2014 Frugal Living Challenge

lynnejk

quidsy wrote: »

I agree, I do like to shop around but I collect the petrol discounts and save vouchers for Christmas double ups so it makes sense for the next 6 months. I also shop to a strict list weekly so it will help reduce impulse buys. That said I'll still pick up reduced meats every few weeks for the freezer and shop at costco for bulk household goods.

I collect the discounts and save for avios vouchers too when I shop there, but do find them expensive for some things. I would also worry about the dates and freshness on delivered goods and I would miss all the YS, special offers and new products - how do you go on about these :huh:


I don't know if I would make a full order at any one place as I tend to shop about, buying lots at Al*i.

sparrer wrote: »

If you log on to supersavvyme and join the supersavvycircle that's where all the trials are. Keep your eye out for when there are new items to trial and apply to join in. Good luck

Not a good day, my 93 y/o DM was taken to hospital this morning after a new young GP on a 3 month work placement changed all her meds. Fortunately her own GP did a house call this morning and found her confused, dizzy and unsteady so put her in her car and took her to hospital. Just waiting for news and will spend the next days back and forth to Reading, a 180 mile round trip. Not so good for frugality!

Thanks for help sparrer - do I have to keep checking in or do they send invites for new trials ?


I'm really sorry to hear about your DM :eek: I do hope she has recovered from the upset.


Lx

Frugalsod

lynnejk wrote: »

I collect the discounts and save for avios vouchers too when I shop there, but do find them expensive for some things. I would also worry about the dates and freshness on delivered goods and I would miss all the YS, special offers and new products - how do you go on about these :huh:


I don't know if I would make a full order at any one place as I tend to shop about, buying lots at Al*i.

I am the same, but I get the YS deals at my local T. Express. Also the freshness has never really been an issue with online deliveries from T. What I do is get the fresh stuff locally and the long life items online.

[Deleted User]

Hi Shortie, I hope your spaced out feeling has gone now and you are feeling ok.

I took some time yesterday to have a think about my spending and what I want to do frugal wise. I have written down several areas I want to look at to make sure I can spend less. Last night I worked out how much a single load of washing cost me with my current laundry detergent. With the laundry detergent it costs 8.5p per wash which I thought was ok.

Tonight I plan to spend some time sorting through toiletries and decide what I want to keep and what I will throw out (stuff that's been sitting there for a while) and then decide what I may need that I could ask for as birthday/Christmas gifts.

On the plus side, my recent npower bill has me £147 in credit which I may ask for in cash to use for my hols or to put into savings.

quidsy

They have a 5 day freshness guarantee on delivery fresh items so no issue there. I also live near a sainsabury, iceland & morrisons & pop in anyway to pick up YS items regardless so it wont effect those things. The main things I order are special deals on cat food (if cheaper than costco), toiletries (currently running 78p off sure women roll on, so I got 6 months worth as it's the only one I use) tins, jars, dry goods & vegetables, we basically eat whatever I have a voucher for. lol, can get a bit random at times but we cope

his_missus

Hi all,

Not been on this thread for a while, been having some work done on the house and life is certainly not feeling frugal at the moment though it is our frugality that helped us save up for it all.

The next big job is the kitchen in July so starting to try and eat what's in. I foresee some bizarre meals ahead.

Shortie, sending you hugs. It's natural to feel detached in that situation xxx

sparrer

lynnejk wrote: »

Thanks for help sparrer - do I have to keep checking in or do they send invites for new trials ?
Lx

They do notify lynne but I don't rely on it, I log on to the website regularly to check for vouchers, freebies etc so go to the savvy circle while I'm there to see if any new trials are coming up.

Shortie I empathise, I'm fortunate to be retired now but having a parent taken to hospital plus other issues going on in the family is exhausting. With your job to juggle as well I'm not surprised you want to sleep! It really is a good healer of both mental and physical stress so get as much as you can and don't feel guilty about closing your eyes when you feel the need.

Frugal day today, DM had several other visitors so I stayed home as it's only 3 to a bed. Sounds like a television programme .
Gave the garden a good watering yesterday so I don't have to do it today, collected half a bucket of grey water by the sink though which has gone on the new plantlings.
The man came to clear out guttering as the water butt has been empty for weeks, he found the culprit was 'gunge' in the pipe from the downpipe into the water butt, but as least we know the guttering and downpipe are clear!

Becky_2

Sparrer, I am sorry to read what happend to your DM. I hope she feel better soon.

lynnejk

sparrer wrote: »

They do notify lynne but I don't rely on it, I log on to the website regularly to check for vouchers, freebies etc so go to the savvy circle while I'm there to see if any new trials are coming up.
!

Thanks a million for your help sparrer.


Now I'm on their list I'll add them to my check daily list.


Hope your DM soon recovered and back home fingers xd


Have a thrifty Thursday one and all
Lx

quidsy

Not the most frugal month but I have had a huge clear out, have sold some bits on fleabay and doing a bootfare sunday to get rid of ds toys. I also found amongst his mountain of toys 4 unopened board games, 2 identical star wars games, 2 lego chimas unopened and 2 little lego thingies (no idea) which I will be regifting to the various bday parties he will get invited to this year, starting with 2 tomorrow. Basically a saving of the usual £10 per gift I budget for. Super happy right now.

student-mum

Hello Everyone please could I join for the remainder of the year I need to get my debt gone and start saving and tbh the list goes on but that's for another time lol ...


our income after rent and council tax is around £1300 but we just cannot seem to live within our means .. we try our best and then something happens and with no savings it ends up going on the credit card .. so I am hoping to join you all for inspiration x


ETA : (copied from my debt free wannabe diary)


our income is around £1330 in total after rent and council tax

this is just an estimate for now but here is my plan

£300 P/m on direct debits and bills
£720 p/m on debt
£200 p/m on food
£110 on other i.e. savings, school trips, clothes etc. etc.

I am going to use this as I guide for the next month if I can stick to it I will be debt free in 3 months or thereabouts


if I stick to it I am going to carry on after the 3 months and hope to start adding to my savings


I also need to start budgeting for christmas' and birthdays


how much do you spend on :
family members xmas and bdays
your own children xmas and bdays
school friends of your kids xmas and bdays
etc. etc. to give me an idea please ty in advance


also how much is realistic for 5 days away spending money self catering tia