2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Florenceem

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

I totally agree with having a pantry if poss, we will be using one of the rooms next to the kitchen in our smallholding, will be racking it out with garage shelving...


as I am a short !!!!!... I cant reach the top shelves in the wall cupboards, so I tend to plonk things in there, and then once they get pushed to the back I cant see them...


Being organised with your cupboards/pantry etc def saves you money. It also gives you peace of mind knowing what you have in, especially in case of an emergency bad weather etc...


Even though I am frugal in general, I really do need to be 'SUPER FRUGAL' in the new year...and also try and declutter an sell our unwanted crap...we are still debating on weather to invest in a poly tunnel

I had a pantry years ago - loved it. Now I use my understairs cupboard for storage of extra dry goods and toilet rolls etc. Just had a new kitchen and decided on no wall units so kitchen didn't feel closed in. So I have less cupboard space in the kitchen but had a utility area installed in garage. This means some cupboards - not on the wall - for cooking tools/equipment that won't fit in the kitchen. I store spare bottles - washing up liquid/wash liquid/fabric conditioner etc + bulk bought tins of food - in the garage.

Florenceem

[Deleted User] wrote:

I love the idea of having a pantry again. I used to have one in my cupboard under the stairs but since I got a combi boiler put in there and put a chest freezer in there its not used as a pantry any more. I think I will look into getting some shelves put in to better use the space next to the boiler in the NY.

I started re-using christmas cards as gift tags several years ago and now look at any cards that come in with an eye to this. The fronts of the really small ones are great to use as gift tags but I also get the pinking shears out and use the bigger ones.

I recycle some of the Christmas cards we receive to make new ones. I add matting/layering/embellishments - I am a card maker. I make 50 business Christmas cards a year for Mr F. He used to buy them ready printed - so expensive - I am cheaper. :money:

Frugalsod

Lina_T wrote: »

I've just been for a job interview. the job is a 40-65% increase in my current salary and it's exactly the kind of job I'm looking for so fingers crossed I get it.

I've got another one on Monday too, but the pay isn't as good and I'm not even sure if I even want it.

I loathe interviews.:(

Good luck with the job.

Frugalsod

Excluding rent my living expenses are already well below £4000 a year. The largest item to cut now is my phone contract but will be able to do that next year once my contract is up.

devonsaver1

Count me in please ive been a lurker for awhile and this challenge especially sounds just what I need in my life! After recently opening a new business and putting most of my money in to that im needing to learn to live on alot less untill I start seeing a return! Excited to start!!

mum2one

I've had a rough play around with the budget and after all expenses, I'm allowing myself £50 a month - to cover entertainment, car parking and any extras that I need. I'm trying that for 3 months.
x

quidsy

I'm in.

I've done a rough projected worst case budget;

Yearly food budget = 4,160 (345 pcm)
Work travel = 1,920 (160pcm)
Yearly Personal spending (me & Ds clothes, snacks out etc) = 2,600 (220 pcm)
AND the biggie;
Household expenses including rent, insurances, car running & tax, utiltiles, mobile phone, sky etc = 21,720 (1,810 pcm) :eek:

Of those, only one can't be adjusted & that is work travel. It costs what it costs & it wont be getting cheaper if south eastern rail has it's way

I usually take lunch several times a week but I am attempting to make that 5 days a week, we aready take pack lunch or our own snacks on trips out & I plan on putting a total embargo on eating out next year unless it is a special occasion or we get caught short. OH & I cook seperatly due to our working hours differing but we have already discussed him taking over the cooking in an effort to cut our shopping bill.

My mobile is a whopping 28 quid a month, it doesn't get renewed until September though, so am stuck with it till then.

Sky, internet & house phone are a big expense (70pcm), they are up for renewal in May so will get on to sky & see if I can cut it early or at least reduce it.

Everything else has already been price compared & we are currently getting the best deals, fuel fixed till 2015, home insurance etc.

And the gym (40pcm), due renewal mid year, will be cancelled I have xbox on kinect & it comes with free work out programs & I have alot of kit at home. I just need to find motivation to actually do it.

If things go according to plan I "should" be able to reduce monthly household by approx 100 pcm. Shopping & personal will be month by month, whatever is left over will go into the Christmas piggy bank to pay for holiday food & trips.

On top of this mamouth payout I have already paid 30k debt incl HMRC cut of my wage in the last 2 years, I am 15k away from debt freedom & I plan to make it by at least October (incl tax bill for 2014 save up).

So belts will tighten, life will be frugal, cltohes will be sale or 2nd hand shop bought, things will be resued, food will be stretched & unused things will be sold. :rotfl:

I just have to break it to the men of the house

Mrs_Cheshire

Wow quidsy, you sound very determined! You'll have to let us know how your doing!

Lina_T

Thanks Frugal Sod & Kerry Woman for the good luck, they said it'd be early January when I hear back so I'll update you if I get it. I've cancelled the interview on Monday because it wasn't really what I was looking for.

Quidsy sounds like you're starting out with a ton of motivation, good luck with all your plans :beer:

ArthriticOldThing

Hi. I would like to join this thread. I don't have a lot of debt now but need to get rid of it asap as I live on a small pension which is all going out every month. This challenge is just what I need to get a better grip on things.
My biggest expense is the rent and council tax. Excluding them my other expenses are about £2500 -£3000 a year. Must get it down.