2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

bramble1

Following on from last week's post, I had to take the plunge and apply for some jobs today. We are struggling too much for me not to try and find something that pays better. I won't leave for less than a 4k rise, and it needs to be a job I really want, but i'm going to have to get my CV out there. I also think it's time for me to take a little step up the ladder, as i've been treading water for two years and know I can do better.

in other frugal news, NSD for me today and am drinking my HM raspberry vodka Also got a new rabbit hutch for £20 instead of £100+ for similar new one in shops!!

rubytuesday

Had a look a your link too Frugaldom and that sounds interesting.

That is my son's plan although he also has a property with a mortgage.

JIL

mishmogs wrote: »

Also found a heart cookie cutter for 75p, if only I could find a doggie one cheap, alas it has eluded me for some time now.

Ikea have some cookie cutters one is a fox, similar to a dog perhaps? I bought them for the moose cutter.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30133046/

silvasava

Sandrascarlett - thanks v much for the link, have saved it for future reference if necessary. I'm the only one who will return things - DH always says its not worth it but I've never had a problem yet. I do always try to do it very politely & with a smile..........unless!!
Have a lovely time at your Midnight Tango show too - I saw it in Brighton last year & loved it. DH gave me a 'voucher' for Xmas for Tango lessons but we havn't had the opportunity yet to book them with too many other things going on

dizzy_lizzie

rubytuesday wrote: »

Ooh Hi Dizzy that's funny I didn't see those last few posts!

Still not feeling great really but at the same time not really ill.

Haven't made it to swimming so that is an indicator that all is not well.

Girlie was diagnosed with asthma today too.

Hope you soon feel better - you haven't been right for a long time!

I am wondering if may be I should rephrase that! :rotfl::A

:rotfl:No, you're spot on Ruby :rotfl:
I think we could both do with some sun on our backs eh Ruby. I'm sure that would help to put the sparkle back. Roll on Summer. Hope all goes well with the tests and hope girlie is fine after her diagnosis. I have asthma too under control and in the process of reducing my preventor so I can sympathise. Just for reference asthma is included in the Disability Discrimination Act with supposedly special dispensation for workers/children off work/school when poorly due to their asthma. I've only just found this out recently so not read too much about it but that's the gist I think.

Have recorded law and order uk so we're just settling down to watch that. I think Bradley Walsh is such a fantastic actor. Not only can he do game shows and soaps but serious roles as well and I think the mark of a good actor is that he can pull them all off equally as well.
Warm hugs to all with cuddles to wornoutmums puppy and paidinchix kitties. Can't miss out our furry friends
x

SandraScarlett

silvasava wrote: »

Sandrascarlett - thanks v much for the link, have saved it for future reference if necessary. I'm the only one who will return things - DH always says its not worth it but I've never had a problem yet. I do always try to do it very politely & with a smile..........unless!!
Have a lovely time at your Midnight Tango show too - I saw it in Brighton last year & loved it. DH gave me a 'voucher' for Xmas for Tango lessons but we havn't had the opportunity yet to book them with too many other things going on

Oooo, I go weak at the knees when dancers do that bit where they twiddle one foot, very fast, through the other dancer's legs! I try to go most years to a show at the Peacock Theatre, which is a subsidiary of Sadlers Wells, and features different types of dance, and often has a tango show, featuring about 10 couples, all champions, from various countries.

The lead man wasn't first in the queue for looks, is shortish, and about 50, but when he dances and lowers his eyes, and looks at first the girl, then the audience, my insides turn to liquid :eek: .... and I have lots of Naughty Thoughts!

I always say, I've had numerous affairs ........ in my mind!

xx

piggybank1980

Another NSD for me! have managed not to spend a penny for lunches/drinks etc at work yet for this month so far so I think i'm getting off to a great start to the year. Gonna find some vouchers for the weekly shop tomorrow to see how cheap I can get it and hopefully weather permitting go for a nice walk and picnic in the forest as a nice day out for my lil man.

thank you everybody for your inspiring posts so far, I know there is so much more I can improve on but Rome wasn't built in a day!

rising_from_the_ashes

wornoutmumoftwo wrote: »

Bad news regarding my puppy. He has hip dysplasia in both hips, on painkillers and supplements, told he can't play ball or have excessive exercise (he's a collie), seems alright in himself. I'm so glad I got insurance as this is a lifetime condition.

Ohhhhhh nooooo, so sorry to hear that wornout ..... poor wee lamb. Hope it's not too severe a case - don't be afraid to ask for a 2nd opinion on the condition and any treatment options.

PIC how are those kitties settling in?


Well, have been looking at the budget again since thinking about the dentist/optitions etc and have also allowed a small bit for clothes (which have been sadly lacking over the past few years due to paying off my debts). Some things now desperately needed - I'm still wearing work trousers/tops that I've had since 2003 and some are very hard up:eek: so if I can say replace things here & there when I see a bargain that would be great.

I have bought 3 tops this month:

Work blouse - £30 reduced to £6
Work blouse - £30 reduced to £13
Work "dress down day" smart t-shirt top - £24 reduced to £8

That's probably more than I've spent on clothes in the whole of 2011 but good bargains.:)

There was also something missing on the regular peyments section that I've never included as it's my treat to myself:o and comes out my spending money. However, as it happens every 4 weeks, I've decided that I will put it in now for the sake of having a true reflection of my total spends - it's my ....massage.

It comes somewhere between a treat and a necessity - I have both fibromyalga and arthritis in my back which can be really painful and the massage helps sooooo much I'd rather do without other things to keep them.

Anyway, after adding all the extra bits in, I've added another £1k:eek: to the yearly budget .....

Have just dug some chicken breasts out the freezer so will be making chicken casserole later - have everything else needed:).

Popping to the library to collect a long awaited book coming in by one of my favourite authors:D and a quick trip to the sm for bread and milk (and hopefully not a lot else!).

Need to sort out my breakdown cover today too (runs out on the 29th) and may stop off and see if I can get my road tax (the local PO has been shut on Saturdays recently as it's currently for sale and doesn't open on a Wednesday which is the only other day I can go).

Apart from that ..... hoping to be curled up reading the book!:)

COOLTRIKERCHICK

The other night we had a fox take out some of our chickes and ducks:mad::mad::mad:

so we went pricing a humaine trap £160:eek::eek::eek:

so going to do the frugal thing and try and borrow one, we have a friend who can do the rest once its caught, sorry but my chickens and ducks are my priority, and i cant let the fox feast on my girls

So far this month my spending hasnt gone down on my shopping, buy i have been bulk buying, so over the next few month, it will start to show...

Just to give you the heads up, if anyone has a morrisons near them, they are selling some of hteir value range off cheaper;)

here is the link to the thread on the grocery board

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3745255

think i might make a special trip there over the weekend... and do a bit of bulk buying:D

icontinuetodream

Final spends for January have now been completed ...... £1429 for the month instead of the budgeted £1498 :j:j:j Okay, it's not a massive amount, but the difference went to my mortgage OP :T