2014 Frugal Living Challenge

his_missus

Put in a meter reading last night and am pleased to say we're still credit and we have used less gas and electric than this time last year. In fact our electricity usage has dropped quite a bit.

I was reading online that the average thermostat is set at 23C. Mine is set to 16C though I set it to 20C for a few hours if I have washing to dry on the radiators. I think 23C seems quite high.

What do you all have your temperature set at? Is your decision affected by how long you're at home during the day or if you have children? We're out of the house from 8.30am till 6pm and there's just us two and the cats.

Katem

cw18 wrote: »

I got membership of Costc0 about 15 months ago, and introduced my OH to the place as my second card holder (I'd been in a few times as a guest, so grabbed membership when they were signing people up at a food festival without asking for the normal proof of working in the selected occupations). Since then he's hardly ever had any Tesc0 points, and I'm only in there about once every 6 weeks instead of weekly. Almost all my fresh shopping (fruit, veg and milk) is done at A1di, which is the closest food shop to me other than a small Mr M and a tiny (and expensive) Co-0p.

I am so surprised at what a difference it's made to me, and made me realise that much of my shopping was done as habit rather than need, even though (arrogantly!) I had assumed I wasn't as daft as the shops thought I was!

Katem

Congrats Cydney65 on your granddaughter

Almost an NSD day today, as I swim frequently I always need 20p for the locker! I find NSDs are almost impossible with three school age kids though, although at the beginning of the pay month, I take out a set amount, split it into four, and use that for everyday spending and don't withdraw aside from that. Cash is king in our house as it is far easier to keep track of that.

Lots of money saving today using up food in the fridge, I'm going to make a carrot cake in 5 mins after my lunch, using leftover pineapple, and also beef tagine for tonight's dinner using Sunday's leftover meat (which was actually frozen at Christmas!).

I made pea and ham soup on Sunday that cost me £2.88, and it's been lunches for me and DH for Mon/Tues/Weds, lunch for DD2 tomorrow and some in the freezer. DH reckoned it was the best soup I'd ever made so a winner all round.

Re temperature of thermostat - mine is set at 20, but tbh I flick the heating on whenever I need to, but only for a short time. I'm such a cold person that I sometimes can't warm up without the extra heating, even with jumpers and blankets etc.

cw18

his_missus wrote: »

I was reading online that the average thermostat is set at 23C. Mine is set to 16C though I set it to 20C for a few hours if I have washing to dry on the radiators. I think 23C seems quite high.

What do you all have your temperature set at? Is your decision affected by how long you're at home during the day or if you have children? We're out of the house from 8.30am till 6pm and there's just us two and the cats.

Mine's set to 18C. It runs for (as best I recall without checking the timer) 1.5hrs in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. I'm around the house pretty much full-time, DS works Mon, Tues, Sat & Sun one week and Wed-Fri to the next (meaning he's around the house for the opposite schedule). OH is here 4pm Sat until Sunday (between noon and 10pm depending on what shift he's about to start). I have kicked it in a half hour early a few evenings, but not often. If DS wants extra heat in his room (he's asked me to kick the heating back on a few times!) I tell him to use an electric heater he has which has a time on it - I'd rather that than heat the whole house and possibly forget to turn the boiler off again!

The only times I run it warmer (up to 20C) or longer during the day is if I have an inactive person in the house (due to age or health), but that's not often. OH's niece is now a very active 3 year-old, so visits from her don't normally merit it anymore.

skintygerlinky

Taadaa wrote: »

Always grease the baking sheet. I can't tell you how many hm pizzas I've ripped in half by not.
I guess the lip is so that it rises higher - don't cut all the way through!
I would blanch the asparagus
Hmmm up to you regarding vinegar
No need for butter under veggies
Give it a go, just nose out for the smell - when something in the oven begins to smell, it's usually just about cooked.

Cheers TaaDaa!! Will crack on with it in a mo and let you know how it goes

Afternoon Frugalites xx
Interesting morning. I've had an account with TeeEssBee for yonks, and then became a joint client with the Black Horse bank after they merged.
Anyway, after the banks split again recently, I've switched my account back to TeeEssBee and went to sort paperwork out today. Ended up having a 'put the world to rights' chat with the advisor!

She mentioned that customers who opened bank accounts when they were young (ie still at school) were given a child friendly chat about money and finance and were given little book (or app!) to jot down their spends, and were encouraged to leave some aside for 'mothers day cards, xmas presents, things you want to save for'.

