2014 Frugal Living Challenge

sparrer

Enjoy the last days at work Dawn, they'll go all too quickly. You might find that you do better than you imagine without your salary as you'll have the extra time to learn and practice more frugal ways. I thought I knew all about frugality when I retired but gradually I've found more ways to saving the pennies, and some which I've invented to suit my lifestyle.

Not the best of days today, out for lunch with friends to our usual Sunday venue but they've changed the menu. Not very impressed, red wine in lasagne, beer battered fish, steak and ale pie - not much choice for people who don't take alcohol ( we know all the arguments about it being cooked out at a certain temp, etc etc, but we just prefer not to have any at all). Had a Caesar salad wrap with wasn't really a proper meal, and a 'Sicilian' lemon meringue which was, we all agreed after tasting it, inedible. So we, 5 single ladies, are looking for a new venue for Sunday lunch after our fellowship meeting.

Called into @ldi beforehand and did a weeks shop for £16, just over my normal weekly allowance but I did buy a new spray nozzle for the garden hose as I dropped and cracked the last one.

No plans to go out tomorrow so hopefully a nsd/npd

skintygerlinky

Evening Frugalites xxxxx


Well I've finally brought my April spends up to date - OH DEAR!!
Lordy lou I've spent a lot this month. So, I'm looking at tomorrow and Tues being NSDs then I'm doing my food shop on Friday I've just decided, in order for my DDs to get out of my account and to do a quick inventory of the cupboards, fridge and freezer.


Need to go back to my Frugal 14 promises to myself and dig deep! We can do this, Frugalites!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qW9-s3ITbU

Frugalsod

I have been planning a holiday for 2016/2017 and that has been helping me keep busy and away from spending. It will be a complicated road trip around the USA and I want to work out what to get both before and during the holiday. The fact that some things can be bought there cheaper has kept me from buying anything until I have researched it all. So my current account has barely been touched this month. My credit card spending is down as well.

Shortie

Have a fabulous last 'I Hate Mondays' (said Garfield style) tomorrow DawnW

sparrer wrote: »

Lunch with friends to our usual Sunday venue but they've changed the menu. Not very impressed, red wine in lasagne, beer battered fish, steak and ale pie - not much choice for people who don't take alcohol ( we know all the arguments about it being cooked out at a certain temp, etc etc, but we just prefer not to have any at all).

Oohhh, that's not good sparrer and would limit my choices a huge amount too. I can't drink alcohol and don't dare try it cooked either so I'd have been stuffed for choices

LionessInWinter

Frugalsod wrote: »

I have been planning a holiday for 2016/2017 and that has been helping me keep busy and away from spending. It will be a complicated road trip around the USA and I want to work out what to get both before and during the holiday. The fact that some things can be bought there cheaper has kept me from buying anything until I have researched it all. So my current account has barely been touched this month. My credit card spending is down as well.

Which states are you visiting? Will it be a road trip?

lynnejk

icontinuetodream I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and fingers xd you make a good start


Dawn - Hope you enjoy your last three days at work. Bet it will feel a bit strange eh

his_missus wrote: »

Good luck to those giving up vices tomorrow. I don't need to give up anything...I need to start exercising!:D

That's the next challenge here I'm afraid, as put on 4lbs already :eek: so starting on the exercise tomorrow

sparrer wrote: »

Not the best of days today, out for lunch with friends to our usual Sunday venue but they've changed the menu. Not very impressed, red wine in lasagne, beer battered fish, steak and ale pie - not much choice for people who don't take alcohol ( we know all the arguments about it being cooked out at a certain temp, etc etc, but we just prefer not to have any at all). Had a Caesar salad wrap with wasn't really a proper meal, and a 'Sicilian' lemon meringue which was, we all agreed after tasting it, inedible. So we, 5 single ladies, are looking for a new venue for Sunday lunch after our fellowship meeting.

I am assuming you went today (Sunday) and wondered if you've thought of W**therspoons. They do a reasonable Sunday roast but also have a huge menu and the prices are good. Their coffee has also improved loads. There is bound to be one in your nearest town.


Hope you all have a magical Monday
Lx

TM6

Frugalsod wrote: »

I have been planning a holiday for 2016/2017 and that has been helping me keep busy and away from spending. It will be a complicated road trip around the USA and I want to work out what to get both before and during the holiday. The fact that some things can be bought there cheaper has kept me from buying anything until I have researched it all. So my current account has barely been touched this month. My credit card spending is down as well.

Awesome!

I am well jel

just_the_two_of_us

DawnW - enjoy your last few days - I have absolutely no regrets finishing early last September - but has been much better since I found the companionship and support of the many MSE threads though.

Now getting my non-working life together and really enjoying it. Like others say - no idea how I had time for work!!!!

Frugalsod

LionessInWinter wrote: »

Which states are you visiting? Will it be a road trip?

Yes a road trip Maryland, Delaware, (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania, (Wooster and Cleveland) Ohio, (Erie) Pennsylvania, (Buffalo and Niagara Falls) New York, Possibly (London) Canada, to (Detroit and Ann Arbour) Michigan, (Indianapolis) Indiana, (Cincinnati) Ohio, (Louisville and Fort Knox) Kentucky, (Nashville and Knoxville) Tennessee, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, (Charlotte, Raleigh and Kill Devil Hills) North Carolina, (Richmond) Virginia, Shenandoah National Park, back to Maryland. That is the rough plan so far.

Still need to decide time of year, probably October for the autumn leaves changing in the National Parks. Accommodation is still to be decided on. I might do a virtual test run this October to see if I would get decent deals on last minute hotel bookings via mobile apps, or to pre book accommodation. As I will be camping in the National Parks I could camp elsewhere if necessary. Some areas have bears so will need to plan for those. Though if I go in January February time I might be able to do some sub zero camping in the Northern states. So loads of possible changes.

skintygerlinky

Wow frugalsod!!!


If I'm not being too nosey, how come you're doing this trip? Is it 'trip of a lifetime' (deffo sounds it!) is it something you've done before, do you spend lots of time in the US etc?


Sounds fab!