Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

cw18

Winchelsea wrote: »

Someone (was it Cheryl?) mentioned saving staff discount in a separate pot. What a good idea - my DH worked for Mr S and I still get the 10% off, so usually shop there. As from my next visit I'll be putting those pennies into savings.

Yes, that would be me

Gives me a more accurate picture of the budget I need for food should I lose the discount, and also gives me some money I can spend on "wants" at the end of the year without feeling guilty

tumptyteapot

LolaLemon (love the name!) what is the declutter challenge you are doing please

alec_eiffel

Along the lines of saving staff discount we do the same with any savings from special offers, whether it's money off or B1G1F offers. This has the double benefit of making sure we only buy things that we'd buy anyway (so we're not wasting any money) as well as the financial bit.

Fishcake_Random

Hello Lovely ladies, (and guys to)
I am officially back. April 1 is restarting day in the FR household and this time I intend to do better!!!! That's if you will take me back .
I've just started a little shop on Facebook to try and sell my knitted bits and some odds and ends which I am hoping will make me a few pennys here and there once I have got it up and running. We are supposed to be moving home soon as well! Hopefully within the next 4-6 weeks so there needs to be lots of organising going on.
Hope we are all doing okay?
x x x x

tumptyteapot

Fishcake_Random wrote: »

I've just started a little shop on Facebook to try and sell my knitted bits and some odds and ends

ohh, are we allowed to see a link?

redglass_2

Welcome to all our new Frugalists and also our returners! :hello:

Tumpty: that Burda site is brilliant. Unfortunately I haven't time to sew at present but I love looking at stuff other people have made. When I go on Ravelry, I'm in heaven...:heartpuls

(((23rdSpiral))), oh, poor you! You're really going through it. Good wishes are beaming your way from me and I hope things start looking up SOON. We are here to support you.:grouphug:

Sandra - I really wish you hadn't reminded me about the census!

Plus congratulations to all who deserve them and hugs to all that need them - anyone I may have forgotten (my memory is so carp).

I think I've gone a bit OTT with my AF order and have been tempted by low prices into buying stuff I don't really need...too many cookies, etc. Oh, well. Do better next time.

never_too_old

23rdspiral wrote: »

hello everyone, i hope you had a good weekend? as it turns out, i'm super glad we didnt move this wknd.

i've not caught up yet as have been away from the puter feeling porly all wknd. my cold gave me ear ache which got really bad. i rang NHS direct for advice but it was 16hrs wait for a call back!!! so i phone boots pharmasist, who was amazing and said take decondgestent and what to look out for for trouble. the pain escalated to being like a migrane but on the side of my head. so i also took 2 ibuprofen in desperation...15 min later the most horrendous pain i've ever felt, squeeking, cracking and popping. 30 min after that i was back to just a headache. the clear goo coming out of my ear was a little worring but at least it wasn't brains!

i just got back from doctors - my odd cold is indeed an ear infection - she was shocked at NHS Direct's reaction as it could have been serious. she could see dried blood so i've a torn eardrum and the other is possibly going to go the same way. not fun. the deafness and tinnitus is also not fun.

oh, and i broke a tooth on sat so have a cut and swolen tounge and can't eat it hurts too much. so i'm saving on food (!), and couldnt go out for a friends birthday which was a saving(!), but am dreading the bill at my emergency appointment later today. i've only really allocated for a checkup on the Dentist budget, but my glasses cost a bit less so there's wiggle room, but not too much. grumble grumble grumble.

and i thought i'd reached the end of my teather last week! sorry everyone for grumbling again.

you poor thing, my dd is currently waiting for an op to make her third eardrum, drs are now told not to prescribe for ear infections but how on earth are you going to get rid of an infection without antibiotics or steroid drops. eardrums can heal themself once infection goes but it takes upto 6 weeks. hope you feel better soon:)

Laushappy

Hi all

first off 23rdSpiral you poor thing, sounds like you have been through it, a sore ear and sore tongue, thats just unfair!!! sending you get well wishes

One of the reasons Drs are told not to prescribe ants willy nilly for ear infections is because research shows following a course of ants you are more likely to get another ear infection within weeks as it lowers our natural defence, although i think this is more applicable to children as there immune systems are weaker than ours.

I'm really chuffed as the organic veg box delivery scheme i use, phoned me the other day to say my next delivery will be my 200th so as a thank you they are sending me a free box of fruit, woo hoo :T
Its the small things like this that excite me these days, how sad am i :rotfl:

Plus have been saving pound coins in a money box for my youngest boys 2nd birthday in May (managed to save nearly 60 quid in just a couple of months so very pleased), i had a look on amazo! the other day and spotted a lovey toy for him that i know he would love, but it was 70 quid :eek: I didint really want to spend that much
However thought i would have a look around other online stores to see if i could get it cheaper but it was around the same price everywhere else too, however!!!!!!! i looked on Argo! and to my absolute delight they had just one left and it was half price :T
yey!!! So reserved it and picked it up today:cool:
Still have some money left in the pot to buy him some little bits and bobs to go with it so very chuffed overall.

Next i need to start putting money away for his party, not sure what to do, dont want to spend alot but want him to have a nice party, any ideas??

Not sure if any of you with young children have looked at the netmums website? i have just joined and they have a load of support/hints and tips for living a frugal lifestyle and living on a budget. I think its got good ideas for those even without young children!

Just made a pot of chilli for dinner, the kids have sausage, veg and mash. Also at lunch time made a big pot of veg soup, it was sooo tasty and very filling, frugal too!!

tumptyteapot

someone please tell me that I have not got the sort of money needed to buy the pair of shoes I want! unless there is a way to get them a lot cheaper - do amazon codes exist?

23rdspiral

l.m.hart wrote: »

you poor thing, my dd is currently waiting for an op to make her third eardrum, drs are now told not to prescribe for ear infections but how on earth are you going to get rid of an infection without antibiotics or steroid drops. eardrums can heal themself once infection goes but it takes upto 6 weeks. hope you feel better soon:)

ouch! re-making eardrums? gosh!

thanks Laushappy for explaining. i really dont like antibiotitcs as they mess up my tummy, so i didnt mind not getting any. thanks for the support Redglass.

~ i've The Green Pharmacy and it says garlic and ecchinacia help with ear infections... humm.. mushroom and garlic soup for dinner and breakfast again then! i just pitty my poor dentist! :rotfl:

oh, the dentist i saw on emergency today says i've not just chipped but need a filling or a 'incert'(?) - 45 for filling, 200 for a gold inscert... but filling might not last and might take more tooth with it. what a decision to make. i'm really not too sure what to do, but i have to decide by 8.30 tomorow!