Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

cha97michelle

I'm finally back at home after a break with the in-laws. We managed a no spend day today, and i got a little bit of time for looking at the spread sheet but not enough.

I think i am looking at about £8.5k for the usual included categories excluding the mortgage, costs of the 2 cars and the council tax, but including the usual gas and electric plus everyday clothes/food/presents/pet costs. This is seeming reasonable but i can see already being a challenge as we still don't know what the vet will charge us for keeping our mog stable over the christmas period. I can't see that being less than £500, and this is more than our annual budget, but i will not let that phase me. I'll claw it back from elsewhere like the clothing budget seems though i only need new jeans, and DH some work boots which he was given cash from santa for. The kids are also both currently kitted out.

To try and keep january low or no spends, we were sent home with some food from the in-laws, and i also just set some chickpeas to soak from the storecupboard. I will do a slow cooker chickpea and chorizo stew tomorrow from stores.

The new fridge is fab and has kept the veg in the fridge bought before christmas fresh enough to eat in that way.

I hope you all had a fabulous new year and feel ready to tackle the new challenge.

NualaBuala

Erme wrote: »

Thanks Nuala for those tips..yeah I already have chick peas in from last year and plenty of rice ...easy meals ...but I like to buy the saver beans (the red kidney ones) for a quick bulk up of soups in the food processor..

I'm thinking when I go to the chinese supermarket of getting the following

• Bicarb (though it may only last 6 months?)
• Cornflour
• (can't recall the final thing)

So maybe like tues/wed as a treat and a 45p carton of malted soya milk too ..yay...

Just warming the slow cooker for my yoghurt (not had it in days :eek: and it's cheap) and have my chickpeas in to soak for tomorrow's lunch ..finally (meant to do that last night )

Just a thought for all you on WW....there are frugal alternatives depending on the individual - Sparkpeople and the Daily Plate - just don't spend so much time on their forums you forget about us lot

Obviously I appreciate for some of you folk there's stuff about WW you can't get elsewhere but might be worth considering. They're pretty similar in their approaches - both low fat, healthy eating diets with exercise and food logging and offer online support. I went on SP a wee while ago cos I couldn't afford WW (even before FL) and it really worked

Researched homemade shampoo and I can make one using the same mixture as my deodorant - yay...so will try...also variety of honey hair shines as well have to try...:)

Really I think the deodorant is a real winner...I wonder what they were putting in the cheap one for it to make my pits lumpy and so sore?

E

You're welcome Erme and thank YOU for the links to those websites as one of my goals this year is to lose some weight but am not keen on WW or diets in general - I need a change of mindset more than anything else.

Would be interested in your recipes for HM shampoo and deodorant. I used use bicarb as shampoo and vinegar as a conditioner and it did work well but I stopped as I was warned it could be drying. I still go back to it from time to time though. I have a deodorant recipe that is basically bicarb, cornflour, coconut oil and either shea butter or aloe vera gel - might give that a go once I find a suitable container as I have all the ingredients.

kazire wrote: »

ok just just after shocking myself and nearly crying! i have worked out how much offically i am going to be paying to live basicly this year! prevously the ex did all of this! so my new life on my own will start with this challenge including everything rent and fuel is near the 15,000 mark 7,800 of that is rent!! I really want to save as much as possiable so that i can buy my own property someday! so heres to 2011 and any hints and tips are greatly received! and a big thanks to CW for the spreadsheet!!

Hi Kazire, I'll bet you're not the only one shocked by the figures - but you should have a big pat on the back because you are facing up to your finances. Knowing where you stand is the first step and you have done that! :T And I think another good thing is that you have a goal in mind - that will help when you are on the verge of spending money on something you don't really need. Good luck!

And good luck to everyone else too. Is it just me who enjoys reading everyone's budgets? I find it really encouraging to know we're all in this together!

xnatalie81x

Found you

My budget for the year

Window Cleaner 90yr
I cannot do this myself

Dog
360 yr
Food, Insurance, Toys (he is a tiny jug and eats less than 100g dry food per day)

Car Tax
240yr

MOT/repairs/aa cover
500
My dad does all my car work but for tyres/bulbs/oil etc and AA cover (the TCB will be used for other budget - info at the end of this post)

Stationery/accessories
60 yr
For filing etc

Gas
600 yr
I think this is too much but i am not sure what it is as only moved here end june

Electric
700
Worst case

BT
39 mth
This is not too bad as i claim it back on business expenses at end of year as phone line exclusively for business

Mobile
580 yr
I phone contract - need internet on go and includes VAT increase!

