2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Shortie

ALJA wrote: »

The next thing to keep an eye on is my phone contract. It's due to end in a couple of months time. So I'm going to note down how many texts, mins and how much data I use over the next couple of months to make sure I get the cheapest tariff I can get for what I need

If your phone is still okay, why not look at a sim only rolling 1 month contract? Last year I moved from an expired contract with one provider to another and took up their sim-only monthly contract and saved loads but was getting the same amount of minutes, texts and data.. I finally caved and went for a new phone about 6 months later but this phone seems soooo much better than my old one so I hope this one will let me stay on the sim-only for longer

tatabubbly

TM6 wrote: »

I'm intrigued - what part of the world are you in?

Also could you not have a party in one place and everyone brings a bottle?

I'm in the middle east! Flights are usually around €600 return to dublin so I'm chuffed to bits to get a free flight!

Ah, I wish I could have a party but lots of people in different places of Ireland! But we decided not to let anyone know we are coming home as we have a few wedding things to sort out anyway! Turns out my auntie is going to be home from Scotland as well when I get back so I get to see her as well :T

Today, I've already went to my exercise class (paid off already) and having a LSD by heading to the local shop for some milk and fruit later on.
I'm trying to use up all my body scrubs/lotions etc as I have one or two now that I bought that were reduced in Boots and BOGOF as well! :rotfl: I have enough sun lotion to last us the summer and that is saying something!

SarahB1989_2

Off sick today so having a very frugal day. Feeling thankful for being in Scotland atm so at least prescription to fix this will be free! And have time to lay in bed with laptop and catch up on my surveys and comps.

sparrer wrote: »

Have been considering re-joining the gym but really can't afford it, then today I was fortunate enough to be offered a treadmill which is coming at the weekend. It might stop my 'window shopping' trips which I use as an excuse for exercise

Nice one! I can't afford to rejoin the gym either so downloaded the Nike Training Club app on my phone instead - it takes you through the equivalent of a gym class but means I can do it at home. Some of the sessions include dumbbells etc but there's usually something lying around the house that I can use (1l of liquid is roughly a kilo so tend to use a bottle of spirits and try not to drink it after )

abby1234519

SarahB1989 wrote: »

Nice one! I can't afford to rejoin the gym either so downloaded the Nike Training Club app on my phone instead - it takes you through the equivalent of a gym class but means I can do it at home. Some of the sessions include dumbbells etc but there's usually something lying around the house that I can use (1l of liquid is roughly a kilo so tend to use a bottle of spirits and try not to drink it after )

I love xbox Kinect, I have a 360 and use Your Shape Fitness evolved for warming up and they have various routines. The bollywood is hysterical. I also just bought a kettlebell DVD, I am lucky enough to be able to access youtube on our downstairs television, our screen is a 50inch so I thought the videos would distort but they don't so I use FitnessBlenders workout videos. They are really really good, they range from 10 minutes to 2 hours!

I might return the DVD I don't think I need it now I've discovered fitnessblender

skintygerlinky

Hi Frugalites xx

Not sure of etiquette here re: directing people to other posts, so apologies if I'm out of order. I've just posted in 'Debt Free Diaries' about my relationship with money over the years. It's a longer version of stuff I've mentioned here ie my emotional spending habits and their consequences.

If anyone reads it and leaves any comments it will be appreciated - it's titled 'Money and Me - a Love/Hate story'. Sorry again if I'm overstepping the mark by mentioning it here.

his_missus

skintygerlinky - I don't think anyone will have a problem with you sharing your own diary at all.

Off for a read now.

Frugalsod

SarahB1989 wrote: »

Off sick today so having a very frugal day. Feeling thankful for being in Scotland atm so at least prescription to fix this will be free! And have time to lay in bed with laptop and catch up on my surveys and comps.



Nice one! I can't afford to rejoin the gym either so downloaded the Nike Training Club app on my phone instead - it takes you through the equivalent of a gym class but means I can do it at home. Some of the sessions include dumbbells etc but there's usually something lying around the house that I can use (1l of liquid is roughly a kilo so tend to use a bottle of spirits and try not to drink it after )

Bags of sugar are also handy. Though anything that you can get your hands on will work.

Goldiegirl

I had my eyes tested this morning - I get a free test as my mum had glaucoma. This is an eye condition where raised pressure in the eye can cause blindness if untreated. The pressure in my eyes is higher than average, but this is normal for me. I used to go to the hospital each year for a check up, but I was discharged as there was no sign of glaucoma. Today I had a higher than my average eye pressure reading in my right eye, so I've got to go back to the opticians in 6 months. It's just a precaution, and I'm sure nothing is wrong, but I hope they don't refer me back to the hospital, as the wait in the waiting room was always at least two hours!


It was the last week of the £5 off voucher if you spend over £25 in M&S. I do like an M&S meal for our Sunday dinner treat, so I stocked up - but in future I won't be doing it so often. When you start paying more attention to meal costs it really brings it home how expensive M&S can be. I'm not going to give up M&S altogether as I enjoy their food, but I think I'll go down to an M&S meal every other week to start with, and then maybe once a month.


I prefer gradual change, as it's easier to sustain those changes

kb_soma

skintygerlinky wrote: »

Hi Frugalites xx

If anyone reads it and leaves any comments it will be appreciated - it's titled 'Money and Me - a Love/Hate story'. Sorry again if I'm overstepping the mark by mentioning it here.

Heading over for a read...

sparrer

SarahB1989 wrote: »

Off sick today so having a very frugal day. Feeling thankful for being in Scotland atm so at least prescription to fix this will be free! And have time to lay in bed with laptop and catch up on my surveys and comps.

Nice one! I can't afford to rejoin the gym either so downloaded the Nike Training Club app on my phone instead - it takes you through the equivalent of a gym class but means I can do it at home. Some of the sessions include dumbbells etc but there's usually something lying around the house that I can use (1l of liquid is roughly a kilo so tend to use a bottle of spirits and try not to drink it after )

Feel better soon Sarah. Another reason for not joining the gym again is copd, seems the only machines I can use without extra strain are the treadmill and the rowing machine and both are directly under air con blowers so the cold air contracts my lungs even more! I can walk at home while listening to the radio and not feel guilty that i'm not doing anything . I also have some weights 2.5kg and 4kg which I'm told are good to carry when walking so might try that once I've got used to the 'new' treadmill.

Having a nsd/npd so I can catch up on bits of housework that need doing before the weekend and some surveys,so not a totally wasted day.