2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

2wildthing2

Please count me in this year, I have lurked alot but learned loads. 2012 is the year that I am going to stick at it.....

prepareathome

Oh please add me, income going down but I have to save to go sons wedding in Australia in March 2012 so need to really get to grips with using money sensibly - as you can see from GC amount I am not sensible at all.

youngmummy

can i join you all please, really need to tighten the strings around here, and the year will be a great start for it all. x

the_frugal_frog

Please add me I am expecting to be jobless before christmas, never claimed jsa before, and I hope I wont need to but I am starting to prepare now (and panic!!!) if I do get laid off then I will have no choice but to live frugally, but I have never really budgeted or needed to be too careful, I think I am going to get a shock!

Frugaldom

Welcome to our newcomers. Try not to panic about budgets, it's simply a new way of thinking about your spending in order to clear and steer clear of any debts. Once you get into the swing of things, you'll most likely be kicking yourself for not having tried it sooner. Then it becomes fun, even on the most penniless days when all that's for dinner is homemade soup and the 4th meal made from that 500g of mince you've bilked out with veg, tomatoes and pulses. I call it 'Nile mince' because it stretches so far. :rotfl:

the_frugal_frog

My preperation so far for a frugal 2012, hope its ok to post this here?

sky has gone,£24 saving per month
landline gone, saving around £60 a month
internet gone saving £20 month (I have a dongle now, £10 a month, but I try and use library so I dont always top the dongle up if that makes sense?
I have tried to reduce my food shoppping right down to £15 a week( was spending around £60, for just me, no more m and s, or popping in for ready meals, I am going to cook from scratch.....and eat less!!!

my outgoings are
rent c tax £130 a week
elec 10
tv £4
mob and dongle allowance£10
food 15
I am allowing myself £10 treat money, tho anything I dont spend within the 7 days will be put in my savings pot and I start a new week with a new £10.
I am lucky I always buy christmas gifts throughout the year so apart from wrap and little bts I have gifts sorted

I dont have a car, but my oh bought me a bicycle and I use that for small shopping trips, then i shop by what bargains will fit in my rucsack!!! If I ever buy 4 loo rolls I will be done for ! gives me good excersise too, and saves my £5 delivery or taxi fee.

I am only buying if things are reduced/on sale ect.

I am lucky that my oh, while doesnt live with me or earn very much at all, he treats me to cinema (my bike) and little treats, and I know I am lucky for that.

I have debts of around £400 so will try and get those gone before I lose my income
have a good day everyone, I am off to do my virtual £15 food shop challenge x

Buffythedebtslayer

Wow, I joined this YEARS Ago but never managed to keep up! Amazing and impressive to look at some of the old threads!


I am saving (Ha ha) for a house deposit.......not really happening. I should so join! but will have to think carefully!

Good luck everyone!

xx

mcjordi

oh can i join.. i need *to save *badly and pay off debts atm im stoney broke lol

broandband and landline gone saving at least £20 a month... neighbour has unlimted with bt so kindly letting me use it in exchange for a few odd jobs like cutting her weeds down..etc.
i really need to get back into the habit of not spending money on carp...

*missed the to save out lol

Frugaldom

Welcome to the challenge, mcjordi, I'll get your name added and good luck preparing to take on 2012

The frugal frog, you seem to be well on your way to getting things under control - very impressive list of savings so far! Well done with all of those, I hope the savings can help make some big changes for next year.

jcst104

I have been so good and so bad this year with money saving. Some months would make myself so proud and then the next I would blow it all on a weekend break someshere exotic. I need to get a handle on paying off the debts rather than just keeping them level. Im in for 2012!! Its my year!!