Meet the frugal's, 365 day challenge of buying nothing.

sparklymessygirl

Hi Lauren,

I have no expertise whatsoever but did a quick search and wondered if this site might provide you with some information (and information is power) - there is a website called rightsnet.org.uk and in the toolkit for welfare advice workers there is a section on recovery of overpayments.

Don't let this deter you from your goal or lessen your determination :grouphug:

By the way, I recently read the Judith Levine book "Not buying it" about her year without non essential consumption and it was really fascinating. Her experiences prompted her to consider lots of social and political issues.

Good luck

Sparkly

Mortgagefreeforme

sparklymessygirl wrote: »

Hi Lauren,
By the way, I recently read the Judith Levine book "Not buying it" about her year without non essential consumption and it was really fascinating. Her experiences prompted her to consider lots of social and political issues.

I have just read it to, I asked for it for Mothers day! It was good, but a shame she never had kids and seemed fairly well off in the first place. I do think Lauren you could have a possible book in what you are doing, it's far more of a struggle with the realities of children, partner and both working odd hours as you both are. I think it''s inspiring how much you have cut back and saved, even your odd slip up is interesting (although I agree the control knix were an essential part of life!)

nu1isit?

Hello everyone!!!

Don't know if this is the place, but here it goes anyway...I've also read Judith Levine's book, 'Not Buying It', I wasn't to keen on it in parts. Does anyone know of any books, in a similar vein, but that are more geared towards a practical realistic angle; much like this thread and other parts of the website???

Oh, congratulations Lauren with your ongoing challenge. :beer: I'm now consciously trying to spend even less, and trying not to buy for buyings sake, due to this thread; my weakness is car boot and charity shop bargains...

Good luck for the rest of the challenge.:D

lauren_1

I rang the revenues office yesterday and was told i can set a payment to suit our budget so i suggested £10, they accepted it so its ot much of a blow to paying off our other debts as this one is not accrueing interest. They seemed happy to accept £10 and the lady told me if we can pay more then just ring and they can take extra card payments other the phone.

We have just adjusted our "frugal" SOA to accomodate our rent, council tax and rates going up and TBH it still doesnt look great.
Date: as of june

Income Monthly Amount Percent
O halfs £900 57.62%
laurens £230 14.72%
child benefit £121 7.75%
tax credits £311 19.91%
Total income £1,562 100.00%

Fixed Expenses Monthly Amount Percent
RENT £485 42.67%
Car payments £179 15.75%
Credit card payments £80 7.04%
Gas and electric £89
Phone, internet and tv liscence £56 4.93%
Water £38 3.34%
savings account £0
caitlin pocketet money and treats £5 0.44%
council tax £90 7.92%
OVERDRAFT AND LOAN £105 9.24%
Tax credit repayments £10 0.88%
Total fixed expenses £1,137 92.21%

Variable Expenses Monthly Amount Percent
Food £15 a week only!!! £60 23.81%
Clothing all 4 of us £ 10 3.97%
petrol and insurance £100 39.68%
contact lenses £10 3.97% Both phones £10 3.97%
Both pocket money £40 15.87%
NAPPIES MILK AND BABY ITEMS £22 8.73%
Total variable expenses £252 100.00%

Total fixed and variable expenses £1,389

Difference between income and expenses £174


Not great on paper but we are on dual fuel and if we pay by Direct debit we get a discount along with going paper free biling works out at about 11% all together,plus we are always in credit with then as our quarterly bills are less than the actual payments.

Our c/tax is £88 but i will pay £90 (online) so there is less to pay next feb, i do love the 2 months free

Other half has taken on the shopping task and so far is doing fairly good, he likes the 3kg of pasta for £1 (asda) and 2 chickens for £4 deal as they are really vertsatile and last ages, the chicken start off getting roasted, then we make a soup from it, then we boil the carcass again to get stock and make a rissotto or noodle soup so thats 3 days of meals from 1 chicken.

lauren_1

I had a quick browse in the library for the book but really wasnt that inspired by it at all, mind you i had one screaming child and another wanting every book available so didnt really have time to get in to it.

Janeryan

Well done Lauren on sorting out the dreaded tax credit issue-we too had a right to-do with them a few years ago where they overpaid us(their error) and kept on doing it despite my best efforts to advise them otherwise!

Just finished reading Leo Hickman's book"A life stripped bare" which was very interesting & thought provoking but I still come to the conclusion that you need a certain level of income to maintain an ethical life with regards to products & services although I think true ethical living comes from your attitude to life. Have yet to read the Judith Levine book-my library doesn't seem to have it but had a book token for Christmas so may invest in it with that

lauren_1

Can i just recommend SPECS BY POST.

OH treat himself to some quite funky specs for £15 + £2 odd postage (he sat on the last pair and were wonky for a bit)

https://www.specs-by-post.co.uk

That included the frames, case, cloth and lenses. We saw the same style in specsavers for a lot more than that

http://www.specs-by-post.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=41&idproduct=263

He chose the gunmetal ones and they arrived 2 days later

lauren_1

I dont feel very DFW today, just feels like when we go forward 2 steps some cretin appears from under the stones of hell to extort more money out of us and drags us back 3 steps and landing us in bigger poo, some little oik kas slashed my bike tyre so had to push it home at 2am last night, ds is just about growing out of his clothies and totsbots have a huge backlog of orders (i will make some more when i get some old towels but my mum has my machine) so until then he is in disposables.

Bunnyinthelights

Lauren,
What a horrible thing for someone to do, bloomin' mindless.
I wish I had a tyre I could magic to you...

Bunny x

Aril

Hi Lauren
I've sneaked over from the OS board but have been keeping a regular eye on your thread. You've been doing so well and have come so far already. Do your local NCT do clothing sales...if not there could be people on freecycle who can help you out.
Anyway keep going...looking forward to reading your next instalments..shall sneak back to the OS board now!!
Aril