2014 Frugal Living Challenge

TM6

23rdspiral wrote: »

You can tell I'm feeling better, right?!

Anyway, just found this advice re managing/sticking to a budget and i think it's brilliant, so I had to share it here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=64232618&postcount=5

It is SO brilliant - I have printed it out to show all the family and keep as a reminder :T

kb_soma

Good morning all, a nsd yesterday for me. Made a stew from 2 chicken legs, a stew pack from ald!, some old carrots, old onions and potatoes from Christmas totalling around £3. This made 24 portions which will be feeding me for most of the month for lunches. These are all in the freezer. The OH made me lunch for today so I get a break from stew!

Did a freezer/cupboard stock check yesterday and have asked OH to tick anything off the list that he uses. It's amazing how much food we have squirrelled away! I think tonight, I should try to make a meal plan to use up this stuff.

Hoping to not spend much money before the end of the month so I can get gas/electric DD's set up and not be too much in arrears.

Well done all! I must admit, I am completely hooked on the forum.

Smarter_and_harder

Hi everyone,

And a very frugal Monday to you all :-)

I have found subscribing to this thread and reading all the updates on the email each morning so helpful and inspiring so thanks for all your stories.

I am so impressed by some of you with your cooking skills! That's an area of improvement for me - I never spend any time cooking and would like to try a bit more.

But we have really been watching our pennies in other areas, clocked up lots of NSDs and really thought about what we are buying before we buy it. And then not bought it! Result!

We've made some money on fleabay/gumtr33/zum* and z*ffit, and I am trying with Nectar Adpoints too.. although I didn't make 250 points this week as the videos stopped offering points. Is that normal?!

I have started on Swagbucks but think I am missing something! I have seen people say they have earned money on there but over two days I only got to 98 points! Not sure that is working out for me!

I have applied to textbroker though, written some reviews on dooyoo and joined a mystery shopping board. Must try and keep those up. I have said my OH can have a PS4 if we earn it through points and vouchers! At the rate I am going he could have one in time for the PS5!

I know have a long way to go on my frugal living challenge, but I am pleased that I have started and grateful to you all for your help!

nikki2002-2008

My month officially started today as all my money came in last night I am on budget for the month budget wise and I have paid £3559.12 off in debts god that looks a scary amount in black and white. All the pay day loans and credit card is paid and £750 has gone to mum, it feels like a huge weights been lifted off my shoulders. I won't be paying much until April now as that's the next time my student money comes in. Paid mum just at the right time a she is on holiday at the moment so she will be pleased to have plenty of spending money now.

littleskintdragon

Morning everyone, school run done and kitchen cleaned before i tackle the dump dd calls a bedroom! :eek:

Made 8 portions of soup last night in the soup maker using a stew pack and couple of old potatoes. So theres a massive bowl of soup in the fridge for us all

In laws cook a roast and invite us every week, so sundays are fairly frugal.

Havnt got a lot left in stores. We have 4 misc tins, and 4 tins of beans. Have started buying as we need so they'll stay low now.
Baking cupboard has loads in, but im trying to use up all xmas goodies before i start baking more. Also have lots of bread making supplies in store.
Hoping not to shop until the end of the week if not longer for food.

Today i plan to start my notebook, and write in all spends before i forget. I'm going to itemise as said above so that i know where it all goes. Dont know who said about make up etc but i like thay idea to buy when its on offer so thanks

I have a slight issue im trying to work out. We are a family of 4, one being a bery small very sicky baby, so we have plenty of clothes washing. Now i'm determine to not use the tumble dryer, but also trying to keep the heating off where possible, which means nothing is drying, and the weather is rubbish?
What do u do? I cant get to the bottom of it?

cydney65

Ordered cot mattress and sheets yesterday. This has come out of my spends so not too worried. Wish this grandchild would hurry up, we are dying to meet them Got the mattress at a good price and it exceeds all safety standards so it's all good.

Will pick up other nursery bits from Mr Ts today and visit all the supermarkets at the same time. Will also get a free car-wash from the dealer we leased the car from. Doing well on petrol so far this month (we are being really careful).

Yesterday I found out that the local (20 miles away) cinema has some live National Theatre screenings this year. I love going to the theatre in London but it's soooo expensive when you live in Cumbria. I'm really chuffed that I can go and see King Lear live, in the Carlisle, for £13. OH is going to buy it for me for my birthday yay. Still saving up for Hamlet though, possibly in the Autumn.

Talked to ex over Facebook yesterday (this is the only way he will communicate with me) about DD1's trip to China. He has offered to pay for her plane tickets which has stunned me. I know he was really expecting me to say 'Oh I'll go halves' but he does so little for her-she has autism and he has never really bonded with her or paid her much attention-that I'm willing to let him pay for the tickets! We look after her and pay for just about all her needs so I don't feel too bad, but there is always this feeling of guilt when I deal with him. Sorry I'll stop whittering on, just needed to get that out!

Yesterday's dinner was bendy carrot, xmas potatoes and parsnips with pie from the freezer. Plenty of veg left over for either soup or bubble today. We are actually eating better being frugal than we have before which is great. Next month we will need to stock up though, but I have registered as a new customer with Mr S and Mr T and have some codes and cashback which can be used, so that will help.

Have a great day everyone!

littleskintdragon

cydney65 wrote: »

Ordered cot mattress and sheets yesterday. This has come out of my spends so not too worried. Wish this grandchild would hurry up, we are dying to meet them Got the mattress at a good price and it exceeds all safety standards so it's all good.

Will pick up other nursery bits from Mr Ts today and visit all the supermarkets at the same time.

4sda baby event starts thurs, not sure if u know or have one near but theres some good offers. Some can only be ordered online though.

cydney65

littleskintdragon wrote: »

4sda baby event starts thurs, not sure if u know or have one near but theres some good offers. Some can only be ordered online though.

Thank you, I will hold back any more baby spending and wait for Thursday

Blindsided_2

Nsd today for me, waiting in for yodel to collect a parcel, this should be fun they prob won't show up! Resisted temptation over the weekend to get chippy tea, it's just laziness but tastes so yummy!
Hopefully not much spending rest of the week other than the dreaded dentist tomorrow, getting a taxi as it works out cheaper than the 2 buses I would need!
Had a good rummage round the freezers and was shocked by the amount I have in there, other than essentials I won't be food shopping for a good few weeks!

mummy2threeboys

Morning whole new week already!
Nothing to report, meal planned about tescos delivery and ordered food accordingly, need to check my bank, have last of money paid in tommorrow then nothing for 3 weeks, have about £100 to last which thankfully is just extra spends, days out, treats, small household repairs and any food top ups if we need it..seems lots when i think about it , but last month i spent almost £50 in food top ups..need to stop that.
Made cheese and carrot cakes with those horrid cranberry cheese..it was fine! Humm thats about it , look at surverys and freebie sites. Made my first 310 for the year with swagbucks..pay that off my cancelled cc..(as i cant take it back then lol)

Love the idea about rounding up the odd pennys, i think ill do that with my bank, transer the odd bit to the savings account then when it gets to a certain amount transfer that to the cc. All adds up!

lets bust that debt lol..have a great week all xx