Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

rising_from_the_ashes

23rdspiral wrote: »

humm, i'm also not convinced starting with landed gentry making 'mad' pasta (though what a good idea!), and a dotty old lady dying her smalls purple were the best ways to start the show. and then the simplistic 'eat less takeaways, buy a new (more efficient) car' mantra seemed somewhat out of sorts... like 2 different programmes not one. i'll watch for amusement value, and to see what the crafty lady has to say. oh, and i'd really like one of those huge pink piggy banks!

I really want one of the pink piggy's - I was hoping they would turn them over to see if they are "emptyable" or not which shows how things have changed for me!:D

alec_eiffel wrote: »

My favourite shows ever about finance are "Your Money Or Your Life" - Alvin Hall, Bank of Mum and Dad and the Canadian Show with Gail Val Oxlade, Til Debt Do Us Part (something like that).

I love Bank of M&D - it's the bit on the parents face when they go "oh, I think it's maybe £2,000" - why, why would they being dragged on that program if it was only that much, then when they do the swapping of envelopes - you just can't beat it!:rotfl:


Minnie NMW - National Minimum Wage (took me a while to get it)!


Pay day and have transferred money into various pots and unfortunately not a huge amount left so will need to be very careful in April (slight overspend on the cc this month).:(

However, OD did remain at under £900 (yeeeehaaa) which is the 1st time for many years and determined not to go over this during April (think trying to pay anything off may be a bit out of reach this month as only £100 left)!:eek:

Busy few weekends coming up: visiting DM & DF on Sunday for Mothers' Day (need to get nice card & hopefully cheap flowers somewhere - any tips anyone?).

Also need to clear out stuff for car bootie in a couple of weeks!

Anyone been to a "local bootie" rather than a big organised one - is it worth going?

minnie2

ceridwen wrote: »

Errr...how do you fit in those 270 hours you do now? What is a breakdown of a typical week at work for you?

well my typical week is

main job Mon - Fri 7.45am - 3.45pm
with an extra hour ever other wednesday
and 2 extra hours on a weds and thur once every
2 months.

2nd job Tuesdays and Fridays 4pm - 9.30pm

Some Fridays 4pm - 5.30pm Saturday
Then 6pm Saturday - 6pm Sunday

If I dont have the overnight Friday -
Then Saturday I work lunchtime until lunchtime Sunday
then from Sunday lunch until Sunday night.


last weekend I worked from 11am Saturday - 9.30pm Sunday

and i worked last night instead of tues this week as i forgot to go to work tues - change of work at main job threw me ans as things were different I forgot.Phone was on silent due to work and at half 7 when i looked i had two voicemails and 7missed calls oops!!

minnie2

LolaLemon wrote: »

i feel the show was a let down
10 mins on the family... this show coul be something fantastic and really insightful, but really it was lets give your clothes away, get a smaller car, and stop eating out... totally nothing new their. everyone knows these one.

Hope next weeks goes a bit deeper.

flying_fresian wrote: »

I totally agree Lola. It needed to be an hour and much more in-depth. I also think that the initial view of the frugal woman who spent £10 a week on groceries and foraged for nettles would be really offputting to people who are dipping their toes in the frugal waters. Too much too soon?

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I was disappointed too - it reminded me of shows like Spendaholics & Bank of M&D (both of which I love) when they did the "shock tactic" and "no money" week.

I'd say a huge well done to the nettle lady (and she was a lady) but IMHO for the vast majority of people - who are unlikely to own 30 acres of land - and also have to work - this is totally unrealistic and actually very off putting for people.


Forgot to say earlier - 23rd congrats on finally being in your new home!

I agree I was very disappointed!!! I had to stay up and watch it on plus 1 as I was working and I was not very impressed - far too short I thought also and surprised when it just ended.

minnie2

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I really want one of the pink piggy's - I was hoping they would turn them over to see if they are "emptyable" or not which shows how things have changed for me!:D



I love Bank of M&D - it's the bit on the parents face when they go "oh, I think it's maybe £2,000" - why, why would they being dragged on that program if it was only that much, then when they do the swapping of envelopes - you just can't beat it!:rotfl:


Minnie NMW - National Minimum Wage (took me a while to get it)!


