2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

ailz95

I've sent Frugaldom a pm, so I'm only jumping the gun by a little by introducing myself now. I've been a member of MSE for a while, but have never had my DH backing for any saving. He says that he doesn't spend money - and he's right - he tells me and I spend it. Even when we go to the Supermarket he hands me his wallet and I pay.

I'm disabled so have to use my car or my mobility scooter when I go out - but it doesn't stop me pointing out money on the floor for him to pick up :rotfl:. we've started saving any left over change at the end of the week - he won't give me any of the bigger stuff and I collect £2 coins. We also shop at Sainsbury's - but we do buy their basics range. He's my carer so we're home 24/7. We both have computers and read the papers on-line.

We're second time arounders and he has 3 grown up children - one who is getting married this year (3 times - 1st in Tokyo where he lives for legal reasons, 2nd in South Korea - where his girlfriend is from - that's the religious one and finally in Birmingham, where his mum lives - that'll be a blessing); one is having a baby and the third we rarely hear from. My niece is also getting married this year.

We have a DMP with Payplan and really, really need to live not only within our means, but as frugally as possible. I've said for years that we only shop one day a week - I never counted all the money I've spent online - probably because I never see the money going out - but I've had a lightbulb moment this year.

Sorry to go on for so long - I'll go now - it's nearly my bed-time - I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I do turn the heating down when I go to bed though :rotfl:

See you later

paidinchickens

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Frugaldom,


I am hysterical with joy at the s-l-o-w-n-e-s-s of the gas and electricity meters! :j I don't know what the weather's like in other parts of the country, but it is positively tropical here. :T

Happy Frugal Day to everyone.

xx

Please think of the poor energy companies profit loss Sandra!!


:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

brizzledfw

Hi Aliz

Welcome to the forum hun, we are a friendly bunch and Frugaldom does a fab job keeping us all up to date and accounted for.

Seems like life has dealt you and your OH a tough set of cards so very best of luck to you in your journey to the blessed land of Frugality...

Xx

rubytuesday

kittiej wrote: »

Morning everyone

Just a fleeting visit because I've got a case study to do for uni.

I popped into Mr M's this morning and they are selling selection boxes for 50p, this is in S Wales.

6 bars of chocolate for 50p will keep the children happy for a while

(sorry if anyone else has already posted this)

I was in Mr T today and a couple had filled there trolley to the brim and wiped the shelves clean.

Some young girls had wanted a box and they didn't even have the decency to let them have one of their stash!

Very selfish I thought!

Good job I'm on rations!:rotfl:

arrowlili

mymamma wrote: »

Please can you tell me how you make hummous?

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do?keywords=hummus

try this link. the lemon and corriander hummous is one that i do often, although i don't follow a recipie as such, just kinda go with my tastebuds

one tip tho, if any recipie calls for roughly chopped garlic or whole cloves of garlic, i would strongly recommend crushing it finely first, either with a garlic crusher, pestle and morter or the old knife and salt method.
trust me, even if you wizz it up in a food processor, chunks of raw garlic in your hummous are no laughing matter :eek:
hth

septemberblues

ailz95 wrote: »

Sorry to go on for so long - I'll go now - it's nearly my bed-time - I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I do turn the heating down when I go to bed though :rotfl:

See you later

I've got Fibromyalgia as well, at 6.15 I was eyeing up the clock to see if it was bedtime yet! I'm fasting the tv for a week, and I don't know what to do with myself with no tv to watch, but if I go to bed at 6ish I would be awake about 4ish and that's too early for me

I can't even listen to a podcast or the radio, I know I would just go to sleep within a few minutes, so I am looking online at presents for my grandson (28th) and my daughter (2nd Feb), I will be glad to get back to watching the tv, it doesn't cost me anything

wornoutmumoftwo

Well, it's not even the end of the second week and I've spent a whopping £326 already, saying that, my pup isn't well and a visit to the vets cost me £80 (and more to come). I have insurance for him, but opted for a higher excess and lower premiums (for a better level of insurance). When it goes beyond £120 the insurance will kick in, though I'd prefer it if he got better. (He has a poorly leg).

I did a HUGE shop at iceland today, came to £60, but I should have enough food for about two/three weeks, other than that, I've been doing really well

dizzy_lizzie

LolaLemon wrote: »

DIZZY you are on! I was looking at Lucy's scarf from attic 24 , although she spent £55ish, I'm thinking of doing it with what I have here.
Or their is this one from red heart free patterns.... this.

