OS Achievements of 2006

BusyGirl

I joined this site in September and I can't believe just how much I have achieved so far.

1. changed our eating habits-90% meals hm (and lots of new recipes from this site!)
2. cut grocery bill by £100pm
3. bought a bm
4. bought a sc (today)
5. use soapnuts and soda crystals in washing machine
6. use stardrops and microfibre cloths for cleaning
7. bought lots of os books including Martin's new thrifty one and The Tightwad's Gazette
8. joined Pigsback and earned over £50 in vouchers spent on xmas presents
9. started saving £2 and 20p coins
10. managed to lose 10lb due to new eating habits and new busy lifestyle:rotfl:
11. started my household manual (inspired by the wonderful Moggins)
So my goals for 2007 are to continue with the above and also

1.to get my monthly grocery bill to £200 or less
2. spend less on everything
3. to spend more time on my os hobbies of knitting and playing the guitar.

I'm sure I will add a few more. :j

stumpjumper

I've not been as 'good' as some of you folks but I've made my baby steps this year:

Learnt how to make soup and saved loads on lunches for work
Bought a SC and have been using it a lot!
Discovered Stardrops and white vinegar
Cut down on the use of stores' carrier bags
re-learnt knitting
Cut down massively on the amount of detergent I use in the washing mashine.
Cut down massively on the ready meals and take aways

beemuzed

Gosh, haven't you all done well! Wish I could produce an impressive list too - but not this year!

I have however stuck to making my own bread for most of the year, and I do always plan our meals and use a shopping list (I have a master list on the computer and print off and highlight - this is probably my one and only organised habit!)

Greatest achievement this year isn't at all o/s - but I'm pleased as punch to be a new gran! (Well, I suppose I did have a little to do with it, albeit 31 years ago!!)

Bexstars

I found this site

Im just starting to but bits and peices together and have lots of plans for next year

TKP_3

Bexstars wrote:

I found this site

Me too !!! :T :T :T

cha97michelle

I've only just found this thread as i was away over the hols, but it made me realise what i have learnt and been inspired to try this year. I haven't done things like this since i was a student and had to.

Here's my list:

• regularly made bread in the BM (apart from when i had morning sickness:rolleyes: )
• tried growing garlic - mental note to self not to leave it where the cat can lie in the tub next year)
• bought and now regularly use a slow cooker
• bought quite a lot of xmas pressies in the sales
• saved about £250 in my pin money challenge bank account. Managed to save enough in december to cover the cattery bill while we were away.
• now cook double quantities in most meals. (did before but we were piggy and ate it)
• now use veggies to pad out meals, and eat a lot more because of that
• was encouraged/supported not to give up breastfeeding when i was finding it tough
• was helped to overcome my depression from the early part of the year by the support from people here
• now buy stardrops
• was introduced to flylady, which is now a daily part of my life
• have earned several pounds worth of vouchers from quidco and pigsback
• used the nectar points i hadn't touched in 4 years to get the best deal for me in the summer of fun
• have got into composting in a big way
• i now throw less food out
• i have become better at controlling my urges to spend
• been moved to tears and laughter by some threads on this board.
• Like penny-pincher, learned to latch hook, and made rugs for my baby's room and my nephew
• tried cross stitch

So thanks everyone. Looking at your lists it is obvious that we all 'feed' off each other and it enriches our lives. Hope i can improve upon this in 2007!

Michelle, x

Iguana

I gave up smoking and bought myself a pair of diamond earrings as a reward!!!!!!!

Roz_V

I found this board in about June, and since then have:

• cooked from scratch most nights
• learned to make soup
• made chutneys
• put thought into Xmas and gave everyone HM gifts
• Banished chemicals that were aggrivating my asthma in favour of Stardrops
• got myself organised with a household manual
• cut the shopping bill by zillions of ££
• figured out what I want to do with my life
• generally enjoyed a better quality of life for much less money

In 2007 I hope to continue with this, and invest in a slo-cooker

bubblebathgirl

in 2006 i
reduced waste and recylced more
grew lots of carrots ,beans,peas,strawberrys and lots and lots of herbs
made a roman blind for my bathroom ( got asked to some for freinds)
stopped wasting money on food we dont eat
sent dd to school with lunch i am proud of

would not have done it without your help guys xx

boysmum3

I only found this board in November but in 2006 I:

Bought a sewing machine and have started small projects.
Stopped buying ready meals and am now down to 1 jar of sauce (DS1 reluctant to give up Sausages Tonight Red Wine Sauce!)
Took the BM out of the cupboard at least once a week.
Made all own pizza/garlic bread (hence BM!!!)
Bought SC - used frequently but could do better!
Stopped buying clothes and shoes (sob!!) that I REALLY don't need.
Lost hours of my life on MSE - but discovered great household budgeting and management tips.(can't believe I only ever used to read the weekly email!)
Reduced shop bought cakes/biscuits bought (want this to be none this year)
And I am very proud of how organised our family Xmas was this year - I even was baking Nigellas Xmas Muffins at 7.30 am Xmas day! - and it was the best Xmas ever!!

2007 will be better..
want to be more organised - meal planning, de-cluttering etc.
garden not huge but want to grow toms, courgettes, beans and strawberries this year.
want to reduce grocery budget from £80 a week to £50 (failed miserably week 1!!!)
want to go through freezer/cupboards and list what I have in order to help with getting grocery budget down - reckon I could live for 2 weeks easily from stocks yet I insist on shopping!