2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

rising_from_the_ashes

Thrifty85 wrote: »

Car tax, insurance, mot, service and building and contents insurance all due at the end of this month. Took car in for MOT this morning and it failed. It's not too much to repair but it's still extra money I hadn't accounted for.

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

I can offer you one idea which I do and that is when you start setting your frugal budget to list everything and I mean everything you spend on. Then I add all my annual expenses together and divide by 12, then that amount goes into an account on its own, after a while you just pay the annual bills as you go from that account without any stress. It hard at first because you have no amount of money as a backup but the sooner you start doing it the less likely you are to panic when all the bills come at the same time.

Thrifty85 wrote: »

Unfortunately I just don't have the extra funds to start this at the moment. However I will hopefully be in a better position to do this after a few more pay days. Even if I only manage to put away half of the cost in time for next year, I'll still be 50% better off than I am now!

Ohhhh Thrifty - (((hugs))) just been there (tax, breakdown cover, service & unexpected tyres all at the end of Jan).....

I'd never had money set aside for anything (useless budgeter here - but trying hard to learn).

When I finally cleared my debts towards the end of last year, I set up a load of budgeting pots and transfer money each payday (similar to EFC's account but I'm not yet confident enough to keep all the money in one account as I'd lose track of what belonged to what budget IYSWIM).

I've been having to overpay massively to these to try to get them to enough to cover the bills this year and it's been really hard - hopefully once I can get these to "normal" levels it will start to get easier & I can put some money aside for emergencies etc.

I did fall short on the car - not surprising really as they all fell so early on in the year ... however, luckily wee cats booster ended up costing only £13.25 (1/2 price opening offer at a discount vets - who I have to say were fantastic:T) and I'd set aside £50 as that's what I'd paid for big cat last Sept at my old vets :eek:so there was a big saving there which helped towards the shortfall.

Seriouslyfrugal - hope you're feeling better soon hun xx

Sandra - poor wee pooch ... paws can be a nightmare to heal. Bread/rolls sound lovely & may just have to give them a try at the weekend - I got some bread flour before winter in case we were snowed in & haven't needed it as yet:) I may even try some rolls which I've never even thought about doing before:o

Sorry if I've missed anyone - new system at work & it's now all screenwork:eek: very hard on the eyes (though I guess we'll get used to it) so shattered when I get in & trying to restrict the amount of time I spend on the pc in the evenings....

mumwithamission

As promised I've faced up to our total debt tonight, adding it all up for the first time. Feel overwhelmed by it, embarrassed and depressed. Only good thing to say about it is that it's all at 0% interest, thank goodness. Will update monthly.:o:(

SAVVYJADE

Hi all

Thrifty - know how you feel, I'm quite new to all this but trying my best and car also failed MOT today I've recently listed a few things on e*ay so hoping they sell as using that towards MOT! This month is a no spend month wherever is possible this month, and not doing too bad so far. I'm off work for next five days so hoping to get to grips with some batch cooking and got some jobs to do in the house. Actually suprised with how easy it is to cut back on certain things, obviously some things more difficult than others!


Thanks to all for support and advice!

x

natnat13

Hi all
It's so hard when you're really trying and something knocks you back. But we all just need to keep plodding on and as the very wise Sandrascarlett says, even if we are making a little saving it all counts. It's the fact we're thinking about it and doing something about it that counts and hopefully things will even out.

Re bread, I usually use my breadmaker, not done a full loaf in the oven but have done rolls and pizza base, I just slap it on the tray! I'm a messy cook!

DH went to the scrap man this morning and sold a load of old junk lying around then took me out for lunch with the earnings. So it was sort of free! Not doing anything else for valentines, I think it is far to commercialised (sp!) and a lot of people think it's about buying a load of tat rather than the real meaning. Just my opinion!

Booked my birthday party today, it's my 30th in April, just having a disco at the local pub, I know them well so they did me a good deal and said I could decorate it myself. It's 80's themed fancy dress, it's going to be a giggle, somethnig to look forward to. I've never had a proper party before apart from my wedding.

Taking the kids to the local play farm tomorrow where we have a season ticket, so should be a NSD or LSD if they smile sweetly and ask for ice cream!

Have a good evening everyone x

mumwithamission

OH dear - Valentine's evening atmosphere ruined when DH asked what I'd been doing and I showed him the total debt - he's not happy, had no idea it was that bad either. Seems really angry, but we've been together 20 years and with no secrets between us surely this is a joint problem...? Feel that I'm being held responsible. Doesn't seem to be any consolation to him either that I am tackling this head on.

Winchelsea

About the bread - I agree, you can make it without buying a tin. Shaping it, perhaps with a few slashes across the top with a sharp knife, then putting it on a greased baking sheet, or even a pie dish, is fine. Bread is very forgiving - just remember people have been making it for centuries, and didn't necessarily have access to tins.

