2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

Cherryjack

Can i ask what everyones plans are for next year to be frugal :0)?? always an interesting read x

System

Can i join too please?

Not exactly in debt myself and our finances are totally seperate but want to push hubby into paying his loan of £13,000 off early. The more i can earn to pay off our needs, the more money he will have in the bank.

mooomin

Cherryjack wrote: »

Can i ask what everyones plans are for next year to be frugal :0)?? always an interesting read x

I've already started a Secret Cupboard in the kitchen with stores in it of things I buy on special offer so I will have some months with relatively big spends for food, but this should hopefully be offset by using food I've stashed away.

I am already pretty frugal in terms of gas/electricity use so am aiming to go through next year using the same amount each month as I am at the moment - less if possible

I have a Costco membership so bulk-buy good meat every couple of months from there, and always buy looroll/binbags on special offer from there.

I try and make money via Ebay/cardmaking sales.

Doing loads of surveys so that I don't have to buy a book for my Kindle all next year but will pay for it with Amazon vouchers.

Using any money saved to pay down my loan more quickly.

Making lunches and taking them to work or coming home for lunch. I used to buy lunch every day, now I'm lucky if I do that twice a month, and that's usually a pre-arranged treat with a friend.

I'm not even someone who considers herself that frugal, but most of these things are little tips I've picked up from people on the 2010/2011 threads. They're all really inspiring :T

Kerfuffle

Cherryjack wrote: »

Can i ask what everyones plans are for next year to be frugal :0)?? always an interesting read x

Hi Cherryjack

Nothing too hardcore from me I'm afraid:rotfl:

I always try to buy groceries etc when they are on special offer, comparing the price per 100g/100ml( I currently have 11 tubs of ground coffee which should last just shy of 11 months so if I see them on special I'll buy one tub to make the total upto 12, ie a years worth)

Same goes for toilet tissue, washing powder, soap and toothpaste.

Use hankerchiefs/cotton napkins/reusable cloths instead of disposable.

Restrict journeys thereby incorporating more chores in one journey.

Putting any 'spare' change, roadkill (cash found on the street) in the sealed pot.

Batch cooking, and cooking from scratch.

Baking all homemade cookies/biscuits/cakes.

I really want to get a veg plot started this year, but then I said that last year :rotfl:

I really need to get a job this year, the sooner the better

This year if I see something I want (rather than need) I'm not going to buy it, but instead put it on a wish list for my birthday and next year's Christmas present.

Not buy any books this year, not even second-hand books.

Totally restrict toiletries to the basics. No shower gels, just soap.

Take a flask and some homemade goodies when out and about so I'm not tempted to go into coffee/tea shops.

I don't think I'll be buying any new clothes this year as I'm trying to whittle down the amount of stuff I already have.

There's probably much more that I already do without thinking about it, and I'm sure when somebody else offers their list I'll probably be saying "ditto" :rotfl:

I hope this helps, and I'd love to see yours and other peoples suggestions too.

ETA: Ditto FlyingFresian - paying down debt with any spare money.

icontinuetodream

Cherryjack wrote: »

Can i ask what everyones plans are for next year to be frugal :0)?? always an interesting read x

Doing a (proper) storecupboard challenge from the vast stocks I already have

Only using car for essential journeys

Monitoring my electric use and turning off things

Using blankies rather than whacking on my heating

Doing car boot sales to get rid of my unwanted stuff

Joined the 'don't throw food away' challenge

Eating soup once a week

Taking lunch into work

Using cash only and not taking cards out with me

Putting any spare cash towards my mortgage OP's

Limiting my drinking

and the big one.....QUITTING SMOKING!!!! :eek:

Probably loads of other stuff too....raises a good point cherryjack...really need to think long and hard about what else I can do and get it down on paper....easier to make sure I'm sticking to everything if I have it in front of me!!

seriouslyfrugal

Morning

the third programme on bbc 2 @ 9pm tonight about money this one is how different couples live on 40k a year - I wish i'm no way near that level of income personnally :rotfl:

FrankieM

I've been watching Robert Peston's 3 part program, well I've watched the first episode. I need to watch the second one to catch up. I have found that fascinating, especially the differences between how we save and how the Chinese save. They generally save around 50% of their income. That's just amazing..compared to our....'not very much at the moment'

Thanks for the heads up about not being able to be separate financially with my DH. I guess I'm going either have to knock some sense into him or hope that as he sees my debt busting, he'll be suitably impressed and become a changed man

As far as frugal living next year...I'm going to work on not wasting anything, so making sure that every item of food I buy we eat and all clothes get worn etc.
Just this morning I've thrown out a bunch of broccoli, a bag of carrots and half a lettuce. So, this is an important area.
I've also been trying to sell an evening dress that I bought last Christmas that ended up being too small so I've never worn it.
Next year these things will not happen.

icontinuetodream

FrankieM wrote: »

As far as frugal living next year...I'm going to work on not wasting anything, so making sure that every item of food I buy we eat and all clothes get worn etc.
Just this morning I've thrown out a bunch of broccoli, a bag of carrots and half a lettuce. So, this is an important area.

May be worth joining the challenge thread set up by squeaky:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3573873

I have found it really useful.... really helps me focus when I have to confess my sins!!! :eek:

newlifeahead

Hi, can I join the 2012 challenge please.

I joined back in 2009 for all of a week . I found it very hard but I don't think I was really ready for it back then.

I am trying to clear the last of my debt by the end of 2012 so this will really help me focus more on cutting my spending.

NEWLIFEAHEAD

(hurries off to read 2011 challenge......)

[Deleted User]

Hi All
My plans for living frugally this year:
Grow my own herbs (not veg though. Tried it before with little success).
Forage more - make use of wild raspberries, brambles, apples from friend garden. Need to protect the blackberries and raspberries in my own garden from the birds.
Make use of my local library instead of buying magazines.
Want to cut my monthly food spend down to £120 per month.
Bulk Buy where possible, esp. on Loo Rolls, Mouthwash etc when on special offer.
Make new kitchen cloths out of old sheets (done this before but they are geting tatty - time for some new ones).
Reuse bread bags to take sandwiches to work.
Batch cook where possible and freeze portions.
Cook from scratch most of the time.
Eliminate takaways - this will also be good for my waistline as I have alot of weight to lose.
Cut down on car use - if I am travelling within my local town I intend to walk to my destination eg: going to the shops, visiting friends and family etc
Keep a close eye on gas/electric use. Have heating on just now but it is freeeezing here today.
Re-use Christmas cards as gift tags for next year and/or as postcards to write 'thank you' notes on for my Christmas gifts.
Re-use any gift bags I receive gifts in.
Start a 'film club' with friends and family so we can still socialise and feel like we are going to the cinema for free.
Use the RBS film first to see free films where possible.
Keep a close eye on special offers and make the most of them.
Hand make some birthday and christmas gifts this year.
Eat 'basics' once or twice a week eg: soup and (home-made) pudding for dinner.

That's all I can think of so far. Need to make up a list for myself to go on the fridge or some where to remind me of my good intentions!
Allie x