2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugalsod

nomi76 wrote: »

I need to join this thread.

I thankfully have no debt but I am wasting too much money. Its usually small amounts here and there but it all adds up - in fact I don't want to add it up.

My biggest waste would be dropping into the shops most days and spending too much on food. I am going to start freezing sandwiches for lunch. Does anyone do this and want combos work well?

I do not think freezing sandwiches is great. I would suggest taking some of your regular meals in a flask to work instead. If you make extra and keep it over night in the fridge and in the morning pre heat the flask with boiling water before you reheat the food you could have a hot meal at work each day. Soups are good for this.

If you try and meal plan you can avoid the shops altogether and that will help you.

Buffythedebtslayer

Frugalsod wrote: »

I do not think freezing sandwiches is great. I would suggest taking some of your regular meals in a flask to work instead. If you make extra and keep it over night in the fridge and in the morning pre heat the flask with boiling water before you reheat the food you could have a hot meal at work each day. Soups are good for this.

If you try and meal plan you can avoid the shops altogether and that will help you.

You must have been sending Flask buying vibes! I bought one today with exactly that in mind!


xx

WantToBeSE

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

this thread is VERY good for lunch ideas


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4832833=


Might join it in Jan, do not want to think about Jan now got loads to do for Christmas still!

Thank you for linking to my thread I have saved over £115 this month by taking lunch (and breakfast) to work instead of buying it at the nearest supermarket

angelicious

Can I join please?

nomi76

I found a huge thread here on freezing sandwiches so I am going to give it ago.

I usually come home for lunch everyday, my job means I am not in an office but driving around to various houses all day. I want to try the sandwiches as I think these will be cheaper. I also have a bad habit of going thru a drive thru or dropping into the shops when I am starving. Having the sandwiches here ready to go in the freezer will make me not want to waste them.

My next step will be to cut back on my main meal.

BTW I am in Australia

Frugalsod

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

You must have been sending Flask buying vibes! I bought one today with exactly that in mind!


xx

I was actually looking for one myself. That was why I mentioned it.

ellie-g

Please can I join this challenge? I am already pretty thrifty and so I planned to retire 7 years ago (at 50) but it didn't quite work out like that- however, that's another story. So spring 2014 is now my target. One frugal challenge I've set is NEVER, EVER to use the tumble dryer. I know it's Christmas Eve, but as it's forecast to be windy and dry I've just spent half an hour hanging out loads of washing. It was very cold though and I can now barely feel my fingers and my neighbours probably think I am mad but I don't care, I will NOT use that dryer!

optimistic-mummy

hi. can i join you all please. need to put my frugal head back on and gain control of the finances asap its been an expensive year. although im looking forward to tomorrow but as of boxing day its frugal living ! i have a budget so hopefully we will stick to it !

Goldiegirl

ellie-g wrote: »

One frugal challenge I've set is NEVER, EVER to use the tumble dryer.

Yes, I've limited the use of my tumble dryer, as it eats electricity !


Obviously, it was easier in the summer, but I have made conscious efforts to cut down on using the tumble dryer since autumn/ winter started.


I'm lucky in that I have a spare room where washing can be dried without getting in the way, and I'm not perfect in that I do still use the dryer when I want to get things out of the way in a hurry.


My next bill is due at the start of February, and I do hope to see a reduction in consumption over the same period last year

Jacqui579

Can I join in? I really want to pay off my debts and start saving some money and hopefully pay off some of my mortgage! I am going to do up a budget and meal plans which I am going to stick to! I try every week but always fail - 2014 will be different though! I am going to attempt the 52 week savings challenge - save the same amount for the week of the year eg - week 1 - £1 week 5 - £5. It will be very tough going come the end of the year but even if I can do it for 6 months then restart it again it will be more than I usually save!