Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

Barros

Well it is 12 days to payday and I have about £3.60 to last me! should be ok though - i have an emergency tenner in my purse should i really need it.

had a quiet weekend and just stayed in which has helped

rising_from_the_ashes

Erme - big hugs from me, you've made a big step forwards by going to the experts. Hope you feel better soon.

Missemptypiggy - hugs for you too, it sounds a never ending nightmare with that chimney.

Whilst I'm in a hugging mood :grouphug:

Twiglet - ahhhhhhh, what a nightmare.

As Sandra said, there's always something to ruin even the best laid budgetting plans!

Sarah - thanks, we have a residents association (but only meets once a year) so will def go to the next one and raise it.


Had quite a good day: DM&DF's for lunch - roast beef & all the trimmings - yum! And got leftovers to bring home!!:D

Popped to Mr M but no loo rolls:( but did manage to get some cheap ones as one of the "cheapy" shops so here's hoping they're not total carp!

miss_empty_piggy

Am truly humbled and honoured by all of the lovely support from everyone; Big thanks to the following::T
enjoyfinancial challenges; dizzy lizzie; rubytuesday; midwinter; livingproof; howlinwolf; sandrascarlett; nualabuala; redglass and anyone else I have forgotten, you've all been so helpful. Particular thanks to howlinwolf for the advice link and Cranky 40 (and anyone else, tried to write down but some many) am overwhelmed. :A

Yes, it does seem as though it is going to cost some big pennies. Have told DDs that holidays are cancelled for this year as we'll have to pay for the chimeny. Funny thing is we are hopefully moving soon but need to get it sorted out for the tenants!!! Oh well, that's life I guess, you win some you loose some. Am feeling a little more optimistic - I usually take it on the chin, but sometimes things just get on top of you and I hate feeling so down, so thanks to you all for helping me get back up, brush myself down and just get on with it!!!!:rotfl:

:grouphug: to you Erme - hope you are back with us all soon. Thinking of you! xx x x x x x

Just to end on a positive note - Minnie2 I'm with you in that I think it certainly does feel like it'll be a very long and difficult year - but we'll definitely all get there, and TBH having you guys here is really helping me. The first thing I did last night was log on as I knew you were all here for me. Thanks again.

P.S. Redglass - your location status had me howling tonight. Do you live at my house????

diddly74

Things might be a bit tighter than thought here. I have a worrying feeling that I might be pregnant. Its not something either hubby or I have planned for or really want at this juncture of our life. We have 2 wonderful daughters already (11 and 8) and having just gone thru a year of bankruptcy and upheaval I only have 12 months left until I qualify as a nurse.

A test will be a purchase today (when the kids aren't about to ask questions) So not even a NSD tomorrow for me!

landregistrylass

Evening all. Have listed 45 items on evilbay this weekend, and I am shattered! How can taking pictures and typing make you tired???? Sold 4 already on Buy it Now........... so I think I listed them at too low a price , oh well -I will never be a millionaire I obviously havent got the killer instinct. Its my birthday (dont ask how old........... its not true anyway) so am having a glass of wine with DH and counting my blessings. So looking forward to seeing my DD and the 3 DGS next Saturday. I am picking the boys off and she is having a week on her own to regroup and relax. Have been buying whoopsied bits and bobs which they like as I see them and squirrelling them away. It doesnt cost much to have them for the week then and we can use the money to do things we love together. We will be using MR T vouchers for the cinema etc. Our meal tonight was whoopsied beef which I casseroled, reduced carrots and swede which I mashed, and reduced potatoes which I roasted. Stewed some reduced plums but did have some decadent cream...........yum. It was my birthday treat after all. I know I am very lucky - something which hits me every so often when I hear about the difficulties of others on here - so God Bless to all tonight x

rising_from_the_ashes

Diddly:eek: good luck for tomorrow.


Cheryl quick SoW question...... You know how you can "freeze panes" in a spreadsheet to block out some columns - can you do the same with the tabs at the bottom?:D thanks

Erme

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

Erme so pleased to have you around again and see you are doing the best for you. Perhaps I should contact you with PMs but as you have mentioned your illness before on this thread I'm sure everyone understands what you are going through, no! I don't mean they understand only you can understand yourself but many frugalistas are offering support to you for what appears to be a very disabling condition, perhaps you will tell us what way of communicating is best for you? Do you have a CPN to look after you I haven't heard you mention one, maybe though I'm a bit out of touch and its now one of the cuts the coalition are making. If there was one around for you at least there would be somebody to rely on and get you through the bad patches. Keep your chin up and continue taking care of you.

I'm off to visit my DD and her two delicious boys aged 5 and 3, so yummy and such little tykes, what one doesn't think of the other one does, so they run rings around my DD. I must make some lavender scones for her before I go...her favourites....then going to meet her first at the Cheap shop in Tiptree, anyone know it? before going to spend the night with her and my DGSs. My DD positively shakes with excitement when we visit there but I will have to keep my hands in my pockets as I find all the things Ive managed without for years and didn't know I needed until I see them there. IYSWIM.

