Ultimate Challenge. 457 days / £16600!!!

killerpeaty

You have a good point. The one that annoyed me was the one that was talking how they get a ton of money at the start of the month and burn through it in 2-3 weeks. Socialising does not have to be that expensive! It's just a matter of not mixing activities, go to the cinema or have a nice meal for example, it doesn't detract from the experience. But there's not much point in saying this here though :rotfl:

Who is Jack?

Interesting article about BTL mortgage rates.

Buffythedebtslayer

killerpeaty wrote: »

You have a good point. The one that annoyed me was the one that was talking how they get a ton of money at the start of the month and burn through it in 2-3 weeks. Socialising does not have to be that expensive! It's just a matter of not mixing activities, go to the cinema or have a nice meal for example, it doesn't detract from the experience. But there's not much point in saying this here though :rotfl:

Who is Jack?

Interesting article about BTL mortgage rates.

Jack can be found here

http://agirlcalledjack.com/

Very interesting read. As is this diary!

NinjaSavingKat

Well now.. I have just read that BBC article and it frustrates me a little as to how people who are on a budget live. I also read about Jack the other day and clearly this woman is a smart cookie.

What doesn't sit comfortable with me ( as it clearly doesn't with you Peaty ) on the BBC article is the girl who goes out for the first few weeks of the month and enjoys herself then lives on porridge for a week..(with which she is being ripped off - 1KG of Mr T Everyday Value porridge oats is 89p ).. Why not budget even just a little and space the "fun" out! I suppose it depends on what you call entertainment.. I do not drink, I hate "clubs" and only enter pubs if there is a meal deal and it's planned the month before. Sad? Yeah a little... am I winning the debt battle. Yes I am!

Another girl mentions being brainwashed into believing you need things from constant advertising and a consumerist society. That's what it is - brainwashing. We do not need half of what is in our homes we just want it. Once a person can break the "want" addiction they get amusement from the simple things like Siouxsie and I...:rotfl:

Doesn't someone then mention that £350 a week per couple would be a suitably lavish lifestyle - not many people have £1400 a month of play money to "enjoy" life...

Living a frugal life is a mindset to get used to and yes some could describe it as lonely ( not me I love it :rotfl:) - but perhaps I am one of the few out there that believe this is only for the meantime. That there are things that I truly never want to spend my money on and don't feel the need.

It basically means that only I am in control of my journey, so I am taking control now and having what could be described as a minimalistic lifestyle in order to be better prepared when I aim for what I want. Does that make sense?.

But this is not a new phenomenon though!. There seems to be a massive influx of couponers / budgeters and frugalista's when my parents and maybe some of yours have been budgeting since we were babies?? This is why it's not hard for me - it's in my nature to be a penny-pincher and I had a fantastic coach. My mother!

Lilt - I will be honest with you I was contemplating bringing my challenges to a separate website.. with more movement on what I can offer people and perhaps earn a few pennies on "clicks" to sites for budgetting etc. But would it be classed as desertion? I am just not sure it would get to the Daily Snail or BBC just yet ... good to hear your thoughts on it though...:T

Right I really need to get ready and hit the gym. I am not looking forward to it but slowly slowly catchy monkey....I'd rather stay in an write in my new diary that I haven't touched yet..(cause I need absolute concentration, a ruler, a massive cup of tea and a lovely pen )..:T

Oh and some eBay posting today I think!!!

Onwards and Upwards!!

Siouxsie32

I caught the tail end of Jack on the news a few weeks ago (browsing on my phone, don't have a tv ) and wish I'd seen the whole interview. I meant to do a bit of googling to try and find out more about her story so thank you lilt and buffy for the info. I'm so happy that she got a recipe book deal - I call that karma. I only had a quick look at her diary (shall thoroughly read later though) and it's totally heartbreaking that she fed her son and did without food herself. I know it's another debate entirely, but THAT's what the welfare state is for, not to keep people that know how to play the system and have cars, tvs, cigarettes etc paid for. I actually heard someone who is on benefit say once that by the time she's bought her vodka and fags there was only £12 left for food...and she thought it was a disgrace!! I also know someone else who lives on benefits and she throws away small change, actually puts it in the bin, because it annoys her :eek: Ha ha, I got so excited yesterday when I saw a 2p coin under the coin exchange machine at the supermarket. I got down on my hands and knees and fished it out :rotfl:

Anyway, I digress. I'd wholeheartedly agree that we're not depressed and lonely kat I also know this is only for the meantime and then the world will be my oyster because I'll have my entire wage at my disposal. I have learned a lot about what I need and what I want, and I've learned the value of things. All of this will stay with me for life.

I think you should explore the idea of taking your challenge to another website. You provide great support for a lot of people on this site...spread your wings girl! I have toyed with the idea of blogging or something similar about the exploits of my frugal lifestyle, like the 2p incident in full view of everyone at the supermarket or some of the hilarious situations I've got myself into in my mystery shopping visits. Maybe we should combine and do a "kat and siouxsie's guide to debt busting" Next year would make an interesting project - you debt free and me in my final year of getting rid of it. Another thing to add to the list of things to think about!

liltdiddylilt

Thank you very much for linking to Jack's diary Buffy. I caught her interview on the bbc the other week as well Siouxsie and they gave her a real earbashing for not having enough meat in her recipes. All I can say to that is bless her for working out that not every meal needs to be constructed around what meat you have! I looked through some of her vegan recipes and there is some lovely stuff there!!

