Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

rising_from_the_ashes

I am aiming for new frugalness today ..... going to sit and work out a new budget:eek:.

New mortgage was approved:j (I still find applying for credit the most hideous experience, probably down to the many years when I was deeply in dept and had a terrible credit report) - anyway, it's saving a bit of money ... £50 off current one, however, as that was due to go up around £70 in November, the saving's considerably more.

Really want to try to overpay a bit while the rates are so low, so think the saved £50 will go to that.

Also, want to sort out proper "pots" from my bank account - I do have these but it's hit/miss whether I use them properly. I also want to set up ones for groceries etc and put a set amount each month aside (hopefully not spending it all each month) so I can build a bit of a buffer to take better advantage when offers are on.

So .... now's the time to get it sorted and it should hopefully make a big difference having money put away to pay things when they're due / saving money not having to pay insurances monthly etc.

Although I'm now debt free which is a huge relief - things are still difficult as my budget is really tight so it's still a bit of a struggle ... but hopefully things will improve if I learn to budget properly!:)

Have a good frugal day everyone!

rising_from_the_ashes

The other thing that will be sorely missed if it does close is ... free internet access.

There's a couple of pc's in each library and you can book them for an hour at a time - for people who've never used them, they can book sessions with volunteers who will show them how to turn it on / off, get onto the internet etc.

IMHO this is a vital service to the community - many people on extremely low incomes can't afford to buy computers or the monthly cost of broadband.

I know one older lady whose family live in New Zealand and it's made such a huge difference to her being able to get emails / use Skype etc to keep in contact with them, see her grandkids growing up etc.

dizzy_lizzie

[QUOTE=rubytuesday;4751745
It is now officially girlie's birthday and she is in Leeds.
I shall miss her![/QUOTE]

Big hugz Ruby. We have 4 grown boys and only 1 very spoilt 21 year old girlie, I can't imagine her moving out...I'm sure she does though frequently

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

To make it worse (from a selfish point of view) all the libraries in nearby towns are also now closed on a Wednesday (the only day I can go) - wouldn't you think they'd stagger the "closed" day so one's shut Monday, another Tuesday etc etc. Madness:mad:.

Now come on rising. That would mean someone in the local council using a bit of common sense and that's sometimes as rare as rocking horse poop!

I have to say we are extremely lucky with our library at the moment, the only day it closes is Sunday and stays open a couple of evenings till seven pm. They do have lots of clubs going on there for children as well as adults and also computers can be hired. It is always busy but are they closing busy libraries too? I think society has changed so much in that libraries just don't seem to feature in many peoples lives anymore. When I was at college I used the library for researching reference with theory but now all that information is at our fingertips with google. Nothing like snuggling up with a good book though on a chilly Winter evening.
Nothing planned much for today. Might do some cross stitching. Got a bit of a tickly throat, hope I'm not coming down with anything.
I was very proud of myself on Thursday. Was on a course in the afternoon and on the way home called in at T*Max. Well my eyes feasted on all the lovely glittery shiny colours, it's always like that in there isn't it? I must have picked up every body lotion, face cream, selections of tea, looked at every pot, pan and cup etc I was like a child in a sweet shop and do you know what...I didn't buy a thing.
But I came out feeling like I'd had a little treat just looking at all the lovely things in there! How weird was that?
Hope everyone has a good day.
Luv x

seriouslyfrugal

Morning

I will be popping into the local town later so will probably won't be a NSD for me


back to the library issue they have stated that if there are 2 libraries close together they will not be closed on the same day so that is at least somthing they also are still purchasing new books

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/library/libraries-openinghours.htm - this is all the info if there are others living in hampshire or even if you just want a look

have a good frugal day everyone

rising_from_the_ashes

Budget done ... and I do have more coming in than going out (which is always a plus!)

So .... belts have been tightened, reins drawn in etc etc and I'm starting again:o

On the plus side, I have a pretty good stockpile of food in and also lots of dog/cat food (due to stocking up while it's been on offer), so I should be able to create a bit of a buffer over the next couple of months - fingers crossed;).

I've never managed to budget properly in my whole adult life - if I have money, I spend it and then when I need to pay a bill, I'm stuck .... I have to make it work or I'll end up in debt again - which I'm determined not to do.

I found a notebook in a drawer yesterday when I was looking for an ink cartridge for the printer so .... new spending diary has been created!:)

dizzy_lizzie

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I found a notebook in a drawer yesterday when I was looking for an ink cartridge for the printer so .... new spending diary has been created!:)

Good Luck with the new budget And starting it with a notebook you already had, now that must be a good omen.
x

slowlyfading

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Don't forget Slowly if you made it to the interview then they are certainly interested in what you have to offer. Will keep fingers and toes crossed for you

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Slowly - keeping everything crossed for you.

Thanks guys

dizzy_lizzie

I've just been deleting some of my thread subscriptions and having a computer declutter when I came across this thread I'd saved. Stacks of ideas. If you scroll down to L for laminating ideas and go to post 50 there is a link to gorgeous printouts to frame or use for scrapbooking etc.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/792751

I daren't go back on it at the mo as I haven't done anything today except procrastinate again...so I'm logging off for a while and doing something creative.
Ooh for those of you who are mummies to little ones there is a gorgeous idea of getting your little one to draw and colour in their teacher, write something sweet on the back, great for a Christmas gift, laminate it and add a ribbon for hanging. That ones post 49 in the laminating section. Also great for giving to friends and family too.
I think you can pick up laminators at fairly good prices now.
So lots of frugal (ish) ideas to browse through.
Ttfn
x

Blairweech

Had a very frugal day yesterday - not intentionally though Went to Mr T as I had a £10 giftcard from doing a survey, so bought some food to take back with me...and then my Mum paid and let me keep the £10 giftcard :beer: And she made me pancakes for breakfast and we're having duck for dinner :heartpuls Mummy :money:

Have dismantled my tomato plants...officially the end of summer! Only had about 2 dozen green tomatoes which have been left on the garden table to finish ripening - no green tomato chutney for me this year (what a shame).

I had a scary letter from Co-op (I have a student account with them) saying there was no money in my account and I had bounced a DD, incurring a £15 charge (plus interest). I rang them to query it, they said my OD had been pulled :eek: Was literally what I looked like. However, upon further enquiry it appears I have to ring them every year to confirm my student status - I did not realise this. Once I had explained that to them though, they reinstated my OD and removed all the fees and charges I had incurred with no hassle or problems, which I was v. pleased about :T

rising_from_the_ashes

Thank goodness they let you have it back & refunded the charges!

A tip for ripening green tomatos - put them in a brown paper bag (like you get at the fruit & veg shop) with a ripe banana.... no idea why it works but bananas are apprently great for ripening a lot of stuff that's "not quite there". HTH