2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

rising_from_the_ashes

2wildthing2 wrote: »

I then phones T*S*O to say that I would not be renewing with them as I could get the same cover cheaper, they went through all my details keeping the cover the same and the price was reduced to £321 saving £64 on the renewl quote. I asked how they could do this and was told it was a "special discount".

The moral of the story is to shop around but still go back and try your original insurer, BUT NEVER PAY YOUR RENEWAL PRICE.:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

Exactly the same thing happened to me last year with my house insurance (no move either - just a large increase) - def worth a phone call.....:)

Ruby so sorry to hear your sad news.

mcculloch29

Ruby T., wishing you and all your family strength and comfort.

Following a visit from the Occupational Therapist, I now have a new additional stair rail (needed); grab rails by the loo (not really needed, but may be in the future) and grab rails above the bath, so that I can use the over - bath shower safely. I'd previously bought completely useless suction pad safety handles.

One of those dropped off the wall and smashed my integral soap dish... So I swallowed my pride and asked for help, rather than trying to manage with my own solutions.

Thrifty_Sister

Playing catch up again!! lol

Sandra - well done on your frugal DIY efforts. Think you should have your own tv programme and teach the experts a thing or two about diy on a budget:):):)

((hugs)) to all who need them - and to those finding life difficult atm x

Thrifty_Sister

mcculloch29 wrote: »

Ruby T., wishing you and all your family strength and comfort.

Following a visit from the Occupational Therapist, I now have a new additional stair rail (needed); grab rails by the loo (not really needed, but may be in the future) and grab rails above the bath, so that I can use the over - bath shower safely. I'd previously bought completely useless suction pad safety handles.

One of those dropped off the wall and smashed my integral soap dish... So I swallowed my pride and asked for help, rather than trying to manage with my own solutions.

Its hard admitting that we are not superwomen/men sometimes so well done you. i'm all for making life a little easier if possible :T

Thrifty_Sister

rubytuesday wrote: »

On a sad note my son's cousin was killed in a motorbike accident a couple of weeks ago - only twenty one with a baby.

It was my son's birthday that day.

It's his funeral tomorrow.

Ruby - thinking of you and the young man and his family. So sad - especially for the baby xx Another of lifes reminders to make the best of what we've got and to appreciate each day as much as possible.

quintwins

Morning all,


I'm getting ready to move house in a few days, have been pretty frugal in that we had a builder friend replace our rads, we got one off gumtree for £20 and the other and 2 towel rails we got from a skip

I made my own curtains with fabric and lining i had bought for this house.

I sold the clothes that had been in my attic for forever for £70 on gumtree (hubby was very impressed he wanted to skip them)- we had chinese to celebrate.

Did all our painting ourselves using paint we already had (gotta get some more white tho )

Got tesco to refund me on a year old sofa that ahd went bad, well i havent had a refund but have a promise of a refund or replacement, they don't stock our sofa's anymore so i'm waiting on the manufactorer contacting us, we will then use £100 of the £400 to buy a 2nd hand sofa to do us until we finally build.

Took my kids to the soft play area which was expensive at £16 however since we stayed for 3.5 hrs i feel we got better value for our money than the hr we paid for..oops

Used my tastecard for 50% off fish and chips on the way back from ikea, where we we're buying a few houses bits to make our new hosue more homely.

And lastly the most frugal thing i'm doing is the acual move, i canceled my dd for £530 rent yesterday as of next month our rent will only be £150, our elec bill should be less, and or heating will be cheaper as there is a wee pot belly stove in our new house that heats it well with next to no coal or logs, we've had it on a few times to lift the damp off the house (no-ones lived in it for 2 years) and it only used a handful of coal, so we should only need heating oil in the winter


Other than that we've been eating from stores only buying milk and bread and trying to use things up.

HappyTorty

quintwins wrote: »

Morning all,


I'm getting ready to move house in a few days, have been pretty frugal in that we had a builder friend replace our rads, we got one off gumtree for £20 and the other and 2 towel rails we got from a skip

I made my own curtains with fabric and lining i had bought for this house.

I sold the clothes that had been in my attic for forever for £70 on gumtree (hubby was very impressed he wanted to skip them)- we had chinese to celebrate.

Did all our painting ourselves using paint we already had (gotta get some more white tho )

Got tesco to refund me on a year old sofa that ahd went bad, well i havent had a refund but have a promise of a refund or replacement, they don't stock our sofa's anymore so i'm waiting on the manufactorer contacting us, we will then use £100 of the £400 to buy a 2nd hand sofa to do us until we finally build.

Took my kids to the soft play area which was expensive at £16 however since we stayed for 3.5 hrs i feel we got better value for our money than the hr we paid for..oops

Used my tastecard for 50% off fish and chips on the way back from ikea, where we we're buying a few houses bits to make our new hosue more homely.

And lastly the most frugal thing i'm doing is the acual move, i canceled my dd for £530 rent yesterday as of next month our rent will only be £150, our elec bill should be less, and or heating will be cheaper as there is a wee pot belly stove in our new house that heats it well with next to no coal or logs, we've had it on a few times to lift the damp off the house (no-ones lived in it for 2 years) and it only used a handful of coal, so we should only need heating oil in the winter


Other than that we've been eating from stores only buying milk and bread and trying to use things up.

Well done at making ure own curtains! I'm moving in to my first house away from family, so have to look at all the cheap options. Making my own curtains is far beyond my capabilities though! :rotfl:

I love gumtree for furniture, never really thought about selling on there though. I've seen a leather two piece, looks new, so hope it doesnt get sold before I need it!

Good Luck x

dizzy_lizzie

quintwins wrote: »

I'm getting ready to move house in a few days,
Did all our painting ourselves using paint we already had (gotta get some more white tho )
there is a wee pot belly stove in our new house that heats it well with next to no coal or logs, we've had it on a few times to lift the damp off the house (no-ones lived in it for 2 years) and it only used a handful of coal, so we should only need heating oil in the winter

Lots of best wishes for making happy new memories in your new home, quintwins.
Ooh the stove sounds lovely as well. All cosy in Winter
And well done on keeping more money in your pocket and being thrifty. I bet that felt soooo good.
x

slowlyfading

I'm baaaack!

Will update properly tomorrow

ruby - sorry to hear of your sad news xx

Erme

Ruby Sorry to hear of your sad news...

Trying out a no kneed bread recipe but it doesn't seem to be rising so will try it out again on Monday adding extra yeast (as it takes 24hours or 12 hours).....

Anyhow a little down but I've been hyper this week so prob explains it ..like doing the ironing at 4.30 am :eek:

So looking forward to going down the allotment this pm. (it's half dug - found a load of raspberry bushes there on Monday). I know I'm late but still. I got my seeds from the pound shop for £1 so should be good. Should be enough seeds for me wee plot . Just need to get potatoes chitted and we'll be laughing.....

Anyhow debt free date is set back to end of May. EB*y wanted a refund yesterday. That's the end of me and e*.....

On the good side when I was high I found a heap of clothes on the dressing table/wardrobe :j most of which fit

E