Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

LolaLemon

Redglass, I don't do all the organised stuff, my aim is to one day be able to keep a record of what I'm doing, but I'm not organised enough to do it.
I know I should as it would make my life a whole lot easier, but with uni, depression, hoarding I find it hard. The hoarding is a big part of my depression and I know that I will feel better if the stuff was away, but every bit of the stuff I have some random attachment to, and I have given myself a year to get it sorted, and as I sort, ill get organised... so mines is related to my emotions and how my head is working, but I'm here, and active, in that I have to live as frugally as possible, or else we will end up under. I'm soo glad I'm here as I don't waste my money (as much) any more, I even pass on some tips I've picked up from here to my friends who don't have money problems
So please stay, as every contribution is really greatly appreciated x

ladymay

Hello!

I'm new to all this DFW malarky, had my LBM week before last so I'm still working on my spending diary and SOA right now, so I'm not ready to join in the challenge just yet, but I'd really like to once I know what my and the BF's incomings and outgoings are...

I've just finished my PG studies in musical theatre *jazz hands*, and while I'm going to auditions and trying to make my way into paid MT work I'm working as a marketing assistant, referee and children's party assistant. Life is a bit crazy!!!

I haven't read the whole thread yet, it may take me a while...:D

weesmiler

Good morning all!

I hope everyone is well. I had some friends round last night for dinner, and I made lasagne for the very first time! It went down pretty well, and I'll be eating the leftovers all week!

It's a lovely day here in sunny Scotland, going to get a washing hung out and make some carrot and coriander soup.

Thank you so much to everyone on your kind wishes on my job being made permanent, it is a big weight off my mind. Fingers crossed for those of you looking for work, don't give up!

Keep smiling x

tumptyteapot

redglass wrote: »

I

It's time to come clean. I can't keep up with my book-keeping, which I suppose means that I'm no longer in the challenge.

I haven't been able to keep on top of it either but I take each day and it's frugal choices as a challenge so I consider myself still here :-) I know that mostly I am spending a lot less than when I joined back in April and that is good enough for me for now.

meg72

I think this is the most sensible way to view this.I dont keep a record, usually start and lose it or get so far behind dont bother.

For me anything left at the end of the week is my record.

redglass_2

Welcome, LadyMay (nice name!).

Thanks Lola and Tumpty and Meg72,, that's made me feel less of a failure! I'm not going, I still intend to be frugal and keep up with the thread, but if I'm not recording all my outgoings I won't know how far I was off my target spend, so strictly speaking I'm shifting the goalposts rather than sticking to the original challenge, IYSWIM.

As a singleton I don't usually bother with roast Sunday dinner so today's offering was pancakes stuffed with beans whizzed up with veggies and herbs, and then 2 more pancakes with lemon and sugar. Went a bit overboard but I do love pancakes, they are so frugal, comforting and delicious. I even like flipping them in the air (when it works, that is).

Found a snail in the fridge which had escaped from my bag of allotment lettuce and was going on a tour of the surfaces....good job I'm careful about washing the lettuce before I eat any.:rotfl:

SandraScarlett

Welcome newbies, and hallo everyone else.:) Redglass, I consider myself part of the challenge, in that I try to think about what I'm spending, but I certainly don't record everything.

Good luck to those who do, but we all have our own probs, and sometimes these might overtake good intentions - but as long as we try, and make some savings, no matter how small, that's success in my book.

Talking about money, poor Amy Winehouse never had to worry if she could afford things, but money doesn't guarantee undiluted joy. DH has had a relatively good week, and so, at the moment, I feel really rich. :T

A lot of us have almost completed 7 months, and let's hope we have a milder winter than last year, so we don't get King Williams!!!!

xx

tumptyteapot

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Talking about money, poor Amy Winehouse never had to worry if she could afford things, but money doesn't guarantee undiluted joy.

I don't think she had a particulary rich start in life, wasn't her dad a taxi driver?

I found this today - http://thepowerofless.com/2008/12/free-ebook-thriving-on-less-simplifying-in-a-tough-economy/ it's a free ebook about living on less, nothing we don't know but nice to see it written down. It recomends a book called Your Money or Your Life (by by vicki robin and joe dominguez no Alvin Hall). Has anyone read it?

Nargleblast

I have read Alvin Hall's book and the man talks a lot of sense. I would recommend it to anyone who needs help to change their financial situation.

slowlyfading

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Ohhhh no, I think I made a "boo boo" - reading back, I think SF was quoting weesmiler's good news & I though she'd managed to get a permanent job too.

Huge apologies, especially to SF.:(

Don't worry about it

Sorry I haven't been around; my grandma is in hospital at the moment and we've been away visiting her this week. I'm finding things a bit difficult at the moment, but normal service will resume soon, I hope.