Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

23rdspiral

:T Ariel, i know we all have very different situations, but that sums up pretty much how i feel too. cheers!

rubytuesday

Aaw lovely news about the hedgehogs.

I agree too what I enjoy most is spending time round the dinner table talking with my family and swimming in the out door pool.

I have though surprisingly been converted to a latest gadget being a bit of a technophobe and my son turned up with it last night as a belated birthday present ! A lovely iPad such a joy after temperamental hand me down computers!

SandraScarlett

:A Perfectly put Aril :A !!!!

xx

rising_from_the_ashes

rubytuesday wrote: »

Vet is very pleased with marmalade and thinks she is responding well to the treatment.

I wasn't so pleased when I stuck my hand in the basket on the way home and it came out warm and brown!

So pleased to hear the medication's working - I sympathise the wee accident, one of mine is a terrible traveller and I now put old towels in her basket so I can chuck them at the vets and again when we get home:(. Haven't yet come up with a solution, starving for a few hours before going in the car doesn't seem to help at all.

rubytuesday wrote: »

I have though surprisingly been converted to a latest gadget being a bit of a technophobe and my son turned up with it last night as a belated birthday present ! A lovely iPad such a joy after temperamental hand me down computers!

Lovely news Ruby and a present worth waiting for! enjoy!:)

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I had a read this morning, and quite a few posts mentioned that people hadn't kept to the straight and narrow. Hand on heart, how many of us can honestly say that every single day of the last 6 months has been as frugal as possible?

I had a great start to this quarter today, when DH and I had eye tests (free for over 60s) but told we both needed new prescriptions. DH has bi-focals, and I have light weight frames, and even with a 25% discount, we are shelling out nearly £500!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

But then I thought that someone who was blind would be so happy to pay that if they could only see, and thank goodness we both can. Our health may not be as great as some couples, but it's better than a lot, and we are blessed with a lovely family and many kind friends. :A

The Blessed Martin keeps me up to date on so many money-saving tips, and I really appreciate all the help and support on this thread. And there'll be no Williams for me when the next heating bills arrive. My weekly meter check is making me positively orgasmic!

xx

Oh Sandra, I do so love your way with words:D, you make me chuckle so often, thank you.

I too often fall "off the wagon" and know there's times when I spend more than I should but at least I do actually think before spending now and it's a lot less often than before so .... success in my eyes.

SandraScarlett

You're absolutely right, rising. You've hit the proverbial nail on the head by saying that you think before you buy. It's so easy to beat ourselves up because we haven't succeeded 100%, if it's a diet, saving money, completing something at work or home etc.

We're all a lot more frugal-savvy, thanks to this brilliant thread, and the support is wonderful. I'm so pleased I joined, and feel quite humble when I read of the ups and downs and difficulties that some of our group face, day after day.

A big cheer for all of us! :beer: :beer: :beer:

xx

tumptyteapot

when I first started this I honesty found it difficult to have a day spending no money, now it happens without me thinking about it

rubytuesday

Managed to have a cobble for lunch, pasta bacon and melted dochelatta - although I won't be buying that again - too strong for me!

I really need to do a shop as there isn't much in.

Credit card bill really did not make for good reading this month and most of the cats' bill is not on it!:eek:

Mainly due to the haircut and my very out of character splurge on face cream and makeup!

I will have to break in to savings I think - so not too pleased with myself!

Still sometimes we have to live a little!

tumptyteapot

My discounted Ocado delivery comes tonight, it was strangley unsatisfying shopping online though if it works out cheaper I might consider it for tins, cat food, juice etc. The heavy stuff I always get. For actual food cooking though I rely heavily on what is in the reduced section and I need to go to the shop for that.

paidinchickens

Sampled the home made wine last night so a little worse for it today. I could quite happily fall into bed right now:rotfl:

We went out for tea last night which cost a fortune for 5 of us and I am feeling really bad about it and got a £90 bill as I went over my minutes last month:eek::eek::eek::eek: I think they should give you a warning that you are no longer using up your allowance but could kick myself for not checking!!!!!

I am going to cut right back for the rest of the month to make up for this...........Listen for the squeak as it will be me being extra tight:rotfl:

having lasagne for tea. I always add a tin of baked beans in with mince meals as it makes it go further but I have accidentally opened beans and sausages and threw them in without looking. This is the down side for everything being value I should be grateful it was not a tin of peaches:rotfl: So wonder what it will be like........and can't wait to see the kids faces;)

Kerry_Woman

For the first 6 months of the year, I have saved alot of money on the food bill. I will wait until the end of the year to see how much actually I have saved, as I know that the cost of food keeps rising. As I have just recently started to cook/bake properly, I have seen a drop in the bills even more and have timed when Mr. A where I live reduce their food on Saturday morning to get a few bargains. Am still doing a few small challenges for myself this year and getting there slowly.

Went to a cs today and got a smart jacket for £3.99. Was really pleased, as when I priced a jacket in 2 other named shops, it was priced £20 and £49.50.

Got some extra casual work this week. I did some work for this company last year working at sporting events. They only do events during July and October.

I am grateful for this challenge as it has helped me alot.