I mentioned her diary to my mum yesterday and she immediately went off on one spouting that 'every has said' she doesn't take into consideration the things she already has in the cupboard for her cooking. I got a bit !!!!!! with her for being such a sheep when she hasn't even bothered to look at her diary. This girl works it out down to the finest detail, and although she can only shop in her local Mr S, she checks online the data with the other supermarkets before posting the figures. So reminded me of you guys!

Kat I 100% support you spreading your wings. I'll follow you anywhere & promote your blog wherever I can if you choose to do so. You're my inspiration! Just see if you can incorporate a forum though eh don't know what I would do without all the babble I write on here hahaha!

Wholeheartedly agree about how utterly ludicrous that girls idea of budgeting is. I know a few people who have absolutely NO money in the run up to payday & I always wonder why they then immediately go out and spend £200 on clothes and rubbish the second they get paid, thus landing themselves in the same hot water the following month.

To totally digress from our slightly political, extremely foodie ramblings.... Jellytot WALKED today!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D She's been spending the last 2-3 months stomping around the furniture, and then progressed a while ago to being able to stand up in the middle of the room holding nothing and just stand there for ages... but today she very casually stood up in the middle of the living room and walked a couple of steps, looked at us very proudly then lowered herself down and sat on the floor clapping!:T:T:T:T:T *proud mummy* - at 13 months and 2 days she's not exactly forward, more bang in line with where she should be, but still! How exciting (may I also add she still doesn't have a tooth in her head!)

I'm off to put away our whoopsie items from the supermarket (and OH's £6 red bull:eek::eek:)

killerpeaty

Aww, well done lilt-lite! :money: Time to high five (with beer...) :beer:

In slightly unhappier news, it is possible that in two days my mum will lose her job and the household bills will fall to me. I'm happy to do it, but my savings plan is going to take one hell of a battering. I definitely need a plan to up my income. No chance of over time, unlikely to get a raise... Second job time?

NinjaSavingKat

:T:T:T:T:T:T For JellyTot!!! :T:T:T:T:T:T

Lilt you must be so proud! The way you describe her makes me think she is SO laid back and doing her own thing and just waiting for the round of applause!

Well now.. I survived the gym, thrashed my legs and biceps and hey presto I am home, washed, fed and ready to go! Siouxsie I am shamed to say I used to be one of those people that chucked out pennies and 2p's.... Used to really annoy my Mum. However not any more! The day of my epic shopping last week I walked across a busy 8 lane main road (it's huge) in order to get to the cinema. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and immediately heard a "dink" and realised I dropped 5p. I was GUTTED! I nearly stopped but the traffic had other ideas... after my film finished at 2300 I went back across that same way just to "check". Alas it was gone.. But I will stoop to pick ANYTHING I see on the floor so one day if you have a fight with another screeching Norn Iron girl stop briefly and ask if it's me...:rotfl:

I called my Mum to have a quick chat and we had a tally of bargains this week. She got a 1.5KG bag of carrots for 17p and organic beetroot for 20p! She literally just called back for something (and talked and talked and talked) and I had to check the exact prices.. she says "are you putting this on MSE, do you want the exact figures"...:rotfl:..however she died laughing at Siouxsie's exploits! She's been there I think....

She tells me about Mr Morrison of Morrisons. He was asked once why he didn't have a massive shiny HQ and he said he didn't want to waste money on it and would keep his prices low...awww!

Anyway I am a vegetarian and must admit meat is expensive. I am not sure what my budget would be if I had to take it into consideration. Lentils are SO cheap compared and go so far..(spiced lentils in chopped tinned tomatoe on brown rice topped with cheese was my Mother's fave when we were little).... neighbours around our area back in the day when we were little couldn't believe we actually looked so healthy....**groan**..

Yup those smoking drinking folk on benefits annoy me just as much. Alcohol is not a right. Cigarettes are not a right. These people annoy me so much...so I shan't say any more. Siouxsie the small change woman - is she still a friend?

Okay.. I MUST get some items loaded onto eBay today otherwise I am a fool! ..More later from moi..

Peaty I am so sorry to hear about your Mum losing her job! Look to get a second job in a supermarket ( I am currently looking at this ) as you will get a discount on everything instore as well... but I have my fingers crossed for you that she doesn't lose the job at all!!!



Onwards and Upwards..

NinjaSavingKat

May I just add I have been home from the gym for ages now.. Mumsy talks a lot on the phone and I have eaten as well.. lol!

liltdiddylilt

Honestly, she is the coolest character on the planet... Case in point..


This is her after a lovely day out with her friend. When she is chilling out, she ALWAYS puts her hands behind her head. P.S she's gotten huge hasn't she and super curly hair!

I was going to say that was an epic gym session. I hope I am not a mum like that when Ellie is older. I kid you not, I say to my mum that I have to go and she's like..

'yeah, ok, me too. I've got to make your dad's dinner... we are having baked cod with homemade chips and mushy peas. oh, did I tell you about the baked cod recipe. My friend leslie gave it to me, you know leslie, used to be leslie x, is now leslie y...she's had a boob-job' and onnnnn and onnnnnnn. I usually say, mum I've got to go and immediately hang up LOL.

Kat I'd love to hear where you get some of your lentil recipes from? I intend to utilise lentils and chickpeas a LOT in the next few weeks and I have to admit, apart from banging them into the odd soup here and there I am clueless!

NinjaSavingKat

Oh my!! Check out the little! She is SO cool! What a little lady! She is getting big...but tell me how do you put picture on the main thread..? I have tried before and it won't let me or its way too big!!

Lilt I will get some lentil recipes together for you..

I have been watching some foodie program about the american diners so am off to make a pancake stack with fruit and syrup... will check in again with eBay reports shortly.. one or two more to go. I NEED the rest of the money for this bike loan by the end of this week...

Onwards and Upwards...