Aprils Fool No More!!!

thriftylass

Oh nearly fell on the first hurdle. Fancied a fizzy drink and a packet of crisps (it being Monday, tired and god knows what other excuse I had). Have my wallet with me as i wanted to get euros (doh, it's a bank holiday) but talked myself out of it and got water from the free dispenser in the coffee room and picked up a cupcake that someone so kindly baked for our dept.

Mountaingirl

I'm having a lovely family day here as it's a holiday. We went out for lunch but my OH treated us so I shan't count it.

We are a family of five with big healthy appetites so food is always a lot - I don't mind too much if it's healthy stuff(fruit and veg can be expensive) but hate wasting money on junk (crisps biscuits etc.) es)which just get scoffed by my teenagers as snacks! So I want to cut those out of the budget.

Otherwise our petrol is quite low as we are just local, entertainment is mainly the TV and going for walks /bicycle rides when the weather is good.
At this time of year I spend a bit in the garden for the veg plot, and I'm going to have to get some summer clothes (if summer ever arrives :rotfl:).
One thing that costs a lot is the kids extra lessons and activities but I won't cut those out as they are really important to them and they enjoy them a lot.

Sorry for whittling on but I'm trying to get my thoughts together to find out what I need to cut back on and what is 'worth' keeping!

Living_a_good_life

Hello April - hello newbees!! Well off to a great start - did the food shop and took the kids swimming. Will be a nsd tomorrow, Wed and Thurs I thinks so there's hope! After 25 SFDs target last month 20 seems quite pleasant.... :rotfl:

Off to Cornwall soon for a week - will drop off the grid while there but have menu planned for the time away and will make most of free on site swimming, national trust membership walks and (if I'm brave enough) - the beach - its flipping freezing!!

Right had best go - of out to a friends for the evening

Love to all
LAGL xx

abundant1972

Hi Everyone!!!

Darn. Missed my opportunity to post an April Fool's post! Was gonna check in saying I'd blown my wages already on a bulk buy and wait for NSK to hit the roof But... I'm not that mean... <titter>

Here is my April Budget:

Groceries: £80.00
Spends: £80.00
Fuel: £50.00

Now for those of you who know me - I have been known to go on MEGA shops thus blowing my budget on supposed 'bargains'. This has been outlawed this month and I have no excuses. I am a single guy - I should be able to manage on the budgets I have set.

My gym subscription is paid, and as I am being super healthy at the moment - lots of fruit and veg - I am going to need to make a trip to the supermarket once a week anyway. Writing a food diary has been quite enlightening as I can see what things I've enjoyed and will buy week in week out. Freezer is full as did some batch cooking at weekend - chilli and sag aloo yum yum. Am discovering the wonders of frozen veg/fruit too - saves it going off in the fridge and being wasted.

I like Kat's idea of writing to companies... I think I will scour the net for free samples of things already on offer... but if there is a product I particularly like - I might just be cheeky and write - they may send a voucher off or something? I've only just had to buy some toothpaste after months, because I've been living off free samples

Great to see lots of newcomers!!! Welcome - am sure you'll find this a good place to help get your debt clearance on track! Good to have you on board.

Catch you all soon

:T

p.s.

Today = SFD number 1

tomandjerry

Hi all,

May I still join in please? SFD #1 today :j... out of 20.
Good luck to us all.
T&J

AuntyRuby

First SFD for me - resisted the lure of real coffee from the canteen at work. Planned work lunch tomorrow though.

We are a family of 5 with one son working and the other 2 at school so take lunches as the norm so hoping SFD's shouldn't be too tricky (last famous words!) aiming for 20. Food budget for the month is £350, it sounds a lot so I'll try to come in under this. Fuel budget is £80.

Aiming to declutter 100 items in April by selling or giving away things and target is to make £100 from doing this.

Hope you are all having a lovely Easter Monday. I was working this morning so great to get home to some sunshine this afternoon. DS2 out washing my car ;-) Bottom tier of wedding cake in oven (our wedding gift for friends) only 3 more tiers to go yikes!

Posting this on phone so will update properly when I log onto laptop. First proper post, hope I haven't waffled too much!

AR x

Mrs_Toast

First SFD for me as DH paid for parking at Walton Gardens :j. We are having sweet & sour turkey for tea out of the freezer so no spends at all today. It won't be tomorrow as buying monthly pass to local play barn and parking at the hospital. We get to find out what flavour we have in the oven tomorrow :j

angelpye

Mountaingirl wrote: »

...hate wasting money on junk (crisps biscuits etc.) es)which just get scoffed by my teenagers as snacks! So I want to cut those out of the budget.


At this time of year I spend a bit in the garden for the veg plot, and I'm going to have to get some summer clothes (if summer ever arrives :rotfl:).
One thing that costs a lot is the kids extra lessons and activities but I won't cut those out as they are really important to them and they enjoy them a lot.

Me too, me too, me too! Snacks are a nightmare - gone before I blink but just bought red sticker cookie dough for dd1 to play with and we can enjoy them together later. Luckily I went to a seed swap recently and got all I need including shallots and seed potatoes. I spend more on the kids extra lessons and interests than on holidays and at the moment more than on food but got to keep them busy! Can't imagine paying for three kids though!

angelpye

Auntyruby good luck with cake baking, lovely gift. I made all the wedding accessories as a gift last year (cummerbunds and cravats!!!!!) most stressful time of my life but so worth it when I saw her face! She couldn't get the colour she wanted and couldn't afford to pay anyone, young love makes me very generous - 30 odd hours of sewing later- she was very appreciative though.
Also like the idea of 100 items decluttered and £100 made. I might try something similar when I get back from holiday in two weeks - probably aim at 30 items...hmm maybe a few more. Will ponder whilst away.

NinjaSavingKat

Good Day chickadees!

I have had a spendy day today but at least scored a free Cafe Nero Tea with my full reward card. Prepping my bits for my week long holiday in Italy. I shall be leaving pointers as I will be off-line for the ENTIRE 7-days! Can you all cope! :rotfl:

So I have had my nails done today! Pre-planned and budgeted for cause they make me feel glamorous but good grief they are making it really hard to type!:p..

So like a good traveller I have left all my washing and packing to the last minute so guess what I am doing tonight... colour co-coordinator my clothes so I don't look like a tramp in Milano...:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

In response to those not wanting to use stamps, feeling embarrassed, or ignoring the rule altogether...WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE! Are you not hardened penny-pinching money-grabbing money-saving hunters...? :T

Compliment them, don't ask for anything and see what you get. Send emails if you really want to, but at least be witty.. don't be embarrassed though.. ask for a free lip balm from Nivea ... see what happens..? Some guy did it for 100 companies in the States.. over 50% replied with free gifts...worth a shot. Mine are all going to be cosmetic companies..:T

So I have spend a bit today.. so much coming for my birthday party, over budgeted for cat stuff so saved £70.. (spoiled brat)..so think it can all balance out. Shall be doing some calculations in a bit...

Onwards and Upwards!