2014 Frugal Living Challenge

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Mrs_Cheshire wrote: »

Is that £5 for yourself and a cat?

Hubby and I and 3 cats... our teenage boys seem to just use this place like a doss house, and hardly eat in anymore...( both working full time)


But I have said we produce our own pork, and hopefully be growing a lot more next year..

Mrs_Cheshire

Ahh that makes sense. I find it much easier to shop once a week and I spend about 20 minutes on a sunday evening meal planning. That way you can take advantage of bargains in the reductions and freeze meat and then make sure I'm using it up. I spend about £40 per week on me, hubby and 2 young boys, one of whom is still in nappies! They eat a large amount of fresh fruit!

nomi76

Well my clothes dryer is officially broken. I don't use it very much but do sometimes 'finish' things off in there as it takes out creases. Not going to get another one for the time being. Really don't need it and its a few hundred dollars I don't want to spend.

I have joined swagbucks. Anyone know any other good sites that work for aussies.

mum2one

nomi76 wrote: »

Well my clothes dryer is officially broken. I don't use it very much but do sometimes 'finish' things off in there as it takes out creases. Not going to get another one for the time being. Really don't need it and its a few hundred dollars I don't want to spend.

I have joined swagbucks. Anyone know any other good sites that work for aussies.

If your looking for paypal off the top of my head-
pinecone research
global test market
mysurvey

If I can think of anymore will let you know x

mum2one

I've made a start on my frugal 2014, just done my bday and xmas list and have culled the numbers and the budget

Birthday
2013 Budget -235
2014 Budget -220 - that includes a 40th and a 60th birthday (larger sums allocated)

Christmas
2013 Budget -610
2014 Budget - 365

There both may need to be changed see how the year goes on, but really intend to beat the budgets again.
x

[Deleted User]

mum2one wrote: »

I've made a start on my frugal 2014, just done my bday and xmas list and have culled the numbers and the budget

Birthday
2013 Budget -235
2014 Budget -220 - that includes a 40th and a 60th birthday (larger sums allocated)

Christmas
2013 Budget -610
2014 Budget - 365

There both may need to be changed see how the year goes on, but really intend to beat the budgets again.
x

I have done the same thing and am looking to reduce spending on birthdays and Christmas next year.

The only sticking point will be my sisters 40th. Besides a gift she is expecting us all to join in her menu of activities to celebrate her birthday, including a trip to Stobo Castle spa and a night out to see a show (with a meal and drinks beforehand) in Edinburgh. The cost of these could end up being several 100 pounds, especially depending on how long she wants to stay at the spa; minimum cost will be £100 if we only go for the day. My intention is to go to only one thing on this list of activities. Any advice gratefully received. Should I just forget my frugal ways for a few weeks and go to everything?

COOLTRIKERCHICK

merry Christmas, everyone, hope is no to stressful for peeps.


Another week before the 2014 frugaling starts, BUT today is all about having a nice day... so even though I keep telling myself not to think of money etc.. I cant Help it lol......


Don't forget if there is any spare veg etc, etc and it is not ear markeed for another meal, freeze them for another day... Our chrimbo dinner is just going to be like a normal sunday dinner but with beef and turkey... no fancy trimmings.. no trifle..etc...


If you can try and salvage the Christmas paper, by opening it tidily so you can fold it up and re-use it next year... It doesn't matter how cheap a roll of Christmas paper is, you are saving those pennies... and they all add up..


I am looking at a reduced chocolate cake I bought yesterday, and the box is really pretty with shabby chic floral patterns, soooo I am going to salavage parts of it, to make into gift tags, or use it for crafting.... so keep this in mind when you got the empty packaging...

Buffythedebtslayer

Happy Christmas Frugalers!


have a lovely day XX

COOLTRIKERCHICK

allie23 I hate that as some people automatically assume other people can afford it, or want to do those things... Just say that you will only be doing one thing, and which one she would prefer you to go to...or say you would rather do something more personal, and make a meal with VERY close family, you can say you want her all to yourself for one day...etc..

good_advice

Merry Christmas frugal living people

My New Years chalange is be lead a simple life and spend even less.
Not an easy task as I have managed to cut most bills in 2013.
There must be something left?

I took the tests in the MSE news letter.
My MSIQ is 200 = a genius money saver
The other one was 47% tight. You are frugal, you're thrifty, but a little bit fab.

The turky crown has just gone in the oven for 3 hours.
Washing machine on. Yes I know! it is Christmas Day!
If I do not wash every day we have wash mountain and I end up having to put the tumble dryer on.
I have a good working system with the washing. DO, hang up and most dries in 24 hours indoors.

Family member has just had a shower so tthat will mean over ride the hot water. I now use a timer for 1 hour. It works for me as no forgetting when the hour heating the water is up.

Frugal is a way of life, diffrent to the spenders.
I have only to talk to other famillies/people and can see the gap so clearly.
Thrifty and carefull does not mean less, it just means managing your pennies better.

Right better get on with the day, I have the vegetables to prepare as family and friends will be around my table at 1pm.

Toodle pip.