2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Shortie

Florenceem wrote: »

To those feeling hard done by as short of money - I tend to think this way - helps me -
So many in the world have to live on $1 or less a day.
When it is raining - I think -
People in the world are dying/going hungry because of lack of rain to grow crops.
When having ME and osteoarthritis + Menieres's Disease makes me fell sorry for myself - think - of others worse off than me -
I went to visit my cousin yesterday - she is 9 years older than me - has Dementia, many health issues and is now incontinent.
I feel blessed that I have a free bus pass to go and visit her and am fit enough to do so.

True Florenceem, that is a good reminder/perspective, ta x

Goldiegirl

I mentioned yesterday that my car was in for it's service and MOT, and needed a new alternator. plus some other bits. It had to stay in the garage over night, so I collected it this evening.


I was expecting it to cost around £750.00, but it 'only' cost £600, so at least it wasn't as bad as expected.


The new month has started for me as well, as Mr GG gets paid on 20th, and my pension goes in today as well.


A quick review of general spending reveals that this month I spent 90% of my 'post retirement' budget. That doesn't include the car service or the deposit I paid for next years cruise, but does include the coach day trip and 2 theatre outings I've booked for later this year. So 90% is a good result.


The groceries budget will be reviewed when the credit card statements come in, but will definitely be lower than previously.


On the subject of theatre, we've booked to see two shows in Canterbury. Lovely theatre, and more or less half the West End price.


I was at work today, not a NSD due to the car. Not a bad day at work - if it was like that more often, I'd be almost content!

DawnW

mum2one wrote: »

I

Frugal day of cooking treats
Austrian Crunchie (gorgeous)
Cherry Scones
sultana Scones
White Choc Chip mini muffins......

Yum - are we all invited round to yours then

Florenceem wrote: »

To those feeling hard done by as short of money - I tend to think this way - helps me -
So many in the world have to live on $1 or less a day.
When it is raining - I think -
People in the world are dying/going hungry because of lack of rain to grow crops.
When having ME and osteoarthritis + Menieres's Disease makes me fell sorry for myself - think - of others worse off than me -
I went to visit my cousin yesterday - she is 9 years older than me - has Dementia, many health issues and is now incontinent.
I feel blessed that I have a free bus pass to go and visit her and am fit enough to do so.

You are absolutely right Florenceem. One of the posters on the DFW board regularly gives thanks for 3 things in her posts, and it certainly makes you think. I shouldn't moan so much about my job

Second NSD in a row for me today
Packed lunch with me to work as usual, rest of the chilli with jacket potatoes for supper when I got in - and OH cooked it :A

I still haven't claimed the expenses for my trip away last weekend, so I MUST do that tomorrow.

It is Friday tomorrow, and I DON'T have to go away for work this weekend :T :j

[Deleted User]

Not been particularly frugal here of late. My stressed mind can't really get to grips with frugalness at the moment. I went back to work on Tuesday and the school have been really supportive which is great.

I am looking ahead to next month as payday is next week and, despite my overspend things don't look too bad. I suppose what I think of as overspend and frivolous other would think of as nothing much - its a few takeaways and buying my lunches for work out of Mr T, not booking a holiday or buying designer gear so I am not going to be hard on myself and keep on buying those lovely fruity bits I like out of Mr T until I am back to full mental health.

mum2one

A frugal visit to the cinema
bogof - ticket
saved 10% by signing up
found cinema gift card - no idea how much left - enuf for film (41p spare)
took own drinks and popcorn in
collared daddy daring to take up..

So a NSD and DD got to see Mr Peabody and Sherman - brillaint film xx

ginnyknit

Doing well with living of my stocks and had some lovely meals. Yesterday I made flapjacks and today coffee buns, which I stretched with a plain cake mix and made enough for 12 buns for Dgs and a victoria sandwich for us. well the buns are for Dd and her Oh too.

Tomorrow its hospital appointment day so packing lunch and drinks otherwise its probably £1 per bottle of juice in the shop.

Lots of nsd's under my belt this month and more to come. Looking forward to March as I should have more money available to put away after all this months penny pinching.

Fleabay not gone well so may give that a miss for a couple of weeks but have £5 voucher from swagbucks earned this month and £100 from sky after referring Ds - Tesco voucher so will do a big stock up with that and put my housekeeping in the savings box.

Frugalsod

Yesterday ended up being a SD. I bought an upgrade for an app for the US national parks as I am planning a trek around the national parks the app had all that I needed to know. So £8.99 spent but that was all. Overall though last week was very good.

Shortie

Morning all. Food shopping was particularly 'ouch' yesterday as we spent on food and toys...

£80 on food, and not sure how long it will last - there's a lot of atuff in there that is different to what we normally buy as we have started on slimming world. Will have to see how it goes and maybe adjust the shoppinh budget next month..

Also, Mr T were reducing some toys to 25% when we turned up last night. Spent a totally unplanned £40 there but definately worth it as we got some bits for DS2 for Christmas, the last few bits for his birthday, a few stocking fillers for the boys, a pressie for either my goddaughter or friend's daughter, a pressie for my nephew and a couple of travel games too

Definately worth the spend, and grateful that it was last night's ahop and not when I had no money, but means I'm now left with £30ish for the whole month, whoops.

Team lunch today - budgetted for and much needed. Aiming at under a tenner and healthy if poss! Thinking jacket potato if the place does them

tatabubbly

3rd NSD in a row here. Just back from tutoring so will be trying to hang around the house this weekend. €20 can go into my braces fund if I don't spend it meaning I have just €100 to make and we are back on track!

mrsinvisible

Not so frugal a day, sort of half and half, DGS wanted to see the Lego movie, so we used my disability card for bogof tickets, took our own popcorn(hm) sweeties (from Christmas) and drinks( corporation pop, and squash) He loved the movie, then we went to mr Morris*ns for the buy a meal get a kids meal free deal, which we both enjoyed, so, a half price treat, but not free.
Anyway it set him up to do some homework so school will be pleased. Today is hopefully a NSD making 2 so far, as lunch will be lo pork in a bun, and tea will be a SC stew, from stores.
Florenceem, you are so right, we (well I) have so much to be thankful for xx