Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

cw18

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Oh ...... I see (penny drops), but why couldn't you just tell the social that you sold some unwanted clothes/gifts etc, on ebay? Or would you have your benefits cut if you did that? I don't know much about benefits, except when I've helped friends complete claim forms for Attendance Allowance, which is like writing War & Peace!

It used to be the case (can't say for sure now), that if selling personal belongings you didn't have to declare it.

But if you buy bits specifically for selling on (and there can be quite a good mark up even on new - and full priced - items if you're prepared to ship internationally), then you have to declare it as income. And any additional income can cause a reduction in benefits (until you get to a total stop if you earn enough)

redglass_2

Trackie bottoms, trainers, secondhand fleece, beanie hat (a present from my mum). Usually it's big woolly boots on the feet but I did some exercise tonight and couldn't be bothered to change footwear......and there's usually a cup of tea glued to my hand.

Thanks for all the responses on my ####. The first time someone (I think it was Flying Fresian) said it meant the figure was too big for the column, I thought it was a joke! Now I've tried expanding the cell and sure enough there is the figure. All I have to do now is recover from the fact that my overspend was so big it BROKE THE SPREADSHEET OF WONDER :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

cw18

redglass wrote: »

All I have to do now is recover from the fact that my overspend was so big it BROKE THE SPREADSHEET OF WONDER :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Other folks (if not everyone) will probably hit the same thing at some point during the year.... I have a (nasty?) habit of resizing columns to minimum sizes while I'm working on spreadsheets, purely so I can see the whole width of the table on the screen without having to scroll across

redglass_2

SandraScarlett wrote: »

If I had a no-bra day, I'd hit everyone in the face! ...

Oh ...... I see (penny drops), but why couldn't you just tell the social that you sold some unwanted clothes/gifts etc, on ebay? Or would you have your benefits cut if you did that? xx

that's an unforgettable image there, SandraScarlett :rotfl:and I know how you feel...when I was at school the big question was, 'Can you put a pencil under there?' and now for me it's more 'can you fit a desk under there?' - or maybe a branch of Ryman's.

Re the gift card for £51, I think Cranky40 has got it right - if you are not just a claimant trying to make a bit of cash but an organised criminal with a big budget to process, there are clever things you can do with PayPal. I seem to remember this is more or less what the programme said, but can't recall the details. I do remember it was quite complicated, though...

LolaLemon

SandraScarlett wrote: »

If I had a no-bra day, I'd hit everyone in the face!



Aaah, but we can still feel young ...... and still want to learn how to be more frugal. You, for instance, have generously posted a load of tips. Thank you. :T



Oh ...... I see (penny drops), but why couldn't you just tell the social that you sold some unwanted clothes/gifts etc, on ebay? Or would you have your benefits cut if you did that? I don't know much about benefits, except when I've helped friends complete claim forms for Attendance Allowance, which is like writing War & Peace!

And I wish I knew more. I only know what I glean from the media, and I know that those reports can seem biased. I was pleased to see the banks are going to have to pay a tax levy, but it's not enough IMHO. It's shameful when you read the salaries of some of the officials, whose actions have caused so much misery for so many.

I do hope that those who have been made/are going to be made redundant are having/have success in their searches.

xx

The Vest top is rather good at keeping them in the general area of my rib cage and not at my knees!
i recently lost a lot of weight size 22 down to 16 in around a year, and then from sept to dec i went from 16 to 12 due to stress and money worries :mad: in boobs that equates to 36f/g down to 36d/dd :T just a little gutted when i realised that due to being pregnant and breastfeeding, i would not go back to my pre preggy days as a 34dd ....... i had to buy new bras (all on sale) and they are blocking ducts (cause i sometimes sleep in them) so need the 'free time' so to speak :rotfl:

im sure most sales on ebay is classed as income when it comes to benefits, but not entirley sure...

rubytuesday

:hello:Well I am finally back online at home and am busy trying to catch up with you all. I'm only on the 2nd of Feb so I think I'll catch up on today's posts and then read the rest in installments or I'll never catch up!