Car Insurance
500
Already paid in lump sum but i transfer the money back to savings where it came from every month saving loads on interest to loan company

Washing/Cleaning/Toiletries
200 yr
Laundry - Cleaning products - Loo roll. Quite lucky in that i rarely buy shampoo and conditioner and body wash as so much gets left behind at the swimming pool and chucked that i may as well use it

Garden
300 yr
Am seriously upping my grow own this year - garden is huge and mum has got allotment. Already bought potatoes and all seeds - this is for compost/manure/pots etc

B'day
400
I have 4 kids and a large family!

Xmas
400
I have 4 kids and a large family!

Petrol
2400
This is really high i know but i live in north london and my kids go to school in Herts still. I am not changing their school. I also go to the gym near their school and gyms local to me have no decent creche facilities

Kids Activities
360
School Trips - Parties etc etc for 4 kids

Kids clothes/shoes/accesories
1000
School uniform, School Shoes, Clothes, Shoes, Socks, Knickers etc for 4 kids - think ebay/charity shops/grabbit board etc etc (4 pairs school shoes, 4 pairs trainers and 4 pairs good shoes could set me back 300 if i'm not careful!)

My clothes shoes and accessories
600
Gym trainers every 3-6mths, gym clothes and an entire new wardrobe as i have gone from size 20 to size 14/16 recently

Food and Milk (my eldest son has milk at school highly subsidised at like 15.00 per term)
3000
All food, drinks etc for 1 adult and 3 children ish

Nappies and Wipes
600
4year old wears to bed, as does 3 yr old and a new baby

Gym
300
Monthly direct debit

Hair cuts
340
3 kids and me (around 60 every 2 months)

TOTAL 14000 FOR THE YEAR


The biggest difference this year is that i do not have an OTHER budget, as previous! This is really scary for me as i have usually
allowed 100-200 for other but end up buying things for the sake of it SOOOOOOOOOOOOO this year i have to 'earn' my other budget,
any money used will come from -additional work (i do invigilating in summer and cover other swimming teachers who are off and do crash
courses etc) - TCB - Using tesco vouchers to buy nappies for example and then converting the same amount into cash for the other
budget - Ebay (selling old maternity clothes etc that i have etc) Also if i save on the electric one month i can put that cash into the next
months other budget and with food, i plan to save by growing own and in the summer/autumn and winter next year reduce food budget
and put that saving into the next months other budget. Am hoping it will reign in my spending if i work for it

Yesterday and today i:

- sorted AA £79.00 for year (and 42 cashback via TCB for 'other budget')
- purchased a steam cleaner on ebay (my dad used his to clean cooker at my mums. Amazing. Will save mega bucks on cleaning stuff, steam and malt vinegar here i come! - and so much better for my lil family's lungs and skin)
- cleaned my mums kitchen (think 'how clean is ur house programme, deadly serious! - took about 4 hrs with baby stopping breaks to feed but result is amazing) for a late xmas pressie and thanks for all her help - cheaper than flowers - used her water and vinegar
- spent most of day at mums and had lunch/dinner there = saved on food. She didn't mind as i cleaned her kitchen

Looking forward to the rest of the month - i also planted some cucumber seeds which say January on the packet. We shall see how they go

More photos to cheer up the thread pls xxxx lol

thifty

Hi everyone
Can I join in too please? first question I need to ask is where is the spreadsheet that everyone is talking about or have you all made up your own? If so will have to ask OH about this as am useless with these things!
I have started off 2011 well with a NSd but have yet to look at what our outgoings are. I'm afraid that since having 2 kids I have let Dh take charge of our money and he is pretty good at finding the best deals fro insurance, energy suppliers. He has recent changed my mobile contract so I get unlimited texts as I didn't realise how much I was overspending each month.
Think my main areas of attack will be

• grocery shopping- always use a list and try to meal plan but sometimes resort to take aways when I forget to get meat out of freezer. I spend easily £90 pw fro family of 4
• snacks out- will make packed lunches and flasks I think
• clothing esp kids as I tend to buy too much- really thought about what I needed from my next sale haul and took £145 back yesterday
• using my bread maker, eco balls, slow cooker

I am fortunate in that the only debt we have is our mortgage. But we have very little savings since we moved to a bigger property last year. I think I need to work with Dh on trying to save more together rather than leaving it all to him and busying myself with work and the kids.

