Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

mooomin

Morning folks,

I've been lurking a little bit over the last week as I haven't had anything hugely interesting to say - I've been pretty frugal though. I went to the supermarket at the weekend and spent less than £30 which is pretty good for my "big shop".

I spent a large amount of money on Sunday at the big craft show at the SECC in Glasgow, but it's come from savings so isn't included in this budget. I popped chilli in the slow cooker on Sunday before I left, so that's been keeping Mr F fed and watered

I've been making more cards and have sold a few too. Although the income I get from this is small, I find it really satisfying to be making things which contribute to my monthly income. I don't want to ramp it up just yet into a proper business and am happy doing commissions for friends and family.

Yesterday was my first NSD in ages, so I'm pleased with that. Today won't be as I'm off to the bingo with my friend (entertainment budget) We got money off vouchers in the post and our local bingo does free curry on Tuesdays so we're going to have quite a MSE night out

Hope everyone is keeping well, I'll post more in the coming weeks - promise!

23rdspiral

~ i hope to have a NSD, i need one! so i pledge to stay home and do lots of overtime and some exercise too.

rising from the ashes - well done on getting this stage finished!! :T t's a huge achievement. good luck with preparing for the next too.:j

flying fresian - glad you had fun at the craft show. i've uploaded a photo of the cards i made, if you'd like to see them, and maybe even pass comment, here's the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/23rdspiral/5488527824/

rubytuesday wrote: »

23rdspiral - I got those huge glass jars a few weeks ago - I've used them for cereal, they're great aren't they?
...
I bought two cushions at the weekend. A wool one for 7.50 from the white company sale and this one from ebay http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heaven-Sends-Linen-Postcard-Cushion/dp/B004D3JM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1299540596&sr=8-1
Five pounds cheaper than on Amazon.

i hope they'll be good! they had some in home bargains cheap but the metal bit looked bent; and poundland aparently had some in boxes but i got to ikea first. might get a couple from poundland too though.
- ruby, i just LOVE your taste in cushions!! i'm now quite tempted myself!

23rdspiral

flying_fresian wrote: »

I disagree on this one Erme. If you see language you don't like then block the poster if you feel strongly about it, or consider OMG to stand for "Oh my goodness" or !!!!!! to be "for flips sake". You cannot presume to tell people who the one true and living god is, many of us won't believe that. I personally don't believe in god at all and strongly dislike being told what to say by others on that basis.

I have to say that i agree wholeheartidly with Flying Fresian.

Erme - i think Minnie was probably just using a very common form of expression to express her understandable dispare at her situation.
Also, and i feel i have to say this, that personally i could take great offence at being told that your god is the 'one true and living god'. That perspective does not fit with my own religious views, as I am not christian. But i'm not actually offended, as i know my own mind and if my perception of divinity could be affected by such a statement then for me it wouldnt be worth respecting! I have no issues with the christian view of god, and i really do respect you for your strong and passionate beliefs.

so i am sorry you were upset by the use of that phrase. It was in the news last week, so maybe you're more sensative to it now than before? Keep taking care of yourself and your ratties.

never_too_old

flying_fresian wrote: »

I disagree on this one Erme. If you see language you don't like then block the poster if you feel strongly about it, or consider OMG to stand for "Oh my goodness" or !!!!!! to be "for flips sake". You cannot presume to tell people who the one true and living god is, many of us won't believe that. I personally don't believe in god at all and strongly dislike being told what to say by others on that basis.

Others have used that phrase before without mention by yourself or others. You did say in your post that you've not been well, are you maybe taking things a bit more personally again? Is there anything that we can do to help/support you?

Very eloquently put FF
hope your feeling better soon Erme:)

SandraScarlett

Absolutely agree with FF regarding your post Erme. Surely if you find the content of a post offensive, you can just ignore the remainder of the post, or the poster, or send them a PM?

It's a matter of personal feelings, as to what we individually find upsetting or offensive. I have seen several things posted, both on this thread and elsewhere, that I personally find aggravating. :eek: And very upsetting. But, for the sake of harmony, I don't say anything, but choose not to click the "thanks" button, on that person's posts.

You have asked us before to let you know if we think your posts indicate a change in you, and if you need any support, please let us know.

xx

SandraScarlett

March has been very low-spendified, cos I haven't had much time to spend! DH very tired and awaiting next hospital session - DD goes in next week. Lovely, lovely sunshine at the moment, and a nice warm home, has meant that the heating hasn't been on so much.

Minnie, my heart breaks for you and your poor roof. All I can say is that though we couldn't recoup any of our £1400 on the insurance, it's lovely to know it's guaranteed for 20 years.

Got the heads up about the M & S sale yesterday, and, as I couldn't sleep, I got up, logged on, and got 3 x £25ish tops for £7ish each. One of my friends has just phoned to announce we are going to see "Shoes" on Saturday and it's her early birthday present to me. :j I do try to be a good mate to my friends, but it's extra lovely when they do the same thing for me. :A

xx

23rdspiral

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I have seen several things posted, both on this thread and elsewhere, that I personally find aggravating. :eek: And very upsetting. But, for the sake of harmony, I don't say anything, but choose not to click the "thanks" button, on that person's posts.

that's a really good idea. i should remember to do the same. i guess today i was a little more riled. i shan't delete my post but must also apologise to everyone if i was a little strong.

23rdspiral

on a lighter note, i've been happily doing this today
with my new 9.99 carpet sweeper - i was delighted at the amount in it when i emptied it - then dismayed at all the fluff and stuff that accumulates in just a few days!

alec_eiffel

Hi everyone,

Just dropping in again to say hi. I've noticed a weird thing with our grocery shopping - even though I know lots of things are more expensive these days my pantry seems more full and we seem to be spending a little bit less, or at least what we are spending is going further. Not quite sure how that's working but there you go!

There have been no big shocks to the budget - ignoring petrol costs. Erm, just here to cheer everyone one and all that good stuff.

midwinter

23rdspiral wrote: »

on a lighter note, i've been happily doing this today
with my new 9.99 carpet sweeper - i was delighted at the amount in it when i emptied it - then dismayed at all the fluff and stuff that accumulates in just a few days!

Carpet sweepers are indeed handy little things! And beats dragging a heavy hoover around!

Gave some more of my World book night, books away today. 12 left to give out, people look at you so strangely when you try to give something for free

Trawled around the charity shops, only a glass sauce boat caught my eye, charity shops are so expensive around here. Yes, they want to make some money for the charity, but things are just so overpriced for second/third/nth hand items