2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

Savvy_sewing

The local council have now decided to ask for a copy of all my bank statements, and want proof of my Non income! As the ESA have informed them that they have stopped paying it. So what has the council done, Suspended my claim. So now I have to get through to them the letter I took to them myself last week, explaining my situation, and that I dont have ANY money coming in for me, only the money for DGD, my ward. ARGH so now I have to find the rent £106.84 from somewhere today!, and until they sort it out. I cannot afford to get behind in my rent, I have only just caught up, and what with the changes in the pipeline where they are going to pay the HB to us, and not the council, I need to get my account into Credit, so that I can be ready for the change around.
I will keep calm, and will have to ring all the various departments and ask if they can write a letter to explain my income/lack of it to the housing.
I have not as much in the bank as i really need at the moment, so this is just not the best of times for all of this.
I overspent this weekend, by letting DS have £30 and I had £20 which were not in the budget, but as I was away, it was "easier".
I may just live to regret that one.!

The_shuffs

Hi to all of you frugal people I know we are nearly half way into 2012 but I would love to join have just started reading all the posts and really need to clear our overdraft every month we go hunderds of pounds into it every month over spending. Im also next on the waiting list for half an allottment sharing with my sister and mum so hope to save money there any ideas and suggestions Rachael.

dizzy_lizzie

Mooloo wrote: »

The local council have now decided to ask for a copy of all my bank statements, and want proof of my Non income! As the ESA have informed them that they have stopped paying it. So what has the council done, Suspended my claim.

That's awful Mooloo. Can they do that? Lucky enough that you had started saving and hopefully that will see you through, but what if you hadn't!
Hope it all gets sorted soon for you.

The_shuffs wrote: »

Hi to all of you frugal people I know we are nearly half way into 2012 but I would love to join have just started reading all the posts and really need to clear our overdraft every month we go hunderds of pounds into it every month over spending. Im also next on the waiting list for half an allottment sharing with my sister and mum so hope to save money there any ideas and suggestions Rachael.

Hi Rachael and welcome to the thread. Ideas and links to numerous ways of saving lots of money on page 1 of the thread. Also if you're looking at cutting back your grocery budget we have a link to a great thread here family meals budget
which was started by an mse member.
Hope the thread inspires you to get the overdraft down

x

slowlyfading

Mooloo - hope you get things sorted ASAP.

I need to have a NSD today - money seems to be disappearing left right and centre atm

Erme

HappyTorty wrote: »

I got my boys last august, and I the last few weeks they have been extremely naughty. I think it's because they havent been out the cage as much because the rooms are a tip 'cos am moving house this weekend. Normally they are out of the cage for most of the day running freely around one of the bedrooms! My Boyf calls them free range rats :rotfl:

I feed them on Pets at Home pellet rat nuggets. They are quite happy with them to be honest. they are getting a bit fat (nothing to do with the treats they get, honest! :rotfl:). Think we have felt guilty for them being in the cage too much!:o

What's the home made stuff? If it's cheaper I may give it a go, but I have just replenished their food with a 5kg bag(i think thats the weight)and it lasts for ages.

The book is the scuttling gourmet. It's about a tenner. brilliant investment. It says T*** saver muesli for them but like it's too high in sugar according the the rat rations chappie but the S*B one is okay (basics) You need to vary their diet. Add treats like baby crisp (low sugar) which last ages and are very cheap. Mine just have grains like millet puffs etc etc. Wheat is okay prior 18 months. Not so good after as they often develop kidney disease and it's not good for that.

Another place you might want to check out is the fancy rat forum http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/ - fab for info on just about anything.

Rat rations also do this wonderful cheap (frugal) bedding called finacard which is aboiut £20 delivered (depending where you are) for a 15kg plus bale and my boys love it. Sawdust can (but didn't mine) irritate their chests as can some varnish or something on wood pellets.

Hope that helps

E

Savvy_sewing

Seems like the council can play around as much as they like. Even though I told them my circumstances. But I suppose a lot of the reason is that they want to make sure that i am not commiting any benefit fraud. Just rather inconvenient to me.
Still keep spending on the little things that I shouldnt and am so out of the habit of not being able too. Must be stronger and firmer with myself, and the things I get the kids.

SandraScarlett

Welcome Rachel and a big hug to Mooloo, what a rotten position to be in, and I hope things get sorted quickly for you.

mcculloch29 - well I looked at my left over material, and I looked at my dining chairs, had a measure up and there's j-u-s-t enough material to cover the 4 of them - so that's my next job. :j

I've had several visitors in the last week, all of whom have said something like "oh you've got a new suite, that's lovely", so I'm as pleased as punch.

I've been taken out for lunch today, and have more treats in the next week, :T cos it's my birthday on Monday - I'm 65.:) Hope everyone is well, and that we get a little bit of sunshine soon!

xx

rising_from_the_ashes

Hi all .... sorry to say I'm a bit behind on the thread RL getting in the way of my forum time!;)

Will catch up (I promise!) - trying to live on as little as poss - currently planning how many planters of peas I can squeeze into the garden as they were such a success last year!:)

slowlyfading

I ended up having a NSD yesterday, and intend to have another one today!

Who's stolen the sun? It's so cold, rain-y and miserable here today

Have a good day everyone

Savvy_sewing

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Welcome Rachel and a big hug to Mooloo, what a rotten position to be in, and I hope things get sorted quickly for you.

mcculloch29 - well I looked at my left over material, and I looked at my dining chairs, had a measure up and there's j-u-s-t enough material to cover the 4 of them - so that's my next job. :j

I've had several visitors in the last week, all of whom have said something like "oh you've got a new suite, that's lovely", so I'm as pleased as punch.

I've been taken out for lunch today, and have more treats in the next week, :T cos it's my birthday on Monday - I'm 65.:) Hope everyone is well, and that we get a little bit of sunshine soon!

xx

Your good vibes must have worked. I just went to check the bankbalance, something I do everyday!:o and Yeah! The DWP have paid me 3 different payments, that total around £500!!!:T:T havent got the paperwork yet so dont know the ins and outs of it, but it means that I can pay the rent for this week and next, and still have my savings for the holiday next week. I feel really lucky today.!!