Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

cw18

SPREADSHEET UPDATED

I've updated the spreadsheet to include the Whoopsie workings on the 'T+C' and 'Others' pages.

The new versions have been uploaded with slightly different names (I've tagged on a version code), and the links in the 'where to download post' have been updated to ensure you get the latest version

For those using the 97-2003 version (the one suitable for OpenOffice), I'm afraid there's some additional editing for you

G00gle Docs has a 1mb per file limit, and once I add in the Whoopsie workings it's a lot bigger than that - it actually grew from 1.57mb to 2.32mb, so as well as having to copy/paste the grocery pages you'll now also have to copy/paste the T+C pages. (Managed to leave the Whoopsie workings on the 'Others' pages, but only just as it's now at 0.96mb as the pre-edit version you download)

CRANKY40

Lily_The_Legend wrote: »

Well I managed to not spend anything at Tesco. There are lots of bargain Christmas cards, wrap and gift bags if anyone is interested.

Erm, quick question, how do you deal with people who think you're made of money? :mad: We're going to my SIL's tomorrow night for a meal to celebrate MIL's birthday and SIL said if she does the food can we buy a bunch of flowers from all of us for MIL? DH has already bought MIL a present, plus we sorted out all the food on Boxing Day, SIL did not offer to bring anything then - didn't even bring a bottle! So why should we buy flowers? Sorry if I sound mean.

Also, she's told us that we're going out for a meal to Pizza Express for her son's second birthday later this month. :eek: We have the Clubcard Deals vouchers but we wanted to keep them for meals for us two. I think she's been really sneaky as we can't exactly say we can't afford to go. As much as I love my nephew, I just don't think it's necessary to go out for a meal for a two-year-old's birthday.

SIL has been ok lately, but in the past has been a total control freak and it looks like she's back to her old ways. :eek: (Doesn't help that I'm a control freak too :rotfl:) But the thing with her is that if you try to reason with her etc she gets worse/lays on emotional blackmail/cries :eek::eek::eek:)

Help!

Buy the flowers to stay in the good books, then be ill and miss the party outing. It is possible to have an allergy to your inlaws, I have one to my emotional blackmailing MIL. Which raises another question, how come now I am a widow I still have to have a MIL, sigh?

redglass_2

23rdspiral wrote: »

, a charity shop had a '1/2 price on everything' sign in the window, so thought i'd stock up on secondhand / vintage linens/pillowcases ect that i use for sewing. But at the till the lady just added them up at their usual 50p - £1.00 each, also adding 40p for something she saw me take from the 20p tub. When I queried this, she said "oh the sale wouldnt be on these silly cheap things".

In that case her 'sale' sign is illegal, I would think! Everything means everything. How awkward are you prepared to be about it?

Erme

Lily_The_Legend wrote: »

Well I managed to not spend anything at Tesco. There are lots of bargain Christmas cards, wrap and gift bags if anyone is interested.

Erm, quick question, how do you deal with people who think you're made of money? :mad: We're going to my SIL's tomorrow night for a meal to celebrate MIL's birthday and SIL said if she does the food can we buy a bunch of flowers from all of us for MIL? DH has already bought MIL a present, plus we sorted out all the food on Boxing Day, SIL did not offer to bring anything then - didn't even bring a bottle! So why should we buy flowers? Sorry if I sound mean.

Also, she's told us that we're going out for a meal to Pizza Express for her son's second birthday later this month. :eek: We have the Clubcard Deals vouchers but we wanted to keep them for meals for us two. I think she's been really sneaky as we can't exactly say we can't afford to go. As much as I love my nephew, I just don't think it's necessary to go out for a meal for a two-year-old's birthday.

SIL has been ok lately, but in the past has been a total control freak and it looks like she's back to her old ways. :eek: (Doesn't help that I'm a control freak too :rotfl:) But the thing with her is that if you try to reason with her etc she gets worse/lays on emotional blackmail/cries :eek::eek::eek:)

Help!

lynzpower wrote: »

Lily have you told them the truth?

I wear my poverty on my sleeve as it were- even when Im not actually poor I would lay it on with a trowel.

Now it is actually real and I'm not earning its a lot easier anyway because most people couldn't afford to do this themselves ( give up work and go to uni) and they are wondering how do you manage it. Well we manage it by going without over the years.

mind you I simply tell people what i can and cant afford and what I will and wont spend money on and I dont care who knows.

As someone once said, I dont have to save face, just money.

I would tell them straight personally.