Well I am quite pleased I had my haircut at Trevor Sorbie last week which was a Christmas present from my son. I was waiting for him to accompany me but he was abroad yet again! I usually go there as although it is really expensive, having my haircut is like a form of torture for me and I really like and trust my hairdresser. I usually manage to leave it about six months between cuts.
Anyway my hairdresser liaised with a colourists and yesterday I got highlights done for free!

I've managed not to spend too much money but I've been making the mistake of using my credit card a lot for purchases and the bill is always a lot more than I think. I pay it off in full but it makes my finances very tight for a while. So I think I need to put a stop on that as much as possible!

SandraScarlett

redglass wrote: »

that's an unforgettable image there, SandraScarlett :rotfl:and I know how you feel...when I was at school the big question was, 'Can you put a pencil under there?' and now for me it's more 'can you fit a desk under there?' - or maybe a branch of Ryman's.

Re the gift card for £51, I think Cranky40 has got it right - if you are not just a claimant trying to make a bit of cash but an organised criminal with a big budget to process, there are clever things you can do with PayPal. I seem to remember this is more or less what the programme said, but can't recall the details. I do remember it was quite complicated, though...

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:Oh I remember that, re the pencil! Ones breasts were considered perfect if they were pert and without a hint of droop. I remember putting a pencil underneath, and being thrilled when it rolled away! Nowadays you may have a branch of Rymans underneath, I'll have Smiths!!

Oh that sounds so complicated regarding the Paypal business, but it has answered my questions, thank you. Just had a phone call from a dear friend, 66, who was a mental health nurse, and, after a year at home, has decided she wants to go back to work, and is going to be a part-time hospice-at-home nurse, for patients who prefer to be in their own surroundings.

I thought that was so wonderful and generous of her, and felt quite humble afterwards. When I was having treatment for BC she used to come round and hold my hand and was such a comfort. :A We've known each other over 40 years and, like another poster said, it doesn't matter if we don't see each other for months - we just pick up where we left off.

I'm taking her to Classical Spectacular at the RAH in March, as a birthday pressie. I always get seats behind the choir, and they're really cheap, less than £20, with a fantastic view. I'm so lucky to have a lot of "mates", but half a dozen really good friends.

Right, time for me to "go bye-lows"! Night night everyone, God Bless.

xx

SandraScarlett

rubytuesday wrote: »

:hello:I've managed not to spend too much money but I've been making the mistake of using my credit card a lot for purchases and the bill is always a lot more than I think. I pay it off in full but it makes my finances very tight for a while. So I think I need to put a stop on that as much as possible!

Hi ruby, that's my trouble too. But I've tried really hard since the New Year not to use it without asking myself if I really need to, first! Last month, I was able to pay the bill on the day it arrived, instead of waiting till the end of the month, but it'll be higher this month, though still lower than usual.

And that's the main thing! As long as it's lower, that's an achievement. And at least we know where our problems lie (clutching at straws now!).

xx

SandraScarlett

23rdspiral wrote: »

hi everyone, just popping in to confess another spendy day... 4 in tescos... 2 in Dunelm (needed ink), and 18!! in a fabric shop! BUT it is to reupholster a sofa, so not buying a new sofa and its retail value was 110!!!! (could not have afforded it at that price!) AND I LOVE IT!!QUOTE]

Reupholster a sofa? Goodness, aren't you clever! :T Collectively, we're all terrific here, aren't we!!

xx

rubytuesday

flying_fresian wrote: »

Currently wearing pink jammies and a large checked "lumberjack shirt" to keep warm while watching rubbish telly

I'm also wearing a checked lumberjack type shirt too which I got from the charity shop. It's pink and grey with a lovely silver thread running through it so looks quite feminine.