2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugalsod

nat21luv wrote: »

I look forward to seeing you on an episode of Extreme Cheapskates soon!

I am not that bad. I have my weaknesses. So will have expensive computers and gadgets but do not see the point of paying over the odds for heating in a draughty house.

Just_be_2

I've got a little stash of receipts waiting to be written into my book as I've avoided doing it the past few days (old habits die hard!) but having just gone through and straightened them out and put them on the desk ready to do when LO naps there doesn't seem to be half as many or for half as much as I thought! Working myself up over nothing! This, in my opinion, shows progress- as although I'm still avoiding the topic to a certain extent, I have actually quite dramatically changed the habit of spending in the first place! That's got to be better than continuing to spend left right and centre with very consistent recording in my book!

icontinuetodream

More of a lurker than poster but thought I would just drop in and say how the determination and focus shown on this board is amazing!!

I have been a bit remiss on the frugal front here and there recently, but now have to really rein it in and get back in the swing of things...I am about to start a new job which is about half the salary of my last one but will hopefully be much more satisfying....I am good with food generally, but will have to keep the momentum up for a much longer period now and my fuel bills are huge so I really need to address this too!!

The plan is to utilise everything I have to minimise my costs...I have started off some salad leaves, am currently chitting potatoes and will have my greenhouse up and running within the next two weeks - in the spring, I will be planting French beans, chard, runner beans, broad beans, courgettes and tomatoes.....some of which I will freeze or dehydrate to use through the winter months....I will also forage for berries during the summer and autumn as we have a lot of wild fruit growing locally.

Fuel wise, I will start using my washing line which has been in situ for almost two months now without coming out of its protective casing!!!:o:o:o I also have access to free wood but I still need to get my wood store built and a sewing machine which I can use to line my curtains.....

If only I spent as much time doing stuff as I do planning it!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

nat21luv

Im only jesting with you Frugaldom I would do the same if I didn't have LOs. I am going to try out the terracotta pot and candle idea though, its not that cold in my house upstairs, its just the living/dining room that is rather large and the only room I have the radiator on in. Like others, Ive noticed that it isn't my gas bill that's the issue, its the electric. My electric bill has gone up from £27 to £65pm!! Ive shopped around but sadly npower are still cheaper but on a different tariff. Managed to get it down to £57 so not great but it'll do.

MallyGirl

ellie-g wrote: »

Hi All

I am with Npower and my dd was £50 (dual fuel). All of a sudden they put it up to £75 on 'forecast useage' . I disputed this, searched for a better tariff as well and now I have gone down to £40 per month. One of things I did notice is that even though the electricity constitutes only 1/6 of my total energy use, the cost of the electricity is almost half the total bill!

My bill is pretty evenly split too.

After spending ages on the phone to npower the other day telling them their forecast was pants they agreed to drop my DD from £205 to £180. Today I got an email telling me they were putting it up to £330 :eek: Cue another long call but at least they read the notes and overrode the amount. They are also issuing another bill as I still think I will be in credit.
We have the stat set to 16 for the main house but the rads turned off in rooms we don't often use like the dining room. It is on for 1.5 hours in the morning and from 5 - 9:30 at night. Water is just an hour in the morning and another 1 at night. We recently had a big orangery extension built with under floor heating and that is set higher at 22 but it is only on till 8am and then for a couple of hours in the evening - when the sun comes out it heats the rest of the house as it is south facing and very insulated.
On a frugal note I am going to try cooking a curry tomorrow using one of the 'just like an Indian restaurant' recipes with a curry base. OH insists that Friday night is curry night and it is playing havoc with my attempt to diet - at least if I cook I know what goes in it and we will save some money.

[Deleted User]

My frugal attempts have gone to the dogs with the way I have been feeling lately. My grocery bill this month will be way over what I was aiming for.

Tonight we are going to use up some bits and bobs from the fridge and freezer and have an 'all day breakfast' type dinner.

findingmyfeet

afternoon all,

sorry not had chance to post much but still trying frantically to read and catch up with all the postings.

January wsnt such a bad month, not a huge amount of money saved but no overspending either. Had unexpected prescriptions to pay for and helped DD out with a few bags of shopping-shes a uni student with little money and only asks when really struggling-but i managed to jiggle things around and cut back to keep in budget.

Staying in budget kept me in the house evenings and weekends but found out some balls of wool from my stash and knitted granddaughter a nice cardigan for spring, so someone got the benefit. already started another, but this also saved me quite a bit on petrol too.

dad visited today with more sprouts and leeks from his allotment so leek and potatoe soup for tomorrow and veggies for the weekend.

Making my list tonight for meals for february ( late starter) and need to add in a nice frugal 2/3 course meal for valentines night. refuse to go out far too expensive but will set the table nicely , cook and get out wine and chocs i saved from christmas. DH will think ive treated him hes no idea ive had them hidden away.

ellie-g

[Deleted User] wrote:

My frugal attempts have gone to the dogs with the way I have been feeling lately.

Talking about going to the dogs....last friday I went out for a meal. Although we only had main courses there was so much food left over I asked for it to be put in a doggie bag. Felt a bit embarassed but thought, "what the heck, we've paid for it".

My dogs literally wolfed it down. They seemed to enjoy it so much better than their usual dried food. I will ask everytime now -without shame!

Frugalsod

[Deleted User] wrote:

My frugal attempts have gone to the dogs with the way I have been feeling lately. My grocery bill this month will be way over what I was aiming for.

Tonight we are going to use up some bits and bobs from the fridge and freezer and have an 'all day breakfast' type dinner.

Don't worry. We all have bad days. So far this month has been expensive but today I got some more cash back with this weeks top up shop. Hopefully these plus my order for a large fruit and veg will get me through the rest of the month.

happybird71

I was priding myself on having a NSD but 2 yr old DS1 just broke our £70 Vax mop. I could cry! We have a lot of tiled floors in our house. Added to his list of a wrecked Apple laptop after knocking a glass of water on it (and not our laptop!! Paid £200 insurance excess) and dropping the iPad in the bath ( it still works!) this boy is not getting pocket money until he's at least 15!!