2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

mommyof4

Please can I join? Seriously need to cut down on expenses and love reading these posts, get loads of inspiration. Stealing myself to begin sorting out a budget. Having looked through some on here already, I can't understand why our outgoings are so much more. Oh well.... will post a budget when it's done!

natnat13

I have been buying electricals too, new printer reduced in Tesco and also just ordered a new breadmaker as last one was 2nd hand and nearly caused a fire!! Gone for a Russell Hobbs one, went through topcashback with 10% cashback if it processes, not had much luck with them, mobile cashback never came through, even though I e-mailed, poked, reminded, I know it's not guarenteed though and I'd already got 18 months free on my 24 month contract so had had a good deal already!!!

natnat13

Also, I ask MIL if she had a preserves recipe book she gave me a great one from her shelf and said she'll save their jars. She also gave me 3/4 other really old cookbooks, they look very simple so hopefully frugal, I'll post up any good recipes.

Frivolous

Hi
I'm totally new! Could you please add me to the list I'm desperately in need of help! I've been reading all these posts and I'm all ready feeling hopeful, thank you.
I've been writing out a budget all afternoon, feeling positive but I know its gonna be a tough long year!
Debts totally approximately £3380, will get a more accurate figure later.

seriouslyfrugal

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/49522501#Comment_49522501


this was in the weekly email its a calender for 2012 with thrifty tips on so is definatly a find :j:j:j


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2575073

grow your own veg booklet

[Deleted User]

cowboymum wrote: »

Can I join too? I have done a budget and am horrified that it comes out just under £20,000 for the year!!! Even more horrified that our income is £9,000 over - where has all that gone?! I am not going to post budget on here as feel a bit embarrassed but I think I need to stick to this budget before I cut it down. However I am v pleased that I have just bought 6 mths worth of toothpaste for half price (I use that fancy enamel repairing one) as Superdrug have bogof offer.

Cowboymum to add , thanks!

Hey Cowboymum. I was thinking about not posting my budget - it comes in at over £16K - as I felt as if it was way higher than any anyone else had posted on here. But everyone has been really supportive. Best of luck with your moneysaving plans for 2012.

SandraScarlett

Honestly, CowboyMum, there's no need to feel embarrassed about posting your budget on here. Our aim is to spend something less during the next year, it might be 10% of your total or 0.000001% - as long as we save something.

I had a great day today. I met up with my mate at Liverpool Street, and we got a bus to Holborn, where they have a "Little Waitrose", I suppose it's their version of Tesco Express. Anyway, I bought 3 x Christmas Puddings, sell by date June 2013 for 25p each, they're in the cupboard. Then, items I've put in the freezer include a large iced Christmas Fruit Cake (£1.55), 2 packs of pigs-in-blankets (40p each), 2 packs of sausages (50p each) and some yummy dessert (30p), so I'm well pleased! :j

I was only out for a few hours, but it was lovely. And frugal!!!

xx

rising_from_the_ashes

seriouslyfrugal wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/49522501#Comment_49522501

this was in the weekly email its a calender for 2012 with thrifty tips on so is definatly a find :j:j:j

Thanks Emma have printed mine off - wondering what best to use it for:o think I may:

• note all my direct debits on the days they're due to come out
• put on reminders to check my bank accounts / move money on certain dates
• put on reminders for renewal times (breakdown cover - house, car, income, pet insurances etc) so I've time to shop around beforehand (rather than having a last minute panic trying to find the best deal!:o)
• note gas / elec meter readings on a set day each month

Any other things anyone can thing of of a similar vein?

dizzybee

well today i have gone right through all the cupboards and freezer,we have that much food in i wont need to go shopping for a while,will just pop into heron or farm foods for milk and bread,and pick fruit and veg up from market.
just been to local co op to get gas and elec and they add loads of stuff reduced bread 10p pick four up for the freezer also got a huge leg of lamb for £2 and a pack of stewing steak for 50p also some veg so have made a stew in the slow cooker for tomorrow.couldn't leave these behind at those prices.
still working on my yearly money budget need to see where we can cut down

ASG_2

As I've decided to use up the freezer/fridge/pantry contents in January I spent £8.99 of this weeks food budget on a bottle of vodka, added sloes (from the freezer) and ta dah - 2012 xmas pressies in the making!