2014 Frugal Living Challenge

alja

TM6 sending you lots of love! x

Well I haven't spent any money since Sunday, so I'm pretty happy about that! Payday on Friday, not sure how much I can put into savings just yet, but hopefully a good enough chunk.

I did mention in here a few weeks ago about possibly booking a £120 hotel room (1 night!) for after my friends' wedding, however I'm re-thinking this now, as this week I viewed a couple of properties with the idea of possibly buying.

After looking at what my finances would be like after buying a house, things would be extremely tight. I don't think I will be buying anything unless I get a good deal, but it has really made me think that cutting back just that little bit more on my spending would be a good idea and could really make the difference.

So I am definitely up for continuing this frugal living challenge for the year!! I don't usually set any budgets, as I still live at home and don't have many bills etc. but I feel it could help me reign things in a little if I did... Will have to write things down and set a few I think!

skintygerlinky

Evening all xx

First up - glad this thread is so supportive when we have a bad day. We are entitled to have them!! Some days you can feel 'what's the point of all this?' especially if we are just feeling permanently skint. However, when we're back on an even keel we can completely see the positive things we're doing money-wise and the amazing examples we're setting to kids, family and friends.
Keep it up folks! We're all here to be positive for each other when we can't manage to do it for ourselves xxx

For me, I've kind of realised that this month I needed to put the breaks on and change my way of thinking and next month I need to address sticking to an actual budget. I've got a 'cash notebook' thing to start jotting all spends down from next month.

Next month...oh god bring on next month!!! Not getting paid til a week Friday RAAAAAARGH!! Who's idea of a joke is this?!!

littleskintdragon

Hugs to all that need them!

Had a frugal day, only spent to post an e3ay parcel and bought one stamp,but parcel was covered by buyer so a cheap day.
Havent been food shopping this week at all, need to buy some potatoes, had pasta tonight to make up for it.cooked wayyy to much, but dh can take it for lunch tomorrow.

Very busy day planned tomorrow which im dreading! Need to make it as frugal as possible despite not being home for my meals etc!

samtoby

TM6 wrote: »

In need of TLC today - 4th anniversary of my darling Dad's death and I am feeling a bit weepy.

Hope you don't mind me sharing :A

Hugs its the fourth year of my dad in August

Frugalsod

Well was a naughty frugaler. I spent some money buying some blackboard piggy banks. I have some regular annual expenses and want to save up for some other things without detracting from my overall targets. So I will have a piggy bank with a target in chalk on each and will put some money in each week into each piggy bank. It is not as if I am losing any interest in my account. Then I can empty it each year or when I want to get what ever is on my piggy bank has reached its target.

mummy2threeboys

hobbycraft have a sale on..also anyone getting married on a budget? http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/sale/party-and-wedding?resultsPerPage=100

Coulddobetter

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::
TM6 sorry that you feel low. It is hard sometimes. I lost my dad 7 years ago and miss his ways everyday.

Had to get tablets from vets today but other than that no spending. Oops just remember owe OH £5 for a bag of potatoes. Hopefully tomorrow will be a no spend day. Taken fish pie out the freezer for dinner tomorrow and have lots of cake and pudding in the house. Still working our way through the Christmas chocolates:eek: should be watching my weight but that seems to be wishful thinking at the moment.

CDBx

Buffythedebtslayer

It's not been great here either, I bought chips for tea, not a huge deal but ruined my no spend day am again waiting for the weekend and haven't been bothered to do anything tonight.


Shortie I am with you on the does it ever end and the trying to be grateful and I am, but ughhhhhh. Does make me more sure I don't want more debt but just keep thinking I need to x y z and when will I ever have the money.


and TM. I lost my Dad 7 years ago, will be 8 this year. am still overcome by the loss. hate talking about it. Miss him so much. so hugs XXX


Decided to give myself a break overall. IF I make through January with no OD and can pay off my cc bill a bit I shall be happy and begin anew in February.


hugs for everyone hang on in there XXX

littleskintdragon

Feeling a bit like i could easily let things slip, so came on here last night to read & feel motivated, was thinking about going to mr.t and filling up my trolley as theres a few bits i need. I really dont need a £50/£60 shop though, its just a way to know ive got everything i use. Its amazing how little ive actually used from my freezer despite not doing a 'big' shop this year yet.
I think ill pop to 41di after i take ds to baby group this morning, with my list, need fruit & veg really, and milk.

Im finding nsd hard to come by without buying bigger. Ive walked to the shops the past twice to make sure im limited in what i buy.its over a 3 mile round trip to mr.t/41di so it keeps me fit 2!

Shortie

Morning all, feelinga bit better this morning but pooped as I went to bed late, whoops

GinnyKnit thanks for the sweet words, and hope hubby perks up a little bit xx. But in the mean time, decluttering feels so good doesn't it?


So, I 'twigged' we had some fresh eggs from my new baldies so have carefully packed two in a butter tub for work today along with two slices of bread and butter. Now just to decide if I want a dribbly poached egg sarnie for breakfast with tom soup (drawer stash) for lunch, of the sarnie for lunch and porridge for breakfast

Either way it's a tasty break from the norm so feels like a cheeky one for free

I also finally mamanged to get a nice slouchy beanie hat crochet pattern working with wool and hooks I have in, though I over estimated the starting ring size and I'm not sure it'll stay on my head - I might need to cut some eye holes, haha. So I think tonight I'll undo it and make it smaller. But I don't mind as I've twigged the pattern now so it should be quicker to crack on tonight. Feels rewarding though as it's a lovely stitch I've never seen before, I need a hat, I love crafting and this was 'free' from my stash, could be a pressie idea for next Christmas, AND I'm chuffed I didn't fluff up and have to unpick yet another new pattern - woo hoo

Just today to go in work and tomorrow I can get up later, have breakfast witt the kids and do the school run, freeze over a cuppa in the garden and crack on in the freah outdoor. Bring it on

xxx