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

Erme so pleased to have you around again and see you are doing the best for you. Perhaps I should contact you with PMs but as you have mentioned your illness before on this thread I'm sure everyone understands what you are going through, no! I don't mean they understand only you can understand yourself but many frugalistas are offering support to you for what appears to be a very disabling condition, perhaps you will tell us what way of communicating is best for you? Do you have a CPN to look after you I haven't heard you mention one, maybe though I'm a bit out of touch and its now one of the cuts the coalition are making. If there was one around for you at least there would be somebody to rely on and get you through the bad patches. Keep your chin up and continue taking care of you.

I'm off to visit my DD and her two delicious boys aged 5 and 3, so yummy and such little tykes, what one doesn't think of the other one does, so they run rings around my DD. I must make some lavender scones for her before I go...her favourites....then going to meet her first at the Cheap shop in Tiptree, anyone know it? before going to spend the night with her and my DGSs. My DD positively shakes with excitement when we visit there but I will have to keep my hands in my pockets as I find all the things Ive managed without for years and didn't know I needed until I see them there. IYSWIM.

I did have a CPN but she's off sick (she's just had a leg off - literally) and like on a bad day the OT can make me worse (like on Friday when in the D&G's - doom and glooms - she just said I couldn't do cardmaking as a business cos of my smoking...nice - not)....

So still no dongle despite hunting all over the house for the best part of an hour so figure I'm best off leaving the netbook at home..

Home for the evening but head and stomach are driving me nuts...but then it's not far back to the Unit - max 15 mins walk...

And now I have ebay hassling me to post stuff when I'm just not upto it right now...threw up lunch - barely ate any tea...just had no appetite...

But yeah thanks for the kind wishes..I've had worse care teams when misdiagnosed years ago and the crochet really is helping ;j...almost done one hat today....

Just wish like I could find my dongle so I had net access in the hospital as it has about £9 credit on it (only use it occaisonally) and don't think I can afford £15 for another this week though will have to seriously contemplate getting one next week when I go to Inverness...

So praying types of folk PRAY I FIND MY DONGLE..

Not really read all the posts since 142 but got the gist of things..sorry haven't possibly thanked everyone I should have..

E

minnie2

chika wrote: »

Minnie I hope you manage to sort out the car insurance. Is it worth asking them if you can pay 200 one month and 300 the next to avoid the fees? If you find any amazing money making ideas please do let me know. I would really love to have a car at the moment. Its not a total necessity but I feel a bit isoloated without one. I just can't pop over to see people without planning. I'm restricted to one rubbish supermarket and the vastly overpriced corner shop. I hope to be able to save enough for a small banger soonish. Definatly before the summer - My fave frugal getaway is camping but I have no hope of doing that with no car.

Apart from that I've had an ok month. I've managed to pay off the horrendous payday loan that I foolishly took out a while ago. I've worked out that I've paid about £1300 in interest and fees on top of the 400 I originally borrowed. Never ever again!

We are going down from 2 cars to 1 car and its proving difficult at min as we are rural and have different schedules!! and yes i feel the same - last sunday i didnt have the car and I was so edgey - stuck out here!!!

OMG thats awful about the loan but very well done for paying it off!!

Laushappy wrote: »

Minnie2: Just read that you are trying to think up some money making ideas. How about selling fancy olive oil? I watched folks on TV a while back selling bottles of olive oil with chilli's, peppercorns and fresh herbs added to make the bottles look pretty and to give to give the oil different flavours. They look great on display in kitchens too. Maybe could sell at carboots and farmers markets?
Just an idea

thanx!!!!! hmmm yeah thats a great idea!!! i need something just to give me a bit extra!

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

Just to end on a positive note - Minnie2 I'm with you in that I think it certainly does feel like it'll be a very long and difficult year - but we'll definitely all get there, and TBH having you guys here is really helping me. The first thing I did last night was log on as I knew you were all here for me. Thanks again. :)QUOTE]


Indeed!!!! it is great having this forum here to us all going!! i would have packed in in Jan if I didnt have this forum!!!!!!!!!!

ceridwen

redglass wrote: »

I got myself some of the veg saver bags from £1 Land. Does anybody know if they can be re-used? It says nothing about that on the box.

Well I do - all vegsaver bags (wherever they come from) get washed out and re-used (ie same as my freezer bags do).

ceridwen

diddly74 wrote: »

Things might be a bit tighter than thought here. I have a worrying feeling that I might be pregnant. Its not something either hubby or I have planned for or really want at this juncture of our life. We have 2 wonderful daughters already (11 and 8) and having just gone thru a year of bankruptcy and upheaval I only have 12 months left until I qualify as a nurse.

A test will be a purchase today (when the kids aren't about to ask questions) So not even a NSD tomorrow for me!

As you say - best to do that when the kids arent around - just in case its the "wrong" result. Save them trying to put any pressure on for a brother or sister.

Good luck - and hope its the "all clear" okay. Marie Stopes Clinics are dotted round the country if you get the wrong result - and the NHS isnt co-operative enough..if you decide not to go ahead with it.