2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

SandraScarlett

Hallo all! How nice to see so many newcomers, and lots of old friends too. First of all, congrats to LolaLemon on your new job, though just reading about the journey made me feel exhausted.:eek:

Things are not great with DH's illness, but I have found strength from somewhere, and I'm coping. He's still going to his club, so I'm getting a break.

Even though I'm having all my shopping delivered, I'm now actually spending less than when I traipsed around the supermarkets - I suppose because I'm not impulse buying. It also means I'm not wasting my precious time on looking at baked beans and toilet rolls!

DH enjoyed seeing Les Mis again, and we've seen We Will Rock You and Mama Mia - all with songs he knows well, though the journeys have been less than smooth - but I've managed.

I've decided to completely cut out Christmas Presents for all friends, and am just buying for DH, DC and DGC. I must say when I suggested this to the friends who still exchange gifts with me, they all agreed, without exception!

I hope everyone is well and finding new and interesting ways to keep warm, so that those awful Heating Williams aren't too horrendous. Just a word to the Newbies on here, I always have said that my heating is so expensive (DH has Alzheimers and feels the cold terribly), that I don't get "bills" but "Williams"!!

Love to you all.

xx

Thrifty_Sister

Nice to see your post Sandra and that you are coping reasonably well.:)
Re the christmas prezzies I too have decided to do something similar this year and evrybody I've mentioned it to has been in agreement - and possibly relieved. In the current economic climate I think lots of people are only too pleased to not have to be obliged to buy presents so as the saying goes 'every little helps'

Glad you enjoyed the shows:T:T

SandraScarlett

I think most people who desire something in the £10-£20 range, have probably bought it for themselves, so it then means I fret that they won't like what I buy, or it might be a duplicate etc.

For some time I've been buying lunch for friends for their birthday gift, using a 2 for 1 voucher, and this has been much appreciated. One friend and I are going to Patisserie Valerie for our Christmas "gift" - we have a coffee and a scrummy-yummy calorie-laden cake. I buy hers and she buys mine!!

xx

Cherryjack

OH guys!! I dropped off the wagon :-( as in its been since feb that i havent kept up with the posts.. my new baby girl (9 months) took up so much of my time that it all just fell behind me. Good news is my house finally got re-wired.. bad news is i need money, savings again. So nice to read the last few pages with familiar faces ))) xxxx
Dilemma i need a print out of dla form for my son..but its 54 pages long :S does anyone know if they will send me one?

[Deleted User]

[QUOTE=Cherryjack;
Dilemma i need a print out of dla form for my son..but its 54 pages long :S does anyone know if they will send me one?[/QUOTE]

Hi Cherryjack. I am not sure about the DLA form but it is worth phoning up and asking. 54 pages is a lot to expect people to print out and could be discriminating aganist those who do not have home computer access.

I am well and truly off the wagon this week too. I am on holiday in Royal Deeside and we have been eating out, going for hot chocs etc. I will be back on the wagon next week as seeing all the lovely houses in this area has made me even more determined to save for the dream house and make it a priority.

I am hoping that when I get home my PVG has completed and I can start doing a bit of supply teaching while keeping an eye out for permanent jobs.

[Deleted User]

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/graphic-where-your-money-goes.html

Really interesting article on Yahoo about how much the average household spends on various items over their lifetime (link above).

In my household some of these things do not apply and thankfully we did not spend £20k on our wedding but the eating out and takeaways is frightening. I have got to stop those takeways.

On other items we defo spend less though, especailly the clothing and entertainment areas.

optimistic-mummy

[Deleted User] wrote:

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/graphic-where-your-money-goes.html

Really interesting article on Yahoo about how much the average household spends on various items over their lifetime (link above).

In my household some of these things do not apply and thankfully we did not spend £20k on our wedding but the eating out and takeaways is frightening. I have got to stop those takeways.

On other items we defo spend less though, especailly the clothing and entertainment areas.

very interesting but i definatley didnt spend £5000 in my sons first year !! lol

Victoria2322

Hello! Can I join in with this Challenge? I live quite frugally but I know I could do better with tips

quintwins

optimistic-mummy wrote: »

very interesting but i definatley didnt spend £5000 in my sons first year !! lol

I read that and thought what, worked it out with great over estimates and spent less than £1500 on my youngest, and i know i spent less on my twins because i didn't have any money then.

Cherryjack

thank you alice :0) im getting a pack sent. Hey guys is there anither thread part 2?? just seen part one on this x