2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Thrifty85 wrote: »

Thank you for your kind words. I started keeping a complete spreadsheet of every single penny I spend using the link from page 1 of this thread.
I know it will get (hopefully) get easier if I keep going, keep being frugal and keep reading these threads!

You have hit the nail on the head, it will get easier. You have a wealth of knowledge from this forum AND... you dont have to do it all at one time. Like us all here we do as much as is possible in our unique circumstances. Just hang on in girl. X

lobbyludd

hi there, loving this thread, just a quick thumbs up to thrifty, I know it is unfair, last month I had a funeral out of the blue which on top of being upsetting cost financially, and set me off course, the only way to feel good about this (other than accepting that life is like that somehow) is that at least I could find the cash for the unforeseen expense, because I'd been tightening my belt on the run-up, if this had happened 6 months ago, I'd have had no room on my credit card, no savings, and would have ended up borrowing using very expensive credit or gping over-limits and getting charges heaped on charges.

my grandfather would have died whether I was trying to be more frugal or not, ditto your car. I know that may seem cold comfort but you can be really proud that your efforts are bearing fruit

Thrifty85

Thanks everyone - I know you're all strangers to me, as I am to you but reading the last few words has given me so much encouragement, thank you.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather, lobbyludd. I'm sure he'd be proud of the way you handled things.

I felt so pathetic earlier, I even cried after putting the phone down when the mechanic told me about the MOT fail......and I am NOT a crier! Back home now and it's wonderful how a mug of tea and sympathy makes everything better! The bill has been put on the credit card but it WILL all be paid off by the end of the month.

Got a lovely date this evening and I am being cooked for, so free evening for me! I'll bring him a gift of some home-made fruit liqueur....so very MSE!

Thrifty_Sister

Catching up again and am almost in tears here - you guys are great at the support, help advice etc that you give to other frugallers (or trying to be) - you are such a lovely bunch of peeps. Not in a good place myself today but ((hugs)) to those who need them and Thrifty85 keep up the good work. You can hold your head up knowing that you are doing it yourself :smileyhea

Hope evrybody has a nice Valentines night x

Thrifty_Sister

Thrifty85 wrote: »

Thanks everyone - I know you're all strangers to me, as I am to you but reading the last few words has given me so much encouragement, thank you.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather, lobbyludd. I'm sure he'd be proud of the way you handled things.

I felt so pathetic earlier, I even cried after putting the phone down when the mechanic told me about the MOT fail......and I am NOT a crier! Back home now and it's wonderful how a mug of tea and sympathy makes everything better! The bill has been put on the credit card but it WILL all be paid off by the end of the month.

Got a lovely date this evening and I am being cooked for, so free evening for me! I'll bring him a gift of some home-made fruit liqueur....so very MSE!

Thats the spirit - well done you:T:T:T

seriouslyfrugal

Happy valentines day :lovethoug


hugs to those who need it


I had a dr appointment today and have been signed off for 3 months and advised to change to E.S.A.* from J.S.A.** so at least this will give me time to get strong again and make sure that i'm as well as I can be when I get a job although money maybe a bit tight for a bit while it all gets sorted out I do have some limited savings if I need them I feel like a weight has been lifted from me

* = employment support allowance
** = Job seekers allowance

have a good evening everyone

SandraScarlett

This is the nicest, most supportive thread possible, and I am honoured to count all of you as my virtual friends.:beer: I have received so much support and good advice, when times have been tough, and nobody ever says "well, it's your own fault for doing xyz", which I've noticed, with horror, appears frequently on other boards. :eek:

Mind you, I've also noticed on some boards that people will ask for advice, in a really demanding way, no "please" or anything, and several posters will give really detailed info, often about benefits, and the OP can't even be bothered to press the "thanks" button, let alone posting "thank you so much for all your help".:mad:

Now, may I ask all you super bakers for some advice please? I haven't baked my own bread for decades, but had been "thinking about it" for a while - about 3 years or so!

Well, I took advantage of the incredible Amazon offer of yeast, for 2p a packet, bought some granary flour, and then realised I that I don't have a loaf tin, so need to buy one. Does it affect the quality of the loaf if your tin is from a 99p shop, or is a Prestige one?

And can anyone suggest the type they prefer please? Oh and one more thing, can I make rolls, using individual cake tins, or do you just shape rolls and put them on a greased baking tray?

Feeling the aura of Masterchef surrounding me.

xx

cw18

Sandra - for rolls, just shape and put on a tray

For loaves I use my bread machine, but in the past when I've tried using tins in the oven I could never get them out of the tins

To that end (and for making tea bread type cake loaves) I've invested in some silicon ones. Not tried them yet, but didn't get them from expensive shops - and the silicon things I have used from cheaper stores (B'n'M and A!di) have worked just fine, so don't envisage any problems with them

enjoyfinancialchallenges

SS we are all in this together so why should we blame others for being in a place we, (most of us anyway) have visited before.

Have had an easy day today just cutting up orange peel for marmalade, I shall have to start calling myself Nell Gwynne soon.... without the cleavage that is. Must get you all up to date with my cooking soon, the trouble is it is still taking over my life so I dont have a lot of time free. XXX to you all on this Valentines day, me well I'm off to Weight W***her* in a moment, nobody in my life this year BUT never say die I'm still young .....(73) next month!!!!thats young isn't it?

Thrifty_Sister

SandraScarlett wrote: »

This is the nicest, most supportive thread possible, and I am honoured to count all of you as my virtual friends.:beer: I have received so much support and good advice, when times have been tough, and nobody ever says "well, it's your own fault for doing xyz", which I've noticed, with horror, appears frequently on other boards. :eek:

Mind you, I've also noticed on some boards that people will ask for advice, in a really demanding way, no "please" or anything, and several posters will give really detailed info, often about benefits, and the OP can't even be bothered to press the "thanks" button, let alone posting "thank you so much for all your help".:mad:

Now, may I ask all you super bakers for some advice please? I haven't baked my own bread for decades, but had been "thinking about it" for a while - about 3 years or so!

Well, I took advantage of the incredible Amazon offer of yeast, for 2p a packet, bought some granary flour, and then realised I that I don't have a loaf tin, so need to buy one. Does it affect the quality of the loaf if your tin is from a 99p shop, or is a Prestige one?

And can anyone suggest the type they prefer please? Oh and one more thing, can I make rolls, using individual cake tins, or do you just shape rolls and put them on a greased baking tray?

Feeling the aura of Masterchef surrounding me.

xx

Agree with you wholeheartedly SandraScarlett.

On the bread making - its ages sinec I baked my own (had to stop coz the starch in the flour played havoc with my hands, got a breadmaker and now that playing havoc with my stomach)! but remember that tins don't really matter I don't think as long as they are well greased. You can make any shape of roll - just alter the proving/baking times. I love the Wrights breadmaking packs - lots of unusual types of mixes in the range and its soooo easy to do. There was a moc around but not sure if ts finished. Good luck - let us know how you get on. Theres nothing nicer than the smell of fresh baked bread - drool lol