Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

lynzpower

salski wrote: »

Thank you for this. My midwife pretty much said the same - they way I have been looking at it is even if I manage til 5 at night, or until the day after or a week...every little helps! Haha. Funnily enough the patches make me feel so ill but Im persevering. Its been an hour and although for most thats nothing...my first one of the day is always the hardest
Thanks for the support though. It means a lot as Im not telling my family Im giving up incase I cave in again!
Here is to day 1! Midwife due in half hour so need to tidy up house! Haha

I also have "stopped smoking" but its "only temporary"

I ran out on boxing day and just havent bought any since. It is just for me a state of mind "not today thanks" maybe tomorrow. I wont punish myself if I do. I just wont when I dont IYSWIM.

So far since then I have saved AT LEAST 50 QUID and that is my motivation.

My skin looks a lot better again and the bags under my eyes are no way as bad and my teeth stating to recover.

Have no budget for smokes at all this year and there is no way im getting a job just to be able to afford to smoke- bonkers.

However, if i want one ill have one, but I dont.

Good luck take one day at a time, you can do it!!

cw18

frugalbrunette wrote: »

I would like to join if it's not too late?

Never too late

midwinter

frugalbrunette wrote: »

I would like to join if it's not too late?

We're a family of four with no pets. I'm not including rent as that is non negotiable. I'm also not including DH's car upkeep and petrol costs.

Groceries: £2500
Toiletries: £80
Cleaning products: £80
Electricity: £240
Gas: £840
Mobiles: £540
Internet: £420
TV licence: £156
Clothing & footwear: £350
Christmas Savings & Gifts £200
Insurances: £288
Everything else: £100
Holiday: £200

= £6015

So my budget for 2011 is £6015

Welcome to you!

summertea

Hi frugalbrunette welcome to the challenge

salski

Thank you for your replies guys. Its day one and its only a small thing, but I have not gotten up to smoke (I normally leave one or two for emergencies ) however this morning I have gotten up, shoved a patch on (it then fell off as I moisturised ast night) so popped a new one on and cellotaped it down! Haha
The first one is always the hardest one for me, and about 3pm it gets hard, so my plan is to walk my doggy at this time and go the long way round! Haha
Im just awaiting the midwife arrival then I am going to set about cleaning and cooking
Thank you for your support - here is to saving some money on no fags!
Like you say - even if its for one day - thats a fiver saved!

mooomin

For those who were talking about the price of tinned tomatoes, I saw some in Tesco yesterday for 25p per tin. They weren't Tesco branded and were sitting at the end of the tinned veg aisle in my local.

elly68

well if it wasnt daughters birthday tomorrow i would have left my shopping till tomorrow or the next or the next lol actually i need milkanyway but going to take a shopping list again. my mum laughed as i complained about hubby being home as i am having to feed him he works away so he gets his meals reimbursed wait till easter and i'm complaining hes not here lol.so i saved the £23 thats straight on the credit card and i start with my next £100 hope i can keep this up

JayneC

Morning, just thought I'd pop on and say Hi as not sure I'll get back on later.

Been thinking about how to up income as well as reducing outgoings. So as well as the shopping around, frugalising recipes,batch cooking, growing my own, not buying anything unnecessary, etc, etc, I'm going to...
-try and find at least one thing per week to list on e-bay/amazon/music magpie/etc
-do at least one survey per day
-check mystery shopping websites for jobs at least weekly.
It's not much, but hopefully will add up over the year.

Going to go and hang some washing out as it's quite bright and sunny today - not been able to get my washing dry properly without the central heating, it's hanging around the house for days - that's probably why we've all been ill!!

Back soon x

Kerry_Woman

JayneC wrote: »

Kerry Woman - I got the soapnuts online from inasoapnutshell, I think yoiu can get a free sample. I've used them before but kids complained about their clothes smelling odd so stopped. But have got some essential oils to try with them as I'm determined to be more environmentally consciencious (sp?)

Thanks. Looked at the website and they are not dear to buy. Not expensive, compared to what shops charge for washing powder etc.

slowlyfading

Morning everyone

I'm going food shopping today as we're running low on supplies! :eek:

Other than that, nothing to report.