2014 Frugal Living Challenge

kb_soma

Cantfindafreeuserid wrote: »

Thank you so much I think I will try the first one as I only like coconut straight from the shell :-)

Thankfully I have some of those ingredients already hopefully it won't cost loads to get the rest or failing that I will do it week by week :-)

I found the link for the recipe that I use for the home style curry, so I have added that to the post too. We made that one with leftover meat from Christmas day on boxing day, just added the cooked meat after browning the spices.

SarahB1989_2

Walked out of the hospital after a 12 hour shift and automatically headed in the direction of the supermarket to get a ready meal as cba to cook. Then realised that without a microwave (hospital flat comes with an oven and kettle only!) it would take just as long as cooking from scratch, so have sweet potatoes in the oven roasting away with a homemade salsa to put on top. Second NSD this week!

Living proof, I was always particular about colouring my hair every six weeks (or even sooner, it's red so fades quickly) but have left it longer this time and fiddled with my hair so less roots are showing (long ex-fringe covers ones round my forehead, hair tied loosely back means the only bits showing are right on top of my head so you need to be taller than me to see them), and so far I'm at seven weeks and reckon I can get another week or so out of it, though it's very auburny instead of red now. My maths is awful but I think colouring it every 8 instead of every 6 weeks saves 25%, which is enough for me to put up with it!

Cantfindafreeuserid

kb_soma wrote: »

I found the link for the recipe that I use for the home style curry, so I have added that to the post too. We made that one with leftover meat from Christmas day on boxing day, just added the cooked meat after browning the spices.

Thank you I have bookmarked them all :-)

PlymouthMaid

Hi all - am going to join this thread as although I don't really overspend I also do not earn enough for my outgoings. My OH is not earning at present which is our main problem and I live in terror of being poorly as I do not get much in the way of sick pay.

I think I am pretty frugal in that I never buy lunch for work or takeaway food or coffees. I do have to run a car for work but seriously limit its use otherwise. I go out just once a week and it costs me around £2.50 so I do not go round wasting my money. I also batch cook and freeze meals and make a lot of presents.

The things I find crippling are utility bills and it really doesn't help that we have the highest water bills in the country so despite being on a meter with only two of us, the bill is still over £50 a month. I have seriously cut back on the heating this year so am hoping I will see a difference in the bills.

I need to get more frugal to
a) clear the credit card of approx £2500 and stop needing to be in £1000 of overdraft each month just to survive.

b) if situation ever improves I desperately need dental treatment and work done on my house (and that may then allow me to get a lodger).

I am now going to read the previous 30 odd pages for tips etc.

Buffythedebtslayer

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

It's like I have been de-Frugalled!!!
I had to shop yesterday and was ok, £19.40 for the week - bear in mind tho that is just my breakfast/lunch and food for the gps.

Then today, I had to buy a balloon for a special birthday and I got a water bottle for £2......Clarks had a sale, so I bought two pairs of shoes.......one pair to be honest I will probably return as I can't strictly walk in them....... that was £44 pounds (50% sale).
as Mum is going away I bought a meal from Sainsbury's plus desert as a treat, and then they had a pair of Straighteners reduced from 50 to 20 pounds. plus a present for a friend.


£34 pounds later and I am going out to dinner tomorrow AND I am supposed to be buying a new car.................


*need to be locked up*


Please don't throw me off the challenge......will do better next week promise.

Evening Ladies,


I returned one pair of shoes. Paid off a bit more of the CC. I have put down a deposit on the car. Very nervous about driving a new car.


Also forgot - don't ask me how, that I had spent on my other credit card that plus the regular petrol spends on my tes 'os card (for points) has been interesting.


I should be ok but roll on payday!

Pixie5740

January is shaping up to be an epic fail for me. I'm only just starting to get my !!!! in gear after my Christmas break. I've bought lunches every day at work, had takeaway for dinner tonight, and mis-budgeted by £1,000 this month

kb_soma

Pixie5740 wrote: »

January is shaping up to be an epic fail for me. I'm only just starting to get my !!!! in gear after my Christmas break. I've bought lunches every day at work, had takeaway for dinner tonight, and mis-budgeted by £1,000 this month

It's not too late to start. It has proven to be a little expensive for me too. I started on sunday. Good luck!

Buffythedebtslayer

Pixie5740 wrote: »

January is shaping up to be an epic fail for me. I'm only just starting to get my !!!! in gear after my Christmas break. I've bought lunches every day at work, had takeaway for dinner tonight, and mis-budgeted by £1,000 this month

Rome was not built in a day.


I had fish and chips Friday, bought expensive quiche for lunch and have generally behaved as tho I don't have debts and am not spending 3500 on a car. Hell I didn't really know you could make quiche or coleslaw at home!


I am going to keep a spending diary (esp, for sneaky Amazon purchases) and try my damnest not to give up.


Me personally - I am a right one for wanting everything to be perfect and do give up if it isn't, but I am NOT going to this time. I am going to get back on track. I bloody well am and so will you XX

kb_soma

Cantfindafreeuserid wrote: »

I really need to go through the freezer and cupboard and list everything...

That is my plan for tomorrow! I dont want to buy any more food this month if possible. Im sure there's some edible gold hiding somewhere . Once all the food has gone, I can then defrost the freezer!

LizH

Hi,

I've been very ill and it has taken 3 years to get back on my feet. You can imagine what this has done to our finances with only my OH working.
I have just started a new job and the light at the end of the tunnel has been ignited.
Whilst recovering I've come up with some ingenious ideas for saving money and have tried the plant pot heater which does work but you need 2 for a normal sized lounge.
It's going to take some time to dig ourselves out of debt.
Looking forward to this new year and just being here. :j