Pay day and have transferred money into various pots and unfortunately not a huge amount left so will need to be very careful in April (slight overspend on the cc this month).:(

However, OD did remain at under £900 (yeeeehaaa) which is the 1st time for many years and determined not to go over this during April (think trying to pay anything off may be a bit out of reach this month as only £100 left)!:eek:

Busy few weekends coming up: visiting DM & DF on Sunday for Mothers' Day (need to get nice card & hopefully cheap flowers somewhere - any tips anyone?).

Also need to clear out stuff for car bootie in a couple of weeks!

Anyone been to a "local bootie" rather than a big organised one - is it worth going?

Ah thank you!!!!!!!! I couldnt think at all

silvasava

alec eiffel - I loved Alvin Hall too, he gave such good advice and pinpointed all the priorities - he was excellent. There was also a good programme a few years ago about paying off your mortgage quicker but I can't remember what it was called.

LauraM65

Hi

I am posting this, as from tomorrow onwards I am planning on living a frugal life, having a massive debt of £12,000 this needs to be paid off, I have just kind of got a second job as a sessional worker although it will be work on an adhoc basis but this money will certainly be going to pay my debts.

I am off from work at the moment with a chest infection and have had a great time looking at all the money saving advice. Today I have cleared my storecupboard and made an inventory of what I have, am planning to do the same tomorrow with the freezer and fridge. I have to say I had a huge surprise, not much shopping needed this week or probablly next other than the usual milk, bread, sandwich filler, veg and fruit.

I am currently making a batch of freezer veg soup up, and am writing this as the veg is cooking, I also added a chicken stock that I made up from an old carcus earlier today, I may even put the small bits of chicken that have come off the carcus and bones in at the end when the veg has cooked and then whizz it all down. I am the planning to freeze once I have taken some out for my lunch tomorrow. Hubby going to work tomorrow with left over chilli from tonights tea.

I also had a lot of baking stuff in my store cupborad such as dried fruit so am making up 4 tea loaves (yum) great with butter and an afternoon cuppa. Really cheap to make as well.

Going to keep a diary of my daily spend as well as a monthly one for April and hopefully I will be able to continue on from there. I am also planning to get a Cashbuilder Card in order to put monies on so that I can try and keep to a budget for my shopping and hopefully this will leave me with some money in the bank at the end of the month or to pay off some of my debts.

Well I am so excited to be taking my frugal living challenge and would welcome any money saving tips, recipes of advice anyone has to offer. Will look forward to hearing from you all.

Cheers :beer:

alec_eiffel

silvasava wrote: »

alec eiffel - I loved Alvin Hall too, he gave such good advice and pinpointed all the priorities - he was excellent. There was also a good programme a few years ago about paying off your mortgage quicker but I can't remember what it was called.

Oh yeah, forgot about that one, I think it was just called Pay Your Mortgage Off In Two Years. Can't remember much about that tbh, other than there being a woman who sold jewellery (I think), someone was a Cliff Richard impersonator and that it was really really stressful. It was interesting though.

Actually now I read that back it sounds like a weird dream. Maybe I made those details up...

silvasava

Well done LauraM & welcome!!

silvasava

alec_eiffel wrote: »

Oh yeah, forgot about that one, I think it was just called Pay Your Mortgage Off In Two Years. Can't remember much about that tbh, other than there being a woman who sold jewellery (I think), someone was a Cliff Richard impersonator and that it was really really stressful. It was interesting though.

Actually now I read that back it sounds like a weird dream. Maybe I made those details up...

No - sounds about right to me - I remember the one with the couple from Newquay & the DH was making woodburners out of gas tanks! I think they did quite well out of it too

tumptyteapot

today I spent 50p on a cheese grater and I forgot I bought a typewriter for £3 yesterday :-)