2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

black_cat

happycrafter wrote: »

Also just realised this time last year any money that was given as presents would have been now spent on food and we would have been scraping every last penny together. This year I still have a good (not brilliant but good) amount of money in my bank, plenty of food in the house and payday is Monday.:j

This was also my situation two years ago. It's my birthday just after Christmas so I ended up using my birthday money / vouchers too. Last year wasn't quite so bad but this year's been great. I'm not even getting the urge to spend the money / vouchers, just because I can - I'm actually enjoying having the money in the bank.

happycrafter_2

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

£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

love the scarves, might treat myself to making one of them but as a wrap. I have a good stash of wool built up and only taught myself to crochet last year.


well tonight I had a rest night, no baking, housework, or planning. I have dug out a ball of sock wool I bought last year and going to knit myself a pair of socks and if they work I will knit more to go as part of presents.

dizzy_lizzie

Thanks Purple I haven't moved off the couch. DH made our teas and now he's gone off to work. I miss him in the evenings.
I hope this site will help you with the food. You enter ingredients that you have in already and it suggests meals you can make with them. I found a really good site that did this a few years ago but can't remember what it was called. (edited from original site I posted as I found a better one so you may need to click on it again if you read before I edited. htms)
wornoutmumoftwo hope pup is soon well. They are very precious aren't they. I've got our little jack snuggling up to me. She always seems to now when I need a bit of tlc.
happycrafter it would be great if you'd join us in a bit of crochet therapy. Keeps our minds off spending so very frugal There are some lovely pics of socks on the 'knitters thread' from a while ago especially from orkneystar who's an avid sock knitter and from cuddles but there's no way I could knit a pair. I know my limits!
x

letsdothis

Wow what a week ! - the first time in AGES that I have had spare money at the end of the week in my bank AND spare money in my grocery envelope - feels BRILLIANT !!!

bought some reduced wrapping paper in Mr T's - 60p p/roll for 10m - bought 3 got to the till and the buy 2 get 1 free offer was still valid

D2 started ty kwando (sp) for a mth before Christmas and I said that I would sign her up properly after, checked with her before it started up and she doesnt want to go anymore - RESULT - saving me £36 mthly dd - £40 insurance and £36 suit - Kerching !!!!!!:T

To whoever it was that noticed that they were feeling more tired - I feel like that - and sometimes I feel like I havent got any more mental space to deal with anything else - but to notice that I still have money (only £35) still in the bank and £25 STILL left out of my £50 p/wk grocery budget then this makes me smile and boosts my resolve - and Im sure as things become second nature as the weeks/months/years go on this 'may' free up some mental space

I am so happy about now

gigglybug_2

Hi all, I am really starting to see the benefit of my spending diary!! Every time i notice a pattern, I work out what it costs me per year and that really puts it in perspective!!!

I am full time at college at the mo and have just take on a second job to make extra cash, I really have to stop my tendency to treat myself (only small stuff like a coffee or a snack at work/college), which at the time seem like an OK idea, but I still can't afford it! :sad:

On the plus side i'm to busy to spend much otherwise:T

(to those of you who want to make extra money, if you think it is something you might like it might be worth looking into your local hospital nursing bank (as an NA) It is a lovely job (yes there are some unpleasant jobs, but if you've had kids you've already covered the basics)and so flexible, mine only asks for 4 shifts a month and you get to choose what days and shifts you work, the money is quite good and you meet some lovely characters)

All the best xx

brizzledfw

Well done letsdothis..brilliant news. You're doing great

happycrafter_2

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Thanks Purple I haven't moved off the couch. DH made our teas and now he's gone off to work. I miss him in the evenings.
I hope this site will help you with the food. You enter ingredients that you have in already and it suggests meals you can make with them. I found a really good site that did this a few years ago but can't remember what it was called. (edited from original site I posted as I found a better one so you may need to click on it again if you read before I edited. htms)
wornoutmumoftwo hope pup is soon well. They are very precious aren't they. I've got our little jack snuggling up to me. She always seems to now when I need a bit of tlc.
happycrafter it would be great if you'd join us in a bit of crochet therapy. Keeps our minds off spending so very frugal There are some lovely pics of socks on the 'knitters thread' from a while ago especially from orkneystar who's an avid sock knitter and from cuddles but there's no way I could knit a pair. I know my limits!
x

I started my socks, im on the simple bit atm knitting the leg part, we shall see how the foot shaping goes! for Christmas I crocheted a angry birds style hat and a hello kitty style hat for 2 presents and both people loved them so much the girl wouldnt take it off and wore it in the house!! My mum gave me a tatting shuttle and thread so thats my challenge for this year and she asked me to crochet something to go in the middle of her coffee table - so thats mothers day sorted.

strange how pets know when you need a extra cuddle, my dogs follow me around when i feel low and keep close to me when i sit down. they are only small dogs (jack russels shih tzhu crosses) but they have big hearts.

mooomin

I've not posted much this year but I'm trying to be as frugal as I can be. I currently have about £13 left in my food budget to do us until next Friday. This would be plenty but I need fresh fruit/veg as I'm doing WW and Mr Fresian drinks so much tea that I think it would save us money to buy a cow....! I'm hoping that I can stick to my budget nonetheless

Last night I made a massive pot of minestrone, so we'll be eating that for the next week :rotfl: Mr F had some last night and declared it lovely, so that's good news!

I'm up to 6 NSDs for the month which I'm very pleased with. I need to find out how to return things to QVC as I bought a crafty tool that I just don't like That's my plan for tonight - well, that and having whoopsied tuna steaks for dinner. Looking forward to that!

cw18

Question for any Scottish friends on here please...

I'm trying to help someone on another forum do her budgets to see if she can afford to move out of parental home (major problems with one of her parents) and rent a flat.
She's exempt from Council Tax as she's a student, and as I understand things from previous years of this challenge water costs are included in with this bill if you live in Scotland.

So does the student exemption also extend to the water part of the bill, or is she likely to still get a bill for that? She's under the impression (from what she's been told by a friend who rents) that she won't have to pay it, but looking at her numbers it's something I think needs double checking as it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back - and she's only got until tomorrow morning before she loses the chance of the flat she wants !!!!

cw18

flying_fresian wrote: »

I need to find out how to return things to QVC as I bought a crafty tool that I just don't like

I used to phone Customer Services. If it had been delivered by courier they generally arranged for the courier to collect. If it came by normal post they'll send out a pre-paid label - but be sure to get a proof of postage when you drop it off at the PO. Sometimes they said to return small items that came by courier via normal mail, but that's up to them