Kerfuffle

kazire wrote: »

ok just just after shocking myself and nearly crying! i have worked out how much offically i am going to be paying to live basicly this year! prevously the ex did all of this! so my new life on my own will start with this challenge including everything rent and fuel is near the 15,000 mark 7,800 of that is rent!! I really want to save as much as possiable so that i can buy my own property someday! so heres to 2011 and any hints and tips are greatly received! and a big thanks to CW for the spreadsheet!!

Kazire, take consolation in the fact that most people will have cried, or at the least had a wobbly tummy, when they've done their budgets and had their eek moment :eek:.

The realisation that that any surplus cash has been frittered away is just sickening

But, you've come to the right place, get your paper and pen at the ready and get reading. You've worked out how much you're going to be spending, now work out how much you're going to be saving and start aiming to achieve the two goals in tandem.

Good luck, everybody is here to help everybody along.:T

Toodles

PS. This is supposed to be encouraging, I hope it doesn't come across as patronising

Kerfuffle

thifty wrote: »

Hi everyone
Can I join in too please? first question I need to ask is where is the spreadsheet that everyone is talking about or have you all made up your own? If so will have to ask OH about this as am useless with these things!.

It's on the first page, page number 1, under the heading 'Handy Links', scroll down to My FREE spreadsheet.

Toodles

dizzy_lizzie

Please can you add me to this thread cw if it's not too late
Going to use cash rather than plastic as little as possible and will do this by sticking to menu planning and shopping for what's on the menu only!
Save as much as possible and stop buying things on a whim.
Take in lunch to work more than I do now.
Have had my first NSD this year too
My mantra this year is 'spend wisely'
Good Luck to everyone on our 2011 journey
Luv Dizzy x

jess444_2

Thanks for all of the advice re Talk Talk. I have decided to ring Virgin next week to see if we can change to a cheaper package. If not, will try Talk Talk.

Well I have made a good start with a NSD. We have plenty of food in the freezer left over from Christmas, so think this week we will only need fresh stuff.

Jess

redglass_2

Erme - I've just been thinking about my Mum and her hot solution of washing soda - I think it was an enamelled hob she used it on actually, not ceramic. Sorry, got mixed up. You could always try the other sort if you have it in stock already, why not?

There are some brands of deodorant that always give me sore armpits. Sure is one - it's OK for a week or so and then the itching and inflammation start....I've never had any problems like that with Sanex but don't always find it totally effective. Am currently using Dove and that seems fine, fingers x'd....

twiglet98

Thank you for this, count me in please! Struggling still with ex having withdrawn support, but all the kids are now working full time and are helping a great deal, as I'm working 50-plus hours a week.

Eldest DD remembers all too well that it wasn't always like this, we used to be pretty comfortably off, and she bitterly resents most of my attempts at living frugally - she finds charity shops repulsive, rejects 'value' ranges of groceries, and absolutely refuses to reduce electricity consumption. Luckily she doesn't know how the CH controller works or she'd heat the house to 30 degrees (she gets in from work five hours earlier than I do). I think she and her partner plan to get their own place this year, and when their credit cards are maxed out, and they can't spend any more, maybe then she will understand what I'm up against now.

Meanwhile, I will continue to buy the few clothes that I need from charity shops, unless I find them for free in the clothes bank at the recycling centre. I grow most of our summer fruit and veg and must make time to grow the winter veg too. We have chickens and ducks and sell some surplus eggs. My car is a Land Rover, essential for our muddy rural location, but I will cycle to work on the days I'm not bringing boxes of work home for the evening. I will continue to batch bake, to take packed lunches from leftovers, to buy mainly whoopsied meat and make more use of the slow cooker, though DD dislikes 'peasant food' and caters herself for her own expensive taste! Bless her, she does far more than her fair share of animal care and housework, so I really shouldn't complain.