2014 Frugal Living Challenge

xnatalie81x

I am in - again x

meg72

ArthriticOldThing wrote: »

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.

Just a thought, how small is your pension, I have basic state pension and guaranteed pension credit so get full help with my rent and CT, are you claiming everything you are entitled to?

jammy_dodger

hi I'd love to join this challenge please . I have a few debts I need to clear in 2014 / 2015 at the latest

so wish to spend as little as possible and throw my cash at reducing them .I have managed to get them on 0% interest so want them cleared .

i have joined the NSD challenge this month and I am going to write down ALL my spends in a note book to keep track

best of luck folks JD xx

Frugalsod

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Flipping heck... went shopping yesterday afternoon, in various shops, and you would swear it was the end of the world and everyone was prepping for months .. shopping trollies were over flowing, with, well what the adverts and supermarkets say you should be eating over Christmas... and I bet a lot of those people will be saying how they buy too much food over Christmas.. lol... I must have had the smallest amount of stuff going through the checkouts..

Yes so many people go crazy for Christmas. Though if it is food that can be stored for months then it could get them through any storms in the new year.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Frugalsod wrote: »

Yes so many people go crazy for Christmas. Though if it is food that can be stored for months then it could get them through any storms in the new year.

unless they had the !!!!!! to freeze it then maybe, But it was a lot of fancy fresh stuff....

quidsy

Well ths snowman was good, more a dance comedy kids show than a real ballet but ds liked it. Had lunch after but weather was so bad we came home at 3.

Got in to a delish hm soup that was simmering in the slow cooker. Now watching a movie in pj's. Lol

Tomorrow is santa visit and a trip to morries for milk, egg, bread and kitchen roll, the total of my shopping needs this week. Lol. If it is anything like our iceland today as we went past on the way from the station it will be mentals. So glad I did the rest online.

debtfree2014

What a fabulous thread. I am new to this site, just started a Diary off for 2014. But I am starting now.

I do not have excessive debt but its enough to stop me saving. I have the means to live comfortable, if I get rid of my debt and watch what I am spending.

[Deleted User]

Its lovely to see this thread so busy and so many people joining for next year. I am going to have a think of my frugal plans for 2014 and post them up later. Lots if inspiration on here.

I think during my hols I am going to look at trying to set up my cupboard under the stairs as a pantry again. Need to have a real think about this as lost of space taken up with boiler and pipework and electrics fuse box which we do need access to. I will challenge myself to come up with something and try and do it cost free!! I will have a root around in the loft to see what I can use instead.

TattyG

Can I join please. Just need to reign in the spending and become a bit more frugal !!

No real debts to speak of (1 or 2 that will be finished by Feb/Mar) so we need to be working on getting some savings behind us, ideally enough for a new (to us) car at some point in 2014 and just some fr emergencies.

Thankfully we do have money coming in but it does seem to go out again just as quick and on nothing in particular !? just joined the Sealed Pot Challenge and will be reading up on some other ideas. I am also an avid comper and use any wins for presents throughout the year so will try harder to keep birthdays and next Christmas money neutral

Looking forward to getting to know you all x

[Deleted User]

Right, spreadsheet done. Ideas for reducing costs are:

Forage more - make use of wildraspberries, brambles; blackcurrants from own garden etc

Make use of my local library instead of buying magazines or more books.

Aim to spend £25 - £30 max per week on Food. Use MSE Grocery Challenge for inspiration.

Bulk Buy where possible when things on special offer.

Reuse bread bags to take sandwiches to work. Cut down on use of tin foil etc for wrapping food.

Batch cook where possible and freeze portions. Cook from scratch.

Eliminate takeaways - this will also be good for my waistline as I have a lotof weight to lose.

Cut down on car use - if I am travelling within my local town I intend to walkto my destination eg: going to the shops, visiting friends and family etc. Weather permitting!


Re-use Christmas cards as gift tags for next year and/or as postcards to write'thank you' notes on for my Christmas gifts. I will not need to buy any cards or gift wrap for next year as I have enough in my stash already.

Re-use any gift bags I receive gifts in.

Hand-make some birthday and Christmas gifts this year. I had planned to do this in 2013 but didn't. Need to start really early for this.

Eat 'basics' once or twice a week eg: soup and (home-made) pudding for dinner.

Boil kettle once a day and fill flasks.

Try to minimise use of heating in winter – use of throws/hotwater bottles etc

Always take my lunch to work.

Aim to create pantry in cupboard under the stairs to storedry food and bulk bought loo rolls etc.

I do many of these already but some sporadically. I need to be more consistent. I am aiming to reduce my costs by around £2k this year. I will also be looking for cheaper option holidays so need to shop around for ideas.