Just do it and feel proud!

dizzy_lizzie

natnat13 wrote: »

Booked my birthday party today, it's my 30th in April, just having a disco at the local pub, I know them well so they did me a good deal and said I could decorate it myself. It's 80's themed fancy dress, it's going to be a giggle, somethnig to look forward to. I've never had a proper party before apart from my wedding.
x

Aw natnat I bet you're really looking forward to it

mumwithamission wrote: »

OH dear - Valentine's evening atmosphere ruined when DH asked what I'd been doing and I showed him the total debt - he's not happy, had no idea it was that bad either. Seems really angry, but we've been together 20 years and with no secrets between us surely this is a joint problem...? Feel that I'm being held responsible. Doesn't seem to be any consolation to him either that I am tackling this head on.

Try not to worry and carry on with the decision you made earlier. He's probably more shocked than angry. You've done the hardest part now and you'll be able to look back on this day as the day you took control of your life. Keep posting and read up on as many tips as you can. Make the most of the voucher/coupon thread, every bit helps, and have a really good look on the MSEs forum, for tips etc Maybe have a read at some of the diaries that people keep on here for some brilliant inspiration.
x
Oops forgot to post my pics up of the vegan onion tart. This is the first of a mini challenge to make myself try out new recipes.
My pastry shrunk a bit around the edges but no matter. It was absolutely delicious. Had it with chips and a salad. Notice the liitle hearts on top OH loved it too.
Also made a little apple pie for dessert. Had that with my favourite swedish glace icecream. Cost pence per portion to make so very frugal :j
Going to make another 'new' meal next week. Come on Lola, have you made yours yet?





x

Igamogam

mumwithamission wrote: »

OH dear - Valentine's evening atmosphere ruined when DH asked what I'd been doing and I showed him the total debt - he's not happy, had no idea it was that bad either. Seems really angry, but we've been together 20 years and with no secrets between us surely this is a joint problem...? Feel that I'm being held responsible. Doesn't seem to be any consolation to him either that I am tackling this head on.

Well done MWAM! Your debt is about 10K less than mine and I cant face adding it all up so its a rough estimate - doesnt include mortgage which is tiny in comparison! My OH hasnt got a handle on it either as to why its so much - think we have been a bit head in the sand with it all! Ours too is all on 0% thank goodness but I feel its mostly bee my responsibilty - dont know why I just do! We dont have extravagent lifestyles but I guess we havent thought/bugeted properly and just racked up the CCs.

You are a much braver person than I putting it in your signature - for me I am happy to have it tucked away and the knowledge that it is slowly but surely reducing. Think the biggest drain for the last 3 years has been paying for DD1 at university - we promised her we would pay her rent and that is what we have stuck to with the odd end of term shop for her. Thankfully that will come to end this year - well fingers crossed!

Anyhooo - onwards and downwards so to speak. Good luck on your debt busting journey.

Kylieminoag

mumwithamission wrote: »

OH dear - Valentine's evening atmosphere ruined when DH asked what I'd been doing and I showed him the total debt - he's not happy, had no idea it was that bad either. Seems really angry, but we've been together 20 years and with no secrets between us surely this is a joint problem...? Feel that I'm being held responsible. Doesn't seem to be any consolation to him either that I am tackling this head on.

Big hugs to you:grouphug: x Hang on in there.... you are doing the right thing in tackling it.

In some ways it doesnt matter how you got here, its where you go next that matters. You know that already - he still has to catch up on that learning.

Also, I believe the discovery is a bit like grieving the loss of a loved one.... denial and anger and looking for blame coming before acceptance.

When my OH is cross with himself it can feel like he is cross with me.....

Either way, time will heal. Be kind to him but most of all to yourself. :grouphug:

HTH
xxxxK

Thrifty_Sister

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Aw natnat I bet you're really looking forward to it



Try not to worry and carry on with the decision you made earlier. He's probably more shocked than angry. You've done the hardest part now and you'll be able to look back on this day as the day you took control of your life. Keep posting and read up on as many tips as you can. Make the most of the voucher/coupon thread, every bit helps, and have a really good look on the MSEs forum, for tips etc Maybe have a read at some of the diaries that people keep on here for some brilliant inspiration.
x
Oops forgot to post my pics up of the vegan onion tart. This is the first of a mini challenge to make myself try out new recipes.
My pastry shrunk a bit around the edges but no matter. It was absolutely delicious. Had it with chips and a salad. Notice the liitle hearts on top OH loved it too.
Also made a little apple pie for dessert. Had that with my favourite swedish glace icecream. Cost pence per portion to make so very frugal :j
Going to make another 'new' meal next week. Come on Lola, have you made yours yet?





x

The tarts look absolutely yummy - much more appetising than shop bought ones. And the uneven edges add evem more to the home made/feel good factor. Well done you - I would be very proud if mbaking turned out anything like yours - all mine is fit for is doorstops lol