I asked if this was rolled out - did they have good links with schools in the community for example? She said no - schools just haven't got the time or space any more to accommodate this type of activity. She absolutely sees the need for educating children about finance in year 5 or 6.

In my experience, I can vouch for the schools and colleges I've worked in no longer having time to fit these type of activities in in any meaningful way - we did manage 'industry and enterprise days' on only one day in the whole school year. I would love there to be much more education around money and finance for young people, whether this is actually done in schools or at home - but what do you guys think?? Is this a subject for children and young people??

focus888

Hi All,

NSD yesterday, hoping for another one today. Ideally i should be having today and tomorrow as both NSD to keep on track of my goal for the month.

Rang my internet provider at lunch yesterday to sort out my bill. There should have been a credit on the account which meant it was free for 6 months but they have been deducting some money the last 2 months so now that sorted am happy bunny. :j

Goldiegirl

A bit of spending has been going on here.


I met a friend yesterday evening and we had coffee and a sandwich, and today Mr GG and I went to Bluewater, and had coffee and a cake. Often, in the past we've also had a meal at Bluewater, but this time we bought home an M&S sandwich each. It was still a nice treat, but a lot less than a meal.


I've entered all the expenditure on to my records. The snacks and coffee over the last two days costs £18.95 !!


I'm happy to spend money from time to time like this, as it is enjoyable ...... but can you imagine how much money would be spent by doing this every day. Over a five day week, it'd be getting on for £50. This challenge certainly has made me more aware of what I'm spending.


I didn't buy any clothes at Bluewater, which is almost unheard of, However, I bought a couple of things that I felt I needed. 4 ramekins for my 'mini desserts' that I'm going to do, and also a bread bin. I last had a bread bin about 10 years ago. Since then, I'd just been keeping bread in a cupboard, but now I need that cupboard space for other things. So I feel the bread bin will enhance my life!


On the subject of thermostats. Our thermostat has been set at 18C this winter. Typically we'll have the heating on first thing in the morning until about 9am, and then from about 3.30pm to 9pm.


It has been quite comfortable, although I do wear a jumper during the day


Last year we were at 20C, and had the heating on during the day if someone was at home (5 days out of 7)


We've used 134 less gas units this quarter than we did for the same quarter last year, so this approach has paid off


However, so far it this winter it has been mild. If it did get cold I'd put the heating on if I needed it, and would turn the heating up.

Goldiegirl

skintygerlinky wrote: »

I would love there to be much more education around money and finance for young people, whether this is actually done in schools or at home - but what do you guys think?? Is this a subject for children and young people??

Absolutely a subject relevant to young people, and the earlier the better


At our infants school (1960's) we had a savings club, and took our money in each week. The older children (7 year olds) were allowed to take the money in and write the deposits in the savings book. I don't remember being supervised doing this, but I suppose we must have been.


But it gave us a grounding in the idea of savings, and building up money for something special


It may also have set me off in a career in banking... I started work in a bank when I was 16, and I've been in the financial world ever since.


I think these days, more than ever, education about personal finance is required, especially in this online age.

Buffythedebtslayer

his_missus wrote: »

Put in a meter reading last night and am pleased to say we're still credit and we have used less gas and electric than this time last year. In fact our electricity usage has dropped quite a bit.

I was reading online that the average thermostat is set at 23C. Mine is set to 16C though I set it to 20C for a few hours if I have washing to dry on the radiators. I think 23C seems quite high.

What do you all have your temperature set at? Is your decision affected by how long you're at home during the day or if you have children? We're out of the house from 8.30am till 6pm and there's just us two and the cats.

This is very tricky in my house - I share with my Mum who is currently abroad. When she is here we have it on from 5am till 11 at night at 21C. She is always cold, and likes the house super hot, I don't have the heating on in my room.


Now she is away I have it on from 5.30 till 8, then it comes back on 4 till 11.


As I sit here the house is quite cold tho, we have no doors downstairs and all the heat goes up stairs so it is a bit annoying to say the least.


any tips would be most welcome!

cw18

Goldiegirl wrote: »

At our infants school (1960's) we had a savings club, and took our money in each week. The older children (7 year olds) were allowed to take the money in and write the deposits in the savings book. I don't remember being supervised doing this, but I suppose we must have been.

And through the 70's at our infants and juniors. The top class (10-11 year olds) were the bankers. The head boy and girl got to count it all up at the end of the session and were then trusted to carry it to the PO (3 doors down the road) to pay it in. I recall it vividly as I was head girl for the academic year starting Sep '76