way over the top

I sauntered over: no thought to resist
The changing room light blinking through a mist

Once on, it fitted like Bonnie & Clyde
(or Jude & Sienna or Wilma & Fred)

I look in the mirror: it really is “me”
And the devil inside me is reeling me in

The cupboards are bare & payday is far
I have to have it but have no money spare

I think of the comments on the MSE threads
Will I sleep if I buy it, when I go to bed?

So what have I learned in my month on the boards?
To budget and meal plan and avoid shops when I can

I have made progress: steps forward but many more back
It's not a quick fix that I need but to get my life back on track


Sandra and Dizzy have put it so well
& I don’t want to fall down Diddly’s steps



So ....... do I buy it or walk away...

You tell yourself, No, it's a No-Spend Day!

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

'Albeit in Cyberspace'

I've met a bunch of people
Albeit in Cyberspace
But that really doesn't matter
'Cos they bring a smile to my face
No matter what the problem is
Whether it's big or small
Their cyber arms are all outstretched
To catch us if we fall
And when we're sad and having a groan
When all we can do is sit and moan
There's always support
And a friendly word
Never a post goes unheard
If you're a lurker join us now
Spreadsheets and links
We'll show you how
Make a brew and come and see :coffee:
How fun getting debt free can be
It really is a friendly place
Albeit that we're in Cyberspace

Luv Dizzy x

I just love these poems! :T:T:T:T:T

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

. I wonder if we had a meet up whether we'd look completely different to how we think each other may look? Luv Dizzy x ♥

THE WOMAN ON HER 75TH CONSECUTIVE NSD

Her eyes are crazed
Her voice is hoarse
She never goes out all day
But if you listened at her door
You just might hear her say:
'I'm on my 75th NSD, my 75th NSD.'

'I stewed the cat three weeks ago,
(rubber cat, rubber cat)
I made dessert from sugar and snow,
What do you think of that?

And now we're eating dustballs off the floor,
And my DH says he doesn't like living here any more,
And my SIL says it's taking me over
Because I asked if she would let me butcher Rover.

And I no longer like the taste of eco-balls
And the neighbours have started pounding on the walls
Because I nicked some firewood from their shed
And when they asked me why, I turned and said,
'I'm on my 75th NSD, my 75th NSD.'

And I'm no longer spaving
'Cause I have to beat the craving
And I have to confess
I know that I could live on less,

Because I'm on my 75th NSD!

Hey! You too could be like me!
On my 75th NSD!'

NualaBuala

Rubber cat!
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

diddly74

Fantastic Poems Ladies! I am really enjoying reading them. A bit late because I could catch up last night - Hubby put Meet the Robinsons on (Disney Film) and I got engrossed in that. It was lovely - we finished watching it long after the kids were sent to bed. :j We have been trying to sit down and watch films/programmes as a family more often since we enjoyed it so much at Christmas and it reminded us that we actually like eachother! lol.

Anyway. Its that time again - time to get kids up and ready to start the day! Have a good one people. Won't be a NSD for me cos the Evil Uni Car Park is sure to eat £4 of my money!

mooomin

Morning folks

Not a lot of frugalism to report in Fresian Towers so far this week. Yesterday was a spend day and today was meant to be a NSD but Mr Fresian has announced that we need catfood. Bah! Still, have found bags of Go Cat for £3 in Asda - they're normally nearer £5 - so will go there for that. It's only one flavour, untested on the cats, but they will eat it if I deem it to be cheap enough! Given the price of their food, I'm going to be looking into the cheapest way to feed them - it's time for them to go down a brand methinks. They're old cats though so I don't want to upset them - last time I changed their biscuit brand there were dirty protests :eek: :rotfl:

I decided yesterday that I had too much cash in my purse (the very idea!!) so made a £10 overpayment to my mortgage. That was before I realised I needed to buy catfood. I now have £24 for the rest of the week which will be for all shopping and any social plans I have. I'm already planning lunch with a friend on Friday and coffee on Saturday, so I'm going to have to watch the pennies very carefully!

Better go and forage for lunch in the fridge then get to work I suppose. Have a good day all!

natnat13

Feeling fed up today, bit pre-menstral and hubbie p888ing me off. He thinks I'm just here to cook, clean and service him if you get what I mean. I went to yoga last night and when I got in he moaned I don't spend any time with him, so I'm not allowed a life then? Sorry to rant, just feeling fed up and got no one to talk to

alec_eiffel

Hi all,

It's great to read everyone having such a good time with the challenge and the fab poems!

I'm another plodder-onner, nothing really to report, just getting on with it. Well, we did have a bit of a big spend at the weekend. We've been organising the house and went through our wardrobes. Once we'd decluttered our clothes we became concerned we might have to leave the house naked on some occasions so went to the shops. I have to confess I did pay full price for a shirt from Fat Face but we got plenty of bargains from Gap so it wasn't too bad. and we spent less than our budget which was the council tax we're not paying this month. Lot of expense but all the basics covered now!

Oh yes, we also finally got the issues with our gas bill sorted and I am very relieved to discover that we are still just in credit even after all the really cold weather. I was worried we would owe lots but we don't so hoorah!

Have a good day everyone.

never_too_old

natnat13 wrote: »

Feeling fed up today, bit pre-menstral and hubbie p888ing me off. He thinks I'm just here to cook, clean and service him if you get what I mean. I went to yoga last night and when I got in he moaned I don't spend any time with him, so I'm not allowed a life then? Sorry to rant, just feeling fed up and got no one to talk to

we all need to rant,im sure my hubbie gets more premenstral then me.if you ever need to rant again you can always send me a pm always willing to listen. take care:D

patentgirl

natnat13 wrote: »

Feeling fed up today, bit pre-menstral and hubbie p888ing me off. He thinks I'm just here to cook, clean and service him if you get what I mean. I went to yoga last night and when I got in he moaned I don't spend any time with him, so I'm not allowed a life then? Sorry to rant, just feeling fed up and got no one to talk to

Rant all you want natnat thats what we are here for each other sending you big hugs
Fab poems made me chuckle
Not alot to report here either no big spends done or due this week and second NSD in a row woohoo:rotfl:
have a good frugal day everyone x

salski

Im struggling to be frugal this last few weeks. Being off work on maternity leave means I am meeting friends each day and going out for meals or coffee etc.
Friday, Monday today and tomorrow I have meals and coffee planned!! Its ridiculous, but all my friends want to take me out for a final meal before the baby arrives! LOL
Shopping challenge is going OK as Im eating out all the time. I have a separate budget for my own spends which is dwindling by the day - but I still feel bad spending so much after doing so well getting our debts down!
Hey ho! Fingers crossed baby will come in the next few days and I will stop spending Too busy to keep going out for bloody meals! Hehe x

NualaBuala

natnat13 wrote: »

Feeling fed up today, bit pre-menstral and hubbie p888ing me off. He thinks I'm just here to cook, clean and service him if you get what I mean. I went to yoga last night and when I got in he moaned I don't spend any time with him, so I'm not allowed a life then? Sorry to rant, just feeling fed up and got no one to talk to

((((((NatNat))))) I get really wobbly before my period ... and that's without an OH to get up my nose. My ex still tiptoes around me when I tell him I'm premenstural! What not strike or "go slow" while you're under the weather, he might appreciate you more if he has to fend for himself. How did the yoga go? I am thinking of trying it (again) if I can find a gentle enough class that isn't overcrowded.

Today will be a spend day as I'm meeting someone for a cuppa in town, shouldn't be too spendy though!