2013 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

couldsavemore wrote: »

my biggest frugal step has been to keep a pair of scissors handy in bedroom drawer to cut things like cleansing wipes in half tops of tubes of cream for example everything is lasting longer

you all may do this already but i cant believe the difference it has made.

I totally agree. The first time I did this I could not believe how much cream was left in a tube of hand cream. I now do this for toothpaste, face creams, hand cream, eye cream, cleanser etc.

ostrichnomore_2

Keeping the budget spreadsheet is a real eye opener.

I'm over in some areas but will make up for it in being under in my groceries.

It's showing up how much money I spend (waste) on magazines, that's for sure! So there's a habit to get out of.

natnat13

ostrichnomore wrote: »

Keeping the budget spreadsheet is a real eye opener.

I'm over in some areas but will make up for it in being under in my groceries.

It's showing up how much money I spend (waste) on magazines, that's for sure! So there's a habit to get out of.

Totally agree, I'm writing down all my spends so I can see where its going and it actually makes me think before spending too

rooroo27

Hello everyone!

I've been a mse lurker for a few years now and have just signed up

Am I too late to join in this challenge? I really need to sort my finances out this year!

out_of_debt_at_last

couldsavemore wrote: »

my biggest frugal step has been to keep a pair of scissors handy in bedroom drawer to cut things like cleansing wipes in half tops of tubes of cream for example everything is lasting longer

you all may do this already but i cant believe the difference it has made.

I love doing this! my mum always says small things amuse small minds,so........... i must have a small mind because cutting tubes in half amuses me and fills me with weird joy!

natnat13

It's very quiet on here! I have been in bed all day poorly, stomach ache, hot and cold, not feeling great but I have had a NSD

LolaLemon

i lost my subscription on here and couldnt find you again. but have now.
i have started a dfw diary. so i can keep my ramblings elsehwere.
i had an interesting day at work today. it was regarding legal tender.

did you know, that if you are paying debt, you have no right to demand change. i.e. if you pay £15 but only owe £13, no right to demand the change back. neither did i till today due to someone paying me in pennies. . ive put it on the dfw diary

Kerry_Woman

natnat13 - Sending hugs. Hope you feel better soon.

lbnblbnb

I haven't read through the previous frugal challenge threads, so apologies if this has been done before, but I would be really interested in learning a bit more about you all.

What you feel you do well to live frugally
What you are still working on

I have learnt a huge amount from MSE posters over the years and although I am sure we are all different I would love to hear some of your ideas.

For me, I think I do pretty well at:
Using charity shops and eBay for clothes (even shoes for the kids; I would rather buy second hand Clarks than buy cheap new shoes from Sainsbury's that fell apart in two weeks...)
Kids do not expect pocket money, they get some jobs money if they do their chores.
Cut insurance down by using comparison sites and by raising excess now I have an emergency fund
Always cook from scratch
Vegetarian meals
Control heating - put jumpers on before we put the CH on!
Not upgrading unless necessary: my kitchen cupboards are horrid but I can wait until I am financially secure to redo it.
Holidays: camping in UK or visit family
Make do and mend: clothes, appliances. My OH is great at fixing things.
Freegle: I have got some fantastic things from there, such as a slow cooker, three hens and a henhouse, a playhouse, just by being really polite and helpful about picking up.

I need to work on:

Presents. I still feel I have to be generous, although I can't really afford it.
Food: although I cook from scratch and we hardly ever eat meat, I love cooking and I do buy some expensive ingredients. MSE has opened my eyes to how much we spend un-necessarily, but I still spend so much less than people at work...
Garden: before we had kids I loved growing veg and herbs but the veg patch is very neglected now.
Children's activities: Guides, swimming, football, I find it really hard to say no to these costs.
Craft materials: I have far too much, I need to use it all up or eBay it.

How about you?

natnat13

Thanks Kerry Woman, made pancakes for tea with the kids and feel a bit better now I'm up and eaten something.

lbnblbnb you sound like you a seasoned frugaller! It is hard to do everything and say no to everything, especially kids activites, mine like afer school clubs which are free but I have vowed I'll get them swimming properly this year so that will cost, I'm not doing lessons though, going to try and do it myself, they have had some leassons before so know the basics it's just confidence building. Re food, there is a link to a ladies blog further back who lives of £10 a week, very interesting reading. Have a look at some of the links on the first page too.
I'm off to sit under my blanket and watch the TV! Hoping for another NSD tomorrow, I very badly had a New Look spulge in the sale online, but have seen the error of my ways and all but one item (which I did need) is going back, I think the returns are free, I'll find out tomorrow!