£55 for a scarf!!!! I thought making them yourself was supposed to be cheaper. I think she does buy the better quality wool though, maybe that accounts for the price. Love the scarf link Lola. Will have to get started on this and we'll post piccies up.

Last night my asthma started playing up which is such a shame as I'd got it really under control. Had an excrutiating migraine too and could only wait until OH came home from work this morning to bring me some tablets up, I couldn't move my head from the pillow. Went to the docs this morning and I'm on antibiotics again and steroids!I knew it was bad as I hadn't recovered fully from being poorly over Christmas. Hopefully the medication will knock it on the head this time. Unfortunately that's cost me over £14 for my prescription. But on a frugal note haven't spent anything else.
Going back to work tomorrow and will just have to see how I go
Not a great start to the year...but I WILL GET BETTER!
x

purpleorchid

evening all

DL sorry to hear your not feeling to good. hope the anitbiotics work, try and rest if you can hun.
WOMOT. hope the pup recovers soon, its horrid when pets are ill.
so many posts to catch up on, hope everyone else is doing well.

mum brought me a cooked joint of ham that she froze for me over xmas,(it was half of hers), but it was frozen as a joint rather than separate so have just had it with cauli and broccoli cheese, and pots, (made a dinner for tomorrow as well). also had a ham roll at lunch. the cats have had a fair bit as well, just the bits i know i wont eat (3 cats). i have enough left for at least another 5-6 meals but cant refreeze now. not sure how long it will last in the fridge though, so does anyone have any suggestions plz as i would really hate to throw this out. plus i dont ever get to have a proper ham joint as i cant afford it.
wish mum would realise that im trying to live frugal, she just looks at me stupid everytime i tell her.

Luv P
xx

Lookingtothefuture

:wave:

Hello everyone! I posted last year and read regularly, you are all so inspiring! I have also been trying to become more and more frugal since I had my lightbulb moment. It's true, it takes time. This thread gives me so many ideas and keeps my motivation up when I am getting frustrated at lack of instant results! So thank you all! My aims for this year are to continue to be good with money and save where I can. A big step for me (very scary one too!) was to get a tesco credit card so that I am able to get clubcard points on my shopping at Asda. This is scary for me as it was the evil credit cards that got me into debt in the first place! However I have a separate account that I transfer money into as soon (if not before) I have spent the money on the card. I am being very VERY strict with this as I do NOT want to be back on the downhill slope! I have changed my clubcard so that I only get my clubcard points in November ready for Christmas. This also allows me to top up my clubcard for extra vouchers. My aim is £50 this year. This will then be rewarded by tesco with a free £3 voucher. I am also trying to compare what I would normally buy in Asda with what I can get at tesco to see if they are cheaper or the same price. If they are I will buy at tesco again to try and increase my clubcard points. I am also discreetly trying to find receipts with unclaimed points on, although I am yet to find one in my trolley!

Another thing I am doing is trying to wash our clothes at night time when the electric is cheaper, and also use the slow cooker at night when my other half is on early shift as he then gets up at 5 to switch it off!

As its been so mild recently we haven't had to have the heating on which is great, but also now I am on maternity leave I have been trying to take my little girl out as much as possible. We have been to other peoples houses for play dates and use the children's centre at least three times a week as its all free clubs. Plus she got free snacks there today too

We try as much as possible to get the best for our money rather than the cheapest so for example when buying toilet rolls I buy the cheapest priced one per roll rather than per pack.

Also I am doing the sealed pot challenge again this year, as is my oh. We are having a competition to see who can get the most money! :rotfl:

Lastly, I have started Christmas shopping already! I got £73 worth of stuff the other day in clint ons for just £4.45! :eek::D as the local shop were running out of warehouse space and so were selling beautiful photo frames for 49p that had been priced at £9.99!:eek::rotfl: so needless to say I got quite a bit. Also they were selling the wrapping paper at 75% off so got 8 rolls.... I saved £12.00 by doing this.

I still have lots to learn from you lovely money saving experts :money: and am enjoying doing it so far. So thank you again for helping me! I'll continue to lurk in the shadows, and post occasionally. :beer: