2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

HelenPie

paidinchickens wrote: »

Waffle warning

Just over two years ago I was in a car accident. Long story short I have had a letter today offering £4200. I am accepting against solicitors wishes as I can not deal with any fighting, arguing etc as they have already called me a liar and said they will take me to court. This really annoyed me as I never exaggerated any injuries.

This means I can pay off our Credit card bill and give each of the kids £50. DD wants some towards a stair carpet, DS wants some new footie bits DSSs need some other bits and bobs etc.

We will have left £1000 which is :j:j:j:j but I don't know what to do with it. Do I pay it off the mortgage, have an emergency fund (I do have some shares I can cash in for an emergency fund though)

If you were debt free what would you do with a thousand pound ??

DH has said no more cats

PIC x

You poor thing - I know how you feel about trying to fight those solicitors. Sometimes being able to move on is worth just as much or more than any extra financial gain.

I have a hundred and one things I would spend £1k on if I had it, none of which very frugal and sensible so not worth a mention here I would have to say put it in a rainy day fund, but if you already have one that you are comfortable with then maybe the mortgage is the way to go...

Fantastic news about being able to clear the credit card though :j

H x

rising_from_the_ashes

Cherryjack wrote: »

thanks girls xx just generally i have friends who want me to slot into there plans.. i have to start looking after me and my little family a little more rather than bending backwards for people (does anyone else get this)? im not sure whats up with mum.. but i need to move forward eh..

For a long time Cherry ..... I eventually realised that I was the one always running around / travelling 50 miles for meet ups etc - sadly no more. (((hugs)))

paidinchickens wrote: »

If you were debt free what would you do with a thousand pound ??

DH has said no more cats

Congrats PIC, that's great news :j I totally understand about wanting to draw a line and move on.

I'd lean towards an ISA too - you just never know what's going to crop up and I'd rather have the money somewhere safe where it could be used if needed than pay a load of the mortgage and then something happen and end up with another whopping cc bill to pay back etc (maybe that's a hangover from being loads in debt?)

Def no more cats!:D

Nat pants to the tax credits ....

Cherryjack

Thanks rising xx feel so much better now ive realised xx

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Frugal tip of the day, if you burn your saucepan put a handful of washing powder into the pot add enough water to cover the base well and bring to the boil. Repeat a few more times trying as you go to scrape a bit of the burn off. Leave to soak overnight and most of the burn will brush of in the morning, I used my pot scourer for the last bits and the pan looks like new now and have already used it today. Phew.

I have been trying to work out who had the Caesarian on 16th Jan, I couldn't see clearly who it was because of quotes etc but am sure you will recognise yourself. If you feel as ill as it seemed don't hesitate about going to see your GP you might just need some antibiotics. I hope you feel better soon and am sorry about no visit from your mum yet, can I be your surrogate Mum please I would love to come and marvel over your new baby? Childbirth is so wonderful and how clever you are to produce this new little human being from your body. Many many congratulations.

Going to bed soon I have had a few nights of not sleeping well and think this is why I still dont feel 100%.

Welcome to all you newcomers, stay with it you will win eventually and as somebody else said the act of writing down where your money went is a a real eye opener. Remember every little helps. X

SandraScarlett

Whoo hoo chickens! :j:j:j That's wonderful news to know that you can be debt free and have £1000 over.:D What would I do if I suddenly was given £1000?

I think I'd put £750 away, and then buy a mixture of wants and needs with the other £250, but it's your money honey, so you do whatever you want.:)

I have had the most exciting news! DD has organised for 7 friends to go out with me in a stretch limo next month, to "an event" (don't know what ) as an early celebration of my 65th birthday! :j:j:j

Someone's brother-in-law's brother-in-law is providing the limo at "mates rates", which DH is paying for, the family are paying for my cost at "the event", my mates are paying for themselves, and all I know is we will be seated.

I am sooooooooooooooooo excited! I've never been in a stretch limo, and DD was asking me if I wanted to do anything, like go in a hot air balloon, abseil :eek:, do a bungee jump :eek::eek:, perleeeeeeeeze, noooo!!

I will keep you posted. :T :T Must practise my Royal Wave!

xx

cw18

OOooooooo.... Sandra - that sounds exciting :T

patentgirl

Morning all

Have a confession havent been on here for well over week! will try and catch up later still going ok budget wise since I have been made redundant really dont know what I do with my time! have had grandkids alot which I love especially as I couldnt help out much before when I was working full time but have trouble fitting everything else in, did manage to get out in garden yesterday with good weather but havent been near allotment that is planned for tomorrow weather permitting.
Just paid car tax but that was accounted for definatly not spending so much money now I am at home enjoying it a bit too much to look for another job yet lol
Paidinchickens I agree an Isa would be a good bet but keep little bit out to treat yourself after all you have gone through with them
Sandra thats sounds great you deserve it

off to have a catch up with this thread

mytimetoshine2012

Good morning!!

Ok as it's breakfast time and far to early for cake in the Shine virtual cafe .... :doh:so this morning we have pancakes, a full english (with veggie sausages) , omlettes, egg muffins, hot buttered toast and fresh orange juice. All calories free of course and eat all you want for the bargain MSE loving price of £0. :money::j:jWoohooo!!!

seriouslyfrugal wrote: »

Several on here including me have depression so I fully understand your comments i've had a rough time lately I really find my swimming helpful for this - but even a walk sometimes does the trick i'm taking one day at a time and trying to get structre into my day without getting overwhelmed

the cookies and cake sound good - no calories :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thanks SF, it is good to know that I am in good company and that there are people who understand this (not sure I do most of the time!). Sorry you have been having a rough time too. I like swimming but there are no facilities near me and so I walk places instead which does help. I went for coffee yesterday with a colleague I met recently, it was a great tonic as it turns out we have a lot in common and we laughed a lot which helped me no end

Feeling much better today, I have already been more productive than I have for ages by doing some housework that I just couldn't be bothered with. I am about to crack on with my coursework and keep my fingers crossed that I can stay on top for a bit as it were.

I could also do with keeping myself away from the chocolate in the cupboard as my attempts to cheer mysef up have done nothing for my waistline!

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Whoo hoo chickens! :j:j:j That's wonderful news to know that you can be debt free and have £1000 over.:D What would I do if I suddenly was given £1000?

I think I'd put £750 away, and then buy a mixture of wants and needs with the other £250, but it's your money honey, so you do whatever you want.:)

I have had the most exciting news! DD has organised for 7 friends to go out with me in a stretch limo next month, to "an event" (don't know what ) as an early celebration of my 65th birthday! :j:j:j

Someone's brother-in-law's brother-in-law is providing the limo at "mates rates", which DH is paying for, the family are paying for my cost at "the event", my mates are paying for themselves, and all I know is we will be seated.

I am sooooooooooooooooo excited! I've never been in a stretch limo, and DD was asking me if I wanted to do anything, like go in a hot air balloon, abseil :eek:, do a bungee jump :eek::eek:, perleeeeeeeeze, noooo!!

I will keep you posted. :T :T Must practise my Royal Wave!

xx

Sandra this all sounds really exciting...have they given any clues about what to wear...can you glean anything from this? It sounds like a birthday to remember!;)

Chickens - How nice...I can't imagine it not being allocated but I thinkI would plan a weekend or weeks holiday for £200 ish spend a small amount (£50- £60) on something (s)that I could get pleasure out of...birdtable, plants, ornaments, garden furniture, lights, new cushions for the sofa etc and then keep the rest for buying pleasurable things throughout the year. If in doubt put it in the bank and forget you have it!

Oh someone had a post about friends and slotting into their lives (sorry OP, I thought I had multi quoted it) there was a really interesting thread about friends on the relationships part of the forum...it seems that most people are in the same boat.

Anyway I have to open the cafe, make bread for the lunchtime rush, prepare the sandwich fillings etc.....oh n o as it's all virtual I have a brilliant staff who all work for free!!:rotfl::rotfl:

I hope everyone has a lovely day,
Laters,
MTTS

Thrifty_Sister

Morning all - mind if I join you sunshine for brekky etc? Mines a cup of tea (no sugar) and some hot buttered toast. Yum!

Hope the better weather is giving peeps a bit of a lift - it always helps doesn't it and yesterday while I was out I passed somebodys gardens that were packed full of crocuses in purple, lilac and white. Absolutely stunning and the first spring flowers I have seen. Couldn't stop looking and marvelling for ages. The last few months have been very trying for me and they really helped give me a little lift x

mytimetoshine2012

Thrifty_Sister wrote: »

Morning all - mind if I join you sunshine for brekky etc? Mines a cup of tea (no sugar) and some hot buttered toast. Yum!

Hope the better weather is giving peeps a bit of a lift - it always helps doesn't it and yesterday while I was out I passed somebodys gardens that were packed full of crocuses in purple, lilac and white. Absolutely stunning and the first spring flowers I have seen. Couldn't stop looking and marvelling for ages. The last few months have been very trying for me and they really helped give me a little lift x

Nope the more the merrier. Just working on some virtual elevsies to feast upon in the conservatory where we will be served by the butler:rotfl::rotfl:.....oh dear I am getting a v=bit carried away with my virtual existence...but it's so much fun in comparision!!

It is lovely outside and I understand what you mean about the flowers! I have been watching next doors daft cat who is rolling and basking on her doorstep!Better times ahead?! Lets raise or glass of v.champers to that one!!