2013 Frugal Living Challenge

[Deleted User]

Bit of batch cooking today as I am starting to get organised for going back to work. I may have to sample the choc brownies before they go in the freezer:D.

Tonight's dinner is spag bol from the freezer and then HM Ice Cream (well, Easy Yo ice cream) with tinned pears.

Tomorrow we are using up some Chicken Kievs that have been in the freezer for a while. Hope I like them. Not usually my thing - OH bought them to eat when I was on hols and never used them.

Kerry_Woman

Have to seriously look into the amount of money spent on food. It is now slightly up compared to this time last year. Now have to keep a close eye on it.

Am still decluttering. Cannot believe how much clutter has built up in the flat since I moved in 15 years ago. Have been decluttering on and off for the last couple of years when I felt up to it. Also need to watch as to what I bring into the flat.

These are the 2 areas I must concentrate on for the rest of the year. I must aim to try to be positive and not let it get me down.

LolaLemon

Curtins are also on my list for prepairing for winter this year. I dont have much space for curtains as i have a very small window sill/area, so i need to look into getting a box built above the windows so i can have blackout blinds up plus curtains to keep the cold out. (council put up stret lamos right outside my bedroom windows! thanks loads council! they used to be across the street, enough light to light the road but no houses there to shine in!)

Upsidedown_Bear

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

What things do you guys do to winterise your home, I'd be very interested and grateful for advice...

Delurking...
You've probably already seen this on the OS board but if not it's really good

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4202003

miss_empty_piggy

Wow, thanks for all the great advice and support everyone.

Upsidedownbear thanks for the link - i've just popped over and had a quick look, it looks fab. 51 pages of advice, I can't wait to get reading but am totally bushed at the minute.

Made a start on the garden, I've made the smallest dint in it, but it's a dint nonetheless. I've also made Jam, and decluttered DD2's bedroom to give her more space. I totally agree with you Kerry Woman it's really hard to sometimes not get down. We'll have to be here for each other.:grouphug:

Upsidedown_Bear

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

Upsidedownbear thanks for the link - i've just popped over and had a quick look, it looks fab. 51 pages of advice, I can't wait to get reading but am totally bushed at the minute.

And there's links to parts I - III

You might need one of these :coffee:

miss_empty_piggy

Much more needed is this :beer: wanna join me???:)

Upsidedown_Bear

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

Much more needed is this :beer: wanna join me???:)

Thank you - I will :beer:

mummy-of-2-boys

hi all, i've been lurking for a while and wondered if i could join you all in preparation for 2014's thread, kind of a trial run if thats ok ...

ill be aiming for £190 a week for the rest of the year so thats £4000 for the rest of the year. this is too include everything except .... bt and sky which comes out of DP's account. it also wont include rent, council tax or xmas or debt repayments .... but everything else is included, im really hoping we can do this so we can start a fresh in 2014 with hopefully no debts .... this is for a family of 3 ..... baby is due in dec so we wont be a family of 4 until then .. i hoping to pick up lots more tips along the way to help this year and in the future, i hope you all don't mind me joining so late in the year but i feel we are now a breaking point and its now or never and we desperately need to get finances back under control so hoping this is a good place to start ....

miss_empty_piggy

mummy-of-2-boys wrote: »

baby is due in dec so we wont be a family of 4 until then ....

Congratulations mummy-of-2-boys what wonderful news. Welcome to the frugal forum.:j:j:j:j