2013 Frugal Living Challenge

Buffythedebtslayer

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

Hope you don't mind Frugaldom, I nicked your budget as an outline, edited it and confused the life out of myself.

All totals are monthly,

Rent = 750
Mobile = 30
Electricity = included in rent
Telephone & Internet = included in rent
TV = included in rent
Car insurance = included in rent
Council Tax = included in rent


Transport Costs = 200 (petrol and budget for car fixing)
Groceries = 150
Toiletries/treatments =100(v bad skin)

Footwear & Clothing and Gifts = ?? (am clueless I generally spend this out of my spending money from my second job) (which I haven't included!!!)

Household Pets = 120 (insurance for puppies and savings for gp vets)

debts= 221 per month min. (but want to pay more.)

Monthly total = 1571

1571 X 12 = 18,852

I think I am going to end up with a budget of 20 grand! which doesn't seem vaguely frugal. I need to think some more.

Oh dear!

Ok so having thought, considered lost the plot and had a bath I made a decision.

Although you may not want me here! I am going to have a budget of 24,000 pounds for the year.

This will include all debts all bills and living expenses.

Essentially I can't deal with complicated, I have given myself a budget of 2000 a month.

My expenses vary - sometimes I need more petrol or pet food or vets or the car needs fixing etc or I am on holiday or I don't work as much.I know everyone has this but I have real trouble in budgeting and kinda of want it all sorted out and done without having to think about it. So if I have a basic figure and work from that each month it will be straightforward for me anyway.

I don't intend to spend 2000 pounds each month but will shall see. I really aim to have most of it off the debt.

God I am tired.

xx

freedom2011

Mooloo wrote: »

During 2012 I spent more money then I would like to admit to myself never mind anyone else, on paying for the useless grown up children of mine.! I was in a good place at the start of the year, and by the summer I had saved nearly £1500 I think. But I ended up with it all gone.

Mooloo, what a tough year you have had. Stay strong. We are all here for you. Sounds like there are an awful lot of us who need this thread & the support it will give.;)

tessie_bear

thankyou for adding me to the list...i have resisted the urge to go to the sales today so that is a good start for the frugal challenge....just got to keep it uo next year:rotfl:

tess

xnatalie81x

Hello I used to do this challenge a while ago and still follow it now although more strictly now and my situation has changed quite a bit but id like to join you all as I see a lot of familiar names! Will pm frugaldom now and post my budget later although I do write my income and budget 4monthly due to the nature of my income and changing outgoings

xnatalie81x

Ok here's my budget for jan-April
Car - 150 mth (mot/insurance/tax/repairs)
Kids activities - 30 mth (daughter does ballet, school trips etc)
Toiletries - 10 mth (all washing, cleaning etc)
Petrol - 100 mth (work, school, shopping etc)
Food - 220 mth (me plus 4 kids and from Jan 3/4 will be having a school dinner everyday that I pay for!)
Bday/Xmas - 40 mth
Other - 16 mth

Max 566 mth (which will be the same for the entire year but may be apportioned differently each 4mthly period)

Not included: rent, debt repayments and ni contributions

I save whatever is left.

couldsavemore_2

looking forward to all my challenges just not sure how to get started. I have Sunday planned for going through paperwork and doing spreadsheets for budgets etc.
I need to do inventory of fridge/ freezer/cupboards and meal plan for month then I can do shopping list. but after all that what next.

any thoughts anyone please

xnatalie81x

Couldsavemore that looks like a very good place to start have fun

*Jellie*

I'd love to join in again. I'm trying to live more frugally. I haven't done a budget yet but will continue to try and live a more frugal lifestyle including trying to get gift giving to money neutral and making or refashioning all my clothes. Hopefully this year I'll have more luck with my veg growing.

debbiedeejay

Hello All - sorry have been awol for a while but only down to not having any Internet at home for Aaggggeees but now up and running so please could you add me to 2013 Frugal challenge?

Have to dash off though - so much emails and reading to catch up on,at least I have done post Christmas tidy up downstairs today! woohoo!Catch you all soon

xnatalie81x

I made my very own home made pasta today for the very first time. Easy peasey. I did use my mums fan dangled pasta machine and gifted pasta flour so got my 500g flour Plus 3med eggs and water into enough pasta for 3 adults an 4 kiddies plus sauces seperately priced for just 36p (3 eggs at 12p each)

I wouldn't buy pasta flour but plain flour can be used with value just 60p for 1.5kg meaning 20p flour plus the eggs and water 36p (value eggs although Makro have a box averaging 10p each) so 56p is very good for luxury fresh pasta. I pay 39p for the same amount in tesco value pasta but when we get our hens it'll be even cheaper although will be a while before then