2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

rising_from_the_ashes

Arrrrrrggggghhhh spreadsheet / budget overload!:o

Spent yesterday morning looking at my budgets - only managed to pay off my debts part way through '11, so the budgeting pots (which appear to be working well:D & with no raiding:o) have a shortfall for this year's payments. I've been putting a bit extra into them over the past couple of months, which will need to continue for a few more - but will hopefully be worth it as I'll have money set aside for the 1st time ever! to pay for things when they're due ... should be easier moving forwards as these can drop to "normal" amounts throughout the year.

This morning .... well, I've been playing with the SOA:o. I've joined the Grocery Challenge with an annual total - and this incl toiletries & cleaning etc.... so I've lumped these altogether on the SOA (thought it'd be easier to run the 2 the same way) - which then meant I had a spare worksheet and I couldn't leave it sitting doing nothing ... could I:D

I've also added some extra things to the Reg payments worksheet - so now all my direct debits are covered on there, which will be great for helping check the bank statements each month:).

Budget totals have changed slightly as things like charity direct debits etc are also now incl ....

Hopefully it'll keep me on track again this year - thank you Cheryl:) again, as it's so much more sophisticated than anything I could do!

Just realised I've been at it for about 2 hours - and haven't even had breakfast yet!!!!!!:eek:

icontinuetodream

Have been looking through my budget and realised that I have included my mortgage op in there :doh:..... I didn't mean to include it because obviously, I want to increase that as much as poss and decrease my expenditure...:wall: so, sorry I have been dozy....my new budget target is £13789

Emmala

Sorry to be a pain, but can someone repost the link for the SOW please????? I can't find it on here, gave up last night as I was tired!
Thanks!

cw18

rae18 wrote: »

Sorry to be a pain, but can someone repost the link for the SOW please????? I can't find it on here, gave up last night as I was tired!
Thanks!

It's in with the 'Useful Links' in the first post of the thread - listed as 'My FREE Spreadsheet'

natnat13

Morning all
Was going to venture to the big city "Exeter" today to try and get some present bargains and look at breadmakers because the one I ordered online was out of stock.
But hubbie has had to go into work and not sure when he'll be back, don't fancy taking both the children on my own! Is this someone telling me not to spend? :rotfl:
I have had a tidy up and am going to make a "Spring clean" list later, whilst I'm doing my clean I will also sort stuff for ebay etc.
We have run out of milk, nearly out of coffee too so I need to go to the shops at some point today, I have made a list with 5 items on it and will stick to it unless I see a good whoopsie!
Fresian, I am loving your candles, I think I will have a go if I can get the candles cheap enough, I have tissue paper here and cellophane and ribbon to wrap them, I'm sure DH prob has a heat gun in his garage too.
Tea is gammon (Lidl £1.59 for 2) mash, frozen peas and cheese sauce, going to do extra mash and use it for shepherds pie tomorrow.

tumptyteapot

hi all!
just checking in, spent £10 on beer, juice and really nice chips yesterday for me and my son but today is a NSD and I am getting back on track.
apolgies if this has already been posted, I havent had time to read all the posts yet but it might be useful
http://revolution.channel4.com/
they are doing a 31 day superscrimper challenge

mooomin

natnat13 wrote: »

Fresian, I am loving your candles, I think I will have a go if I can get the candles cheap enough, I have tissue paper here and cellophane and ribbon to wrap them, I'm sure DH prob has a heat gun in his garage too.

I got mine from Poundland

So each of them has cost me £1 to make plus the cost of any gems etc. They're quick to make and I'm amazed at how good they look if I'm honest!

I'm gutted that I missed the cheap cellophane that Lidl had on offer recently. I'm hoping that they have it again soon. I just bought some card from there - £1.99 per pack for 25 sheets of really good quality card that is perfect for my cardmaking.

rictus123

Well I spent my first bit of money last night...was on entertainment and under 40 quid,will count up exact total and post it later. Half the months budget gone and the months just started..fine though as not drinking again so won't be spending. Off on holiday this week then back to work next Monday. Most likely need some money for petrol aswel before I go back. Good luck with starting as you mean to go on folks.

arrowlili

hi, can i be included for this year pls, i have pm'd frugaldom and then saw that slowlyfading was now looking after? thought this a msg here might be advisable.
also, do i have to set a budget, as i really haven't got close to figuring that out yet?
anyway pls include me IN for this... pretty pls

natnat13

I wish I lived closer to £land, it's an hours drive so it's justifying the fuel, we were going to go today and have a stock up on a few things but DH has just phoned to say he's going to be stuck at work for a few more hours