2 year old wont want pizza express, its for the parents

and no, flowers are not necessaries. they only die. I don't like to give flowers. If you felt inclined you could knock up a HM cake for pence would mean a lot more than some dying blooms.

Feel for you xx

I really feel for you with the emotional blackmail. I have too many folk in my life like that and it's a tough one to manage..however...there have been tips a plenty so sure you'll figure something. Alas I've nothing to add

Spend day today but DV only one more spend day till Mon/Tues next week and that should be an LSD for a cheap but useful end of week treat (am thinking a plastic box for my cleaning products I got yesterday from the poundshop)

Alas I ordered something online the other day when the shops were shut and asked for a partial refund and a change of product and they only gave me a credit note but that's life LOL...know the credit note will come in handy...

Anyhow 10 2 8 so really must go if I want a coffee (really should have water because I'm dehydrated but hey - told you I wasn't perfect LOL) before reading time that simply has to happen at 8 cos it was 8.30 before it happened last night :eek:

Also first day of homemade dry shampoo...made my hair curly - nothing else to report here - we'll see how it is tomorrow. However hair does need a trim (it's getting thin) but that'll have to wait till next month..

Also can I use washing soda instead of washing up liquid in the sink

....and finally - have been battling as to how to get cheap mayo out of the jar when the jar is finished for AGES and finally think I have it sussed (this would impress your 2 yr old and cost pennies)...bicarb and citric acid plus water - just add the water gradually cos it true bathbomb style it goes a tad frothy LOL...in fact so frothy it went all over the counter - whoops

E

Marru

itsallinthemind wrote: »

I can't see it on this list? http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/recipes-all.html Can you link to the one you mean please? Thank you

HERE YOU GO - ENJOY I normally use some paprika and little bit of salt

landregistrylass

Evening all. After 6 weeks of being away from work on sick leave I am back at work! Have to pace myself as dont want to get too tired by going at things like a bull in a china shop (my normal way of doing things). Went to Mr T tonight and was determined not to buy ANYTHING that wasn't reduced. And I didnt - yahoo. Got potatoes at 10p per bag, peppers at 16p for 3, stringless beans at 15p, tomatoes for 20p, 2 salmon fillets for £1, veg samosa for 14p, chicken pieces for 88p...........and cant remember what else (going senile!) but was dead chuffed that I didnt weaken when I walked by the wine - hee hee. Spent just over £4 and will go back tomorrow at same time. The mark down ladies are very sweet and often give me the nod if there is something coming up. My target for my shopping this month (all meals and drinks for us both, cleaning products, hygiene stuff ) is £120. Wish me luck ladies - and did I see there was a gent amongst us now?? Good.

fingersxed

Hi All

Gosh u ave all been busy! Its taken me nearly 2HOURS to catch up!!
I ad another no spend day!!! Must up date sig

Keep upthe gd works

never_too_old

landregistrylass wrote: »

Evening all. After 6 weeks of being away from work on sick leave I am back at work! Have to pace myself as dont want to get too tired by going at things like a bull in a china shop (my normal way of doing things). Went to Mr T tonight and was determined not to buy ANYTHING that wasn't reduced. And I didnt - yahoo. Got potatoes at 10p per bag, peppers at 16p for 3, stringless beans at 15p, tomatoes for 20p, 2 salmon fillets for £1, veg samosa for 14p, chicken pieces for 88p...........and cant remember what else (going senile!) but was dead chuffed that I didnt weaken when I walked by the wine - hee hee. Spent just over £4 and will go back tomorrow at same time. The mark down ladies are very sweet and often give me the nod if there is something coming up. My target for my shopping this month (all meals and drinks for us both, cleaning products, hygiene stuff ) is £120. Wish me luck ladies - and did I see there was a gent amongst us now?? Good.

what time did you go to mr t's?:D

landregistrylass

itsallinthemind - sorry to hear you had a problem with Asda Direct. Couldnt have been been different with Tesc0 Direct. When my item was stated to have been delivered and it hadnt, I emailed, they rang me IMMEDIATELY, and agreed to refund my credit card even though I had paid with vouchers for the majority of the price. Well chuffed!

landregistrylass

l.m.hart............... my local store reduces throughout the day, but the "final" markdown (10% on fruit and veg, and normally 25% on meat and fish) is at 7pm. I think each store may be different. Its worth asking in your local store. If they dont sell it to people like me and you they have to "waste" it which means the lost revenue goes against the section which didnt sell it, which the section managers are always anxious to avoid as they get targets to reach. (Insider info LOL)