2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

chika

Buffy the spreadsheet is here. I'm going to have a look at it later. Let us know how you get on!
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=39711066&postcount=360

flourgirl

Hi all, another newbie here, although not a newbie at being frugal I've had 37years practice :-) DH is retired so we are on a limited income, just his private pension. I now work about 12 hours a week on minimum pay and am looking to save this money for holidays and extras through the year.

Our budget for this year is £11k, just the 2 of us, we don't have a mortgage, loans or credit cards but we need to boost our savings instead of spending them. My lovely hubby is busy making us a shiny new detailed spreadsheet so we can easily keep tabs on just where the money goes. We have been using a book system for basic accounts for 37 years so we thought now is a good time to get into the 21st century and go computerised :rotfl:
Luckily we will be starting off the new year with full cupboards and both freezers full so I am looking forward to lots of nsd's.

Thank you to flying_fresian for encouraging me to join this challenge, you will be pleased to know my DH has included a "Craft" category in the spreadsheet . Thank you also to the lovely people who look after and contribute to the thread. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all and pick up (and give) lots of frugal tips over the next year and to having fun on this frugal journey. Hopefully I will get round to blogging about it too!

cocoribbon

Hi,Can I join in,I need to cut back drastically after christmas.Been a terrible year and finances have been stretched to the limit.I'm new to money saving and need a goal.I know I have to cut back as I been spending too much all year.I need a good challenge for motivation.

Thrawn_Frugal_Lassie

Hello!
May I join in please? I need to sort out my budget, take an inventory of what I already have food-wise, and do some menu planning. I'm already fairly frugal with food, cook from scratch, eat a lot of offal, and use pulses, veggies that type of thing, and am cutting back in other, less frugal areas.... cigarettes for one (have joined the giving up smoking thread)
I also want to cut down on waste. Food packaging, bags, that type of thing.
I'd love to join you. Sometimes I feel a bit on my own as I am in charge of all our finances, and hubby leaves me to it. (not that he goes out and spends for Scotland or anything, but he doesn't really want to blether about it and go into details the way I obsessively? do )

dizzybee

hi,
not had a chance to post in the last few days i have been so busy with work,last night was works xames party which is paid for by the company so had a free night out just had to pay £5 for the bus,a really good night lovely food and to much to drink,
we do secret Santa for £5 for the present it is dissapointing when you get some think that you know only cost a couple of quid.
I have done a full list of what needs to be paid and have set my self a budget of £100 a week to cover food,daughters collage trips and any emergency's that may arise,
i have walked to work the last few days and have really enjoyed it,but if i have a late shift i shall get the bus has there has been quite a few girls attacked in the area over the last week so not taking any chances,i have spoken to the Doctor about giving up smoking i have been given losagnes to try and today is day one and not feeling to bad at the moment.
will pop over and read the giving up smoking thread.

rising_from_the_ashes

1st draft below - probably some tweaking to do before the start of the year but a reasonable starting point.

My total budget is currently nearly £13k, however this does include my mortgage, all insurances as well as savings. It's the first year I've also included clothes and entertainment as separate budgets (and have been generous as spent nowhere near these amounts this year).

The pet costs can probably come down a bit too (sadly just lost my beloved dog) but will need to work out how much the cats cost by themselves - and can't face that atm.

So .... I may be able to get the budget down to £12.5k (or add another savings column in).

seriouslyfrugal

Just wanted to pop in to welcome everyone new this will be my second year I have no dependants or debts but I was made redundant in august so have a limited income - need to sit down & work out my budgets

strandedinaber

I'd like to participate in this challenge, please

deep_in

can i join please finally paid off my last penny of debt really need the incentive to save right off to see if my computer is fixed and start on my budget

angelaf_3

Can i join in please. I really need to stop being so wasteful.