2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

WantToBeSE

Hi guys.
I know this is already a very well established thread, but do you have room for one more please?
I got the link for this thread from prepareathome's post on the 'When you reach breaking point' thread.

i am already trying to live as frugally as possible, but the budget seems to be getting tighter and tighter, with no obvious soloutions.

I recently left university and cant find a job, have 2 children and there are no childminders in my rural town even if i could find a job.

I feel awful that i cant give my children things that they want

Sorry, sounds lik ei am feeling sorry for myself now, i'll shut up rambling!

WantToBeSE

Apologies for my rather miserable post, i am just having a bad day.I am not normally so miserable- promise!!

freedom2011

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Apologies for my rather miserable post, i am just having a bad day.I am not normally so miserable- promise!!

HI, WantToBeSE

I know exactly where you are coming from. I find seeing everything as tiny steps helps rather than looking at the big picture and despairing. Helps me to feel a little more in control. Just remember you can give them happy memories which will outlast any latest gadget!!!!xx

WantToBeSE

Thanks Freedom

On a more positive note- today i am using some turkey breast that i found in my freeer, with a packet of 'med chicken' that i found at the back of my cupboard

Also, i waited all summer to buy a rotary line for the garden, refusing to pay more than £20 for a decent one (as i had seen they were selling for about £50!!!!!), and i FINALLY managed to get a lovely rotary line from Argos for £13.99, reduced in the clearance bit from about £45! Got loads of washing done last week

Also, started to eBay our unwanted stuff. I have been meaning to do it for ages, not only to raise some cash (although thats a big part of it, as i want to raise at least £50 to put towards an ipod for my son), but to free up some space in our teeny tiny house!

I am slowly using up all the cleaning and laundry stuff, so wont be needing to buy any of that stuff for a while either

dizzy_lizzie

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I feel awful that i cant give my children things that they want
Sorry, sounds lik ei am feeling sorry for myself now, i'll shut up rambling!

It sounds to me though like your children have everything they 'need'
A caring mum who obviously loves her children to bits. And that's priceless!
And don't apologise for rambling. We love a good rambling post on here
Post if things are great and you're frugalling like a good 'un but don't apologise for posting when you're feeling sorry for yourself. We all feel like that sometimes and it's great to be able to get it off your chest on here.
As I posted earlier look on page 1 and have a look at all the links to other posts that will help you make the most of what you have.
There are threads on mse also on up to date bargains from various stores, that may come in useful for picking up gifts for the children and there are links on google to homemade childrens gifts like this one
Handmade childrens gifts but there are literally thousands more, Just google handmade gifts for children. Don't forget amazon do amazing deals on their box sets and you can literally pick them up for just a few pounds. Here's the link Amazon boxsets under £7 (thanks to finky on mse) There's also The Freebies Board
and the Discount vouchers and codes thread
and the Up your income board
and all on mse. Anyway they're just a few I thought might be useful for you to browse through. There are loads more if you just click on The Forums Board. And don't forget to join Quidco if you're ordering anything online. A lot of things can be ordered through Quidco and you get money back for going through them. Think they initially take £5 for the year from any earnings you make.
Have you thought of starting up a little business from home? Making making jewellery, craft items etc and selling on folksy or etsy? Selling handmade items at local craft fairs etc
Hope you start to feel better about things and I'm sure once you get into the swing of it you'll be fine.
Here's a link to a superb blog, Frugal Queen she has quite a lot of followers on here, she's very inspiring and it's a great motivating blog.
Take care
x

WantToBeSE

Thanks Dizzy Lizzie

i LOVE that link to Frugal Queens blog, she only lives down the road from me, so its lovely to hear someone local who is frugal too.

Spent more than i would have liked to have today, as i had to put £10 petrol in the car to take my son to the hospital (we live 15miles away from the main one).

But i am feeling much more positive today, bl00dy time of the month always makes me feel a bit rubbish!

Erme

Yeast is supposed to be a good source of vit B complex for depression etc...

And I just found this link (might also be good for bakers/brewers)..

http://originalyeast.blogspot.co.uk/2008/02/how-to-make-yeast-water.html

Erme

WantToBeSE

My 13 year old has grown out of a pair of jeans, so instead of throwing them away (they arent any good for ebay/charity shop), i have cut off a leg and am going to make it into a draught excluder.

I have just had to salvage 2 pillows from the bin (they were washed in the washing machine, and ruined) and am stuffing the draught excluder with the pillow filling:) I want to get some cheap fabric pens to draw a design on it too, so will keep an eye out.

dizzy_lizzie

WantToBeSE wrote: »

My 13 year old has grown out of a pair of jeans, so instead of throwing them away (they arent any good for ebay/charity shop), i have cut off a leg and am going to make it into a draught excluder.

I have just had to salvage 2 pillows from the bin (they were washed in the washing machine, and ruined) and am stuffing the draught excluder with the pillow filling:) I want to get some cheap fabric pens to draw a design on it too, so will keep an eye out.

Excellent WantToBe. And if any more jeans become spare have a look at these sites 20 crafty things to make with old jeans and
twenty five things to do with old jeans
Oh how I love google
Oh you are lucky. You live in a beautiful part of the country if you live near Frugal Queen. It's the first blog I always read when I go on the internet!
We've holidayed all over Cornwall over the years. Tintagel and Padstow are favourites though.
Oh and if you can't get any fabric pens you could always buy a few pieces of felt or any scrap material and sew a design on.
x

WantToBeSE

Thanks Dizzy Lizzie for that link, i must admit that i am not very handy with needles and thread, but i thought i'd try it.

I love living here in Cornwall, i feel incredibly lucky

My childrens dad lives in Tintagel, and we love going to Padstow.