2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

lovecrafting

im with you on that one Bella. i need to live within my means this year, iv got myself into a cycle of spend money like its going out of fassion. i need a change.

wuvvies

had a tough day. been sale shopping as the kids had money to spend and i havent got any money to spend. im used to having a day out shopping and then a meal on the way home but at my suggestion we ate at home and i spent nothing - no i bought a magazine to read tonight. i feel sad that i have to be so tight
got a few things coming up - meal out for daughters 18th birthday and start putting money on a card for car tax and i really need to save some of my shopping money to put towards those. bought my daughters present but said we would all go out which will prob be pizza h@t and thats not that cheap. will need about 80 pounds i think for the 6 of us. so i want to have at least half of that in cash.
need to start putting money on an asda card for food at xmas as well. oh well little bits here and there and it will all add up. both the xmas food and car tax is 12 months away so i can save bits and bobs for that
onwards and upwards

dizzy_lizzie

wuvvies wrote: »

no i bought a magazine to read tonight. i feel sad that i have to be so tight

Don't look at it like this. See it more as a challenge to keep more money in your pocket this year. I know it's easier said than done but it does feel good when you set yourself a little goal and achieve it. It'll spur you on to do more and soon it will become second nature (almost So you saw it as a tough day but I read it as a good positive day as you saved money by eating in instead of out
I'm joining the grocery and storecupboard challenges on mse and I'm determined to stick to them. Why not have a look at them and maybe have a go at one of these. Have a look at page 1 at the beginning of this this thread, there are lots of links to help you on your way. There's also a thread on selling stuff on ebay if you can generate a little income doing this.
Stock up on reading material from the library if you like a good read but don't forget a magazine now and then won't do any harm and will help to keep you on the straight and narrow. If you don't treat yourself now and again it may lead to a huge blow out, rather like being on a strict diet if you see what I mean.
Here's a brilliant link to a lady who lives in Cornwall. She shows on her blog how you can live frugally but very happily when you plan meals etc It's actually a lot more than that and I recommend everyone to read it. Frugal Queen
Don't forget to use the internet for freebies too like this one for your children http://www.latestfreestuff.co.uk/free-kids-stuff/

Hi bella and welcome to the thread too

Just editing to add that I've just been browsing the free stuff website ( loads of stuff on there!) and there's a section to get free mags here

It doesn't say anything about signing up to subscriptions they just ring you to get your address to send it to. Obviously they'll hope that you'll enjoy it enough to buy it regularly. Anyway I've just emailed mine so I'll let you know what they say when they ring.
x

wuvvies

dizzy lizzie,
wow what a wonderful thread from frugal queen. i like it so much that its from the uk. i have seen frugal threads before but they seem to be in the usa and not here..assuming your in the uk too!!
im feeling better today and not so down. yes i did well to keep the money in my purse. my situation is this - i did have two jobs but i have now gone down to one as i wasnt managing this at all. i have three kids and now work 915-215 mon to fri so it suits family life well. but im down by about £300 a month. i already menu plan and write lists. i cook from scrach ( im a school cook!) and im always frugal with my food and dont throw away hardly anything.i have just enough to pay my food/bills with about 10 per week left for haircuts/clothes/spare money. its pretty tight so have been scouring on here for some tips. i think people do amazingly well.i love to see what others do.
thanks for your help. its really appreciated

rising_from_the_ashes

So ... just a few days to go and overall the budget's faired up pretty well - currently just under £750 left :j

A few budgets are over by a few £s eg cats = £14 & dog = £4 but have stuff to last them until end March:D also some things were paid part way through the year and then in full at renewal time so have overspends on these eg car insurance - paid monthly to Sept & then renewed to Sept 2013 in full

The really "bad one" this year has been groceries which has a HUGE overspend - was doing OK until the 3rd quarter ... when I fell ill and had to start a totally new / different / expensive (!) diet - need to try to work on this as really can't afford to spend this much next year!

dizzy_lizzie

wuvvies wrote: »

dizzy lizzie,
wow what a wonderful thread from frugal queen. i like it so much that its from the uk. i have seen frugal threads before but they seem to be in the usa and not here..assuming your in the uk too!!

Oh yes I'm a Northern lass
It's a great thread isn't it, she's very inspirational.
Here's another frugal UK website in case you haven't seen it before,
Frugal Living UK
And here's a list of UK blogs to browse through
Uk Simple, Green, Frugal Blogs
I think frugal blogs are a great read when you feel like you're waning or wondering what it's all about and if it's worth it. Enjoy

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

So ... just a few days to go and overall the budget's faired up pretty well - currently just under £750 left :j

:T Well done Rising on the budget. Can you believe how fast this year has gone?

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to the New Year
x

[Deleted User]

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Oh yes I'm a Northern lass
It's a great thread isn't it, she's very inspirational.
Here's another frugal UK website in case you haven't seen it before,
Frugal Living UK
And here's a list of UK blogs to browse through
Uk Simple, Green, Frugal Blogs
I think frugal blogs are a great read when you feel like you're waning or wondering what it's all about and if it's worth it. Enjoy

Thanks for the links. These are fab and I have already ordered the mag! Was at the dentist today and they had free samples available of toothpaste. I asked ifI could take some as it is a brand I use (sensodyne) and she gave me five of them. That should keep me going for a while!

miss_empty_piggy

It's been a tough and roller coaster year here too. With a family doubled in size and newly planned out budget I had motivation and energy to get started to sort out our finances and plan for a happy future. However, 3 tyres slashed last night so having to spend any spare money on that, despite two kids needing new school trousers and shoes! However, I am determined to get through, just hoping the cars will be safe tonight. Just been on frugal queen which helps to think about each day at a time.

dizzy_lizzie

[Deleted User] wrote:

Thanks for the links. These are fab and I have already ordered the mag! Was at the dentist today and they had free samples available of toothpaste. I asked ifI could take some as it is a brand I use (sensodyne) and she gave me five of them. That should keep me going for a while!

Oooh it's great when something like that happens. I have mentioned on here before but might be useful for new posters to know that Mr T's pharmacy give out free sample goodie bags at certain times of the year. You have to ask at the pharmacy as they're not on display. Anyway it's worth an ask and the samples inside are usually good ones of various sorts.

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

However, 3 tyres slashed last night so having to spend any spare money on that, despite two kids needing new school trousers and shoes! However, I am determined to get through, just hoping the cars will be safe tonight. Just been on frugal queen which helps to think about each day at a time.

:mad: Stupid and mindless act. As well as the money cost it's also the hassle of sorting it all out. Really sorry to read this. Hope 2013 starts off better for you.

We are out tomorrow evening so I'll wish everyone now a very happy and prosperous 2013. I'd better find the link to the new thread. x

LolaLemon

Thank you all for yet another great year of trying to be frugal.
2013 I am going to take the plunge and work out my budget and hopefully stick to it
See u all on the new thread